Category: Proverbs

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Heart Smart

So many advertisements and commercials encourage us to be “heart smart”. They focus on proper eating habits, exercise, refraining from smoking and living stress free.

I agree that we need to protect our hearts but it won’t come from eating a certain cereal, taking a low grain aspirin everyday, or any other thing that man can advertise. To be truly heart smart take a good dose of Scripture everyday.

“Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.” I Kings 8:61

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39.

if you really want to do something to keep your heart healthy keep it centered on God’s Word!

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Home Sweet Home

Just sit right back And you’ll hear a tale. A tale of a fateful trip, That started from this little town, Aboard this big black truck.

We left home ten days ago for our camping vacation in the mountains. It was a beautiful morning. We waited late enough to avoid the morning work traffic and headed up the hill. At the bottom of Salt River Canyon we made a potty stop and on up the hill.

We were so excited when we got to Show Low. We were right on schedule. We were only about an hour from the campground and check in was at two. We brought the truck to a stop at a light and heard a terrible grinding, rattle. We felt badly for the vehicle next to us because it sounded as if his truck was falling apart. On through the light we went only to be caught in road construction where we had to slow down again. It was then we realized the grinding and rattle were coming from our truck.

Oh No!!

Dave checked all the gauges and everything was good; nothing running high or low but the noise…Thinking we may have run over something, and it was dragging from the undercarriage or had gotten stuck somehow, we found a wide spot to pull over and thoroughly check things out.

Nothing.

Dave checked under the hood. Everything was fine there too. We kept going, thinking positive and knowing that when we got to the campground we (he) could check things out more. And then there was the squeal or whine…no, this needed attention now so Dave turned around and headed back to a Auto/Diesel shop we had just passed.

The owner came out to help us; he and Dave did a few diagnostics and the mechanic determined he didn’t know what it was and told us about a transmission shop in Show Low. Six miles back in to town.

Before Dave called them we grabbed hands and prayed. We needed to go to the right place and we needed wisdom on what to do. Cancel the vacation? Stay in a hotel? What? Dave made the call and “Tyler” told us where they were located, to bring the truck in and if it died, they had a tow truck.

In those six miles we decided we would call a rental car place to see if they had a van or something that would get us and our camping gear to the campground while the truck was getting fixed.

Yep! That’s what we would do. Thank you Lord!

Now I will tell you, this is going to be a two-day blog.

We got to Tyler and the transmission shop. They were swamped but he heard our tail – from out-of-town, saw all the camping equipment loaded in the truck, knew we had reservations at the campground for the week and he put the truck on the lift to see what was happening.

Transfer case! There was a hole in the transfer case. He could have a new one and it could be replaced by end of day Friday. Thank you Lord! We knew it would be costly but at least we had a plan.

Enterprise Rentals had a truck we could rent but not everything would fit in the bed. No problem, we have a bigger truck. Yes! And they also had a Veteran’s discount that they applied to the rental. Thank you Lord!

It was now four o’clock and we drove back to the transmission shop and unloaded all the camping gear from our black truck and put it in the white truck. Oh my! And off to the campground we went. Needed to have camp set up before dark.

Thanking the Lord for getting us up the hill safely. Not being “broke down” on the road out in the middle of nowhere, having someone who was honest and diagnosed our problem, having a rental truck that would hold all our gear and getting through it all without becoming overly stressed and not letting it ruin our vacation! These were all big things to be thankful for.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:2-5 NLT

We got to the campground and were set up completely within an hour and fifteen minutes. Another big thank you. As we sat outside that night, we reminded ourselves that although all this had caught us by surprise God was not surprised in the slightest.

He had a plan and if we continued to keep our hearts right and seek Him, He would get us through it all. We fell asleep that night knowing that we were giving Him control and He would direct our steps.

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:3 ERV

Day 1: Trust God!

The tale of our vacation isn’t over yet. I’ll finish it up tomorrow.

Not sure what has taken you by surprise in the last few days but I do know that you too can trust God. He’s got the answer for every situation.

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Like Father Like Son

I’ve heard people say from time to time that there’s really no instruction manual for parenthood. It’s one of the hardest jobs there is, next to marriage, and there seems to be no training manual or skills course. But really that’s not true.

We simply need to open the pages of our Bible and there we have the instruction we need. This morning I was reading King David’s final words to his son, Solomon. Here’s what David had to say.

“The time came for David to die, so he gave these commands to Solomon, 2 “I am about to die, like all men must. But you are growing stronger and becoming a man. 3 Now, carefully obey all the commands of the Lord your God. Carefully obey all his laws, commands, decisions, and agreements. Obey everything that is written in the Law of Moses. If you do this, you will be successful at whatever you do and wherever you go.” I Kings 2:1-4 ERV

Sound familiar? This was almost the exact same words that Moses told Joshua when he was about to die and Joshua was to take over as leader of the nation of Israel. This is the same advice that we need as parents.

Obey the Lord’s commands and we will be successful in whatever we do and wherever we go. This is great advice for us as parents. Here is one of my favorite group of verses from the Psalms.

“Thinking about your teachings gives me better understanding than my teachers, 100 and obeying your laws makes me wiser than those who have lived a long time. 101 I obey your word instead of following a way that leads to trouble. 102 You have been my teacher,  and I won’t reject your instructions. 103 Your teachings are sweeter than honey.” Psalm 119:99-103 CEV

This is God’s promise to us. If we respect His word and follow His teachings we will be wise and stay out of trouble. King David lived these words, he knew the strength and wisdom to be drawn from the Lord. His final instruction to his son was to keep God’s word. It would be a source of strength to Solomon as well.

Solomon took his father’s words to heart. Here is the request he made to the Lord when his father died.

“Solomon answered, “You were very kind and loyal to your servant, my father David. He was faithful to you and lived a good, honest life. And you showed him the greatest kindness when you let his son take his place as king. 7 Lord my God, you have made me the king in my father’s place, but I am like a small child. I don’t have the wisdom I need to do what I must do. 8 I am your servant here among your chosen people. There are so many that they cannot be counted. 9 So I ask you to give me the wisdom to rule and judge them well and to help me know the difference between right and wrong. Without such great wisdom, it would be impossible to rule this great nation.”

10 The Lord was happy that Solomon asked for wisdom. ” I Kings 3:6-10 ERV

Solomon wanted wisdom more than anything else. He wanted direction – to know right from wrong. He wanted the ability to lead well. Isn’t that what we all want as parents and grandparents, the ability to lead well?

I found myself praying that this morning. “Lord, I want to lead well. I want to continue in my knowledge of You so that my children and grandchildren know Your word and the importance of making it first place in their lives.” This has been a prayer of dedication that I have prayed for many years, however, it all came back to me this morning as I was reflecting on our oldest granddaughter’s birthday.

Solomon, who wrote the book of Proverbs, made this statement in the first few verses of that book.

“These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. 2 They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings. 3 They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair. 4 These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned. 5 Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems. 6 These sayings will help you understand proverbs, stories with hidden meanings, words of the wise, and other difficult sayings.

7 Knowledge begins with fear and respect for the Lord, but stubborn fools hate wisdom and refuse to learn. 8 My son, listen to your father when he corrects you, and don’t ignore what your mother teaches you. 9 What you learn from your parents will bring you honor and respect, like a crown or a gold medal.” Proverbs 1:1-9 ERV

Neither David or Solomon were perfect parents. Matter of fact, there has only been one perfect parent, God, the Father. If we follow His instruction we will do a much better job than if we try to make it on our own.

“Father, it’s my desire to be like you. I want to love like You, teach like You, give counsel like You and have my words be Yours. It is my desire to reflect Your character in all I do.”

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Is That All There Is?

The last few days I seem to be emphasizing the importance of knowing God’s plan. I haven’t intentionally set out to make that my theme but when the words begin to roll out of my heart and on to the screen they share the common thread of God’s plan for us.

We’ve almost completed the first half of 2019. I know we have one more month until we are really half way through but it’s about this time that folks begin to readjust their schedules and make new plans. School is coming to an end, graduation day has come, the New Year’s resolutions we made are almost forgotten and we begin to plan for summer vacations.

It’s important that we keep God in the planning process.

God has designed us to have a purpose, a plan, a destiny that is so much greater than anything we can imagine! He sees in us a Christ-like quality and desires to use His power to accomplish great things. If we’re living a life that is comfortable to us and one in which “We” can accomplish what we set out to do, we’re settling for less than what God wants to do through us.

“With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.” Ephesians 3:20 ERV

Let me encourage you to dream bigger and trust God to direct you to impact your world with what He’s calling you to do – God will use you where you are if you trust Him. Our lives have a design and calling to do great things. We have direction; our purpose is greater than the lyrics from Peggy Lee’s song “Is that all there is?

“The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). 3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 AMP

Yesterday I heard a pastor talk about verse three above. (It’s one of my favorite verses) He said that the original intention of the verse meant to “roll off a load”. The example he used was one of a camel who was carrying a heavy burden. The way to get the pack off a camel is for it to get down on its knees and then roll to the side so the burden can be removed.

Making plans without the Lord’s guidance can be a heavy load, one we need to roll off and let Him carry. When we trust Him, He will carry the burden and show us how to succeed. Our lives will take on meaning, direction, purpose and there will be no need to ask “is that all there is” because life will be full and abundant.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV

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So Many Questions

How many times a day do you answer questions? If you live with a toddler you might say that your entire day is spent that way. Honest questions are a search for knowledge and understanding. Others are asked to avoid the obvious and still some are poised to incite argument and confrontation. It’s not always easy to determine which are which.

Solomon, who the Bible says was the wisest man, told us to answer aggravating questions like this.

“A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up. 2 Words of wisdom come from the wise, but fools speak foolishness.” Proverbs 15:1-2 CEV

And James, who is best known for his teaching on controlling the tongue, gives us this instruction for contention.

“Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest. 18 People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the blessings that come from right living.” James 3:16-18 ERV

This is good advice when dealing with someone who is simply asking questions to stir up anger and division. It’s best to answer softly and peaceably. But what about those honest questions that we ask ourselves and those that we ask God? It’s vitally important that we know how to ask and how to receive the wisdom we need.

When I’m needing answers to some questions that are past my knowledge I don’t want to be held back because of my ignorance. I seek the Father and His wisdom.

One thing that has been proven over the years, not just in my lifet but throughout time, is God is faithful and His word is true. When He tells us to ask for wisdom and that He will give it, He does! When He says ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will open, if we do and He does!

When we call – He answers!

“Moreover, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard, saying, 2 Thus says the Lord Who made [the earth], the Lord Who formed it to establish it—the Lord is His name: 3 Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).” Jeremiah 33:1-3 AMP

When it seems like we are in prison, the prison of our circumstances or the one caused by our limited knowledge or even an actual physical prison, He reminds us of who He is, His power and His willingness to help.

Call on Me and I WILL answer and I’ll show you the things that were hidden, the things that you don’t recognize or understand. CALL! After we call, be still and listen. It’s hard to hear correctly if we don’t stop talking.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46:10-11 NKJV

I would encourage you to write the questions down and leave space to also fill in the answer when God gives it to you. When we ask in faith and sincerity God is always ready to provide the answers. In fact, the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit is to teach us.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 NKJV

I started my morning asking the Lord some questions of my own. Now I must take my leave – be still and listen!

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Success!

Yesterday morning we left our little cabin and headed out in search of the perfect camping site. We found it!

Now our perfect and your perfect may differ considerably but I kept remembering what Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 7.

“Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them.” Matthew 7:7-8 ERV

We asked, we sought out and we found!

Please don’t ever doubt that God is in the details. All you have to do is look at the way a fawn has spots of camouflage on its rump or the way a lizard can hide on a stone to know that God has an eye for detail.

Dave laughed when he told me that he was so grateful to be married to me. He said, “Not many women would be excited about tent camping in the mountains with no electricity or modern conveniences for a week”. But that’s the thing, I am! And the other thing is we will enjoy it together.

We spent most of the day looking for the right place. We went through 6 different campgrounds and drove past each spot to see if it fit our criteria. At each campground we wrote down the sites that we liked and then finally we decided on “the one”. There were a lot of different sites that we liked, a few better than others and a couple we called the best.

We spent over an hour going from site to site. How are the trees for shade, what about a big smooth spot for the tent, not too rocky, is it level? Is there a low spot that will take on water when it rains? Where are the bathrooms and the water spigot?

I will not even begin to tell you that we had a serious prayer meeting about finding the right spot – we didn’t. But I will tell you that our heavenly Father is interested in our joy. He loves us! And if we trust Him he will direct our steps.

“People can plan what they want to do, but it is the Lord who guides their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 ERV

God can be trusted. He wants to be included in the every day decisions of life. It might be the “perfect” campsite, or new car/home. He definitely has a plan for your job, your mate and your financial well-being.

I just want you to know you can trust Him and He will bring you to success!

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Going the Right Direction

This morning I find myself sitting in a log cabin, in the White Mountains in northern Arizona. I visited this area as a small girl. It was my favorite place to come for summer vacations; we camped on the banks of the White River, fished all day in the steam and played games with our new friends in the evenings.

As I sit here this morning in the glow of my computer screen, trying to be quiet so I don’t wake Dave, I am imagining the wonderful times we will have with our grandchildren. The memories we will make and the joy we will share.

And then my thoughts are interrupted.

I hear it…the morning song of the mountain birds. No matter where we are God reminds me of his loving care through the song of the birds. Each morning starts the same way. It starts with a chorus of those winged creatures who lift their voices in song and praise their creator for the countless ways He provides for them.

Our lives have dramatically changed since I came here as a girl. There are been some real rough patches, things I choose not to relive and there have been some great joys. As I look back I can always see the Father’s faithfulness. It’s not something I was quick to recognize in the moment but He was always there, He always provided.

Years ago when we were young in faith and learning to listen to the Lord’s voice we had a cowboy preacher, a dear friend, tell us this; If God says go South, He will provide; If you go North you’ll think you died! Now that’s not scripture but it is scriptural.

“Trust the LORD completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the LORD and stay aay from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverb 3:5-8 ERV

And then this one:
“Turn to the LORD for help in everything you do, and you will be successful. 4 The LORD has a plan for everything.” Proverbs 16:3-4a ERV

God has a plan for each day – it doesn’t really matter what the activities are in the day; He has a plan! Some days His plan is to change our plan but He has a plan.

When we listen, He speaks and when we follow His leading we are blessed! “Today I am giving you a choice. You may choose the blessing or the curse. 27 You will get the blessing if you listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God that I have told you today. 28 But you will get the curse if you refuse to listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God. So don’t stop living the way I command you today, and don’t follow other gods that you don’t know.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28 ERV

We have a choice – it would be silly, even disastrous at times, to think our own plan is better. Following Him is the right way to go and His wisdom is perfect. His way will keep us from being lost and give us something to sing about each morning.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the LORD. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

Trust the Lord today. He loves us and His desire for us is good! He wants to make wonderful memories with us and He wants us to teach our children and grandchildren about His goodness and provision.

Go South today – He will provide!!!

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Delivered From Down Days

I’ve been asked on a couple of different occasions if I ever have down days? If I’m completely honest, I have to say not often. I’m pretty much a half full, life is good, kind of girl.

That doesn’t mean I have never experienced depression because I have. Ugly, dark, not wanting to go on, type of days. However, the Lord brought me through that time and completely assured me of His love and HIs calling on my life.

It was a life changing moment! Almost as dramatic as the day that the Lord gave me new life in Him. You see, I knew Jesus loved me enough to die for me and save me but I just figured He pretty much left me alone to figure things out here on earth. I didn’t know how to handle life and the failures and disappointments I was facing. There was no one to encourage me, no one to turn to. But God had a plan…

“My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. 21 Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. 22 These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. 23 Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.” Proverbs 4:20-23 ERV

God’s plan became clear when I heard Dale Evans Rogers talking at a college assembly. She told of some of her heartaches but she quickly added that the Lord had always been there to be her strength and carry her through. I came away from that assembly knowing that I would never be alone again. If it was just Jesus and I for the rest of my life, that was more than enough.

“Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP

This became my go-to verse when I would start to feel down. Now, 55+ years later, there just aren’t any down days. God has been faithful. I started to say “so faithful” but there aren’t degrees of faithfulness. Either you are or your aren’t and God is! It’s like love – either you love or your don’t, there isn’t more or less. Love is love and God is love!

It’s nice to have friends come along side and encourage us when we are having a “bad day” but ultimately we are the only ones who can bring our thoughts to the place of peace by trusting God.

“Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 AMP

King David was in a tough place. He and his army returned to their town to find that their wives and children had been kidnapped and their town burned to the ground. His men were distraught and blaming David. They were talking of killing him. He had lost everything. There was no one to encourage him, no one to tell him it would be alright; he encouraged himself in the Lord.

I know I often share the lyrics of songs with you. I’m going to share an old hymn with you this morning. I really hope the words of this song bring you hope and reassurance.

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely,
He did something that no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me,
All my heart was full of misery and woe;
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms about me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

Ev’ry day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I’ll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

The words of this song are the words of my life! I hope you will make them yours.

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Be Lion-Hearted

Do you remember a couple days ago when I told you that our daughter is teaching our grandson how to write his letters and words? There is a progression that comes with that learning. We start with small words, c-a-t, d-o-g, r-e-d, t-w-o. And then as we go through the years our vocabulary increases and so do the words we learn to spell. Basic education gives way to more intense learning.

The same holds true with our knowledge and growth in spiritual things. We start with the basics. God is good. Jesus loves me. Trust in the Lord.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him, now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 ERV

Just like my little grandson is growing in his knowledge, we are to grow in our knowledge of Jesus, the Father and His word. A couple years back I shared with you some insight that the Lord gave me from I Samuel 24. This morning, as part of my systematic reading through the Bible I was reading in I Samuel 24 again and I found myself focusing on David’s reaction to adversity and those who were trying to kill him. I think we always need a reminder of how God wants us to react in stressful situations.

“The sinful run away when no one is trying to catch them, but those who are right with God have as much strength of heart as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1 NLV

Let me tell you about a man who had a good heart and knew that he is destined for greatness. He had been assigned a place of leadership, however, the current leader was still actiively fulfilling the role.

The current leader became jealous and did everything he could to destroy his successor. Constantly, he thought of ways to pursue and destroy this man. He enlisted the help of well-meaning by-standers.

The current leader’s pursuit was so relentless that this man with the good heart became exhausted by his efforts to avoid conflict. He let God be his defense and his strength! He didn’t retaliate or bad mouth his pursuer. He did all he could to remain humble and pure of heart.

I’ve been in situations that I know I’m where God called me and when opposition came I cannot say that I remained pure in heart and let God be my defense. I have tried to defend myself – get others to see that I’m right and have fought to prove my point.

I was wrong!

So where is all this coming from? I Samuel. I have been reading how David was anointed king while Saul was still ruling. Then Saul sought to kill David and pursued him relentlessly. David did the honorable thing and avoided capture. Even when David had opportunity to kill Saul, he did not touch him.

“The Lord put you within my grasp today in the cave, but I refused to kill you. I was merciful to you. I said, ‘I won’t hurt my master. Saul is the Lord’s chosen king.’ 11 Look at this piece of cloth in my hand. I cut off the corner of your robe. I could have killed you, but I didn’t. Now, I want you to understand this. I want you to know that I am not planning anything against you. I did nothing wrong to you, but you are hunting me and trying to kill me. 12 Let the Lord be the judge. I hope the Lord will punish you for the wrong you did to me, but I won’t fight you myself. 13 There is an old saying:

‘Bad things come from bad people.’ I haven’t done anything bad, and I won’t hurt you…

16 When David finished speaking, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul lifted his voice and began to cry. 17 He said, “You are right, and I am wrong. You were good to me, even though I have been bad to you. 18 You yourself said it when you told me about the good things you did. The Lord put my life in your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 This shows that you are not my enemy. A man doesn’t catch his enemy, and then just let him go. He doesn’t do good things for his enemy. May the Lord reward you for being good to me today. 20 Now, I know that you will become the new king. You will rule the kingdom of Israel.” I Samuel 24:10-20 ERV

I don’t know who is pursuing you today – who is making it their personal vendeta to destroy you but you can trust the Lord to be your strength and your defender.

“Praise the Lord! He has heard my prayer for mercy. 7 The Lord is my strength and shield. I trusted him with all my heart. He helped me, so I am happy. I sing songs of praise to him. 8 The Lord protects his chosen one. He saves him and gives him strength.” Psalm 26:6-8 ERV

If you are going through a particularly tough time right now and feel like you are being harrassed and attacked I encourage you to read I Samuel 18-31. Read how the Lord protected David through all of Saul’s plottings. These words in the Psalms will have greater meaning when you realize the situations that surrounded them.

“I look to the hills! Where will I find help? 2 It will come from the Lord, who created the heavens and the earth. 3 The Lord is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble.” Psalm 121:1-3 CEV

Stand strong and see the deliverance that comes from the Lord!

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Few or Many

Which is better many or few? I guess that would depend on the circumstances, right?

This morning I was reading in I Samuel. King Saul was going out to battle with the Philistines. His soldiers were scared and had deserted him. Many of them were hiding in caves, among big rocks and some even went to hide in old tombs. Saul was greatly outnumbered. They were many, his army was few.

Saul’s son, Jonathan, was with his father as they strategized a battle plan. Saul was hesitant because of the size of his army and the many who had deserted.

“That day, Saul’s son Jonathan was talking with the young man who carried his weapons. Jonathan said, “Let’s go to the Philistine camp on the other side of the valley.” But Jonathan did not tell his father.

2 Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree at the threshing floor at the edge of the hill. Saul had about 600 men with him…These men did not know that Jonathan had left. 4 Jonathan was planning to go through a pass to get to the Philistine camp. There was a large rock on each side of the pass. The large rock on one side was named Bozez. The large rock on the other side was named Seneh. 5 One of the rocks faced north toward Micmash, and the other faced south toward Geba.

6 Jonathan said to his young helper who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s go to the camp of those foreigners.[c Maybe the Lord will use us to defeat them. Nothing can stop the Lord—it doesn’t matter if we have many soldiers or just a few soldiers.”

7 The young man who carried Jonathan’s weapons said to him, “Do what you think is best. Whatever you decide, I am with you all the way.”

8 Jonathan said, “Let’s go!” I Samuel 14:1-8 ERV

At times, circumstances seem stacked against us. The odds are overwhelming. We’re not qualified enough; expectations of others seem to be over exaggerated; financially we’re limited; physically we’re weak.

In times like these we remember our teaching from yesterday; we are in Christ and so we do like Jonathan and we go for it!

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ERV

When we follow the Lord’s direction it doesn’t matter if we have an army standing behind us or we stand alone, in Him, we are the majority and able to win any battle. We may feel like David standing before a Goliath of a problem but we can stand there in confidence because it was David who won with God’s help.

Look at today’s challenges. Get a word from God and go for it. Nothing can stop the Lord!

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