Good Morning Word of The Prophets Wednesday...
FATHER thank You for THIS NEW DAY. As You WALK WITH US today, please KEEP US FOCUSED ON YOUR TRUTH. Please continue to FILL OUR HEARTS & MINDS WITH YOUR PEACE and straighten the paths before us. ABBA, HELP US TO BRING FORTH YOUR WORD whatever we may face, STANDING FIRM LIKE YOUR SERVANT EZEKIEL AND OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE YESHUA. Everyday, we ask you to HELP US TO SEE OUR SINs, REPENT from them, CONFESS them, AND BE CLEANSED BY YOUR MIGHTY RIGHT HAND. IN YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST’s Glorious and Mighty Name we ask these things Father. AMEN! - What Are The Prophets Saying? (Ezekiel) There are so many times I have found myself discouraged, confused, or frustrated, and wasn't sure where to turn in The Bible and find an answer to my woes. Almost without exception, wherever this servant turned in The Word to find an answer, whether beginning in The Gospel or Genesis, I usually ended up at The Prophets. The prophets have not only a wealth of prophecy, amazing stories of triumph, encouragement, and wonderful messages for us all as a Christian Family, but they also contain a wealth of messages for each and everyone of us personally. This is literally The Almighty Father Speaking To Us! Just as Yeshua (Jesus) Himself Spoke, so too did The Prophets Speak His Word.🔥 Our Father and Yeshua, Jesus Christ, so loved us that He never stopped sending loyal servants, again and again, to give all of us together, and individually, messages, over and over. Remember the Parable of the Vineyard Owner (Matt 21:33-46)? The Master sent His Servants, which the people beat or killed (Prophets), then The Master Sends His Son (Yeshua, Jesus) thinking the people renting his land will be more amiable... they weren't. In fact, they killed Him thinking that they would receive "the inheritance." Does this story sound familiar or what?! Our Savior Was, Is, and Always Will Be The Smartest Person Of All Time. For this reason...these parables, and The Word of God Spoken Through The Prophets, should be carefully studied. Within this Ancient Wise Parable that Yeshua Spoke, we find The Prophets of God ( The Servants) came before He (The Master) Sent His Son. With that in mind, let us take a look today at what Ezekiel, A Watchman of The House of Israel, and A Prophet of Yahweh (YHWH or God), God Himself, was trying to relay to "all of us" and "each of us" in today's Scriptures. Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we humbly come before you today to receive Your Word and Your Message. As we read passages from Your Word as written by Your Servant Ezekiel, please open our hearts and minds to what you are trying to tell us as a group, and what you are saying to us individually. You are Mighty Father and we know You Have Sent To Us, In Your Word, Messages of Encouragement, Discipline, Repentance, Reconciliation, Salvation, Healing, and Love for Your Children. We thank You! Let us come before You today as Your Children and enjoy Our Daily Bread With You, Abba. We Love You And Praise You Father. In Yeshua, Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name We Pray. Amen! The Word of God: The Book of Ezekiel, A Prophet of God Almighty, Yahweh, and The Savior of The World, Yeshua Jesus Christ: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for The House of Israel; therefore hear a word from My Mouth, and give them warning from Me:” Ezekiel 3:17 NKJV “The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I AM The LORD (YHVH, Yahweh).” Ezekiel 7:27 KJV “For each person from The House of Israel, and from the alien who dwells as an alien in Israel, who separates himself from following Me and brings up his idols into his heart and places before himself a stumbling block of his guilt, and yet he comes to the prophet to consult him concerning Me, I Yahweh will answer him Myself.” Ezekiel 14:7 LEB “Say to them, ‘As I Live,’ swears Adonai Elohim (The LORD Yahweh), ‘I take no pleasure in having the wicked person die, but in having the wicked person turn from his way and Live. So repent! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, House of Isra’el?’” Yechezk'el (Ezk) 33:11 CJB “I Myself will be The Shepherd of My sheep, and I will cause them to lie down, says The Lord Yahweh. I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice.” Ezekiel 34:15-16 WEB “I will make them and the places around my hill a blessing. I will cause the shower to come down in its season. There will be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26 WMB “I will give you a New Heart and put a New Spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 BSB “Thus says The LORD Yahweh to these bones: “Look! I AM bringing into you breath, and you will Live!” Ezekiel 37:5 LEB “And I shall make My Set-apart (Holy) Name known in the midst of My people Yisra’ĕl (Israel), and not let My Set-Apart Name be profaned any more. And the nations shall know that I AM יהוה (YHwH, Yahweh), The Set-apart (Holy) One in Yisra’ĕl.” Yehezqĕl (Ezekiel) 39:7 TS2009 “And behold, The Glory of The God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of His coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with His Glory.” Ezekiel 43:2 ESV Yahweh Yeshua Ha’Mashiach Bless You My Brother and Sisters! Have a wonderful Yeshua-The-Word-of-God-Faith-Building Wednesday! Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below.
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Good Morning Tuesday...
Father thank You for this NEW DAY. Please impart in our hearts YOUR WILL. We ask for Patience, Kindness, Humility, and TRUTH so we may show You and Your Son's LIGHT in this fallen world. In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST's Name, amen. - The Word of God: It's Simple There is something to be said about "simplicity." In The Book of Acts this is what God's Word says about those who were worshipping in Our Father in Truth and Spirit.: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,” Acts 2:46 As we can see, "keeping things simple" can be a Blessing. It can go hand in hand with gladness, fellowship, and it is easy to be in "one accord" when we have "simplicity of heart.". With that thought in mind, let's keep it "simple" today. What is it that Our Father and Our Savior requires of us? Simple, here are three witnesses: “If you Love Me, keep My Commandments.” John 14:15 “This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep His Commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 “He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to Love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping God’s Commandments.” 1 Corinthians 7:19 Here are 3 more “Simple” verses for your day: “The entrance of Your Words gives Light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalms 119:130 “Yahweh watches over the simple. I was brought low, but He gave me victory.” Psalms 116:6 “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” 1 Corinthians 1:27 God Bless Every One and have a Great Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-Filled Tuesday! Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below. Good Morning Monday...
Father Thank You for this NEW Day. Please grant us TRUTH, WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, UNDERSTANDING, and KNOWLEDGE. Father we ask this so that we will not be conformed to this world, but TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our MINDS. In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST'S Name. Amen. - Whose Instruction Will We Follow? - The Choice Is Ours There are some conversations that we may not like to have. It can be pretty uncomfortable for us to talk about a subject like hell, or pagan practices of this earth, or the unclean things this world has made to seem “normal” with someone. If you ask the world at large, they may even tell you how foolish the concept of a hell is, how if “Jesus is in your heart” we can do whatever we want, or how “we can’t keep the commandments.” Then they will proceed to tell you that a "Loving God" wouldn't send people to hell. They may go on to explain that they put their faith in "science" and "logic," or how they can’t trust a book written by “man.”These people of the world haven't read The Bible. If they have... they didn't "hear" it. “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” I Corinthians 1:27 The explanation of hell, avoiding pagan things of this world, or fleeing from evil isn't just doctrine. Do you know who spoke about our English translation of “hell” more than any other person in The Bible? None other than The Word of God Himself, Yeshua, Jesus Christ. Not Paul, not Peter, not John either, but The King...God. “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 Make no mistake, Jesus speaking, about what we call “hell,” was, is, and always will be about Love. The world at large may try to "logic" or "science " away The Truth, but The Truth Lives, and He Lives Forever. 🔥 Hell, Hades, or Sheol may be real, but Our Loving Father's gift of choice is real as well. Our Father, kind and loving, leaves us choices to make. He calls us closer to Him so that we may know True Love. He invites and urges us to Love Him. He even submitted Himself to a fallen world and allowed abuses to be heaped upon Him, which He did not have to allow, because He Loved Us First. We should have no doubt that He allowed these things to happen because He Loved us first, and... He desires for us to Love Him back. This servant has learned that God Our Father never forces us to Love Him or do good, He Is... A Complete Gentleman. We can find a “cloud of witnesses” in His Word where He shows us how He longs for us to Love Him, have a relationship with Him, and Do Good. If He forced us, if we didn’t have a choice, it wouldn't be True Love. In Scripture, Our Father goes above and beyond, from Genesis to Revelation, to show us how much He Loves Us. This servant is here to tell you and can be a witness, His Love Is True. Our Father and Our Savior lay out the benefits, shows us He Is True To His Word, explains all His Promises, and then in a very concise manner communicates The Choice, and... the consequences involved. Our God and Father Gives Us All These Things and then... The Choice Is Ours. The Choice?... The Instruction of God Almighty or... the gods of this world? Which will you choose today? “But if it is bad in your eyes to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you want to serve, whether it is the gods that your ancestors served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve Yahweh.” Joshua 24:15 The Everlasting Word of El Shaddai (God Almighty): “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) your God, but turn aside from The Way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28 “Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as The LORD (YHWH,Yahweh) our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law (Instruction) which I set before you this day?” Deuteronomy 4:6-8 “Yahweh says, “Don’t learn the way of the nations, and don’t be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the ax. They deck it with silver and with gold. They fasten it with nails and with hammers, so that it can’t move. They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don’t speak. They must be carried, because they can’t move. Don’t be afraid of them; for they can’t do evil, neither is it in them to do good.” Jeremiah 10:2-5 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— The Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15-18 “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew 11:11 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” Matthew 18:1-5 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 “God Is Love.” 1 John 4:16 Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below. Good Morning Sunday...
Father Thank You for this NEW Day. Please grant us TRUTH, WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, UNDERSTANDING, KNOWLEDGE, and DISCIPLINE. Father we ask this so that we will not be conformed to this world, but TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our MINDS. In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST'S Name. Amen. - David: The Anointed King Of Israel (Part9) While studying, and trying to figure out how to end this devotion series, something occurred to me. David really had his childhood cut short. At age 15 he became a national hero. He had, at this point, killed a lion, a bear, and now an actual giant. As we find out, David was immediately put into “rock star” status after killing Goliath. That is some heavy stuff for a teenager. This would be a quick change of life for an adult to adjust to, much less a 15 year old teen. To put this into perspective, David became the most famous person in Israel, and soon the world, as a freshman in high school. Wild, right? Can you imagine defending your nation's honor and killing a giant at 15? Not only did he walk out to fight Goliath, but he also was staring down the line of a Philistine army behind Goliath. I can only speak for myself, but... in no imaginable reality could I see me at 15 walking out to a battlefield to meet an army full of enemies by myself... Not to mention one of them was 9.5 feet tall! Now we know David was not alone. The Invisible and Living God, The Creator of All Things, was with him, but still... David's story is more than impressive. Impressive enough that David's story has and will live throughout all generations. Baptized in blood at 15 when he cut off Goliath's head, David's life would never be the same after leading Israel to victory that day. In the "twinkling of an eye" David's childhood was gone, and now he would have to grow up in a manner none of us can imagine. His life would now change, forever. Before we wrap this series up, let’s spend some time today giving thought to the Biblical concepts David learned at a very young age. Let’s meditate on the things that the man “after God’s own heart” would have to learn, and trust, at a very early age. Some good questions that we should all ask ourselves are: 1.) Do we take these things into account in our lives? 2.)Are we trusting Our Father to guide us along The Way? 3.) Finally, when The One True and Living God, Our Father, calls upon us... will we be ready? The things Young King David would experience and “live out” at a very young age: Our Father and Savior didn't say following Him would be a walk in the park, He said: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:25 The verses above were a stark, living reality for David, for he would live them out, and on a world stage. David’s life would go through many stages, it was very bloody, and there never seemed to be a dull moment. Yet, we really don’t hear David complain in The Word. If he did complain, it was about his own failures and in repentance before the nation. If David complained at all, he wouldn’t complain to others, he did what we all should do and brought it straight to The One True and Living God, Our Father. “Yahweh, how many are my enemies; many are rising against me. Many are saying about my soul, “There is no deliverance for him from God. Selah But you, Yahweh, are A Shield around me, my Glory and The One Who Lifts Up my head. With my voice I call to Yahweh and He answers me from His Holy Hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I woke up because Yahweh sustains me. I am not afraid of the ten thousands of people who all around have set themselves against me. Rise up, O Yahweh; deliver me, O my God; for You strike all my enemies on the cheek. The teeth of the wicked you break. To Yahweh belongs deliverance; may Your Blessing be over Your people. Selah” Psalms 3:1-8 “My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you far from helping me, far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I call by day and You do not answer, and by night but I have no rest. Yet You Are Holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted You; they trusted and You delivered them. They cried to You and were saved; they trusted You and were not ashamed.” Psalms 22:1-5 LEB David thoroughly knew, before it was written that he was to: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 LEB Again, before some of these things were even written on paper in God Our Father’s Word, David knew: “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.” II Timothy 2:4 “Bless those who persecute, bless and do not curse them.” Romans 12:14 “Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid of them, for I Am with you to deliver you,” declares Yahweh.” Jeremiah 1:8 Finally, while David was young, and while he was old, He always trusted in The Rock: “Yahweh lives! Blessed be my Rock! May God, The Rock of My Salvation, be exalted!” 2 Samuel 22:47 “Blessed be Yahweh, my Rock, The One Who Trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war—” Psalms 144:1 “Yahweh is My Rock and My Fortress and My Deliverer, My God, My ROCK in whom I have taken refuge, My Shield and The Horn of My Deliverance, My Stronghold.” Psalms 18:2 “For you are My Rock and My Fortress. So, for the sake of Your Name, lead me and guide me.” Psalms 31:3 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your presence, O Yahweh, My Rock and My Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 Have a wonderful week everyone! May The God of King David, The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Our Father, Bless you as you go out into a world and face your own giants. And may the Peace of Our Eternal King and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ, be with you all! Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below. Good Morning Sabbath...
We give thanks unto You, Our Father In Heaven, that, in mercy, You have restored our souls within us. Endless is Your Compassion; great is Your Faithfulness. We thank You, God Almighty, for the rest You have given us through the night and for Your Holy Breath, Your Holy Spirit, that renews our body and spirit. Thank you for Your Sabbath Day Father, Your Rest, Rejuvenation, and thank You for Your Word. In Yeshua, Jesus Christ’s Name we pray. Amen. - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Part 8 : A Berean Handoff) It never ceases to amaze me how Our Father In Heaven works. As we talked about yesterday, He has “The Way of Perfect Timing.” Well, as I was meditating on the life of David, and trying to think of a “witty” way to wrap up this series, Our Father must have decided I need a day break, because the devotion you are about to read expresses almost “to the t” what I was trying to convey in the next part of the series. I just couldn’t seem to “get it all out.” Not only did Our Father have the late John C. Ritenbaugh from berean.org write almost exactly what I was trying to convey in the next part of this series, but... Our Father had him do it better. Studying David’s life, words, and actions very closely during this series, there is something I noticed about David... he wasn’t afraid to accept help, seek wise council, and he knew when to let someone else “take the reigns,” so to speak. His submission was worthy of Our Father’s Promise to make him successful wherever he went. It is in that spirit of submission today that I give a Big THANK YOU to: #1. God Our Father and Our LORD and Savior, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, Jesus Christ, for making this possible #2. Our Late Brother, King David, for allowing Our Father to compose such beautiful words through him #3. Our late Brother John Ritenbaugh whom Our Father used to write this beautiful piece, and finally #4. berean.org for there submission to God Almighty and their faithfulness in always “searching out The Scriptures.” Without further ado, here is... - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Part 8: A Berean Handoff): (10) Therefore David blessed The LORD (Yahweh) before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, LORD (Yahweh) God of Israel, Our Father, forever and ever. (11) Yours, O LORD (Yahweh), is The Greatness, The Power and The Glory, The Victory and The Majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is The Kingdom, O LORD (Yahweh), And You are exalted as head over all. (12) Both riches and honor come from You, And You Reign over all. In Your Hand is Power and Might; In Your Hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. (13) "Now therefore, Our God, We thank You And praise Your Glorious Name. (14) But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your Own we have given You. (15) For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, As were all our fathers; Our days on earth are as a shadow, And without hope. (16) "O LORD (Yahweh) Our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your Holy Name is from Your Hand, and is all Your Own. - 1 Chronicles 29:10-16 NKJV This is part of King David's final prayer of thanksgiving, a portion of his benediction preceding the building of the Temple, as he had made provision for it so that Solomon could begin construction with everything in order. The words should be meaningful, coming to us from the heart of one we admire, of whom even God said was a man after His own heart. It schools us in how David felt about God. It touches on His Greatness, Power, Glory, Majesty, Rulership, Headship, and Strength. How puny we are by comparison! We are nothing, aliens and pilgrims in a world that gives us no recognition. Compared to His, our days are but a shadow, and despite this, we are able to make an offering to Him because He has given us all we have. Who is this One to whom we pray, calling Him "Father," "LORD," or "God"? Who is this One whom we refer to as our Creator, Healer, Savior, or Sustainer? Who is the One who is referred to as The Almighty Ruler, Life-Giver, and Forgiver of our sins? He is The Sovereign Ruler of all that He has created. The term "sovereignty" first speaks of supremacy of authority, but with the exception of personal evil, God reveals Himself in His Word as supreme in every aspect of Life. He is The Most High. To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is The Almighty, The Possessor of All Power in heaven and earth; none can defeat His Counsels, thwart His Purpose, or resist His Will. Thus, Psalm 115:3 asserts, "But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases." Can we accept this? Is this merely a listing of grandiose titles of One who is great in His Being but distant and remote in the actual operations of our lives? Do we relate to Him merely as most people in this world do, or is His Greatness truly personal to us, as it was to David, because we know Him personally? - John Ritenbaugh Shabbat Shalom (Completeness, Wholeness, Peace) to you my Brothers and Sisters! May your Day be filled with The Grace, Peace, and Love of Our Father In Heaven and Eternal King Yeshua, Jesus Christ! Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below. Good Morning Friday...
We give thanks unto You, Our Father In Heaven, that, in mercy, You have restored our souls within us. Endless is Your compassion; great is Your faithfulness. We thank You, God Almighty, for the rest You have given us through the night and for Your Holy Breath, Your Holy Spirit, that renews our bodies and spirit. In Yeshua, Jesus Christ’s Name. Amen. - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Part7) The Way of Perfect Timing: A couple of days ago we looked at "The Patience of David”. Today, let’s take a look at “The Way of Perfect Timing.” Most of the time David was very good at waiting on The One True and Living God before he made a move. This served David well throughout his life. Very important to his relationship with Our Father, in those times when he didn't wait on Him, he acknowledged his mistake to all, and repented of his impatience. Most of the time, David waited on Our Father to instruct his path. He waited until it was the right time to burst onto the scene and make himself known. It just so happens that the right time would come not too long after David was playing music for Saul, soothing the evil spirit that the current King of Israel received for disobedience. David, the secretly anointed King of Israel, was about to be introduced to the world... and in stunning fashion. At this point in David’s story, he was back home, doing just what he had done before the anointing by Samuel, tending the flock. Jesse, David's father, has just sent David to check on his older brothers while they were off at battle. David showed up at the battlefield, heard Goliath spouting obscenities against Israel, and watched his kinsmen and brothers do nothing. This is where things start to get interesting. Remember, as Scripture tells us: "Our God Is A Consuming Fire (Hebrews 12:29)." Our Father put His Fire down in David's belly... David got "Fired Up" and he spoke these words: “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of The Living God?” I Samuel 17:26 NKJV Our Father's Word prophesied about Someone who would be "zealous" for His House. Of course, this Scripture may bring instant pictures of Our Savior grabbing whips or "cords" and spanking money-changing sinners in The Temple (John 2:15-17).This was Our Messiah fulfilling prophecy. Yeshua (Jesus) was using Our Father's Perfect Timing, which is... The Way of Perfect Timing. Well, David was a "picture" or "shadow" of Our Messiah. David facing this giant was part of that Messiah "picture" and "zeal" for The Nation of Yahweh. Needless to say, “zeal” was bubbling like an eternal spring inside David. He was young, he was faithful, and he was filled with The Spirit of The Living God. Needless to say, David was angry with what was happening. No one insults The Living God's People! David was about to make an example of this nine-to-possibly-thirteen-foot-tall pagan giant, and he was about to do it in style. Our Father was using the seemingly most "foolish" and "weak" warrior on the battlefield, and He was going to use him to slay the mightiest warrior on the battlefield. No armor, no shield, no sword, but with a sling and a stone. The use of the stone was pretty cool, but what was even more fascinating than that... No one even saw THE ROCK that actually won the fight, Yahweh, God Almighty Himself. We all know what happened next. While romanticized by twentieth century authors, this scene certainly would be hard to imagine in its authenticity. It is hard to grasp the reality of this situation for those of us who have grown up in a modern age. Regardless, David had waited patiently for “The Way of Perfect Timing,” Our Father in Heaven's Timing. David knew it was "that time." Just as he knew when he faced the lion and the bear, while protecting his father's flock in the wilderness, David knew he would taste victory facing this "uncircumcised" giant Philistine. David was protecting Our Heavenly Father's Flock now, he knew victory would be Our Father's, and... everyone else was scared. The rest of Israel, every warrior there at the battlefield, did nothing. David's brothers were about to find out he wasn't lying about killing that bear, or that lion. They were about to see why their “little brother” was anointed... King of Israel. David scooped up five smooth stones. He grabbed one for Goliath, and four more in case the uncircumcised Philistine's four older brothers showed up. He was no dummy, he had heard the stories. Our Father was about to immortalize the man "after His own heart" for all generations to come. The Way of Perfect Timing was now. David followed The Living God down to the battlefield and "feared no evil (Psalm 23 Which David Penned)." It was a "small gate" to enter and a "narrow path" that no one else was willing to walk, except... David: The Anointed King of Israel. After this day, nothing would ever go back to “normal” for David. After this day, everyone for thousands of years to come would know who David was. The young, ruddy shepherd boy was about to shock the world and give the entire nation of Israel hope. Whether it was divine intervention, or part of the training Our Father had given David in the wilderness, he knew Our Father's Way, The Way of Perfect Timing, and that “Perfect Timing” was now. The Word of Yahweh, The One True And Living God: “I waited patiently for Yahweh, And he inclined to me and heard my cry for help.” Psalms 40:1 LEB “So whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the stringed instrument and play it with his hand. Then it would bring relief for Saul; he would feel better and the evil spirit would depart from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23 LEB “Now David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to feed the sheep of his father in Bethlehem.” 1 Samuel 17:14-15 LEB “Now the Philistine came forward early and late, and he took his stand for forty days. Then Jesse said to his son David, “Please take for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and bring them quickly to the camp for your brothers. And these ten portions of cheese you will bring to the commander of the thousand; find out how your brothers are doing, and take their pledge.” 1 Samuel 17:16-18 LEB “For indeed our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29 LEB “And he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, both the sheep and the oxen, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. And to the ones selling the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it is written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” John 2:15-17 LEB “Then David said to the Philistine, “You are coming to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I am coming to you in The Name of Yahweh of Hosts, The God of The Battle Lines of Israel, whom you have defied!” 1 Samuel 17:45 LEB “But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that He might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that He might put to shame the strong,” 1 Corinthians 1:27 LEB “Then he took his staff in his hand, picked out for himself five smooth stones from the wadi, and he put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch. And with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:40 LEB “Yahweh lives! Blessed be My Rock! May God, THE ROCK of My Salvation, be exalted!” 2 Samuel 22:47 LEB “Your servant has struck down both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he defied The Battle Lines of The Living God.” 1 Samuel 17:36 LEB “Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your Rod [to protect] and Your Staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.” PSALMS 23:4 AMP “But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads THE WAY to [everlasting] Life, and there are few who find it.” MATTHEW 7:14 AMP “And when He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king: of him He testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART [conforming to My will and purposes], who will do all My will." ACTS 13:22 AMP Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below. Good Morning Thanksgiving Thursday...
Thank You Abba (Father) for blessing us with another day to give You praise. Thank You for all that You do for each and every one of us. Abba, thank You for the time we get to spend with our family and friends, not just today, but every day. We pray for safe travels for everyone on the roads today. We pray for healing, comfort, love, and peace for all. We ask these things with Your blessing Father, Yahweh Our Elohim (God), in Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, Jesus Christ’s Name...thank You!! Once again, thank you to Brother Daniel B. for today’s intro. Bless you Brother! Today we interrupt your regularly scheduled devotion to bring you a Thanksgiving Day Special. While today we will be taking a break from our “David: The Anointed King of Israel” series, ol King David still makes the cut. Almost none gave Thanksgiving to Our Mighty Father In Heaven like David, which we will soon explore. Today though, may we all take a step back, look at all the Mighty Blessings in our lives, and Praise Like David. May Our Father’s Mighty Right Hand be upon each and everyone on the other side of this screen, and everyone of your families. Cherish the time you have with each other, for tomorrow is not guaranteed. But today is here, so… let’s give a little “Thanks To The One True and Living Blessing Giver On Thanksgiving!” Shalom my Brothers and Sisters! - Thanks To The One True and Living Blessing Giver On Thanksgiving Way back in The Garden of Eden, before our ancestors Adam and Eve fell, we were in full unity with Our Father. Before the fall, we stood in confidence before God, with full affection towards Him, and we were perfectly satisfied. After the sin of eating the forbidden fruit, something changed. No longer were Our Fathers Commands "enough" for us. The ancient Hebrew Scriptures use a word that describes us as "out of chord" with The One True and Living God. We were no longer in perfect harmony with God Our Father. Now we seem to bend and seek harmony with "the world," needing its affirmation and acceptance. Here is how Our Father had Paul make the statement about those now without Christ: “a warped and crooked generation.” Philippians 2:15 Crooked. Warped. This is how we are now described, before we come to knowledge of Our Savior and King, and have our lives changed. So, what is the cure? Philippians 2 goes on to explain that we should be "blameless and pure," other translations explain it as "without blemish." Our Father Goes On In His Word To Explain to "Do everything without grumbling or arguing." Stated another way, we should be thankful. This thankfulness and thanksgiving causes us to "shine like stars in the sky." We shine when we have Our Father and His Word (Yeshua), even when we are among a "warped and crooked generation." Our world has unfortunately slipped into a the trap of entitlement and because of this, many seem to always be discontent. Our world has become like our ancestors, having thoughts that we "deserve" to be gods. Because of this “worldly” attitude, we are always trying to decide our own fate, be our own leaders, and are never satisfied. The world sees those that stand in their way, of controlling their own fate, as enemies. Those “in the world,” and most of us before we have the revelation of Christ, want it all. What is the product of this entitlement and god-complex? Discontent and pride. When anyone is chasing the myths and fairytales of this world, it undoubtedly tends to leave us swimming in pride and chasing things that aren't, most of the time, even a reality to acquire. Thanksgiving is a large part of our lives as believers and followers of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, Jesus Christ. It just comes naturally, through Our Father’s Holy Spirit, once we are converted to The Way. If we are struggling with trials, sin, or temptation in this life, it may be a worship or thanksgiving problem. If we succumb to the temptations of this world it will only lead us to self worship, worship of someone, or worship of something other than Our Father. Thankfulness takes our focus off of our perceived needs and places our focus back on Our Father and King. Thankfulness and thanksgiving helps us to keep a “humble and contrite spirit” (Isaiah 66:2), which Our Father Loves. Our thanksgiving to God Our Father cleanses us, refocuses us, and brings us His Peace. May we all make it a point on this day to be thankful. Wherever we may be, whatever we may be doing, if we are Thankful and giving Thanksgiving to Our God, Father, and Savior... we will be able to see our blessings rather than just ourselves. *An interesting note: Do you know how Thanksgiving was started? Sukkot or The Feast of Tabernacles. When the first settlers came over they all still celebrated Our Father's Holy Feast. When it came time to "break bread" with the natives they wanted to honor Our Father's Holy Days and show the natives how believers in The One True and Living God celebrated. It makes perfect sense because what is Sukkot all about?... Thanksgiving. So from that day forward Thanksgiving was established. May we all remember Our Father and Savior on this memorial day and most of all remember to... Give Thanks On Thanksgiving. God Bless my Brothers and Sisters In Yeshua. Praying each and every one of you on the other side of this screen has a wonderful, joyous, and God-Blessed Thanksgiving. Shalom! The Thanksgiving Word Of The One True and Living God, El Shaddai (God Almighty), aka Turkey and Living Bread For The Soul: “Enter into His Gates with thanksgiving, And into His Courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name.” Psalms 100:4 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to The Word of Life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:12-18 “The Lord (YHWH,Yahweh) is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7 “I will praise You, O LORD (YHVH, Yahweh), with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your Marvelous Works.” Psalms 9:1 “Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the Lord. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My Word.” Isaiah 66:2 “Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from The Hand of God. For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment?” Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 “Praise Yah. Praise God in His Sanctuary; praise Him in His Mighty Firmament. Praise Him for His Mighty Deeds; praise Him according to the abundance of His Greatness. Praise Him with blast of horn; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals. Every breathing thing, let it praise Yah. Praise Yah.” Psalms 150:1-6 “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below. Good Morning Wonderful Wednesday…
ABBA, God of The Entire Universe, THANK YOU that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. You have said that You will fight for us while we remain still, TRUSTING IN YOU alone. May WE SEE Your VICTORY in our lives. KEEP US MINDFUL that there is no power greater than You, and that when we cling to You and stay in Your Will … nothing standing against us can prosper. SHOW US YOUR FAVOR Father, soften our hearts, and LEAD US IN THE WAY. WE ASK these things IN YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST’S MIGHTY NAME. AMEN! - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Part 6) Patience Like David's: Imagine what it was like the day Samuel arrived in Bethlehem to anoint a new king from The House of Jesse. The Prophet Samuel was certainly the most famous person in Israel at this time. Saul may have been king, but was fairly new to the scene, while Samuel had been working for Our Father since a young child. Through Our Father, Samuel had become a mighty prophet and servant of God. In fact, this is what Our Father’s Word states about Samuel: “Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Yahweh.” 1 Samuel 3:19-20 Everyone knew Samuel, knew the story of his divine conception, and knew the powerful works Our Father had used Samuel to accomplish. We can only imagine the Israelites of Bethlehem getting excited when he strolled into town with his entourage of younger prophets. They were either excited or fearful, because The Prophets of God sometimes brought news of, and on occasion delivered, Our Father's judgement. It was probably a little of both. Nonetheless, we can be sure everyone was talking about the event. As we know, Samuel went on to anoint David. The dirty shepherd boy who had just come out of the field, with all seven of his older brothers being passed over for the honor, was Anointed King of Israel. The youngest were commonly the more despised of the family by siblings. We see this very thing with Joseph in The Bible. If David's Brothers had any disdain for him before his anointing, which we get hints of, we can be sure they did now. We read about this in The Scriptures when David showed up at the battlefield while going to see his brothers, just before he faced off with Goliath. Let's take a look: “Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” I Samuel 17:28 Strange as it may sound, after David was anointed king, everything just went back to normal. Again, we don't know what Our Father was doing with David while he was out in the wilderness tending sheep, but David surely went back to doing just that after the dramatic anointing by The Prophet Samuel. He was patient. He continued learning from Our Father and honing his skills in many places. Some time would pass before David would go to play harp music to alleviate King Saul's distress. David was the only one who could comfort King Saul from the distressing spirit Our Father sent on him for disobedience. Do you think David was plotting his take over of The Kingdom of Israel while he was there? Of course not! He knew that Our Father had put Saul in power and he knew Our Father would take him out of power at the right time. Much later, after Saul had tried to kill David on multiple occasions, and despite David having multiple occasions to exact his revenge, David still stood firm in righteousness and respected Our Fathers decisions on what to do with Saul. The beauty of David was that he stood firm with an obedient and loving spirit. Saul hated David, but David loved Saul. Do you think David knew Yeshua, Jesus Christ? I do. After all, David was following one of His Commandments. He was blessing the man who persecuted him, and he prayed for Saul, his enemy. Sounds like he knew Our Messiah to me 🔥. David was patient in waiting for Our Father’s Perfect Timing, and continued learning what Our Father was teaching him all the while. It was his patience, and waiting on Our Father to give His Command, that would prove to be David's saving grace again and again. Because of David’s patience, many years later he would walk into the capital of Israel crowned...The Anointed King of Israel. Have we been practicing patience and waiting on Our Father to instruct us in our next move? Many times we can feel a strong calling on our lives, but lack the patience to wait and let Our Father accomplish these things for us, and through us. Our Father gives us a strong picture of restraint and "submitting to our authorities" through David's life. There is a time to be patient, and a time to act, just as David's son Solomon would write about many many years later. Certainly Solomon was drawing, in part, from stories he had heard about his father David. Today's society, especially the younger generation, are being goaded into believing they can "take things into their own hands." Without Our Father and Savior's Blessing, we are merely practicing vanity. We cannot allow ourselves to accept this line of thinking. After all, who wants to end up like Saul? May we all strive to learn when Our Father wants us to act and when Our Father wants us to be patient. May we all wait on Him to work things out. May we all practice...Patience Like David's. God Bless Each and Every One of You On The Other Side of This Screen. Have a wonderful Father-and-Son-Led Day! Until tomorrow, May The Peace and Grace of Our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ, be with you all! The Word of The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and... David: The Anointed King of Israel: “Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.” Proverbs 20:22 “with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in Love,” Ephesians 4:2 “But The Fruit of The Spirit is Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with The LORD (God, YHWH, Yahweh) and men.” I Samuel 2:26 “Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.” Genesis 37:5 “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for The Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” I Peter 2:13-17 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2 “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” I Corinthians 13:12 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His Knowledge in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14 Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below. Good Morning Tuesday...
Father thank You for this NEW DAY. As we rise to meet this new day, please let us be filled with Your Spirit. Wherever we go, let us SPREAD LOVE, JOY, PEACE, GOODNESS, and FAITHFULNESS. Let us desire to become more like You and to worship You IN ALL WE DO. Help us desire these things so much more than the sin that entices us. In Yeshua, Jesus Christ's Name we pray. Amen. - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Part 5) God Uses The Foolish And The Weak Things Of This World: Saul was king, but didn't know how to conduct himself. Saul's son Jonathan was proving to be more kingly, courageous, and faithful to Our Father than his dad Saul. Saul didn't listen, he was selfish, and he didn't take care to do all that Our Father told him. He had to go. Enter David, son of Jesse. A young shepherd boy, the runt of the family, despised by his brothers, and relegated to the duties of tending the sheep, David's family, and David himself, had no idea the events that were about to take place. Now, Saul was a big man, a head taller than any Israelite. He looked powerful, handsome, and kingly. This was a giant contrast to the ruddy, fifteen year old shepherd boy that Samuel The Prophet would anoint to be the next king. As a matter of fact, David wasn't even considered to be anointed at first when the family meeting took place with Samuel. The prophet came to look at Jesse's sons and anoint the next king and David wasn't even called to be present. Let's take a look: “Then Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn about Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel! Fill up your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for myself among his sons.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears, he will kill me.” Yahweh said, “You must take a heifer from the herd with you, and you must say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.’ You will invite Jesse to the sacrifice and I will make known to you what you must do. You will anoint for me the one whom I tell you.” 1 Samuel 16:1-3 Samuel had his orders and he headed to Bethlehem. When he arrived and met Jesse's seven older son's, this was the scene: “When they came, he saw Eliab and said, “Surely his anointed one is before Yahweh!” But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For God does not see what man sees, for a man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel, and he said, “This one also Yahweh has not chosen.” So Jesse made Shammah pass before Samuel, but he said, “Yahweh also has not chosen this one.” And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen any of these.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” And he said, “The youngest still remains, but look, he is shepherding the flock.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we cannot sit down until he comes here.” So he sent and brought him. Now he was ruddy with beautiful eyes and of handsome appearance. And Yahweh said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. Then The Spirit of Yahweh rushed upon David from that day on. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.” 1 Samuel 16:6-13 Can you imagine the surprise of everyone at the family meeting! Seven grown, powerful, and mighty warriors from the house of Jesse were passed over only to choose the forgotten little brother who was off tending the sheep. If his brothers thought he was a liar and despised him before, certainly they were jealous now. It didn't matter, Our Father made His choice and David was anointed to be the king of Israel. At present, no one would know but Samuel, David, and David's family. This would all change very soon. If you have ever felt forgotten, alone, unimportant, or looked over, take heart! Our Father doesn't look at what man sees. He doesn't look at outward appearances. Our Father looks at the heart. You may feel unimportant today, but being faithful to God, seeking His Heart, and following His Instructions can land you in a position of success. No matter how you feel, look, or who is noticing your faithfulness, Our Father and Savior see... everything. Stay faithful, keep your thoughts on God, seek His Face, and stay humble. Remember, God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and He uses the foolish and the weak things of this world to confound the wise. Certainly this was the case with David. We will continue on this journey tomorrow. God Bless everybody and have a Great God-Filled day. The Word of The King Maker, Our Father In Heaven: “Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” 1 Corinthians 1:20 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25 “But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that He might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that He might put to shame the strong,” 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For God does not see what man sees, for a man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below. Good Morning Monday...
Father Thank You for this NEW DAY. Help us to be Your LIGHTs in this dark world. Help us to show the kindness, compassion, mercy, and LOVE that You Have Shown Us Through Your Son YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST. We ask this in His Name, The Name Above All Names, Yeshua, Jesus Christ Our Savior. AMEN! - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Part 4) A Better One Has Been Chosen: Saul was the first king of Israel. Saul is the man chosen after Israel had begged for "another" king besides Our Eternal King. Our Father was not pleased with this and the people of Israel would soon regret what they had asked. While Saul did seemingly inherit a very tough situation, he couldn't control himself, nor could he properly follow Our Fathers Instructions. Had he chosen Our Father's Ways and Instructions Saul's paths, we can be sure, would have been "made straight," but alas, he did not. Saul was hasty, fearful of man(even though anointed by Our Father), prideful, and filled with "worldliness." He disobeyed God over and over, not bringing to mind those things he had been commanded by God Almighty as completely necessary. For this reason Saul would have The Kingdom of Israel stripped from him and given to another who was after "God's Own Heart," David. Saul would have the kingdom stripped from Him because of his many transgressions and given to David. Our Father had determined to give His People a new leader with a heart for Him. Saul was very much an egotist. Can you imagine what it was like the day that Samuel told him that God had chosen "one who is better than you" to replace him? This had to be a tense situation for sure, but Saul did eventually figure out that Our Father's decision was made and He was not changing His mind. When this happened, what was Saul concerned with? Popularity and social status! Unbelievable right? Saul realized that God's anointing had been removed and admitted this in a private conversation with The Prophet Samuel, and then he pleaded: “Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship The LORD (Yahweh, YHWH) your God.” So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshiped The LORD (Yahweh).” I Samuel 15:30-31 Notice that Saul says, "that I may worship The LORD (Yahweh) YOUR God," and not "his" God. It was clear that Saul's motives were less than pure, but Samuel relented and did so, certainly knowing Our Father would still make use of him. Here is where the lesson in Saul is. Saul turned out to be a "bad egg," but God wasn't done with him just yet. Our Father, in His favor towards David and Israel, had Saul establish Israel as a nation on the world stage. Our Father had Saul establish the first working armed forces in Israel. Our Father used Saul's wickedness to show how a true man of God would treat others. Though Saul would try to kill David over and over, throw spears at David's head, and pursue David with immense armies, Saul would never succeed. This is a prime example of Our Father showing He can work through any situation no matter how hopeless it seems. Though Saul was wicked, just look at all the good things that came through Our Father's use of him. God was "setting the stage" so to speak for the future king “David The Great” (Our Father's term not mine). While many years would pass and many hardships would befall David under King Saul's reign, David somehow knew... Our Father was doing a good thing for him and Israel. While David was waiting to take the throne after his anointing, Our Father used Saul to: establish Israel, calm the people's fears, establish armies, train David and his armies, and show the people how a "wicked king" would treat them. When David finally came into the seat of power, all things would be laid before his feet and be ready for his rule. Our Father can work His Good through any situation no matter how bad it may seem. We may be facing situations of being under the authority of others, at times, that are less than noble and maybe even wicked, but we can be assured that Our Father is using this for our good. All we have to do? Be faithful to Him, Our Father In Heaven. Are you dealing with a tough situation, with a worldly boss, a wicked leader, or a prideful and ego filled authority? Take heart! Our Father may just be "setting the stage" for you. 🔥 Shema (Behold), Israel! The Word of Yahweh (YHWH, LORD, God): “Trust in The Lord (Yahweh) with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 “Thus says The LORD (Yahweh), Your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I Am The LORD (Yahweh) your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:17-18 “Then Samuel said to him, “Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.” 1 Samuel 15:28 Then Samuel went to Ramah and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel mourned over Saul, and Yahweh regretted that he made Saul king over Israel.” 1 Samuel 15:34-35 “But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to The LORD (Yahweh). And The LORD (Yahweh) said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” So Samuel told all the words of The LORD (Yahweh) to the people who asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and The LORD (Yahweh) will not hear you in that day.” Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of The LORD (Yahweh). So The LORD (Yahweh) said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.” And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.” I Samuel 8:6-22 Have a wonderful Monday My Brothers and Sisters. May The Peace of Our Father, El Shaddia, God Almighty be with you all! Please leave any questions, comments, insights, Biblical Nuggets, encouragement, or thoughts in the comments below. |
SERVANT OF YESHUA 7
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