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1 Samuel 22:1-2; Psalm 57; Psalm 142; 1 Chronicles 12:8-18; 1 Samuel 22:3-23; Psalm 52; 1 Samuel 23:1-12<\/strong><\/span> Old Testament<\/strong> \u2013 Very sad readings today in First Samuel 22 as we read about the slaughter of the priests.\u00a0 Sadly fitting that Doeg betrayed the priests to Saul and then Saul commanded Doeg to kill the priests, because no one else would.\u00a0 This whole incident shows how far Saul has strayed away from God.\u00a0 He has lost his moral compass completely. It\u2019s interesting to recall earlier in our First Samuel readings how Saul looked like he might be a decent king initially.\u00a0 But, then he was disobedient to God.\u00a0 And then his sin continued and continued to where he is in today\u2019s readings.\u00a0 This should be a warning to each of us to not stray from God like this.\u00a0 If we are allowing ourselves to be disobedient to God or if we are continuing in a sin, we are slaves to that sin.\u00a0 And this slavery to sin can grow and grow until we lose all moral control, as Saul has.\u00a0 This image below by Gerard Hoet from a 1728 Bible is courtesy of Bizzell Bible Collection, University of Oklahoma Libraries:<\/span><\/p>\n Psalm 57 verse 8 is amazing \u2013 \u201cWake up, my soul!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 What 4 great words. . . wake up my soul!\u00a0 Do you ever feel like you need to say this to your soul?\u00a0 I know that I have in my past.\u00a0 There have been times in my life where I have felt spiritually asleep.\u00a0 Just completely slumbering. . .\u00a0 and I have begged my soul to wake up!\u00a0 Fortunately, I finally learned that I could not wake up my soul on it\u2019s own.\u00a0 I needed the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to wake up my soul. . .\u00a0 and the Spirit keeps it awake today.\u00a0 If you feel that you need your soul to wake up, will you prayer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to indwell your soul and to wake it up?<\/span><\/span><\/span> Psalm 142 is a prayer of David\u2019s when he was fleeing Saul and was hiding in a cave.\u00a0 David is praying for deliverance to God from his enemies.\u00a0 I thought verse 3 was powerful \u2013 \u201cFor I am overwhelmed, and you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Have you ever felt this way?\u00a0 Overwhelmed?\u00a0 And traps every which way you look?\u00a0 And you have no idea which way to go?\u00a0 At a time like this, will you cry out to God as David did in this Psalm?\u00a0 Will you \u201cpour out your complaints before him and tell him all your troubles\u201d?<\/em> (v. 2)\u00a0 Do you believe that God knows which way you should turn?\u00a0 Will you allow God to \u201c\u201dbe your place of refuge\u201d?<\/em>\u00a0 In times like these, will you allow God to be \u201call you really want in life<\/em>\u201c?\u00a0 (v. 5)<\/span>\u00a0 Some say that David wrote Psalm 142 while in a cave in Adullam.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in 1 Samuel and the Psalms reminded me of MercyMe\u2019s song \u201cHow Great is Your Love:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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