Samuel gave good advice on how to live and we should strive to follow that same advice today. “Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24)
Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 9-12
Sometimes we think what we want is what we need. We see this from the Israelites in 1 Samuel chapter 8. “But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” (1Samuel 8:6-7) It really troubled Samuel that they would not listen to him, but they had other reasons for wanting a king. “Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.” (1Samuel 8:19-20) They wanted to be like other nations. Wanting to be like the world around us can get us on the wrong path. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 4-8
In 1 Samuel chapter 3, Samuel heard a voice speaking to him. He went to Eli the priest and asked him what he wanted because he thought Eli was the one talking to him. After three times of this happening, Eli knew that it was God speaking and told Samuel that the next time he heard the voice to say “Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.” Samuel did as he was told and God spoke to him. We will not be hearing God speak to us in that way, but He will speak to us thru His word. Like Samuel, we have to let Him speak to us. We have to study all of His written Word and make application of it into our own lives.
Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 1-3
In the book of Ruth we see what seems to be another instance of God’s providence at work. After Naomi’s husband and two sons died, she said that “the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” (Ruth 1:13) Little did she know that Jesus would be born thru the lineage of her daughter-in-law Ruth. (Matthew 1:5) Naomi was going back to Bethlehem and she told both of her daughter-in-laws to go back to their home country. Orpah did as she was told to do. “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16) It sounds like the influence of Naomi is what brought Ruth to the one true God. We may not know the level of influence we have on others, but we can make sure that influence is a positive one. (1Corinthians 7:16)
Today’s reading: Ruth 1-4
Here we see the book of Judges ending with that same phrase repeated: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25) The Proverb writer warned us about doing what is right in our own sight. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) He even warns of a generation having that same idea. “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.” (Proverbs 30:12) Instead, we should live by the words from Jeremiah; “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. O LORD, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.” (Jeremiah 10:23-24)
Today’s reading: Judges 19-21
In this section of the book of Judges is a statement that gets repeated at the end of the book. “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6,21:25) In between these two verses we read of a lot of evil that was done and what could happen when a nation has no rulers. We do not always agree with our government and the laws of the land, but we are commanded to obey them as long as they are not contrary to God’s word. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Rom 13:1) He does not control them like puppets, but His providence works no matter what men do.
Today’s reading: Judges 16-18
We may be like Samson’s parents and not always understand God’s ways. “His father and mother did not know that it was from the LORD, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.” (Judges 14:4) But we can be assured that His ways are ALWAYS better than our ways! “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD? OR WHO HAS BECOME HIS COUNSELOR?” “OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM AND IT SHALL BE REPAID TO HIM?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
Today’s reading: Judges 14-15
Manoah is probably not a name you easily recognize, but what about his son, Samson? We know the story of how strong Samson was and that he lost his strength when his hair was cut off. Well before Samson became this strong man, his mother was approached by an angel who said “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.” (Judges 13:3) When she told her husband Manoah what had happened, he did what we all should do: “Then Manoah prayed to the LORD and said, ‘O Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us and teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born.’” (Judges 13:8) We cannot expect God to send us an angel, but He will answer our prayers for guidance. That guidance will come with study of His word and living a life in service to Him.
Today’s reading: Judges 10-13
At times it may seem like the evil ones of this world are winning, but God is and has always been in control. He works in His own time and His ways are the best ways. “And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.” (Judges 9:57) Paul thru his letter to the Romans tells us that we must let God handle these battles for us. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19-21 ESV)
Today’s reading: Judges 8-9
Gideon was about to lead his army to fight the Midianites. God wanted fewer men to go to fight so He could show His power. What method did he use to decide who would go fight? The first way was just to ask who was scared and let those people go home. The number of men remaining was still too many so He then narrowed them down by how they drank water. “So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” (Judges 7:5) If you had been asked to choose 300 men to go to battle how would you have done it? I doubt any one of us would have used this method. We do not always understand exactly the reason He does things, but just like in this battle we see that His ways work out for the best every time. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1Co 1:25)
Today’s reading: Judges 6-7