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Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 5:1–7:17, James 1:19–27, Ps 119:33–48

Today’s Theme: God’s Dangerous Presence, Live the Bible

God’s presence is dangerous to every demon, to the flesh and the ways of the world but is wonderful to those who love God and love his word, seeking to live out the word by being doers of the word and not just hearers.

Demons must bow

But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 1 Samuel 5:4 (ESV)

Demons must bow down in God’s presence. For these false gods which are really demons the presence of the true God is a terrible and frightening thing.

Dagon had fallen face down before the ark of the Lord. Paul taught us that every knee will one day bow to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, even the demons will have to bow in Philippians 2:10 “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth”

Later we see that both the head and hands of the idol were cut off. This is symbolic of God cutting of the enemy’s ability to strategies (head) and his strength (arms).

God’s hand on the flesh

So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land. Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed? 1 Samuel 6:5–6 (ESV)

God’s presence represented by the ark did not only affect the idol / demons, it had an affect on the flesh of the people causing great discomfort and sickness.

The presence of God will bring discomfort to the flesh, leaving man with the option to either flees God’s presence and remain in sin or humble themselves in repentance and become conformable to God, his presence and word. Romans 8:29

The most dangerous response to the judgement and conviction that comes in God’s presence is to harden our hearts like the Egyptians did, which resulted in their destruction. This is possible in church, to hear God’s word and harden our hearts, not leaving his presence but not responding in humility. This is very dangerous, we must humble ourselves before God.

Our flesh must bow and repent in God’s presence. Jesus said in John 16:8 when the Holy Spirit comes “..he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:”

God is not safe, but he is good.

And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the LORD. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great blow. 1 Samuel 6:19 (ESV)

“In C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, one of the children is told about Aslan the lion (who represents Christ in the story). She asks the Beavers, ‘Is he—quite safe?’ Mrs Beaver replies, ‘If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most, or else just silly … Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good”*

We should not have a flippant attitude when it comes to the things of God, the presence of God is dangerous and should be handled as holy / sacred.

These men looked into the ark which contained the covenant (now represented by the bible) and it was because they looked at it that God struck them down. This ties in well with our NT reading.

We should honour God, his word (the bible) and his presence (The Holy Spirit), humbling ourselves to approach God and respond to God appropriately or suffer the consequence in our own lives.

*C S Lewis quote taken from Opening Up 1 Chronicles. Leominster: Day One Publications.

God helps his people

As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 1 Samuel 7:10 (ESV)

Samuel was the last great Judge of Israel, he served a dual role (like Jesus) as the high priest and prophet too. He turned the hearts of the people back towards the Lord.

Here we see Samuel invokes the presence of God through this burnt offering and cries out to the Lord to deliver the people. God responds to Samuel and thunders against the enemy, sending them into confusion leading to victory for Israel.

Samuel had experience with Gods presence and knew that it was only God who would allow them to defeat their enemies this is why he calls the people to repentance and then calls urgently upon the Lord.

As God’s children we must walk right before God and call upon his presence through the Holy Spirit in our lives to see the enemies of our soul defeated.

God gave Samuel peace for all his days as a judge after this. God’s presence is like a weapon in our spiritual warfare that will bring us peace.

Do the word, don’t just read it

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 (ESV)

James is so plain in speaking that the letter requires very little comment.

We should be changed by God’s presence and by God’s word. Gods word is a mirror, it shows us ourselves and God’s Holy Spirit shows us where we need to change.

We must think about what we read so we don to forget it, if we forget it we can not apply it.

Don’t just plough throughout he bible reading plan, take time to pray over what you read and apply it to your life.

We have a “relationship with God”

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27 (ESV)

It has become a common saying with Christians that faith in Christ is all about a “personal” relationship with God. This opens the door to all sorts of private interpretations and heresy and gives people all sorts of licence for sin as they form God in their own image.

We were out evangelising one evening and we meet a young man whose dad was a minister, he was clubbing but said he had a personal relationship with Jesus.

Rather than having a “personal” relationship with God, we have actually have a “relationship with God” which includes a relationship with a local fellowship of believers, a Pastor, the bible and the world around us. We cannot isolate or relationship with God form the wider church.

True religion rather than mans futile attempts to reach God is to live in purity before God and to live out the word of God by serving and blessing others.

Delight in the Bible

for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. Psalm 119:47 (ESV)

We should like the psalmist have a deep love for Gods word and a strong desire to hear it and understand it. Mediate on this wonderful portion of Psalm 119 today

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 2:22–4:22, James 1:9–18, Ps 119:17–32

Today’s Theme: Man’s Vanity vs God’s Glory

Wicked men and weak women

Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 1 Samuel 2:22 (ESV)

Eli’s sons are debauched. They are the worst sort of sinner because their rebellion against God was so open in the face of Gods blessings and the responsibility placed on their lives.

These “ministers” of the tabernacle were committing adultery with the sanctuary workers. This shows how evil their apostate hearts had become.

Ministry and worship is a dangerous endeavour for those whose hearts do not belong to and remain focused on the Lord. The one performing the ministry is in a place of influence and responsibility while the one being ministered to often opens themselves up in trust.

This is why the ministry is not just a profession, it is a calling from God and why as believers we need to walk in holiness and exercise discernment, measuring ourselves and our ministers by the word of God which rules over us all.

Paul warned the younger Pastor Timothy about these wicked men in 2 Timothy 3:5–9 “… For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,… But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all…”

The intercessor

If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death. 1 Samuel 2:25 (ESV)

These men were guilty of high handed sin against God and none could deliver them from the judgement God had determined to give them.

We should give thanks that we do have an advocate with God the Father who intercedes for us, namely God the Son, Jesus Christ.

John encourages us in 1 John 2:1, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

However we must not take this intercession for granted. Paul warns us in Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” And we must remember that the Holy Spirit is involved in our intercession as the bible tells us in Romans 8:26.

If we grieve the Holy Spirit, how can the Spirit make intercession for us? So we must not take this for granted, we are called to live in honour to the Lord and to repent quickly if we slip.

For those who resist the call of the Holy Spirit there remains no other method of intercession for their sins offence before God as Jesus taught us in Mark 3:29

Little idols

Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ 1 Samuel 2:29 (ESV)

We must not make our children into little idols, challenging God for honour and worship in our lives. Matthew 10:37

The bible calls us as parents to shepherd our children, which includes rebuking them.

We need to face up to the biblical truth that our children are all born into sin with a sinful nature and bent toward rebellion, without our love, guidance and discipline they will walk in gross sin.

If we love our children we will not make them into idols, exalting them above God and his word.

Hebrews 12:11 remind us “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” It is not that it is not easy for the child only but it is hard for the parent too.

Proverbs 23:13-14 teaches us “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.” If required, controlled smacking is biblical and helpful.

Be encouraged by the word of God today to actively discipline your children to the glory of God.

God’s freedom

Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30 (ESV)

God is not bound by the laws of the universe as some cults teach. Some teach that even if someone is living in rebellion against God but follows some spiritual laws or godly principles God is obligated to bless them.. this is heresy.

God is not ever obligated to do anything. God is completely free. Anything God does is what he has chosen to do. God declares his freedom here by stating that he will only honour those who honour him.

Hear God’s voice

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 1 Samuel 3:9 (ESV)

Samuel was sleeping where the Ark of the Covenant was which speaks of God’s presence and Gods covenants. Today these would be the Holy Spirit (God’s presence) and the Bible (God’s covenants). It is primarily through God’s word that we hear God’s voice today.

We are also led by God the Holy Spirit and God can by the Spirits insight and revelation use things all around us to speak to us.

We need to live our lives in Gods presence, by mediating on his word and walking in step with his Spirit, this way we will hear God’s voice clearly.

Jesus said in John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Like Samuel we say today “Speak Lord, your servant hears”

Vain religion

And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” 1 Samuel 4:3 (ESV)

The people wanted the Ark, not God. Notice they said “that it may come among us” not that God might be with them.

We are not saved by the things of God but by God himself. We must not put our trust in any external thing, no statue, cross, building, book or place will bring us salvation.

We can not separate the things of God from God himself, we cannot use the things of God aside form a loving relationship with God.

Baptism, communion, corporate worship, prayer and bible study are all of benefit but only in as much as these graces are undertaken in the context of a loving, living relationship with God.

The ways of God cannot be separated from the person of God if they are we end up with vain and dead religion. Romans 1:21

Ichabod!

And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” 1 Samuel 4:22 (ESV)

This is a sad state for any Christian and for any church. The glory of God had left Israel, Gods glory is Gods presence and for us this is God the Holy Spirit.

As Pastor Dennis preached on Sunday we must not grieve or quench God the Holy Spirit in our lives, he is the very glory of God.

Jesus told us in (John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Do not live a vain and dead life today, live in and for God’s glory, live by Gods word and his Holy Spirit.

Vain pursuits

For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. James 1:11 (ESV)

As we go about our daily task, like going to our place of employment, going to school or working in the home we must not allow these pursuits to overtake us.

In particular we need to be careful when we are pursuing more money, it is so easy for the pursuit of money and money itself to become an idol. Our culture encourages us to get more and more stuff. We need to avoid the crazy rush for more things because as James says the rich man fades away in the midst of his pursuits.

The crown of life

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (ESV)

God rewards us for enduring trials and remaining steadfast in our commitment to the Lord. Trials here simply means difficulties in life that may threaten our faithfulness to God.

We are called to persevere, this will produce character in us and it is for our perseverance that God rewards us.

An old but good biblical doctrine is “The perseverance of the saints” which states that those who are truly saved will have a desire to preserve and by Gods Holy Spirit and grace will indeed persevere to be ultimately saved.

Those who persevere through life’s many trials prove themselves to be God’s elect children and prove through their perseverance that they actually love the Lord.

The crown of life is a conditional promise only to those who love the Lord. As Jesus said those who love the Lord will persevere in keeping the Lord’s commands.

Thank God for the promise of the crown of life that is yours in Christ today, this very promise should help us all to persevere.

Desires and appetites

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:14 (ESV)

Our temptations come form our own desires, we cannot be tempted with something we do not want.

You could not tempt me with a Marmite sandwich… I hate Marmite but you could tempt me with a jam one.

The food example is simple and humorous but it is a good picture when it come to all types of desire. We can only be drawn away by something we actually want. This is why God changes our hearts through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit so our desires are changed.

Check your desires today, if your appetite needs to change then ask God to change your heart. This is one of the greatest keys to overcoming temptations. Only God can do this for you of course but you can humbly ask God to change your desires.

At the same time you need to eat the sorts of things that will train your taste and appetite to be for the things that please God. One way of doing this is reading the bible regularly, watching and listening to biblical things and cutting down on you intake of less helpful things like TV etc

Vain cycle of sin

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:15 (ESV)

The cycle of sin is always the same and always brings death in one way or another, sin is a cycle of vanity.

We should not live our lives in the frustrating and unsatisfying vanity of sin but to the glory of God.

As our Pastors always say, you cannot sin and win. Sin will always lead to death so don’t be fooled by the false promise of temptation, flee temptation and sin today.

A selection of creatures

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:18 (ESV)

There is nothing that makes us more special than the next human being. God desires that all would be saved. However God according to his sovereign will chose to “actually” save us by the truth of his word.

The reasoning James gives here is that God wants a first fruits of his creatures. God wants to save a selection from every nation, tribe and language.

There are still unreached people groups who have never heard the Gospel, we must do our part in seeing the Gospel reach to the ends of the earth so the firstfruits will have representation from all people.

Find out more about unreached people groups here http://joshuaproject.net/

Jesus died for all types of people without distinction while actually atoning for those he chose from before the world began. For this we should give God praise.

Wondrous things

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18 (ESV)

There is GREAT treasure in God’s word, it so rich and wonderful. If you can’t see that then ask God to change your heart and submit under the biblical teaching of our leaders to start to cultivate a heart that sees the wonder of Gods word.

Clinging to the dust

My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! Psalm 119:25 (ESV)

We by nature cling to the things of this word and are drawn away by earthly desires. We need God to give us the regenerating life of himself through the Holy Spirit and the life sustaining truth of his word