Day 149 Bible Readings – 1 Samuel 24: 4-6 (ESV)

1 Samuel 24 & 25, John 18: 25-40, Psalm 87

1 Samuel 24: 4-6 (ESV)

“And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.”

In verses 4 through 5 from 1 Samuel 24, we read Father-God had chosen David to be King of Israel. Saul came into the cave where David and his men were hiding. David’s men thought that it was Father-God delivering Saul into David’s hands so he could kill him. David decided to only cut off a corner of Saul’s robe, and immediately a feeling came over David that he had done something wrong. Because David was closely aligned with Father-God, he knew that killing Saul was not the will of Father-God. David told his men that Saul has been anointed by Father-God, and that only Father-God could judge and deliver Saul justice and not him. I love that David was close to Father-God that when he did something that was not in keeping with God’s will, he knew it immediately.

These verses show us that we develop a deep relationship with Father-God, we will know when our actions are not aligned with God’s will. This closeness and discernment will prevent us from taking any action that is not aligned with God’s plan, even though at first it may seem like the right thing to do. These verses also tell us as it is not for us to judge those whom God has anointed. It is so easy in our current culture to criticize men and women of God we don’t know when it seems like they are doing things not in alignment with what we think God wants. But these verses tell us it is not our place to criticize or judge those whom God has anointed, because that is Father-God’s job and privilege not ours. Father-God put that person in that high position, and he has the power to take them down. As people of faith, we must always use discernment to not judge or criticize anyone because we don’t know whom Father-God is using to have his plans fulfilled on earth.

If you enjoy reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, I urge you to join a good Bible-based church where you can listen to and discuss the word of God with other believers.

Day 148 Bible Readings – John 18: 6-10 (ESV)

1 Samuel 21-23, John 18: 1-24, Psalm 86: 11-17

John 18: 6-10 (ESV)

“When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 

In verses 6 through 10 from John 10, we read about the supernatural power of Jesus and how much he cared for his disciples. When the soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus told them who he was and they fell to the ground. Some Biblical scholars have suggested that the soldiers did not willing fall to the ground, but that the soldiers felt the divine presence of Jesus and its power made them fall to the ground. It is hard to tell from the text why the soldiers fell to the ground, but I agree that a party of soldiers coming to arrest someone would not be willing to fall to the ground. I love that after this demonstration of his supernatural power, Jesus told the soldiers that they need to let his disciples go. Jesus gave himself up willingly to the soldier to protect his disciples. Jesus had told his disciples that he would protect them and not lose any of them. From the actions of Jesus, we can know that as follower of Jesus he will always intercede on our behalf when we are in danger. One Biblical scholar I listened to on these verses also commented that Jesus knew that his disciples would die for believing in him in the future, but at that moment they weren’t ready. Jesus knows what we can take now and, in the future, and he will always try to protect us until we’re ready to face danger.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, find a good Bible-based church where you can sit and listen to explanations of Bible verses and how they apply to your life as a follower of Jesus.

Day 147 Bible Readings – John 17

1 Samuel 19 & 20, John 17, Psalm 86: 1-10

John 17

After listening to Pastor David Guzik’s sermon on John 17 I decided that instead of highlighting a verse or two from this Bible reading, I would rather have readers of this post listen to Pastor Guzik’s sermon. Pastor Guzik writes that John 17 is the only written record of an extended prayer of Jesus Christ, and that we can learn how to pray in the way that Jesus prayed during the Last Supper. I especially like the part where Pastor Guzik said that we should not look at prayer as a way to get our will done, but that we should also chat with Father-God like he is our best friend.

Here's the link to Pastor Guzik’s sermon: 

If you enjoyed reading this post, find yourself a good Bible-based church where you can hear teaching on the word of God in the Bible so you can develop a more intimate relationship with Father-God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Day 146 Bible Readings – John 16: 2 (ESV)

1 Samuel 17: 38-58, 1 Samuel 18, John 16, Psalm 85: 8-13

John 16: 2 (ESV)

“They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”

In verse 2 from John 16, Jesus tells his disciples and what will happen to them because they believe in him. Jesus tells them they will put you out of the synagogues, and that they will be persecuted and killed and think they are offering a service to God. Jesus was prophesying what would happen to the early Christians and to the Jewish people who believed in him. But this warning of Jesus not only applies to his early followers, but to all Christians even to this day. Christians today are being persecuted around the world and in the United States of America for their beliefs. On Saturday May 24, a few Seattle churches held a peaceful worship service in a park in downtown Seattle and was attacked by an anti-Christian crowd. The Mayor of Seattle then blamed the Christian worshipers for the violence. Pastor calls for Seattle mayor's apology after Christians attacked at 'don't mess with our kids' event

As a follower of Christ, we need to expect opposition as a normal part of our life, but I think we often forget this warning from Jesus. But we need to remember it because sadly, culture is against people who love and believe in Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, find yourself a Bible-based Christian church who will teach you about Jesus Christ and how to have a relationship with him.