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1 Samuel 23:13-29; Psalm 54; 1 Samuel 24-25:44<\/strong><\/span> I love the mini-reunion of Jonathan and David in First Samuel 23 verses 16 & 17 \u2013 \u201cJonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid,\u201d Jonathan reassured him. \u201cMy father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father is well aware.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 What great words of encouragement from Jonathan!\u00a0 Who is the last person you encouraged?\u00a0 Do you make it a habit to encourage people around you regularly?\u00a0 Who is someone you can encourage big-time today or tomorrow?<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Interesting chapters today!\u00a0 David is essentially put to the test by God over the next 3 chapters \u2013 2 tests today and 1 tomorrow.\u00a0 And the test is this \u2013 obedience.\u00a0 You\u2019ll recall that Saul fails the test of obedience early in his kingship.\u00a0 David passes the tests \u2013 he does not kill Saul and he does not kill Nabal.\u00a0 He could have killed both.\u00a0 First Samuel 24 verses 5 through 7 are a great look at David\u2019s character when Saul was in the cave \u2013 \u201cBut then David\u2019s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul\u2019s robe. \u201cThe LORD knows I shouldn\u2019t have done it,\u201d he said to his men. \u201cIt is a serious thing to attack the LORD\u2019s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.\u201d So David sharply rebuked his men and did not let them kill Saul.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n How impressive is Abigail in First Samuel chapter 25!\u00a0 Her speech to David in verses 24 through 30 is awesome.\u00a0 She takes all the blame.\u00a0 Calls out Nabal.\u00a0 Gives David gifts.\u00a0 And smartly lets him know he doesn\u2019t need this blood on his hands.\u00a0 David is clearly impressed.\u00a0 \u00a0Below is Dutch artist Jacob Willemsz de Wet\u2019s painting from the 17th century titled \u201cThe Meeting of David and Abigail\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled \u201cA Friend Indeed\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and \u201cA Time to Kill, or Not\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and \u201cDear Abby\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in 1 Samuel and the Psalms reminded me of Rebecca St. James\u2019 song \u201cYou Are Loved:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
I like Psalm 54 verse 4 a lot \u2013 \u201cBut God is my helper. The Lord is the one who keeps me alive!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Is this true in your life?\u00a0 Is God the one who keeps you alive?\u00a0 Or are you trying to lean on other things as your source of life?\u00a0 I believe it is such a blessing to surrender more and more to God until we get to the point where truly this true for us \u2013 God is the one \u2013 and only \u2013 who keeps us alive.\u00a0 I am not saying I am there yet \u2013 but I\u2019m trying to get there.\u00a0 I\u2019m trying to surrender more and more each day to Jesus and the Father \u2013 all that I am \u2013 all that I am living for.\u00a0 I pray that in your life and in mine God will be the one who keeps us alive!<\/span><\/span>