Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 24:1–25:44, 1 Pet 1:20–25, Ps 125:1–127:5

Today’s Theme: Godly Character

Today’s theme is about us having godly character as Christians. As Pastor Dennis always says, “we must not let our gift take us where our character cannot keep us”.

1 Samuel 24:1–25:44

Godly character and leadership

Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 1 Samuel 24:10 (ESV)

David showed true leadership by not listening to the wrong advice of those around him, as opposed to Saul whom, as we have read, listened to those around him saying that David is against him. David’s heart was to honour God and His ways.

We need to listen to God and His word, we should obey God’s word rather than the ways of the world around us or the advice of those closest to us.

The first commandment is to put God first. Like David, let us determine to do things in God’s way, according to God’s word. See Romans 12:2

Using discretion

And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! 1 Samuel 25:32–33 (ESV)

Abigail was a wise woman, full of faith and discretion. Through her intervention, David was saved from making a big mistake.

‘Discretion’ which simply means that someone “knows how to act in particular situations”, has diminished in our times. In today’s world, people are so self-centred that discretion has very little significance, instead people now say and do whatever they want, whenever they want.

As Christians we should exercise discretion like Abigail. Paul comments on us using discretion in Colossians 4:5, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” Also see Ephesians 5:15-17.

Discretion is a mark of maturity and godly Christian character.

1 Peter 1:20–25

Foreknown by God

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 1 Peter 1:20 (ESV)

When we read the word ‘foreknow’, we may start to think about knowing something ahead of time, which is true, but in this context the word is really more to do with prior relationship and intimacy.

The following definitions are from the Bible Sense Lexicon (these are all from root words which are verbs):

1. To foreknow (personally): to befriend or be acquainted with someone in a familiar way ahead of time or before meeting; implying an exclusivity of choice relative to those not befriended.
2. To be foreknown (personally): to be or become friendly or acquainted with someone in a familiar way ahead of time or before meeting; implying an exclusivity of choice relative to those not befriended.
3. To foreknow: to have (experiential) knowledge of some event before the occurrence.
4. To know formerly: to have (experiential) knowledge of someone or something from the past.

This word is used in context to Jesus who has been in an eternal, loving relationship with His Father and is used when the bible is talking about us, who God in His heart, knew intimately before the world began.

Obedience to the truth

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)

Our faith and hope are in God, and because our faith is genuine, we use our faith to obey the truth of God’s word, which in turn purifies our souls.

Obedience to the truth of God’s word, shows godly character and maturity in the faith.

When we get the fundaments of faith in God and obedience to God, laid as a foundation in our lives, then we can build on that with acts of sincere love for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We need to make an effort to show love, that is why Peter says we should show it earnestly.

A sure salvation

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 1 Peter 1:23 (ESV)

The Gospel we have heard, which we have believed and obeyed, is sure and eternal. God foreknew us and Jesus our saviour. God’s own character means His word is eternal.

We can have confidence that God has saved us eternally, we can trust God and His word, through which we have been born again.

Psalm 125:1–127:5

God surrounds us

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 125:2 (ESV)

God gives us security like the hills around Jerusalem give the city security in times of war. We can have full assurance in the salvation that God provides.

Do good, receive good

Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! Psalm 125:4 (ESV)

As we walk in the goodness of godly Christian character, we receive good things from God.

Sleep and Children

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2 (ESV)

Both good sleep and children come from the Lord, although children may affect your sleep! (smile)

Rest in God today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Peter 1

Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 22:1–23:29, 1 Pet 1:13–19, Ps 123:1–124:8

Today’s Theme: Holy Living

Today’s theme is Living Holy. Our God is Holy and He calls us to be holy in all that we do.

1 Samuel 22:1–23:29

Honour your mother and father

And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 1 Samuel 22:3 (ESV)

Much of what we must do to live a holy life, does not appear to be deeply spiritual. Holy living often finds its expression in very practical works of obedience.

David shows his heart for his parents and his desire to obey the 5th commandment, to honour his father and mother, by seeking their protection.

We must obey the 5th commandment no matter how old we are. Our culture in the West can leave the older members of our families feeling unloved and like  a burden. We as God’s people should not live in this self-centred way, we should honour our parents. See Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20

Ask God about it

Then David inquired of the LORD again. And the LORD answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” 1 Samuel 23:4 (ESV)

A key to living a holy life before God is to ask God about everything you do. Prayer simply means to ask. We must ask God about the things we do in our everyday lives.

David always prayed about everything he had to do, this was because he had a loving relationship with God, which is testified by God Himself and the Psalms that David wrote.

Jesus told us in Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

1 Peter 1:13–19

Prepare your mind for action

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)

The mind is a muscle, it needs to be exercised. The mind is also a container, it needs to be filled with good things.

The Devil would like us to think of the mind as his domain and so not exercise it in the study, meditation and living of God’s word. He would also like us to fill our minds with garbage at best and poison at worst, through evil teaching, wrong thinking and the philosophies of this world.

Peter in his great call to holiness, in the life of the Christian, first calls us to get our minds ready for trials and hard times, by commanding us to hope. We are not to have an aimless hope but should put our hope in God’s future grace promised to believers, in Jesus. This will be realised at the second coming.

Looking forward in our hearts and minds, to the second coming of Christ will give us perspective as we face difficulty. We can endure in holiness because of the grace we are promised in the future.

Be Holy

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 1 Peter 1:15 (ESV)

Our motivation for pursuing a life of holiness is God, God is holy so we should be holy in all our conduct too.

Holiness is not some spiritual state which has nothing to do with other areas of our lives, it is very much connected to our everyday lives. In our normal conduct, we must remain set apart for God.

A definition of holiness will be useful to help us think about what it means to be holy. Here is a short one from the Pocket dictionary of theological terms, by InterVarsity Press:

“A biblical term generally meaning “to be set apart.” The term is used widely in Scripture to refer to a variety of people and objects alike but ultimately points to God as the one who is qualitatively different or set apart from creation. Holy may also be used to describe someone or something that God has “set apart” for special purposes. In the NT holiness takes on the sense of ethical purity or freedom from sin…”.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be holy.

Psalm 123:1–124:8

Look to God

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us. Psalm 123:2 (ESV)

We look to God, our Master and Provider, to show us the mercy we so desperately need.

We have escaped

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Psalm 124:7 (ESV)

We have escaped the hunter’s trap… Hallelujah! Now let us live holy lives in the joy and hope of God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Peter 1

Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 20:1–21:15, 1 Pet 1:1–12, Ps 121:1–122:9

Today’s Theme: Salvation

Today’s theme is Salvation, which is what God, in His mercy, does for His sinful, finite human creatures in situations of need. It also speaks of deliverance from the power and consequences of sin.

1 Samuel 20:1–21:15

Trust God to save you

And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 1 Samuel 21:12 (ESV)

David became afraid and that fear caused him to act like a fool. We must boldly put our faith in God, believing that He can save us in difficult situations. We must not use our own methods out of fear, which always fall short.

1 Peter 1:1–12

Elected and Exiles

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 1 Peter 1:1 (ESV)

As God’s people we were sovereignly elected by God, to be saved for His glory. At the same time, we no longer fit nicely into the worlds culture and values, we are now strangers or exiles.

We should not allow our exile from the world to cause us to be disheartened, we should remember that we have been elected by God and this should fill us with great joy.

Chosen and Saved by the Trinity

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 1 Peter 1:2 (ESV)

Peter shows us that the entire Godhead (as the Trinity), is involved in our salvation:

1. God the Father in His infinite and intimate foreknowledge* choose us
2. God the Holy Spirit consecrates us as God’s chosen people
3. God the Son, Jesus Christ, is the one we have been chosen and sanctified to obey, which is all made possible through the application of the blood He shed for us.

Even the order (Father, Spirit, Christ) which Peter has put this in, reflects the reality of our experience of salvation which finds its ultimate origin in the heart of God, is made operative in our lives by the Holy Spirit, and is evidenced through personal expressions of faith in Jesus Christ.

This is also further evidence for the biblical doctrine of the tri-unity of God or the trinity.

*Do not misunderstand God’s foreknowledge, it is not that God knew we would choose Him, God made a decision to choose us specifically for His own Glory, long before the world was created.

Born again

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

No baby is born of its own will, this is true for us as God’s people too. God the Father causes us to be born again, it is God who takes the initiative in our salvation. God’s reason for causing us to be born again is His mercy.

When we are born again by the mercy and will of God, we are born into a new order, thus becoming children of the author of this new life.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, we are born again to a living hope. We do not trust in the words of a man who is now dead and gone and cannot fulfil his promises, no, Jesus is alive and He lives to fulfil all of His promises, we have a living hope.

Salvation’s inheritance

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:4–5 (ESV)

Our salvation brings us hope but it also gives us an inheritance in heaven, which is being guarded for us by God’s power, through faith, to be fully realised in the future.

Our faith in Christ will put us at odds with the world around us but this same faith identifies us as God’s legitimate children, who God powerfully protects.

Our hope in our future inheritance spurs our faith on, as we press forward in our lives for God.

God powerfully protects both His children and their inheritance.

Genuine faith

so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7 (ESV)

Trials and testing through opposition and difficulty, is crucial in helping determine the genuine quality of our profession and possession of faith in God.

The trials confirm our faith because our faith stands firm and is strengthened, whilst counterfeit faith is broken by trials.

Embrace trials as being the fire that proves your faith to be more precious than gold, for which you will be rewarded by Jesus.

“The faith of Peter’s readers is being smelted in the fire of various kinds of trials in this life. But when the most precious things of this world—such as gold—have been destroyed by fire (cf. 2 Pet. 3:10–11), Christian faith that has been proved genuine will be shown to be the most precious of all because it will deliver one from that day of final, fiery destruction when Jesus Christ is revealed (cf. 1 Pet. 1: 5). Therefore, Peter reminds his readers that genuine Christian faith is more valuable than anything the world can offer.” – Karen Jobes (2005)

Faith’s goal

obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9 (ESV)

The purpose of faith is to please God, the outcome of our genuine faith will be the ultimate salvation of our souls. We must persevere in faith to be truly saved in the end.

As we love and serve God, we will receive the goal of our faith. The prize or reward that we receive is the goal or consummation toward which our faith is directed, which is salvation.

We look forward to the full consummation of our faith, total and eternal salvation.

The Inspiration of the Bible

inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 1 Peter 1:11 (ESV)

Here we can see that the prophecies about Jesus as the suffering and then glorified Messiah, were revealed by Jesus Himself through the Holy Spirit, to the prophets as they wrote the old testament.

This informs our firm belief in the inspiration, infallibility and inerrancy of the bible as the word of God.

Psalm 121:1–122:9

Help from the Lord

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1–2 (ESV)

It can feel natural to look to the things and people around us for help, but salvation comes from the Lord, our best help comes from Him. Remember, He created the world.

We should lift up our heads and look to God for immediate salvation (deliverance and help) in our current circumstances, and ultimate salvation through Jesus.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Psalm 122:6 (ESV)

This verse is so apt with all that is happening in Israel today. Continue to pray for the salvation of all the inhabitants of the land.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Peter 1

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 18:1–19:24, James 5:13–20, Ps 120:1–7

Today’s Theme: Restoration

Our main theme today is restoration. We learn about the enemies of restoration like fear and the tools that lead to restoration such as confession.

1 Samuel 18:1–19:24

Fear, the enemy of restoration

Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. 1 Samuel 18:12, ESV

Saul allowed himself to be tormented by fear rather than learning from David’s life, humbling himself and seeking restoration.

One of the reasons Saul was driven by fear was the fact that he was self absorbed and his motivation and vision only went as far as “what do the people think of me” and “I want to be the most loved by the people”. With this in mind it is no wonder the favour David was shown by the people helped turn Saul against him.

We can learn not to be like Saul from this. We must not be driven by the fear and superficial things of this world. If we are not walking as we should, we must not allow our fear and pride to drive us even further away from God and His purpose. Instead we should humble ourselves before God.

God, who is sovereign even over demons, will even hand you over to Satan to discipline you, wake you up and save your soul. Your response should be to realise you need mercy and help, you need restoration. See 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 1:20.

James 5:13–20

Confession, the doorway to restoration

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16, ESV

Confession of our faults is the doorway to restoration between each other and between ourselves and God.

We need to humble ourselves in confession and then the prayer said in faith is not hindered. We will see both physical and spiritual restoration.

Seek restoration for others

let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:20, ESV

We should seek the restoration of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should not only be concerned about our own souls, but the souls of others as well.

Psalm 120:1–7

Cry out to God

In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:1–2, ESV

When we are in distress we should cry out to God for help. God is able to deliver us from the schemes of men and devils.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on James 5

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 17:1–58, James 5:1–12, Ps 119:153–176

Today’s Theme: Facing Giants

Beginning with David’s slaying of Goliath we will use the lens of “giants to be defeated” to bring together all three texts we have read today.

1 Samuel 17:1–58

The Giant of Intimidation and Fear

When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 1 Samuel 17:11 (ESV)

The Philistine army was well trained and equipped with modern tools of war and their champion Goliath was literally a giant compared to the size of an average man.

Goliath stood and shouted both a challenge and insults at the children of Israel with the intention of crippling them through fear and intimidation, it worked.

Jesus was constantly telling us to not fear in places like Matthew 28:10 and Acts 18:9. A brother at church a few years ago made a calendar with the 365 times do not fear is mentioned in the Bible.

We do not need to suffer intimidation and fear because Jesus said in Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Also John reminds us in 1 John 4:4 “… he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Stand in faith today, don’t let the strong words and opposing forces of the enemy intimidate you or make you afraid, remember who you are in Christ.

God is bigger than all the giants

And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” 1 Samuel 17:37 (ESV)

David (in his late teens at this point) has the right perspective on the situation. He has been anointed with the Holy Spirit already and has a relationship and past experiences with God. David knows God.

Because David knows God and has experienced what God has done in his life before, he is filled with faith to face this giant.

David’s perspective is right. God is bigger and greater than any opposing force including a giant, a well trained and well equipped warrior.

We should learn from David’s example, let’s take our eyes off our seemingly impossible “giant” problems and situations and instead look beyond them to God. God who is great and able, God who has proved faithful in scripture and in our lives. Let’s look to our sovereign God and put all our faith and trust in Him.

See Jude 24-25 and Ephesians 3:20 for encouragement regarding God’s ability to come through for you.

Fight for God’s fame and glory

This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 1 Samuel 17:46 (ESV)

There are two great things we can learn from David here. One is that back in 1 Samuel 17:39 he explains that he cannot use what he has not yet tried and tested. Now in this verse, we see his purpose in going up to fight the giant is to bring God glory and spread God’s fame.

We must also use what we have tested ourselves in the battle. This is why it is so important that we become well acquainted with God and his word in the Bible. In this way the weapons of our warfare in prayer will not feel strange in our hands.

We should also have the same overarching purpose in all we do and in all our spiritual warfare. It must be for the glory of God and the spreading of God’s fame to all nations.

Face the Giants

When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:48 (ESV)

David did not run away from the battle, he ran towards the battle line to slay the giant.

We must have stout, bold, courageous hearts in the Lord just like David. Run to the battle line today knowing that the battle is the Lords’, He will give you the victory.

We do not bury our heads in the sand as though the giants are not there, we face them, in faith.

James 5:1–12

The Giant of Injustice

Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. James 5:4 (ESV)

As Christians we should not shut our eyes to the gross injustice which abounds in the world. We need to be very conscious of the things we buy and invest in. Many consumer products are produced by companies exploiting poorer countries and people. Where possible we need to live and shop with an awareness of this.

Together and in the name of Jesus we must rise against economic injustice. The Church of Jesus Christ must stand up against injustice wherever it is found and we must be careful that we do not become indifferent consumers with a little religion.

Worship and justice go hand in hand, just read the book of Psalms. One way we fight injustice as a church is through Child Sponsorship with Compassion. Ask God today if there is any other way you can be used to fight the giants of economic and social injustice.

Psalm 119:153–176

The word in a nutshell

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. Psalm 119:160 (ESV)

To put God’s word in a nutshell, it is truth, that is what it all sums up to. Just like Jesus used the truth of the word to combat the enemy, we too use the word of God to slay the giants around us and in us.

The Greatest treasure

I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. Psalm 119:162 (ESV)

God’s word is the greatest treasure that anyone could ever have. The word of God should fill us with rejoicing. Every morning as I read, think about and write these notes I am filled with joy.

See God’s word for what it is, the greatest treasure you could ever hope to have and rejoice!!

The Giant of offence

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165 (ESV)

If we love God’s word, it will stand as a defence for us from the giant of offence. Jesus warns us that offences will come but if our perspective is taken from God’s word we will not let offence take root. We will keep our eyes on God and the promises of His word.

Sing the word

My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Psalm 119:172 (ESV)

One of our greatest spiritual weapons to slay the giants is praise, praise from the word of God is the best type of praise so praise God today for and in accordance with His word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on James 5