Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 25:1 and Ephesians 3:1-7

“Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and
buried him at his home in Ramah.” 1 Samuel 25:1a

When a brother or sister in Christ dies, all mourn.  Through God’s grace we all are one and share in the loss.

Reading for today: 1 Samuel 24:16-22 and Ephesians 2:19-22

“You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.”
1 Samuel 24:17b

Here we see the fruit of David’s sensitivity to the Spirit back in verses 5 through 7.  How do we overcome evil?  With good!

Reading for today: 1 Samuel 24:8-15 and Ephesians 2:17-18

“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
Ephesians 2:18

Years ago I was invited to a Bar Mitzvah at a Jewish synagogue.  I remember little boys with white shirts, black pants, yarmulkes and long, curled side-locks running and playing before the service started.  Oh Father, may those same boys, their families and everyone in that synagogue enjoy the same access by the Spirit that this Gentile has to You, through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Reading for today: 1 Samuel 24:1-7 and Ephesians 2:14-16

“Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.” 
1 Samuel 24:5

Did David have a tender conscience?  Many men would have gone beyond cutting Saul’s robe.  But here, when David realized he transgressed against God’s anointed, he quickly confessed and repented.  No rationalization.  No excuses.  No way!

Reading for today: 1 Samuel 23:24-29 and Ephesians 2:11-13

“But a messenger came to Saul, saying, ‘Hurry and come, for the Philistines have
invaded the land!’” 1 Samuel 23:27

Uh oh, it’s all over for David.  He and his men are completely encircled.  The noose is tightening, and yet we see the word “but” again.  Even though it doesn’t say “but God,” it is implied, and God’s fingerprints are all over this one.  No coincidences in this universe.  From Saul’s perspective this is, “a man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”  From David’s perspective this is, “everything works together for good to those who love God.”  May we also love God like David!

Reading for today: 1 Samuel 23:14-23 and Ephesians 2:8-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves…”
Ephesians 2:8a

Grace.  What a beautiful word.  “Charis” in the Greek, it means unmerited favor.  But it gets even better.  You know the faith through which we were saved?  It was given to us. We didn’t even have to come up with that.  God did it all!  And do you want to know what else?  He continues to do it all!

Reading for today: 1 Samuel 23:6-13 and Ephesians 2:4-7

“But God, who is rich in mercy…”  Ephesians 2:4

Many times when we see the phrase “but God” in the scriptures, we see something heading in one direction, “but God” intervenes and turns the situation around.  And so it is here.  We were heading for a train wreck.  We were on a collision course with disaster.  We were dead in our trespasses and sins and destined for judgment.  But God, “who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,” rescued us from our just punishment and has already positionally seated us in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Reading for today: 1 Samuel 23:1-5 and Ephesians 2:1-3

“Then David inquired of the Lord once again.” 1 Samuel 23:4a

David had a habit of inquiring of the Lord and here he is doing it again.  Not only that, but he asks the same question again.  Is the Lord upset with David for asking the same question?  No!  The Lord gives wisdom to all “liberally and without reproach,” and this includes you and me.

Reading for today: I Samuel 22:20-23 and Ephesians 1:22-23

“Stay with me; do not fear.” I Samuel 22:23a

David takes responsibility for his sin that caused the death of Ahimelech’s house.  David seeks to make things right in protecting Abiathar.  We cannot always change our past, but we can seek to be a blessing to those who we may have hurt.  Love covers a multitude of sins.

Reading for today: I Samuel 22:11-19 and Ephesians 1:17-21

“Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, ‘Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David…’”  I Samuel 22:17

David’s sin of lying had a part in the killing of the priest Ahimelech and the city of Nob.  David told Ahimelech that “the king has ordered me on some business.”  David wasn’t on the King’s business but on the run.  Lying can result in disastrous situations.  As believers we are to speak the truth regardless of what the consequences may be.