EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE DARK VALLEY

Posted on July 3, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” –David, Psalm 23:1-4

David, the shepherd boy, has a different perspective in life.  David believes, committedly trusts, and relentlessly loves the Lord God of heaven and earth. He composes songs about God and sings to God in worship wherever he goes as he leads sheep.  It is no wonder that he writes, “The Lord is MY shepherd” who takes care of me!

God has helped him protect the herd of sheep David’s family owns.  God has given young David strength and wisdom in fighting bears, lions and other beasts who threaten the sheep.  David fears no evil because he knows God is truly with him.  So, from David’s perspective, God fights with and for him in all the battles of life!  David gives God glory for it is God who wins. 

This is a perspective for life we should all get behind for when trials come, God stands ready to intervene for His beloved who believe. 

David’s next “valley” he will walk through is recorded here.  I know many of us have heard, read, and maybe even roleplayed the story in youth group many times; but read it as if it were your first time.  See the “dark valley of the shadow of death”.  Look up and observe the opposing armies camped out ready to fight on both sides of the valley. Feel the heat of day and the dirt beneath your feet.  Now listen to hear a giant, crude and arrogant man defy God with words of hate for God and God’s people. Then watch what God does best that surprises all people on both sides. God has prepared a young man, seemingly ill equipped to all those around him, to slay this giant.  From God’s perspective; David is exactly the right person who will declare His glory and power to all people.  Yes, spoiler alert, God wins! 

1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath

Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.

17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”

20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.

25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.”

26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”

28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”

29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.

“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.

When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.

54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.

55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?”

Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.”

56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”

57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head.

58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him.

David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Did you read God’s story portrayed through David, Saul, and Goliath with a new perspective? Many thoughts are swirly around in my mind, too!  Let’s consider each person, one at a time:

Saul—is full of fear and is wondering if this giant of a man can be overcome? He is dismayed by his own weakness and lack of wisdom to resolve this situation that is only growing worse with each day. Saul’s men are not unified for this battle and has put fear in their hearts as well. Saul is angered by the taunts from the Philistine to him first and to God and His people.  Saul once knew God well and trusted Him; but now he leans on his own understanding and wisdom as he leads. Saul’s ego is fractured and bruised.  From his perspective, this is no-win situation.

Goliath—is big, confident, burly, and believable simply because of his stature!  Goliath is king of the battle in his mind.  He relies on his largeness to bully all who are physically smaller and weaker than he thinks he is. Goliath is a bully.  We all know bullies who have revenge on their minds from past hurts or being bullies themselves.  Revenge breeds contempt, hate, and all things evil.  Goliath is a Philistine, a cult of evil who God told His people to destroy when they first entered the Promised Land.  They didn’t, so here they are paying the consequences of yet another slice of disobedience.  From Goliath’s perspective; he’s in charge.

David—since before birth, God had him on his mind and in His plan.  God has been preparing David for this moment.  God equipped David for this time and place using challenging feats of strength as a shepherd boy along with the trials of being bullied by older brothers who think he is “less than valuable” to their family.  David loves God with all his heart, mind, and soul. He worships God often in songs of prayer and praise. David knows God and seeks the heart of God.  David’s passionate faith leads with desire to do what God has given him to be and do even if he doesn’t know all that entails—yet.  David feels held back by his older brothers and his father Jesse.  But he trusts God relentlessly for how He will work in David’s life.  From David’s perspective, God has already won! That’s why he runs to the battle to finish what God began!

Jesse—Ah, Jesse, is David’s earthly, maybe overprotective, father.  From his perspective he feels he must keep his youngest close to home—to tend to sheep.  After all, how much trouble can David get into while merely caring for sheep?  He finally allows David to take cheese and bread to his brothers involved in battle.  Jesse tells David explicitly to “check on them” while taking food to sustain them.  Did God lead Jesse to tell David to do this? Mm. From Jesse’s perspective—protect his own at all costs!

You know, sometimes facing our giants in battle with the Lord might first involve serving cheese.  Mm, Hold that thought….

God—This is God’s story being told to us through His Word to declare who He is with how He works on our behalf.  God knows every giant that plagues His people.  We must realize that our Holy, Almighty God is the main character!  Our compassionate, all-knowing God was, is and always will be in control for God has not given up His authority no matter how defiant this giant or our giant situations are for us. God is faithful even when we, as his people are not and fear fills our being.  This battle with the evil giants of the Philistine army serves to declare God’s glory and power to all involved and gathered in this place at this time.  David knows it.  Saul is baffled by it.  And Goliath?  He’s toast!  God wins. 

So, what’s our perspective of God now?  How do we now see our “giants”?  Who’s greater—our giant tests, trials, suffering, along with our giant fear of unknown outcomes or our known God? 

David’s dark valley became a place of God’s victory!

Lord,

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (the rest of Psalm 23)

In Jesus Name, I will trust in you, for my good and your glory, Amen

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THE NEW KING SERVES THE OUTGOING KING!

Posted on July 2, 2025 by randscallawayffm

Unfortunately, pride is present in our nature, ready to rear it’s ugly head as we gain success and favor with people because of accomplishments in our lives. “Keep your heart pure” warns Paul as he mentors Timothy because it is in these exact moments that evil works hard to change our minds, thinking we are better than anyone else, including God.  Who needs God when we can do good all by ourselves?  Yikes, danger lies ahead. Added to pride is the need to seek and demand the consistent praises and pats on the back from everyone around us, even if what we did wasn’t the best plan of action!  The perfect storm brews as elements of ego-driven arrogance, pride, and greed for more take over our being—all the characteristics of evil.

Only God, who created all and is sovereign over all, could have orchestrated what happens next in God’s story of faithfulness and kindness to His people.  Saul used to be a man who loved and revered God; but then he defied God in all he thinks, says, and does. God steps in to intervene on behalf of His People.  God took His Holy Spirit from King Saul; for God’s spirit does not reside in dark places.  An evil has taken over Saul’s being; rendering him mentally, spiritually, and emotionally incapable of being king over God’s people.  Interestingly, Saul was tall and handsome with a kingly presence that the people admired.  Saul, at first, gave glory to God who gave him strength to overcome the enemies in war. God chose him for his humble spirit, as Saul was surprised that God would allow him to serve Him as King of Israel.  But now, Saul allowed the temptations of greatness to overcome him.

God intervenes for God knows. God has already chosen another candidate to replace King Saul.  God had David in Him mind before He was born. (Pause to wrap our minds around that thought!)  David is the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse so he is relegated to watch over the sheep as his job in the family.  As the youngest, he also serves the older brothers in whatever they ask him to do.  David is also a gifted musician who sings beautiful hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God who he loves with all his heart.  David communes with God out in the fields; for He trusts God to be his protector while he cares for the sheep.  Scriptures allude that David becomes the “apple of God’s eye.”  David is also known as a man after God’s own heart.

1 Samuel 16

Samuel Anoints David

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

David in Saul’s Service

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evilspirit from the Lord tormented him.

15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”

17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”

19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

FUN FACT:  The phrase “apple of God’s eye” is used in several Bible verses to describe something or someone precious and highly valued. (See also Proverbs 7:2, Zechariah 2:8) While David doesn’t explicitly use the phrase to describe himself, he does pray in Psalm 17:8, “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” In this context, David is asking God for protection and favor, likening himself to the most precious part of God’s eye. The phrase itself is a metaphor for something extremely dear and worthy of protection. In ancient Hebrew culture, the “apple” of the eye referred to the pupil, the most sensitive and vital part of the eye. 

We will read later that as king, David is not perfect and falls for the temptations of evil. But David knows God enough to repent when he sins against Him with a heart who still seeks the heart of God.  Herein lies the difference between Saul and David.

The irony of David, the newly chosen and anointed king, serving King Saul is not lost on us!  David experiences what happens when God’s Holy Spirit is removed from a being who once knew God and did what God said.  Could this be why David compassionately wrote this prayer of repentance after his sin of adultery with Bathsheba? —

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:10-12  Yes, the title of Psalm 51 states the truth: For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

David saw Saul at his worst—spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally wracked and wrecked in his inmost being because God’s Spirt was removed from him. As David played his lyre and sang God’s songs from his heart, he was a witness to an unrepentant heart of pride that was broken in pieces without God.

Our response to God is an individual time with God because He loves to commune with us. We must deal with God personally—for we were created for a personal, intimate loving relationship with Him. After Christ left earth, God’s Holy Spirit came with power to live in all who believe that Jesus did indeed die but rose from death in victory three days later. THIS is our hope of eternal life with Him just as He said!  AND, here’s more good news—God’s Holy Spirit will not leave us!  Jesus promised in the New Covenant with God; He would be with us always—until the end of the age.  (Matthew 28:20)  The gift of God to us is His Holy Spirit residing in us.

The only removal being done is our repented sins; “as far as the east is from the west, so have our sins been removed,” buried in the deepest sea” to be “remembered no more”!  (Psalm 103:12; Hebrews 8:12; Micah 7:19)

In our known world is a system that ranks the value of humans by the amount of wealth amassed, the number of things possessed, along with seen consistent successes on the outside. But God’s value system is not of this world.  Jesus’ Kingdom plan that He taught is a reason for joy! Jesus told John that a new kingdom was coming—a kingdom where people have value not because of what they do, but because of whose they are.  “We are God’s children!”  Joint heirs with Chris who saved us.

We often pick leaders by credentials rather than character. Next time we must select a leader, ask questions about character—not about résumé. Find evidence of who they are and who they listen to for advice.  And…may we spend more time cultivating our character rather than our references from those who see only what we allow them to see on the outside for “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Oh Lord,

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. (Psalm 51)

In Jesus Name, for our good and Your Glory, Amen

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DEFIANCE—NOT A DESIRABLE TRAIT!

Posted on July 1, 2025 by randscallawayffm

Managing, disciplining, guiding, and caring for many children from multiple classrooms can be challenging on the school playground. As teachers, we want them to have this break to run free for a period from their schoolwork. We want them to rest from sitting and working on their tasks and projects. Students need the freedom to talk and relate to each other, too!  May lifelong friendships begin on the playground where kids are free to relate with each other. 

As teachers, we highly encourage play and building healthy relationships.  To grow healthy and wholesome relationships, the environment must be one of respect and kindness for each other.  Teachers lay the groundwork this healthy way of life.  Teachers list rules for a pleasant and caring school life. We post it in our classrooms. We often explain the many consequences that will happen if they do not obey the rules. Realizing everyone is growing and learning at different rates from different backgrounds in this way of life, no one is perfect in obeying all the rules.  Good teachers will stop, explain, and reteach the discipline of obedience then send them on their way again with love, mercy, and grace.  Most students respond well to the teacher’s wisdom and care for them. 

But some will look into the eyes of the teacher in defiance. The defiant ones will lie about what did and blame others.  Sometimes they will blame the teacher who made the “stupid rule” while accepting no responsibility for their actions.  Defiance grows from   the disrespectful traits of arrogance, ego, pride, jealousy, and envy; traits that lead to habitual hateful behaviors with self-built walls of protection from those who defy the student!  No matter the underlying, undiscovered possible circumstances are that might have lead to this behavior; out of control defiance must be halted immediately for the good of the defiant!  The defiant one must be held in check quickly and privately with wisdom and discernment for it is the defiant ones who will lie, blame others for their behavior, before coming to a place of regret for their behaviors. 

The defiant need time out and time away from others for the purpose of being retaught with understanding and careful instruction and coping skills with appropriate consequences so no more harm will come to the defiantly disobedient or to their peers.

1 Samuel 15

The Lord Rejects Saul as King

15 Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

4 So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim—two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand from Judah. 5 Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. 6 Then he said to the Kenites, “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

7 Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt. 8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.

12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.”

13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”

14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”

15 Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”

16 “Enough!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”

“Tell me,” Saul replied.

17 Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ 19 Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?”

20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”

22 But Samuel replied:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
    and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
    and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
    he has rejected you as king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”

27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.”

Agag came to him in chains. And he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

33 But Samuel said,

“As your sword has made women childless,
    so will your mother be childless among women.”

And Samuel put Agag to death before the Lord at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God, in His wisdom and love for His people, removes Saul from his position as king. Why? Saul became God in his thinking and behaving. Saul’s thought he no longer needed to consult God—who needs God when I can do all things. With a few successes in battle under his belt, (the successes God provided miraculously), Saul’s pride and arrogance took over his whole being to the point of defying the God of all!  

Notice the many times he uses pronouns of disassociation from God as he speak to Samuel, sent by God, to deal with this defiant, in denial, disobedient king.

Samuel mourns Saul’s defiant behavior.  Samuel loved Saul.  Those who love with the love of God in them desire God’s best for others.  God’s children mourn when defiance takes over the being of loved ones in their community, rendering the defiant and disobedient unable to use the gifts God gave them for their good, the good of others, while giving all glory to God!

Samuel teaches us the character of God—

“He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”  How comforting and reassuring to know God will never lie to us or betray us! 

Saul teaches us the consequences of living a miserable life of trying to be God—

“This is a pivotal chapter in Saul’s story. The Lord gave him another opportunity to prove himself, but he failed again, lied about it, and was judged. Saul had a habit of substituting saying for doing and of making excuses instead of confessing his sins. No matter what happened, any negative consequence was always someone else’s fault. Saul was more concerned about looking good before the people than being good before God. Consider the stages in this event that cost Saul the kingdom and eventually his life.”—Warren Wiersbe, Wiersbe Study Bible

God’s great lesson to Saul, delivered through Samuel, and now to us—

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord?  To obey is better than sacrifice… rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.”

Merely looking good is not what God is looking for in us. God looks deep into our hearts.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

The statement “God looks over the world for those who love him” in various translations reflects a belief that God is actively attentive and involved in the lives of those who have a loving relationship with Him. How awesome is this thought!

This idea is backed up by scriptures such as Romans 8:28, which states that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. How awesome is our God!

God’s eyes are constantly searching throughout the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. How blessed are we to know our God is God—and not us!

Yes, to trust and obey God, the One and Only God, is better!

Lord,

There is much to learn and think about concerning Your Word to us today.  Pour into my life all You want to learn, be, and do for today. I feel we have only scratched the surface of your great wisdom—but you know that. Thank you, Lord for correcting us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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CREDIT DUE? TO WHO NOW?

Posted on June 30, 2025 by randscallawayffm

We all see it!  All have sinned and fall short in this area of life at least once or twice. What is it? Pride of success.  Patting ourselves on the back for what those behind us and with us have accomplished.  However, when success is tremendous and powerful; it is the humble leader of God who does not take any credit but first gives the glory to God who provided then immediately to the team players who helped the team accomplish the hard work with faith in God to complete it. No one likes to work for and with a leader with an ego so humongous that it no longer fits through the door of his own house!

This next passage focuses on Jonathan, Saul’s oldest son.  We learn to love Jonathan!  We see his committed faith in God!  Because he inquired of God, Jonathan and his armor bearer, who had faith in both Jonathan and God, won a strategic battle against the Philistines.  It was God who directed Jonathan and God who fought the battle by sending the Philistines into panic. But who took the credit?  King Saul! His father had taken the credit (Go back to 13:1–7) from the beginning and to the end! Saul even took the place of Samuel the priest!  Yes, Pride is beginning to overtake Saul daily even though this man is the one God called to be king of Israel. 

Jonathan is a remarkable blessing of the grace of God. When we read this story, we begin to see the flaws in Saul’s leadership taking shape.  Saul does not appreciate his magnificent son! We will later read of Jonathan’s growth as a courageous warrior (2 Sam. 1:22), a born leader, and a man of faith who sought to do the will of God. 

1 Samuel 14

1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, 3 among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.

4 On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. 5 One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.

6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

7 “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

8 Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.”

11 So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” 12 The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.”

So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.”

13 Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. 14 In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.

Israel Routs the Philistines

15 Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.

16 Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. 17 Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.

18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.)19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords. 21 Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit. 23 So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.

Jonathan Eats Honey

24 Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.

25 The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. 28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.”

29 Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

31 That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted. 32 They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood. 33 Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood in it.”

“You have broken faith,” he said. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” 34 Then he said, “Go out among the men and tell them, ‘Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood still in it.’”

So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. 35 Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first time he had done this.

36 Saul said, “Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive.”

“Do whatever seems best to you,” they replied.

But the priest said, “Let us inquire of God here.”

37 So Saul asked God, “Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?” But God did not answer him that day.

38 Saul therefore said, “Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today. 39 As surely as the Lord who rescues Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die.” But not one of them said a word.

40 Saul then said to all the Israelites, “You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here.”

“Do what seems best to you,” they replied.

41 Then Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Why have you not answered your servant today? If the fault is in me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the men of Israel are at fault, respond with Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared. 42 Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”

So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I must die!”

44 Saul said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan.”

45 But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.

46 Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.

47 After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. 48 He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.

Saul’s Family

49 Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal. 50 His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul’s army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul’s uncle. 51 Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.

52 All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

As we study Saul’s life, we will see more and more evidence that he was what some people call a “control freak.” He envied other people’s success, he was suspicious of any strategy that he didn’t originate or at least approve, and he was ruthless when it came to removing people who challenged his leadership or exposed his folly.  Saul even attacked his own son, Jonathan!  But that comes later as pride produces envy, jealousy, greed, and control over all things and people who get in his way.

We see a good example of self-praise and pride is in this very passage!  Saul asked the priest to bring him the ark of the Lord. He was probably planning to take it to the battlefield with the army, a foolish tactic that had brought judgment in Eli’s day! But the priest was not given the chance to inquire of the Lord!  The priest never had a chance to determine God’s will, for when Saul heard the noise of the battle increasing, he interrupted the divine proceedings and made his own decision.

Saul’s impatience and self-confidence got the best of him! He acted without knowing God’s will or receiving God’s blessing. His pride will consistently get in the way of knowing God more because Saul feels he is God.  Saul’s faith in God falters when he declares himself the divine who demands all the glory and credit for all victories.  We see Saul “performing religious acts” that are not part of his job description.  These acts are only to prove he is holier than everyone else—even God! 

But God knows and God will intervene for the good of His people.  God has not given up nor will He ever give up His authority!

Saul has a “heart condition” that is growing steadily worse. As we continue to read King Saul’s words recorded in Samuel; the words will often reveal a heart controlled by pride, foolishness, and deceit. It will send chills down our spines!  He would say foolish things just to impress people with his “spirituality,” when in reality he was walking far from the Lord.  God knows and sees every heart—because He created us! 

Trouble is brews as Saul becomes pride obsessed!  When it became known that Jonathan ate honey and saw the energy all the men fighting in battle should have, King Saul decided to cast lots to perform a “spiritual act” that God did not tell him to do to find out who disobeyed him.  God did not tell Saul to keep food from his soldiers; Saul did this merely to prove his power over his team!  But God did not perform for Saul.  God could have changed the results of the vote. But God wanted to bring everything out in the open and humiliate King Saul, whose pride had caused the problem to begin with. The people praised Jonathan, not Saul, as the man who had brought the great victory to Israel.  Jonathan praised God! 

Oh yes, there’s way more to come—stay tuned!

Lord,

Our enemy tempts us with this pride thing often so we need your help to overcome when it presents itself into our daily lives. No one is good, but You! So, cleanse our hearts, renew our minds daily.  Refresh our souls with your mercy. Restore continually the joy of your salvation at work within us. To you be all glory, honor, and praise!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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FLIGHT OR FIGHT?

Posted on June 28, 2025 by randscallawayffm

When suddenly confronted with an attack from a known or unknown enemy we have two choices that instinctively rise the occasion—run towards the battle or run from the battle and hide.  But involve extreme fear of imagined or assured outcomes.  Psychologists call this human instinct; flight or fight.  Muscles tense and beads of sweat appear. This combination of reactions to stress is known as the “fight-or-flight” response because it evolved as a survival mechanism, enabling people and other mammals to react quickly to life-threatening situations.

HOW DOES GOD FIT INTO OUR FIGHT OR FLEE INSTINCTS?  This passage is interesting as we read about the different approaches the leaders took when outnumbered by their enemy, the Philistines.  Israel greatest enemy gathered to attack Israel at Geba, the Israelites were badly in need of resources for battle. But Israel has God, the God who created all and over all.  Nothing is too difficult for God.  Nothing is impossible when God directs for where He guides; He provides.  Samuel represents God as His spokesperson. Samuel is always quick to give God all the glory due Him.  Samuel is the high priest, prophet and seer of outcomes, the wise one of the Kingdom of Israel. 

But King Saul grew tired of waiting for Samuel to instruct him about the battle at hand. Samuel delayed, and Saul’s men began to desert.  Saul, in panic which leads to fool hardy actions, he did the unthinkable—took Samuel’s place as priest and offered a sacrifice to the Lord only to seek God’s good favor in battle.  Saul took the situation into his own hands. 

1 Samuel 13

Samuel Rebukes Saul

Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.

2 Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes.

3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews hear!” 4 So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become obnoxious to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

5 The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash, east of Beth Aven. 6 When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. 7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. 8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. 9 So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.

11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel.

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

15 Then Samuel left Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin, and Saul counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred.

Israel Without Weapons

16 Saul and his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying in Gibeah in Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Mikmash. 17 Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah in the vicinity of Shual, 18 another toward Beth Horon, and the third toward the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim facing the wilderness.

19 Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!” 20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened. 21 The price was two-thirds of a shekel for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.

22 So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

Jonathan Attacks the Philistines

23 Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass at Mikmash.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Do we do what Saul did—in panic and under pressure of those around us, do whatever it takes fight or flight without God’s direction and wisdom?  Do succumb to actions unbecoming God’s character?  Do we “sacrifice” (time and wealth) for the purpose to get what we want from God?  From personal experience, I have learned and observed in myself and in others that God is not pleased with our efforts to bargain with Him.  Be still, let go, know that He is God.  We are not God. We must, in all circumstances, wait on God to direct us.  In the waiting, God is doing in us exactly what is needed so God can work through us to accomplish His will.

But even when knowing bargaining is not in our best interest; our human trait is to try it anyway which will invariably result in very poor outcomes.  Our best response is to repent quickly, realizing that we have defied God—just like Saul. 

We must obey God’s commands in all circumstances—even if we have to wait for those directions! Saul lost his kingdom because he disobeyed God. Saul was pressured to act before all his men deserted. Lack of patience cost him everything.

There is always a high cost when we take life’s trials into our own hands.  When faced with panic and fear over our circumstances; call to God first and ask for His wisdom and peace who is over all creation. 

GREAT IS GOD’S FAITHFULNESS! 

God’s word is full of blessed assurance of his love and care for us. God knows right now what you and I are waiting for, going through, while living with hope for a “better day”. That “better day” comes as soon as we seek peace with God whose love drives out every fear—and panic when we wait upon the Lord’s wisdom and direction! 

Know this about God that we will continue to learn from Samuel: “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind” (15:29).  God is God—and we are not.  Saul will try to be God and take his place on the throne at great cost to him with scarier outcomes he and his family.  Israel will not fall because one man tried to bargain with God while trying to be God.  God is still at work. God’s plans will never change, because he makes his plans in complete knowledge. Forget hopeful forecasting. God declares “the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). Nothing takes God by surprise. “The plans of the LORD stand firm forever” (Ps 33:11).  So, trust God—as soon as that flight or fight instinct kicks in—trust God!

I know as leaders that it’s easy to compromise when people are waiting for you to act. Determine that no matter the pressure, no matter the cost, no matter the delay, you will act only when your response honors God. Never compromise your integrity to satisfy others. Never bargain with God to get what you think is best. Many have tried and regretted it. 

When God fights our battles in, for, and through us beyond our wildest dreams; do not let pride steal God’s honor and praise.  Pride has been the downfall of countless leaders.  Avoid the saying, “I’m so blessed” when life is good when our minds are thinking, I am good. This thinking easily slips into a “believers’ form of pride, demonstrated by Saul, who thinks God will do what we want, when we want it because of how good and successful we are and have been.  We forget that God did it all, not us!  We join Him in His plan!  Our work is to trust and obey Him while blessing God with our thanks and praise for who He is to all the world!  Small thinking can give birth to an outrageous pride if not held in check.  As soon as we think we are God with control over all things and all people; stop immediately and return to who God is and thank Him for all He has done.

God’s power is available to all believers who call on Him.  God has given us all we need to join Him in the battle for souls that need Jesus.  Paul, chained to a soldier in prison for preaching Jesus, writes of the armor and the weapons we have available to us;

“…be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:10-18

God fights our daily battles; but Jesus already won the war. Even though Jesus defeated death and rose to life, winning over the Enemy of God; we are still riddle with skirmishes with evil in our imperfect world. So, God provides all we need! We cling to our Hope in Jesus; for He IS coming back to claim His own to live in eternity with Him.

God provides His Holy Spirit who lives in us with power, helping us avoid flight or fight and trust God to help us. God’s Word, by His Spirit, guides us to all we need to know about the strategy of the enemy and the resources we have in Christ!  Fear and panic are suddenly gone!  All God asks is that we trust and obey Him and He will help us win our daily battles with our real enemy. The bonus of obedience is God’s gift of peace and the joy of Christ in us.

Lord,

Thank you for correcting our thinking through your Word with strategies to defeat our real enemy who plagues us.  May circumstances that panic us flee or fight be used instead to build our faith in You. I’m listening.  I’m yours.  I trust you for you are Life.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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WALKING WORTHY 

Posted on June 27, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.”—Paul, imprisoned for preaching Jesus, encourages the church.  Ephesians 4:1, NLT

It must have been painful for Samuel to conduct this last meeting as their leader and transfer the civil authority to Saul. The twelve tribes had been governed by judges for nearly 500 years, but times had changed, and the people wanted a king. Before leaving office as judge, Samuel had to set the record straight and bear witness that his hands were clean and the people could find no fault in him.  Even thought his sons took bribes, participated in exhortation as priests, and did not walk worthy; Samuel did.

In recalling Samuel’s life, we remember that Samuel was that young boy given back to God by Hannah.  Hannah who was childless begged God to give her a child.  God answered this prayer of passion in front of the priest, Eli at the Temple.  Later she would indeed give birth to a son who she named Samuel.  Hannah dedicated Samuel back to God who heard and answered.  She took Samuel to the Temple and gave him to Eli to mentor as a servant of the Lord.  As the boy grew in his role as servant with Eli, God spoke to him in the night.  Eli told young Samuel how to answer the Lord; “Speak Lord, for your servant hears.” This was probably the most valuable teaching Eli could have given to young Sameul.  Eli who knew the importance of listening to the Lord speak and doing what He said and he passed that knowledge on to Samuel.  Samuel grew to be a listener.

Sameul listened which made him a wise leader and prophet.  Samuel walked worthy all his life and is now telling God’s people yet again the importance of walking a life worthy is to do what God says.  Trust God. Obey God, for this is the way to please their God listens to them with a desire to bless Israel with all that is good for them and gives God glory.  Forgetting God and ignoring what He says will not go well for Israel and their new king. 

1 Samuel 12

Samuel’s Farewell Speech

12 Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”

4 “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.”

5 Samuel said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.”

“He is witness,” they said.

6 Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of Egypt. 7 Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the Lord as to all the righteous acts performed by the Lord for you and your ancestors.

8 “After Jacob entered Egypt, they cried to the Lord for help, and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place.

9 “But they forgot the Lord their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. 10 They cried out to the Lord and said, ‘We have sinned; we have forsaken the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.’ 11 Then the Lord sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies all around you, so that you lived in safety.

12 “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the Lord your God was your king. 13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the Lord has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! 15 But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.

16 “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! 17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call on the Lord to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the Lord when you asked for a king.”

18 Then Samuel called on the Lord, and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the Lord and of Samuel.

19 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Be a worthy listener!  A good listener leans in when someone speaks to gain understanding and the intent of the words being spoken.  We misunderstand when we assume what they are saying while saying it and presume their intent in saying it. And even great sin that hampers our listening skills is to form an answer in our minds while the speaker is still finishing a sentence!  We do that with God as well as with our family, friends and people we are meeting for the first time.  Yes, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” in our listening skills.  Pause to ask God for forgiveness with help to develop our listening skills.  I am doing that now.

“Speak Lord, for your servant hears” is a great, first response to God who delights in communion with us.  Prayer is a two-way communication with God. Talking to God and listening for God’s response is such a delightful experience for us as we grow our relationship with God, our Father.  The more we wait and listen for God our listening skills are greater developed.

Samuel had integrity as he served.  He wanted Israel to know that He followed what God said in detail with humility, awe, and respect for the God he revered and worshiped.  It was well known among Israel that Samuel walked worthy with God. His life began with listening! From time to time, churches and other Christian ministries face new situations and decide they must reorganize and adapt. Each ministry needs a Samuel to remind them of the spiritual principles that never change: the character of God, the Word of God, the necessity of faith, and the importance of obedience.

The Apostle Paul, fully committed to Christ as Savior and Lord, lists some of the characteristics of those who walk worthy of their calling;

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” Ephesians 4:2-4

Paul also tells the church that every member of God’s family is called with a purpose to fulfill so that His church will continue to grow with healthy habits worthy of the calling!

“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:15-16, NLT

Paul, like Samuel, also gives concise directions with how to walk worthy with God;

“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:17-32, NLT

Sometimes I wonder what drew the multitudes to stop life and listen to Jesus speak.  I think it was because He truly listened to them as He ministered to their real need!  Ah, lesson learned—it’s all in the listening! To be more like Jesus is to listen to Him and others with a teachable spirit—God’s Holy Spirit.

Samuel listened.  Paul listened to Jesus.  Jesus listened to His Father.  To live a life worthy of our calling; we must learn to listen to God first and then to each other to learn more as we talk less. 

Lord,

Help me to be a listener like you.  Help me to love more and judge less when others speak.  Help me to focus on what is being said by you and others. Listeners are learners and learners are leaders who point the way to you!  Thank you for this teaching today!  Now help me to be and do what I have learned.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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WHEN GOD LEADS A LEADER—

Posted on June 26, 2025 by randscallawayffm

I have lived long enough on earth to serve under various leaders in God’s Church.  When God led the leader; miraculous acts of God happened among the people. When the leader led others leaders with him to listen and do what God says for that will be the best way to live; God is pleased and the outreach of His church phenomenally and exponentially grows!  After the workshops and seminars teaching us how to grow a church are all said and done; it is truly God in us, leading us, to accomplish the real work of pointing people to Jesus.  Most people were drawn to Jesus, hanging on every word He spoke, when he walked the earth and most people are still drawn to Him now when they hear how Jesus demonstrated the love of God in the most humble ways!

Our response to God’s love and leading, whether we lead or we are led, must be complete surrender to what God wants, in His timing, for our good and His glory. This is a discipline of daily offering ourselves to Him. (Romans 12:1-2)  Because, when we know God’s will with a willing heart of trust and readiness to obey; God’s power to accomplish overwhelms us.  It is God’s Holy Spirit living and working in us who drives us to relentlessly and lovingly to accomplish all He has given to us to be and then do.

Saul’s strength and resolve as the first King of Israel chosen by God were tested soon after he was anointed by Samuel. Though some doubted whether Saul, the farmer of animals, should be king, he acted to rescue Jabesh Gilead and united his people against the Ammonites. These events confirmed for the people his place as king and affirmed Saul’s commitment to God. After this first major battle; Samuel reminds all God’s people to stay close to the Lord.  Give God the glory, not the leader!

1 Samuel 11

Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh

Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.”

2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”

3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.”

4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. 5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with everyone? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.

6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. 10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.”

11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

Saul Confirmed as King

12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”

13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.”

14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

It is easy and natural to first give pats on the backs of leaders in front of us who look good, talk passionately, stir our hearts to actions while delivering God’s promises without first giving glory to God. But we, too must keep our focus on our God who led them to be His great leaders for our good and His glory!

Samuel was a great leader who lived humbly and spoke only what God told him to say.  When God did what He said, Samuel was revered; even when what God said startled them with severe warnings if they did not follow Him.  Samuel knew the people had sinned, but he still encouraged them to move forward in faith, for God would be with them. Samuel’s consistent reminder to the people then that the Lord alone was their God and that they should worship and follow him alone is just as vital to our relationship with God today!

“Stay focused on God” is the message of all God’s prophets and Spirit-led leaders down through the ages of time!  Why? Because we are the focus of God’s attention who loved us so very much, He sent His One and Only Son to redeem us, pay the debt we owed for all our sins.  Jesus did this willingly and obediently so that our relationship with God could be restored, repaired, reconciled, and reconnected! Living life with God is revitalizing and remarkable in our rebirth that opens our eyes to His glory at work in ways that are beyond our wildest imaginations!

Max Lucado gives this encouraging perspective of God’s focus on us;

“’Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever’ (Psalm 23:6 NKJV).  This must be one of the sweetest phrases ever penned.

Goodness and mercy—the celestial escort of God’s flock. If that duo doesn’t reinforce your faith, try this phrase: “all the days of my life.”  What a huge statement. Look at the size of it! Goodness and mercy follow the child of God each and every day! Think of the days that lie ahead. What do you see? Days at home with only toddlers? God will be at your side. Days in a dead-end job? He will walk you through. Days of loneliness? He will take your hand. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me—not some, not most, not nearly all—but all the days of my life.

And what will he do during those days? (Here is my favorite word.) He will “follow” you.” –Lucado, Encouraging Word Bible

THIS is our God who loved us first before we thought about loving Him back!

THIS is the focus of a faithful and forever focused God on His beloved!

Oh Lord,

Thank you for your faithful teaching with love and encouragement today! Thank you for loving us with focused attention, direction, and always with power to be and do what you say is best for us!  I will follow you as you follow me all the days of my life with your love, mercy, and grace!

In Jesus Name, Yes and Amen!

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GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT CHANGES HIS CHOSEN KING

Posted on June 25, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“Lord, give us what we think we need! Give us what we want—a king!” We shutter when Israel shouts these demands to our Almighty God; but don’t we do that in our prayers in times of sheer frustration and fear, when anxiety overcomes us?  We demand, in Jesus Name to give it more punch, what we think we want most or what we think will fix our current uncomfortable situation.  But our immature, growing faith needs to learn it is God who created us, knows us, knows what happened, is happening, and how all will turn out for our good while declaring His glory through it all!  AND all will be used to build our faith, a faith that lasts! (James 1, Romans 8 for reference)

Merciful, compassionate, faithful God did indeed give His unfaithful people a king but God chose the man, not the people, to become king.  God has not given up His authority and never will.  God revealed Saul to Samuel as the king of His choice.  To confirm God’s Word of revelation; Samuel told Saul he would first meet two men who would tell him that the lost animals had been found, news that Saul had already heard from Samuel. This was a good experience for the young leader, for it assured him that God could solve his problems. One of Saul’s greatest failures as a leader will be his inability to take his hands off situations and let God work.  Mm, but we don’t have that problem, do we?

God knows, right now, at this very moment what is troubling you and I. Nothing escapes His notice of those who call on Him and commune with Him in an intimate relationship with God. We need to acknowledge this truth about God at the very beginning of all our prayers and thank Him for all He has already done and is doing!  The Psalms are full of these kinds of prayers!  So, we have many examples to get us started in talking with God, expressing His majesty and power, along with our love for Him! Then maybe, just maybe, we will bend to His will and humbly learn to complete our talk with God with the words Jesus prayed before going to the cross obediently; “Not my will, but yours will be done.”

We learn that God’s Holy Spirit makes all the difference in the lives of those He has called to serve!  God gave this young, man His Holy Spirit to guide him.  But first His Holy Spirit changed him so he would teachable, trusting, and obedient to God!  This is the story of God through Saul. If Saul listens to God, all is well. Later, when Saul becomes full of pride and arrogance, refusing to listen to God, God’s Holy Spriit leaves him.

Hold this thought as we read…God’s Holy Spirit living in us, guiding us, is our lifeline to God who reconciles us to Him through Jesus, His Son. 

1 Samuel 10

Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance? 2 When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?”’

3 “Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.

5 “After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. 6 The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. 7 Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

8 “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.”

Saul Made King

9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. 11 When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

12 A man who lived there answered, “And who is their father?” So it became a saying: “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place.

14 Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where have you been?”

“Looking for the donkeys,” he said. “But when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”

15 Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me what Samuel said to you.”

16 Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But he did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.

17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the Lord at Mizpah 18 and said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ 19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans.”

20 When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?”

And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”

23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.”

Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

25 Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.

26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

TRUTH WITH AFFIRMED PROMISES: 

  • God fills us with His Holy Spirit immediately upon believing in His Son who saved us.  Ephesians 1
  • Where God guides us; He provides all we need, (resources and other people who God has changed by His Spirit), to do His will. 1 Samuel 10:26
  • What God’s purpose is for us; His will accomplish. What God starts; He finishes.
  • How God works is for our good while declaring His glory!  Philippians 1:3-6
  • When God calls; we must listen, trust, and obey for God’s desire is to strengthen our maturing faith in Him as we do His good will!  The process is as important as the purpose. James 1

Believers today, who are under the new covenant of salvation in Jesus Christ, have the Holy Spirit who abides within us forever (John 14:16, 17) as God’s seal that we are His children (Ephesians 1:13, 14)!

Later, when the next king, David asked God not to take the Holy Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11), he was thinking especially of what the Lord had done to Saul (1 Samuel 16:14; 28:15). Believers today may grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19), but they cannot drive Him away.

God’s Holy Spirit is the means by which we stay connected (attached securely) to God through the lifeblood of Jesus, Our Savior who desires to be the Lord and King of our lives! Jesus is The Vine; we are the branches attached to the Vine who gives Life! (John 15)  Jesus tells His disciples (and us) what His Holy Spirit does; leads us to Truth!  I want to know all that is true, don’t you? What a difference His Holy Spirit makes in our lives yielded to Him!

Lord,

Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and continually restore the eternal joy that your Holy Spirit provides while working on us and through us. May Your will be done in all the details of our lives—even today!

In Jesus Name, for our good, and for His glory, Amen

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WE PLAN—GOD DECIDES

Posted on June 24, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“In the beginning, God…” Genesis 1:1

We think that if we have this or that all will go well in our lives therefore, we plan, work hard, save, then obtain that which we think we will make our lives better. Then, when the obtaining is harder than we thought it would be; we cry out for God’s help in succeeding with our plan.  Sometimes we believers expect God to comply with our plan and call it faith in God.  After all, we asked God to bless our plans, right? We didn’t leave Him out of the process.  Later, when a glitch in our plan may cause the whole acquisition to collapse and fail we cry out to God to deliver us and make things right for us. Ah, but friends, how fickle we are as humans and immature in our walk with God to think, from our perspective, that we know what is best for us. But here we are, living our own designed plan, without first consulting the One who designed us.  “In the beginning, God…” 

God knows us from the inside out and outside in. God created us, knew us before we were a twinkle in the eyes of our parents!  God loves us more than we can imagine.  We are always on God’s mind.  God knows our hearts and knows our human hearts choose what is evil.  God did give us the ability to choose good or evil.  God is faithful to us when we are less than faithful to Him in our choices.  God’s people want a king.  Samuel goes to God for answers.  “Give them a king, but tell them what rights this king will demand of them.”  God bends to the wishes of His people who continue begging for a King so they can “be like other king-led nations.” To us, reading the story, we think, how immature!  God gives them a king; but God chooses who that king will be.

We plan but God decides. God has not and will not give up his sovereignty or authority over the world which He has created.  God listens to our puny human aspirations that He knows will cause trouble for us with faithful guidance to what is best.  We must learn to listen with trust and obedience to mature in our walk with God who created us! 

“In the beginning, God…” God was, is, and always will be God. Newsflash: We are not God even though we are made in His image!  We were created for God.  Until we truly believe and understand that we were created to praise, worship, listen, trust, and obey the Supreme Holy God who knows us and knows what is best, His best, for us, we will never be at peace and contentment in this world.  Trust God, He knows what He is doing.

“In the beginning, God…”  God will always be God. 

Read the next passage with God’s Holy Spirit guiding our thoughts. Watch how God works through his servant Samuel who listens to God and has been listening to God since he was a boy in the Temple.

1 Samuel 9

Samuel Anoints Saul

There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. 2 Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.

3 Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” 4 So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.

5 When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”

6 But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”

7 Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”

8 The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.” 9 (Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)

10 “Good,” Saul said to his servant. “Come, let’s go.” So they set out for the town where the man of God was.

11 As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?”

12 “He is,” they answered. “He’s ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. 13 As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time.”

14 They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.

15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”

17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”

18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”

19 “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”

21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”

22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number. 23 Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.”

24 So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’” And Saul dined with Samuel that day.

25 After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. 26 They rose about daybreak, and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way.” When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. 27 As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The people failed to recognize that God alone was their King and that their disobedience to him was the reason for their problems.  Not having a physical human king was not going to be the end-all solution. God knew that the Israelites’ desire for a king was based on their reliance on humans rather than divine strength. So, God chose the king who was humble and teachable and faithful to Him. God works through the least likely to accomplish his purposes.  The more we read God’s Story, we learn this truth about God—seeking, trusting and obeying God is far more important than all of the human strengths we may possess.

Paul, once prideful and boastful about his religious position and human power, was brought to his knees by Jesus who humbled him.  Soon Jesus became his Savior and Lord for Life!  Paul’s life was transformed by Jesus who trained him in the art of love, mercy, and grace.  Here is his testimony:

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Paul, a learned scholar of God’s Word is quoting the prophet Jeremiah. God’s truth comes full circle for Paul who was lost but now found in Christ and reconciled to God;

“This is what the Lord says:

‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23;24

Our response?

Get rid of all arrogance and pride, God helping us. These attitudes of the heart and mind grieve our Creator who always has THE plan that is best for us and makes us weary and sad.

God’s Plan was created from the beginning!  God so loved the world that He gave us a part of Himself, Jesus, His Son.  Jesus was sent from heaven by God to seek and to save the lost without God as He walked among us. “God with us” then laid down His life for us to save us from the burden and bondage of our sins and set us free once and for all. God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. We have no right to be arrogant—we do not deserve nor could we possible earn what Christ did to save us from our sins.  “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees…” says Paul.  All who truly believe, humble ourselves before our God/Jesus/Holy Spirit who loved us before we loved Him.

“In the beginning, God…” and no one else.

Lord,

I pray Paul’s words over all who believe and those who do not yet believe…

“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you(us) with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your(our) hearts as you(we) trust in him. Your(our) roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you(us) strong. And may you(we) have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you(we) experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you(we) will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21(Emphasis mine)

In Jesus Name, for your glory and our good, Amen

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IT’S NOT YOU; IT’S ME

Posted on June 23, 2025 by randscallawayffm

In once intimate relationships where trust is growing tenuous, love, based on self-satisfaction is fleeting, and faith in each other is fractured because of envying what other people have in life; trouble is forthcoming.  The judgment hammer falls cruelly when the one breaks the silent tension with; “It’s not you, it’s me.”

We humans use this to avoid further confrontation while ending the relationship. We don’t want rebuttals; we just want to walk away because that is easier. We don’t want to hear what we are doing wrong; nor do we want to list why we don’t want to be with someone any longer. Most times we don’t know what is wrong; we just want to be right. We also don’t want to know the truth. We are lazy in relating. We humans have become weak in our relationships with God and with each other.

But when God says it…Be still and listen!  As Samuel grieves over the request of the elders for a king, God says, It’s not you; it’s Me they are avoiding.  This is a gamechanger of thinking for Samuel who thinks God’s people are only dissatisfied with him because of his disobedient and unruly sons.  But that is only part of the reason for wanting a king.  Yes, Samuel’s son are evil; but God gets to the root of the problem—“Samuel, it’s ME my people are rejecting.”  They want a king they think they will be able to manipulate. They want to be “like other nations” who have kings to rule them without Me. 

God’s final answer:  “Give them a king but tell them what this king will demand of them.”  The people still want what they want—a king.

Truthfully, it’s scary when God gives us what we demand even though God knows exactly what we really need—Him!  Centuries later, God will give His People the King of kings and Lord of lords, His One and Only Son, Jesus who will take away all their sins and supply all their needs. Most will reject Him, too. It’s not you; it’s Me.

“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”—Jesus, said to his sent-out disciples. Luke 10:16

Read, pause, prayerfully allow God’s Holy Spirit lead us as we continue…

1 Samuel 8

Israel Asks for a King

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. 22 The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

I have trouble with some of my believing friends who pray with demands to God such as, “I believe it so I will receive it”, meaning “what I want God, you have the power and must give it to me”.  Yes, God has all power, authority, and ability to do the impossible—but it is seems to me we are arrogant to demand it.  I don’t have the right to demand of God what I want but I do have access to the Father to come and humbly bow before Him and ask Him what HE wants—for and from me, in our growing intimate relationship!

Our Perfect Example:

Jesus prayed passionately to God the night before willingly and obediently laying down His life on a cruel cross to die for our sins; “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”—Jesus, Luke 22:42 

Jesus is displaying humility before God:  NOT my will; but YOUR will be done. (See also Philippians 2)

In our walk with God; humility is what is required. (Micah 6:8) Jesus said and did only what the Father told him to say and do, according to the Gospels.  Jesus prayed to God asking what He wanted him to do next; then he obeyed. 

Take notice!  In the verse that follows Jesus’ request of God’s will be done in submission to God; “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Luke 22:43 Where God guides; He provides His strength to complete His work in and through us. This Truth is displayed in Jesus. It’s not you or me—It’s God we love, follow, trust, and obey.

Israel demonstrates that our desire to imitate the world may seem righteous at first, but the final result will be destruction. Pleasing the Lord wasn’t the priority in the people’s minds; they wanted guaranteed protection against their enemies. They wanted someone to judge them and fight their battles; someone they could see and follow. They found trusting an invisible God and obeying His wonderful commandments far too demanding. Do we?  Stay tuned…our education in relating to God and others has just begun!

Are you, like me, growing weary of “they” think and what “they” do around us? Maybe it’s time to quit spending useless time wanting to know more about who “they” are and what they want from us.  Maybe it’s time to take a long, hard, focused look at our King, Jesus who we say is our Savior and Lord!  Who cares what “they” think? What matters is what your Maker thinks!  What matters most is attending to the most important relationship we will ever have and need with humbled thanksgiving for the One who saved us and set us free!  It’s me who is standing in need of the One who loved me first.  It’s me who must realize nothing is hidden from God. God knows all hearts and loves us still.  In fact, “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

We will learn later from Samuel more about who God is and how He works.  Samuel seeks God’s will when choosing the next king. God decided on one who others have rejected. “They” will not get their way. Samuel lays God’s truth on them: “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1Samuel 16:7).

How deeply do we care about fitting in and being like the world? What are the areas of our lives that blend in with those around us and make us feel “less than” holy?  We have full access to the Father for His wisdom, help, and strength!  Let us ask God to give us the courage and conviction to stand apart from “they” who do not.

Lord,

Thank you for telling your story through the life of Samuel who loved you and was born to serve you.  Thank you for his committed heart in relationship to you as our example to follow. Through you, dear Jesus, we have access to the throne to ask for your wisdom.  Because of You, Jesus removing our sins, we now come boldly and confident to you for direction and correction.  May your will be done in my life. May our relationship continue to grow because of your infinite, intimate love for each other.  It’s me who needs you.  It’s You who rescues and delivers me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are my King!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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