Arise and Abide

Reading 1 Samuel 30:21-31 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. God removing Saul’s dynasty. The people who put their hope in a human king have been disappointed. Saul living a life motivated by fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 God did not give us a spirit of fear. Saul’s death was not good news for Israel or for David, though it did pave the way for David to take the place God anointed him for. Saul and David’s relationship started in love, 1 Samuel 16:21, but their relationship was severed because of Saul’s fear. You don’t have to live in fear, Jesus is the way!

Reading 1 Samuel 30:21-31 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. David returns successful in leading the men in their rescue efforts but now must lead them in righteous living. Another opportunity in life to focus on self or focus on God and all that He has done. The two mindsets ‘what’s mine’ and ‘what God has given’. David was not discouraged when the 200 couldn’t go on because God had already told him he would be successful. The human tendency to look at blessings from God and say, “that’s mine, I earned it”. Matthew 20, the Parable of the Vineyard Workers. Numbers 31, after the conquest of the Midianites and the division of plunder.  Matthew 5:42, give to those who ask us. Matthew 16:23, get behind me Satan. Turn from selfishness and turn toward God.

Reading 1 Samuel 30:1-20 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  David and his men finding their town raided by the Amalekites. David’s men grumble against him and talk of stoning David. David finding strength in God and goes to God for direction. God’s reply is something you can trust.

Reading 1 Samuel 29:1-11 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  God showing up when your headed into a situation where you need rescue. God’s intervention keeping David from having anything to do with Saul’s removal. Thinking you have it under control when things are unraveling. David takes the position of king righteously because he had nothing to do with Saul’s removal. The Old Testament is full of reminders to remember, this song coming up again must have spoken to David in a deep way. God has a plan for your life that is worth surrendering into.

Reading Psalms 71:7-16 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  David remembering all God has taken him through. Through all of it God has been with David as he is with you.  David’s life is an example to many because tells everyone about the source of his strength.   Human tendency to abandon people when they lose power or influence, or fall our of favor with others, but God never abandons us. Making the effort to praise the LORD when things aren’t going the way we think in should. Praising God is how we fight our battles. Waiting for God’s plan to come together can be rough, but we can have faith that God’s plan will be better than our own ideas.     

Reading 1 Samuel 28:1-25 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. King Achish tells David he will have to fight against Israel. God orchestrating Saul’s removal. Saul goes to a medium. Leviticus 20:6, Law against consulting mediums. Saul was desperate for direction. Samuel tells Saul that the LORD is now his enemy because he refused to accept God’s judgment, hoping for a different answer. Saul’s choices have led him to this outcome, though he could have called on David to take leadership. We learn from Saul to not look to others for our value, find worth in what God calls you to be. Finding encouragement in verse nineteen.

Reading 1 Samuel 27:1-12 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. David concluding to go back to king Achish this time as a leader of a refugee camp. Though in pagan territory, David and his men stay loyal to God. David in a time where he longs to be near the LORD’s people. Sometimes the path to the plan gets rough. God orchestrating David’s safety as God prepares to remove Saul. God’s plan will prevail even when we make choices based on our own ideas. Perfection is not something to be obtained, held on to, or controlled, Perfection is surrendered into as we die to self. None of this is the way it was supposed to be, but people wanted a king.

Reading 1 Samuel 26:13-25 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The picture of where we put the trust of our life. Saul was trusting his life in Abner and the troops around him David puts his trust in the Lord. David is not looking for Saul to value his life, his hope is that God will value and protect his life. Putting your hope and trust in the LORD.  Saul still cannot imagine a world where he is not king. David never wishes failure for Saul as he sees the bigger picture of Israel standing out as God’s chosen people bringing glory to God.

Reading 1 Samuel 26:1-12 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Zeruiah was David’s Sister. The time waisted on this conflict and pursuit of David. Saul has the common human problem of not being able to let go. David’s focus has been redirected to God’s ways and is able to stand his ground, in God’s righteousness and God’s ways, through this second opportunity to kill Saul and end his torment. The foreshadowing of Jesus, The Anointed One.

Reading 1 Samuel 25:23-22 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. When we are headed in a direction, He knows isn’t good for us, He sends people to talk some sense to us. We are responsible for our response. The LORD kept David from murder and taking vengeance into his own hands. David can choose to fight his own battles based on his offense or fight the LORD’s battles. David being in situations that cause frustration. Even though the Spirit of the LORD was on David, he was still falling into the temptation to return to the pattern of the judges when everyone was doing what ever they thought was best. A life pattern of selfishness and overconsumption brought Nabal down.