April 30 - The Miraculous in the Mundane

Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalms 68; Matthew 17

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
We can be ourselves with God; He knows us better than anyone….When it comes to God’s presence,
passion is more important than protocol! 

Today is the last day to file our taxes and, coincidentally, today we read about Jesus paying His. He notes the irony; technically, he is the King of Kings but here He is required to pay taxes to an earthly king (17:24-27). What is remarkable about all of our readings today is how the miraculous presence of God is lived out in the mundane matters of life.

In our OT stories we read about David bringing the Ark of God’s Presence back to where it belongs - Mt. Zion, the eventual location of the Temple. When God is taken for granted, things will not go well, as Uzzah learned the hard way (6:6,7 - hopefully he wasn’t an ancestor of the Buzza clan). But when God’s presence is accepted gratefully and respectfully, as Obed-Edom and his family discovered, God’s blessing is poured out (6:10-12).

When some may consider certain behavior or dress (or undress) inappropriate in God’s presence (eg. Michal, David’s wife - 6:17,20), David showed us that passion is more important than protocol (6:16,21,22). He said, I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes (6:21b-22a). Attitude is everything. When we truly love God and are genuinely grateful for His presence in our everyday life, we don’t have to be stuffy or uptight. I say this to help those who tend to judge fellow parishioners based on the way they dress and act in church. We can be ourselves with God; He knows us better than anyone!

Our NT reading illustrates the same thing. It starts with a glorious revelation of God’s presence on what became known as the Mount of Transfiguration and ends with Jesus and Peter filing their taxes. Notice that Matthew, the former tax collector, is the only gospel writer to include this story. He obviously had a special appreciation for the way Jesus, King of Heaven, dealt with terrestrial trivialities. Even in that very ordinary moment, the extraordinary, miracle-working power of God was present (17:27).

“Lord, as I send my tax returns in today, I know that You are with me. You know me and care about me even in my most mundane moments. I say with David, Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah (pause and think about it!) (68:19).”

April 29 - Show Me a Sign

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 4,5; Psalms 139; Matthew 16

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Don’t seek after signs; seek after God and He will
confirm everything we need to know!

One of my favourite moments from Bruce Almighty is Bruce crying out to God for a sign. After driving around a road sign saying “caution” and a truckload of other warning signs, Bruce crashes his car into a lamp standard. This is where he gets angry at God: “Smite me oh Mighty Smiter, c’mon answer me!” When his pager starts beeping with a number he doesn’t recognize, Bruce mutters to himself: “Sorry, don’t know ya; wouldn’t call you if I did!”

That scene is typical of most sign-seekers. It certainly describes the religious rulers of Jesus’ day, who couldn’t recognize a sign from God if it smacked them in their forehead phylacteries! The sign Jesus suggested they look for was the “sign of Jonah”, a reference to His impending death and resurrection (Mat. 16:4; 12:38-41).

The most powerful proof of God’s existence and His plans for us is found in this indisputable fact: Jesus actually lived among us, told us He was sent from God, and then proved it by dying for us and rising from the grave! Anyone with an open mind and an open heart that disputes this truth needs to investigate the evidence for himself (or study the research of other former cynics, like Frank Morrison, Josh McDowell, or Lee Strobel).

If that’s not enough, just take a look in the mirror. Consider, like David did, where you came from! For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (139:13,14). David wasn’t stupid; you can’t have trillions of cells appear from nothing by accident and assemble themselves into a living, breathing, seeing, walking, talking, thinking human being. Those who believe that are like the idiot who looks at a painting and says there is no painter, or a building and says there is no builder!

That’s why David said, The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” .... The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God (Psa. 14:1,2). That’s the real issue. We shouldn’t seek after signs; we should seek after God. Once we do that, believe me, He will confirm everything we need to know!

“Lord, You have fully convinced me that You are real, You are alive, and Your Spirit is with me right now. In fact, the presence of Your Spirit is a deposit, a guarantee, that everything You promised us is true” (2 Cor. 1:20-22).

April 28 - Love Your Enemies - Really?

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 Anyone can love a friend but only God
can help us love our enemies. 

Sometimes our kids surprise us, in a good way. One such shocker came from our son-in-law, Matt, so no credit to us for good upbringing!  Matt became quite a renowned wedding photographer, to the point where he ran an on-line academy to teach his techniques to other photographers. His colleagues discovered another rogue photographer who had stolen one of Matt’s well-known shots, photoshopped his couple into the picture, then had the nerve to put his own copy write on it. To the surprise of Matt’s friends, who had hoped for some revenge and maybe a law suit, Matt called the imposter and offered him a free course on how to learn his techniques for himself! That act of unconditional love illustrates why Matt became a role model within his community and why God blessed his business.

David lived the same way. He continually surprised his followers by showing kindness to his arch enemies. His defense of Saul, during and after his life, showed a supernatural love and loyalty that transcends typical human emotion. In today’s reading, he does the same for Abner, Saul’s number one hit man, who had devoted his life to destroying David and undermining his reign. But at least three factors turned Abner at the end of his life: division and false accusations among Saul’s supporters (2 Sam. 3:6-10), David’s growing military support (1 Chron. 12:38), and no doubt David’s unwavering kindness to the house of Saul.

We see evidence throughout David’s life why he was known as “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). When typical human response would be to retaliate against his enemies, David, long before Jesus arrived on the planet to show us the true heart of God, turned the other cheek (Matt. 5:39) and loved his enemies (Matt. 5:44). This God-like love, while surprising to his followers, strengthened David’s reputation and increased his support: All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them (3:36).

Jesus said it best. When criticized by the Pharisees for not performing their hand washing ritual before eating, Jesus said: What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him “unclean,” but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him “unclean” (15:11). “Lord, thank You for Your example, and for godly men like David and Matt, showing me how to guard my words and actions. When my emotions tell me to strike back against those who hurt me, help me choose to speak and act with Your unconditional love!”

April 27 - The Three

Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalms 142; Matthew 14

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Like David’s “Mighty Men” or the motley crew
of disciples Jesus chose, often the best followers and
eventual leaders have little to offer.

As a child I loved the story of the Three Musketeers. I even had the rubber épée which I used to repeatedly stab my brother Barry until he finally broke it over his knee (bet that never happened to d’Artagnan or his three friends). As a teenager I even wrote a book report on the Dumas novel for English class (I never actually read the full novel - I scanned the Classic Comic Book version). But I love the story in today’s Bible reading even more. It’s about three warriors so brave, so cool, that they were known simply as The Three (muskets weren’t invented yet). 

The Three were Josheb-Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. Individually, they each had lengthy resumes of battlefield heroism (2 Sam. 23:8-12), but they distinguished themselves as The Three when they risked their lives as a unit for their commander-in-chief, David. After an exhausting day, David wistfully expressed longing for a drink of cool, clear water from the well just outside the gate of Bethlehem, his home town. Three of his 30 Mighty Men overheard his request, traversed the 13 miles between the caves of Adullam and Bethlehem, infiltrated behind enemy lines, and risked their lives to bring back a flask of well water to David. He was so humbled by their loyalty that he felt unworthy to drink the water. Instead he poured it out on the ground as a sacrifice to God (11:15-19).

When I first heard this story as a child, I thought, “how rude, what a waste!” I felt sorry for the three soldiers who risked life and limb for a useless puddle of water. But my Sunday School teacher opened my eyes to the honour David showed them by bringing their heroism before God. When these men first came to David, like all of David’s followers during his life on the run, they were either “distressed, in debt, or discontented” (1 Sam. 22:2). Much like the motley crew of disciples Jesus assembled, often the best followers and eventual leaders have little to offer. They seem to learn more quickly how to rely on God in everything they do. David’s Mighty Men and Christ’s disciples knew they didn’t deserve love and respect but it was given to them nonetheless! 

“Lord, I know what they felt. Those who have been forgiven much naturally want to love much (Luke 7:47). Thank You for including me among Your Mighty Men.”

April 26 - Heaven is for Real

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 1; Psalms 140; Matthew 13

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Heaven is for real, but it is not really for everyone. 

I remember watching the film sensation, Heaven is for Real (and more recently from the same producer, Miracles from Heaven). This morning I read through Matthew 13 and would like to add, heaven is for real, but it is not really for everyone. Unlike some Christian critics, I enjoyed the movie. Colton’s memories of heaven are believable and consistent with other near death accounts, but there should be more to the story.

The story in the movie is limited, one-sided. Taken by itself, it creates the impression that everyone goes to heaven when they die. I wish Pastor Burpo (that’s his real name) actually delivered sermons in the movie based on Scripture instead of just his son’s visit to heaven. That’s the danger with books, movies, and preachers who interpret God’s Word based on experiences instead of interpreting experiences based on God’s Word.

The truth is, heaven is for real, but Jesus made it clear that not everyone will spend eternity with Him there. The parables we read today speak of the day when there will be a separation of the wheat from the weeds (13:39-43), the good fish from the bad (13:47-50). We know from earlier in the chapter and from other Scriptures that the terms “good” and “bad” do not refer to our works, our ability to earn a place in heaven. The parable of the sower helps us understand that the comparison is more like good or bad soil (13:18-23), spiritual acceptance of God’s Word, the gospel message of a free gift of salvation paid in full by our Saviour, Jesus, who died in our place. Accepting Him and his forgiveness is what makes the possibility of heaven real for us!

“Lord, thank You for Your promise that you have gone ahead to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3). Like Colton Burpo, I’m not afraid of death, or anything for that matter, because heaven is for real, and really for me!”

April 25 - The Law of Love

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 30,31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 If you want to understand the Spirit of the Law,
get to know the Lawgiver.

Jesus encountered them all the time, and so do we: people who love the law, but fail to realize the law of love. Most of the religious rulers in Jesus’ day had become so preoccupied with the law, expanding it, explaining its nuances, that they lost sight of the reason for it.

To explain the fourth commandment, remember the sabbath day by keeping it holy (Ex. 20:8), the rabbis had identified, in the Mishneh, 39 prohibited activities, along with hundreds of applications for each of those activities. When Jesus (the Son of God, the One who wrote the law) arrived on the scene, the religious rulers constantly criticized Him for violating the Sabbath. In our reading today, Jesus allowed His disciples to glean grain on the Sabbath and He healed a man with a shrivelled hand. While the Pharisees piously gasped in shock, Jesus reminded them of Hosea’s words, for I desire mercy, not sacrifice, which is followed by, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings (12:7; Hos. 6:6). I love this section of Hosea, which took on new life for me in the 70s with the chorus “Let's Press On to Know the Lord” (Hos. 6:3).

When we take the time to know Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath (Mat. 12:8), we will start to understand the reason for the law. Jesus summed up the entire law with two commands: love God and love others. Most of the Pharisees missed it. They had pressed on to know the law, but they didn’t know the lawgiver. They didn’t really love God and they certainly didn’t seem to love people. 

The contrast between Jesus and the Pharisees is similar to the one between David and Saul. Saul, who became more and more infatuated with himself, learned the hard way how self-destructive a self-centered life can be (31:4). David, on the other hand, pressed on to know and love God, which became evident in his compassion for those less fortunate. David’s parallel to Jesus healing the man with the withered hand was his feeding of the abused Egyptian slave. That seemingly random act of kindness was rewarded with information that led to David rescuing his family and restoring everything his enemies had stolen from him and his men.

“Lord, I want to press on to know and love You, and to fully love the people You bring into my life today!”

April 24 - Choose Prayer

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 28,29; Psalms 109; Matthew 11

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Does God choose us or do we choose Him?
The answer is yes! 

Does God choose us or do we choose Him? The answer is yes, to both questions! Some would say that God’s choice alone is determinative, that He has predetermined some to be saved and, by logical extension, some to be damned. But if that were true, it would violate God’s nature. God is love and love requires choice. For God to love us He must choose us, and if we are to love God we must choose Him.

Our readings today reflect that tension of mutual choice. Saul and David had equal opportunity to choose God, to choose a life of prayer, of intimate relationship with a loving God. But for Saul, prayer was the means to tell God what he wanted, not to hear what God wanted. God was not his friend, his lover; in Saul’s mind, God was his good luck charm, his secret amulet to help him win battles and the praise of his subjects.

Unfortunately, because he consistently chose to disobey God, God stopped talking to Saul (28:5,16-18). So desperate was he for God’s help, he consulted a spiritist, a medium, after rightly banning them from Israel. Mediums are forbidden because they use deception and demonic power as a counterfeit for God, but in this case, the witch of Endor freaked out when the true God intervened (28:12). God allowed Samuel (the spirits of believers are not ghosts who roam the earth, but they do live forever with God) one more opportunity to remind Saul of the consequences of his choices to ignore God’s will (28:19).

David, on the other hand, was a “man of prayer” (109:4). David and God were so close, God provided him a way out of a difficult dilemma (29:6,7). David was put in the position of having to fight against his own people to protect his family and to prove his loyalty to the Philistines who had kept him safe from Saul. But because David consistently chose to love God with all of his heart, soul, and strength (a.k.a. integrity), God protected him in that moment and throughout his reign over Israel (Psa. 25:21; 1 Kings 9:4,5).

We also see the tension of mutual choice in the words of Jesus. God chooses to reveal Himself to all those who choose to come to Him (11:27,28). “Lord, I choose to come to You today, and to be yoked together with You for the rest of my life. I want to learn from You, from Your gentle and humble heart, and to find rest for my soul” (11:29).

April 23 - Sheep Among Wolves

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 27; Psalms 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 We must learn, and help our children to learn,
how to be the influencers instead of the influencees!

Again, there is a common thread in our readings today: David moved his family into enemy territory to escape from Saul (1 Sam. 27), his psalm was a prayer for protection from evil influence (Psa. 141), the last of the genealogies records the generations who survived captivity in Babylon (1 Chr. 9), and Jesus sent His disciples out into inevitable persecution (Mat. 10). Each of these accounts has clear application to us and the world we live in today.

Jan and I just had a discussion with some good friends on the challenges parents face in protecting their children. We now have the perfect storm of immorality coming at us from all sides: from drug pushers targeting younger children, to graphic pornography accessible to anyone at the touch of an iPhone, to public school teachers endorsing homosexuality, to celebrities selling sin as the American Dream. What’s the answer: Christian schools, home schooling, communes, fortresses surrounded by moats infested with crocodiles? How do we keep ourselves and our children safe from evil influence?

The truth is we can’t. We live on a sin-polluted planet and the sooner we learn, and help our children to learn, how to be the influencers instead of the influencees, the better. Jesus said to His disciples, which includes us: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard (10:16,17). We don’t have to be afraid because His Spirit will be with us, even giving us the words to speak when we face persecution (10:19,20).

This truth of God’s presence and protection applies even to our children. There may be setbacks and we may make some serious mistakes, but God is good all the time. We can trust Him, for ourselves and for our children. We may be sheep but we always have the Good Shepherd with us. We must believe like David when we pray: my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge - do not give me over to death. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety (141:8-10).

April 22 - Leaders Listen

Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 25, 26; Psalms 63; Matthew 9

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 Good leaders are confident enough to make executive decisions and humble enough to listen to better ideas. 

We are coming to the end of Saul’s legacy as a leader and there’s at least one obvious observation: he was not a good listener. He heard the words of those who questioned his rash choices, but he consistently rejected their advice. David, on the other hand, while confident enough to make executive decisions, was also humble enough to listen to better ideas. Today’s story of Abigail’s intervention shows David’s ability to set aside emotional impulses and listen to sound advice.

Abigail’s husband, Nabal, refused to give out of his abundance to take care of David and his men, even though they provided protection for his workers. It was expected in those days that wealthy landowners would offer food and shelter to the men who had left their own homes and risked their lives to keep them safe. In Nabal’s case, he heard directly from his own servants how David and his men had protected them without touching their livestock, but Nabal was not a good listener!

David was so incensed by Nabal’s ingratitude that he prepared his men to attack. But Abigail intervened with such compelling wisdom, David remarked: May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day (25:33). He was also perceptive enough to sense God speaking through Abigail (25:34), and learned a lesson that would characterize the rest of his life. He learned that vengeance belongs to God alone, and this truth would guide him in his ongoing struggles with Saul.

Not to sound sexist but David was not only listening to a stranger’s advice, he was listening to a woman, about military matters of all things. In that day, such openness was remarkable. But David’s heart was soft, no doubt because he was so careful to worship his God every day (Psalms 63 captures his prayers during this time). He could sense God’s voice, even when he heard it through the lips of a woman. I have heard your words and granted your request (25:35).

“Lord, my prayer today echoes David’s: Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me (63:7-9). I hear Your words to me today: I do not have to defend myself; You are my defense against those who would do me harm.”

April 21 - Crocodile Tears

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 8; Psalms 57; 58; Matthew 8

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 Pride, selfishness, hypocrisy, meaningless tears, can
overtake any life that stops recognizing God’s authority.

If you are ever eaten by a crocodile, let’s say while vacationing in Florida, you may feel better knowing that the croc is crying at the same time. You won’t feel better, though, after learning there is no remorse behind those tears – it’s merely an emotionless, physiological reaction. Hence the term, “crocodile tears” - applied to hypocrites who say they feel bad but their behaviour doesn’t change.

Saul provides several classic examples. He had so many God-given opportunities to turn his life around. Samuel, his son Jonathan, his own soldiers, and now David, all confronted Saul, some more than once, about his self-centeredness, to no avail. Almost every time, there was apparent repentance (15:24,25; 19:6; 24:16-21), but no change. In our story today, when David refused to retaliate against Saul when he inadvertently mistook David’s cave for a porta-potty, Saul was so overwhelmed by David’s mercy that he “wept aloud.”  But the tears were a “croc” and a few days later he went out with 3,000 of his best men on another search and destroy mission, with David as his target.

I’m not sure we can say that Saul never felt remorse, but we can say that he seldom acted on that remorse. True repentance requires change. It literally means “to change one’s mind for the better,” to stop going one way, turn around, and go the other way. Saul illustrates what James was talking about: For if you just listen and don’t obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like (James 1:23,24). He later explains that faith without works is dead (2:20, 26).

Some who dismiss free will might say that Saul was never a believer and his true colours surfaced later in his life. I believe the Bible suggests otherwise. Saul started out after his anointing as a humble, teachable man of God, at one point filled with God’s Spirit and prophesying. But human pride hardened his heart and twisted his thinking. It can happen to any one of us, and it can happen to me. Pride, selfishness, hypocrisy, meaningless tears, can overtake any life that stops recognizing God’s authority.

I love the emphasis of Christ’s authority in our NT reading today. Leprosy, paralysis, fever, windstorms, even demons are subject to the power of Jesus. If we forget that we too are subject to Jesus, and start serving ourselves instead of Him, pride will begin to pervert our hearts, minds, and actions. “Lord, that’s why I spend time each day in Your Word and at Your feet. Keep my heart soft and my tears real!”

April 20 - Do Unto Others

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 23; Psalms 31; 54; Matthew 7

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
The world says “do unto others what they do to you”
but Jesus says “ “Do unto others as you would have
them do unto you.”  (Sorry, Don Cherry!) 

Basic human justice sets a fairly low standard: “do unto others what they do to you.” The civil law of the Hebrews was similar: “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Ex. 21:24; Deut. 19:21). According to Don Cherry, the same should apply to good Canadian boys in rock’m sock’m hockey!

It certainly would have been justifiable for David to retaliate against Saul’s repeated attempts on his life. But in the chapters to come, we see “a man after God’s own heart.” He had several golden opportunities to strike back, including a vulnerable moment when Saul was relieving himself in the very cave where David was hiding from him (24:3,4). Talk about catching a man with his pants down! But David refused to “touch the Lord's anointed” (24:6,10). He was already putting into practice the standard Jesus would introduce to His followers: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (aka: the Golden Rule - 7:12).

I remember taking care of the grand kids for a whole week when they were on their best behavior. Their parents’ point system (with points equal to actual dollars) may have been a contributing factor. But one breakdown happened while Zack and Katie were supposed to be sharing a scooter between them. Injustice over time on said scooter led to complaints to Papa. I know better than to arbitrate a “he said/she said” civil case so I simply empowered them to work it out themselves or they would be confined to the house. When they couldn’t resolve things on their own I brought them in for a crash course on the Golden Rule and sent them out with a second chance to put it into practice.  Shockingly, it worked! They got more points and I gave myself a gold star for excellence in grand-parenting.

Jesus “taught as one having authority” (7:28,29) because He put every word He spoke into practice. The Easter season we have just come through reminds us of the moment when He took the punishment of death that we deserved, according to human justice, and paid it Himself, modelling God’s higher standard of unconditional love. “Lord, the way I can honour what You have done for me is by doing the same for others. Help me reflect Your love by practicing Your standard of doing for others what I would want them to do for me!”

April 19 - Secret Service Saint

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 22; Psalms 17; 35; Matthew 6

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
The Secret Service Saint doesn’t keep his faith quiet,
just his faithfulness!

While David was running for his life, he learned the importance of solitude and secrecy. At this point in his story, not only was his life in danger but all those who stood with him were also in jeopardy. In those moments, David would retreat into his refuge, under the “shadow of His wings” (Ps. 17:6-9). Just as Saul’s life was an illustration of the symptoms and consequences of pride, David’s life shows us the signs and rewards of humility. Spiritual disciplines like solitude and secrecy are some of the ways we can keep our spirits humble and dependent on God.

Notice these disciplines are woven throughout the greatest message ever preached, Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. His big idea for this portion of His sermon was, be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them (6:1). This is how we avoid the pride of the Pharisees, who lived to impress others. When you give, do it as quietly and anonymously as possible (6:4); when you pray, don’t grandstand, go into your prayer closet (6:5,6); and when you are fasting, don’t announce it to others (6:16-18).

If we practice these signs of humility, we learn how to reflect the likeness of Jesus, caring for others with an eternal perspective instead of seeking selfish attention for ourselves on earth (6:19-21). We also protect ourselves from the god of this world, mammon, the love of money, which is the root of evil (6:24; 1 Tim. 6:10).  When we focus our attention on God’s kingdom first, instead of on our own little world, we discover how to live without worry (6:25-34). As David learned, God will take care of us. He will defend us so we don’t have to defend ourselves (Ps. 35:24).

“Lord, I would like to be able to say with David as I face each new day, when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness (Ps. 17:15), hopefully through everything I say and do.”

April 18 - Blessed are the Broken-Hearted

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 20,21; Psalms 34; Matthew 5

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
You’ve heard about the thrill of victory followed by
the agony of defeat, but for those who follow Jesus,
victory often follows defeat! 

We again see incredible congruity today with our readings. The sermon of Jesus in Matthew 5, starting with the beatitudes, is remarkably similar to David’s lessons on fearing God from Psalm 34, which he wrote while he was hiding from Saul in Gath, a story recorded in 1 Samuel 21. One of several lessons to be learned from these intense passages is how God seems to bless us the most during the most difficult times. I recently had a conversation with a newly appointed leader who has come through the same thing – a new lease on life arising out of what seemed to be a near-death experience. It happens so often it has a name, “death of a vision”, and I’ve experienced it several times myself.

Why do so many Christian leaders, in Bible days and today, have to come through trials before God pours out His blessing? That question seems especially appropriate right now. We just went through the Easter season with its fresh reminder that the death-to-life process is at the very heart of the gospel. Jesus modeled for us how you snatch victory out of defeat, and triumph over death with eternal life!

David went through 18 years of hell on earth between his anointing and his appointment as king. That may have been why he was able to stay humble and close to God throughout his 40 year reign. Saul, on the other hand, quickly moved from anointing to appointing to a meteoric rise in power and popularity, seemingly without struggle. That may have been a reason why he succumbed to pride later on and the self-destruction that always accompanies it (Prov. 16:18).

“Lord, today I apply Your promise: The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Ps. 34:18) and Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3).”

April 17 - Truth or Consequences

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalms 59; Matthew 4

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
God’s Truth sets us free but obeying the Father of Lies leads to serious consequences!”

One of the reasons I enjoy the New Hope Reading Plan is the thought given to historical chronology and coinciding themes. We see both in today’s readings. As we read about Saul’s foiled attempts at killing David and the miraculous way God spared his life, we also get to read a Psalm written by David at that exact moment. These are his thoughts, his prayers, after his wife Michal helps him escape from her father’s hit men: O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. But do not kill them, O Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might make them wander about, and bring them down. For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more (Ps. 59:9-13).

Pride had so twisted Saul’s soul that he tried several times to kill David, the man who helped him achieve victory over his enemies, served as his personal armour bearer, played music to soothe his troubled spirit, and eventually married his own daughter. And his attempts on David’s life came after Saul had sworn an oath to his son, Jonathan, David’s best friend, that he would never harm him (19:6). So much for family first! But David’s prayers, at that moment, were answered. Because of Saul’s pride, curses, and lies, he wandered and wallowed in self-delusion until he literally fell on his own sword (31:4).  Such are the eventual consequences of living a lie.

Truth, however, was clearly on David’s side. God answered his prayer for protection with an amazing series of miracles, including an outpouring of God’s Spirit so strong that even three separate hit squads and finally Saul himself found themselves overcome when they got close to David (19:18-24). In some bizarre irony, Saul found himself stripped naked and prophesying of God’s great power.

The theme continues in our NT reading as well, when Jesus stares down His enemy, Satan, in a toe-to-toe battle of wills. Satan, as usual, is telling lies (hence the nickname Jesus gave him, the Father of Lies – John 8:44), but Jesus is answering with the truth of God’s unchanging Word (4:1-11). He did so because the Son of God knows better than anyone the vastly different consequences of a life devoted to the Truth and a life perverted by lies!

“Lord, help me to always remember that Your Truth has set me free! I never want to return to the consequences that come from even entertaining the twisted words of the Father of Lies!”

April 16 - Humble Endings

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalms 11; Matthew 3

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 
Apart from  God we can do nothing, but we can do
all things through Christ who strengthens us!

God seems to specialize in humble beginnings, choosing the least likely leaders from the lowliest families who live in the most insignificant places. With so many examples of this humility in their own history, it is surprising the Jews didn’t expect a similar profile for their Messiah. Born in a barn to poor parents from an embarrassingly small town, Jesus arrived on the scene in the most unpretentious way imaginable. Apart from a few barn animals and some unsavoury shepherds, no one saw it coming!

But more important than humble beginnings, as we will see in the comparisons between Saul and David, is a humble ending. While it seems impossible, Jesus ended His life on earth with less fanfare than it began. After His death, well that’s another story! Rising from the dead, appearing and disappearing in front of His friends at will, and ascending physically into heaven is impressive stuff. And that’s what happens to those who follow Him in a humble and selfless life. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up (James 4:10).

We’ve already observed the effects of pride in Saul’s life: ignoring God’s commands, trying to please and appease people, focusing on public image, justifying sin, deflecting blame and honouring himself. Now as David rises on the scene and begins to attract the peoples’ attention, deep and dark jealousy starts to consume Saul (18:6-12). Comparisons, anger, insecurity, striving, manipulation and self-centeredness are all symptoms of human pride. But gratitude, grace, peace, self-control, thoughtfulness and God’s blessing accompanies godly humility.

We see it consistently in the life of David, who always seemed genuinely surprised and grateful for his success and popularity (18:18,23). Coincidentally, we see the same demure deference in John the Baptist in our NT reading (Matt. 3:11-15). This meekness and dependence on God characterized the entire lives of these two great leaders, from humble beginnings through to a humble end.

“Lord, this is my desire and if I ever allow my own pride to erode godly humility, I welcome Your correction. Apart from You I can do nothing, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (John 15:5; Phil. 4:13).

April 15 - Humble Beginnings

Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 17; Psalms 9; Matthew 2

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home!
And there’s no place like it for maintaining said
humility, thanks to the family who lives in said home! 

Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home! And there’s no place like it for maintaining said humility, thanks to the family who lives in said home! Being the youngest of six kids, I was at the bottom of the pecking order. Despite what the so-called experts say (none of whom I suspect were baby brothers), the “babies” of large families are not spoiled – they are neglected by overworked parents, abused by bossy siblings and humbled, make that humiliated, on a daily basis! 

Playing ping pong with my oldest brother recently brought back 65 year-old repressed memories of being traumatized to tears by him when I was first learning the game. The insults he hurled, he told me years later, were offered in love to make me a man. Yah, right! No wonder I identified with David, who was sent by his dad to the battlefield to bring lunch to his older brothers (subservient chores and excessive danger for the baby of the family). Their thanks, “offered in love” by his oldest brother: Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle (17:28).  

The truth is, the humility learned by David during his childhood helped groom him as God’s choice for king. God told Samuel, as he was getting ready to choose the oldest and strongest of Jesse’s sons, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (16:7). Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Deborah, Samuel, now David - none stood out as natural leaders, no driving ambition, no swagger, no ego, no obvious skills (unless you count slinging stones at tin cans out by the sheepfold a skill). 

What did they have in common? The answer - humility!  A humility expressed through faith and dependence on their God. Saul had it too, at first (15:17), but his early humility was consumed by pride. He learned the hard way that “pride goes before destruction” (Prov. 16:18) and that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:5). The humility David learned, partly because of his older brothers, allowed Him the grace to kill a giant and rule a nation. It also kept him coming back to God before most every challenge, and when he forgot, after every mistake. 

“Lord, I am not ashamed of my humble beginnings. Reading today about Your unassuming birth on earth reminds me that my humility and dependence on You should never end!”

April 14 - The Deceitfulness of Sin

 Read today’s texts first:  1 Samuel 15,16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 
Shifting blame or justifying disobedience hardens the heart; remorse and repentance softens it. 

As we read through the life of Saul we’ll notice a gradual hardening of his heart. He started off soft and teachable, very aware of his humble beginnings. He was reticent to be chosen as King because his family was insignificant (9:21), he was afraid to tell others about his anointing by Samuel (10:16), and when it came time for the big reveal, he was hiding in the baggage area (10:21). But soon he began to enjoy the public accolades and the power he was given went straight to his head, just as God predicted (8:4-18; 15:17-19).

Eventually Saul became more concerned with pleasing the people than pleasing God. He made a show of seeking God, like offering sacrifices himself (13:8-12), building an altar, and even inquiring of the Lord (14:35,37), but it seemed to be a pretext of spirituality. When confronted about not fully obeying God’s commands, he would justify himself (eg. 13:11,12). Our reading today is a classic illustration of the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13), where Saul actually starts to believe he knows better than God.

After being told by God to completely destroy the Amalekite’s livestock, he decides to save the best. When Samuel shows up to confront him, he finds Saul building a statue to honour himself for his victory over the Amalekites. Saul proactively greets him with this deluded statement: “I have carried out the Lord’s instructions” (15:13). Yah, right! When Samuel cups his hand to his ear and asks Saul, “what then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” (15:14), Saul is ready with his planned response, “the soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God” (15:15 - notice he said “your God”, not “my God” or “our God” – very telling). 

Shifting blame or justifying disobedience hardens the heart; remorse and repentance softens it. When Saul did finally repent, it was because Samuel told him, “because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king” (15:23-30). But notice his main concern was getting Samuel to be seen with him while he makes a public show of worshiping God – can you say “photo op”?

“Lord, I want to always remember that ‘obedience is better than sacrifice’ and should I ever forget, I want to be quick to repent, to be like David, ‘a man after God’s own heart’ (15:22; 13:14).”

April 13 - The Power of One (or Two)

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Our choice of friends today can make
or break our future. 

The book and the movie called The Power of One is based on the life story of an English boy named Peekay (PK) growing up under apartheid in South Africa during World War 2. It is an inspirational testimony of what one person can do to change their world against overwhelming odds. The Bible has many such heroic stories of the power of one man or one woman, but the effect is even greater because they are not really alone. When God is with us the odds are always in our favour.

Today’s OT reading is the story of Jonathan and his armour bearer taking on the Philistine army by themselves. Not only were they vastly outnumbered, but the Philistines held positional advantage in an outpost surrounded by steep cliffs. Jonathan’s test for God’s will was an invitation from the Philistine soldiers to scale the cliffs untouched: “come up and we’ll teach you a lesson!” (14:12). Well instead, Jonathan plus one (plus God) schooled about 20 of the Philistine guards, throwing the rest of the army into panicked pandemonium (with God providing some earth-shaking special effects - 14:15,20). His father, King Saul, the rest of the army, and some Israeli defectors, were inspired by Jonathan’s example and carried out the mop up mission, subduing the rest of the Philistine army.

While rereading this story, two things caught my attention. First, how did Jonathan turn out so well when his dad became such a failure? I think part of the reason was Jonathan’s friends, like his armour bearer and David, both men of great faith. Choice of friends can make or break a teenager’s future and Jonathan chose well.

The second observation was how much one or two faith-full people can accomplish when they know God is with them.  This Bible promise from Deuteronomy explains how Jonathan could be successful against such odds:  How could one soldier chase a thousand enemies off, or two men run off two thousand, unless their rock had sold them, unless God had given them away? For their rock is nothing compared to our Rock; even our enemies say that (32:30,31). False gods will sell out those who serve them because they are powerless against our God, the one true God. Remember Dagon, the Philistine’s god, falling on his face before the Ark (1 Sam. 5:1-4).

“Lord, so often what the enemy is doing in our world seems overwhelming. But Your story, the story of Jesus, and the stories of those who follow in His footsteps, remind me of the power of one. Let me be among the ones powerful enough to put a thousand to flight!”

April 12 - Public Enemy #1

Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 13; 1 Chronicles 2,3; 2 Corinthians 12

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 
Those who crave the spotlight on the outside
often have darkness spreading on the inside.

While our reputation is important, it can never be our focus. The only way we can develop a reputation for integrity is by prioritizing our relationship with God. If we become a people pleaser instead of a God pleaser, we are heading toward a life of hypocrisy and our own self destruction. The contrast between King Saul and King David illustrates the difference.

Saul was the people’s choice. He was tall, dark and handsome (9:2), literally head and shoulders above the competition, and he quickly gained popularity as King (11:12-14). Now Saul started out right, humbled at being chosen as a leader (9:21), anointed by God (10:1), filled with God’s Spirit (10:9,10), and dependent on His leading when he began to fight for His people (11:6).

But soon our number one enemy, pride, began to replace God in Saul’s heart. He became more concerned about his public image than his personal relationship with God. In today’s reading we see two of the common symptoms of pride: taking credit away from others (13:3,4), and making excuses for sin, justifying, even spiritualizing his reasons (13:11,12). This was the beginning of the end for Saul (13:13,14), as God begins to look for “a man after his own heart,” who we learn later is David (more about him in the days ahead).

David illustrates how we develop a reputation for integrity, by pursuing God’s heart and letting Him take care of our reputation. When we concern ourselves with our public image by kissing babies, making speeches, spinning press conferences, and covering up sins and weaknesses, we soon see a growing disparity between who we are and who people think we are. Those who crave the spotlight on the outside often have darkness spreading on the inside.

It’s called hypocrisy (play-acting) and it can be a chronic problem for Pharisees, politicians, kings, and preachers! When we spend our mornings primping in the mirror instead of examining our soul, we are heading for self-destruction (Prov. 16:18). “Lord, my prayer today echoes Paul’s words: You  said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me (12:9).”

April 11 - The Oration of Reputation

Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 11,12; 1 Chronicles 1; 2 Corinthians 11

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 Let your reputation speak for itself. If you blow
your own horn, you’ll be playing a solo.

My dad often told me, “let your reputation speak for itself.” Then he showed me what he meant by that, living a consistently reputable life. He made some mistakes, but he is remembered today by all who knew him as a good man who loved Jesus with all his heart. Our readings today all reflect on reputations:

Samuel, defending his honesty so Israel will heed his warnings (12:1-5); the Chronicler (likely Ezra), listing all the generations, good and bad, leading up to the exile (ch. 1-8); and Paul, talking about his sacrifices so the church of Corinth will believe him over false apostles (11:23-28).

Normally you wouldn’t want to or need to defend your reputation. If you blow your own horn you’ll be playing a solo. In other words, no one will back up a braggart! But we should be prepared to give a defense when called upon (1 Peter 3:15).

Samuel wants Israel to affirm his honest heart and God’s faithfulness before he delivers his final words: be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away (12:24,25). His desire is that Israel will follow his example and leave behind their own legacy of faithfulness.

The genealogies in 1 Chronicles may be boring to some, but I find them fascinating. First, I marvel at how and why God keeps such accurate records of every life. That speaks to me of the importance of every moral decision I make. Second, I noticed how some of the faithless generations later became the mortal enemies of Israel, which challenges me to pass on my love for God to my children and grandchildren.

Paul’s defense is a list of his sacrifices. False prophets are motivated by selfishness but a real Jesus follower will have a résumé of selfless sacrifice. “Lord, that is how You lived for me, and that is how I want to live for You. I pray that You will help me leave behind a reputation that speaks volumes, not about me, but about You!”