Just read 1 sam 14.
King Saul was deciding whether to attack the Philistines at night and plunder them or not. But the priest that was with him told him to ask God first on such a huge decision (which required him to bring so many people along to risk their lives).
36 Then Saul said, “Let’s chase the Philistines all night and plunder them until sunrise. Let’s destroy every last one of them.”
His men replied, “We’ll do whatever you think is best.”
But the priest said, “Let’s ask God first.”
37 So Saul asked God, “Should we go after the Philistines? Will you help us defeat them?” But God made no reply that day.
38 Then Saul said to the leaders, “Something’s wrong! I want all my army commanders to come here. We must find out what sin was committed today. 39 I vow by the name of the Lord who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!” But no one would tell him what the trouble was.
40 Then Saul said, “Jonathan and I will stand over here, and all of you stand over there.”
And the people responded to Saul, “Whatever you think is best.”
41 Then Saul prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, please show us who is guilty and who is innocent.[f]” Then they cast sacred lots, and Jonathan and Saul were chosen as the guilty ones, and the people were declared innocent.
42 Then Saul said, “Now cast lots again and choose between me and Jonathan.” And Jonathan was shown to be the guilty one.
43 “Tell me what you have done,” Saul demanded of Jonathan.
“I tasted a little honey,” Jonathan admitted. “It was only a little bit on the end of my stick. Does that deserve death?”
44 “Yes, Jonathan,” Saul said, “you must die! May God strike me and even kill me if you do not die for this.”
45 But the people broke in and said to Saul, “Jonathan has won this great victory for Israel. Should he die? Far from it! As surely as the Lord lives, not one hair on his head will be touched, for God helped him do a great deed today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
When King Saul asked God, God didnt reply him immediately, and this caused King Saul to panic and make rash decisions.
He thought that someone had sinned that is why God chose not to reply. And his rash decision was initially led to him killing his son! But the people of Saul rebutted his decision as Jonathan helped Israel to beat the philistines. So thankfully johnathan was saved.
What I learnt here was that we should not panic if God takes a long time to answer us. That's where faith comes in. Do we have the faith to wait on the Lord? Knowing that He makes all things beautiful in His time. And while we wait, we should not make any rash decisions on ourselves.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Give thanks, with a grateful heart
1 Sam 12:20-22
20 “Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. 21 Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! 22 The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.
this few verses spoke to me the most. It just shows how weak and sinful we are as humans. At the same time, it shows the immense volumes of grace and love that God has for us (His people). The last line says 'it has pleased the Lord' really shows how much God wants us to be near to Him.
jiayou mong :)
20 “Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. 21 Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! 22 The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.
this few verses spoke to me the most. It just shows how weak and sinful we are as humans. At the same time, it shows the immense volumes of grace and love that God has for us (His people). The last line says 'it has pleased the Lord' really shows how much God wants us to be near to Him.
jiayou mong :)
Jeremiah 12
Jeremiah asked God why are wicked people successful? (vs 1 -2)
Like even though they always talk about God, they care nothing about Him.
Jeremiah told God to appoint a time for the wicked people in the land to be "slaughtered"
So harsh a word!
God later assured Jeremiah that He knows everything that goes on in the land.
And that He will abandon the nation, He will forsake them and turn them over to the enemies.
Because these people have turned their backs to God.
God will do it such that the land will lay in waste and lie empty.
But God also promised that after He has uprooted the people of those nations, He will relent and have pity on them. He will restore these people to their own lands and to their own country. But these people must make sure to follow the ways of God.
Jeremiah 13
An Object Lesson from Ruined Linen Shorts
God told Jeremiah to buy some linen shorts and wear them. And that he should not put it in water.
Jeremiah did so.
Then God told Jeremiah to take the shorts to this place called Perath and bury them in a crack in the ricks.
Jeremiah did so.
Many days later, God told Jeremiah to get the shorts from Perath.
Jeremiah did so. And realised that the shorts were ruined and good for nothing.
God spoke to Jeremiah through the shorts.
God will ruin the highly exalted positions in which Judah and Jerusalem take pride.
The people who are stubborn and worship other gods will become like the linen shorts - good for nothing.
Quite cute huh! God speaks through many funny situations. But quite sad for the Israelites. As I think about how they can stray away from God, even though He is so good. I feel that it can be the same for us- it is very easy to stray away from God. But being close to God takes a lot of intentional effort! So we need to be on our toes and always remember God because He is good! And always spend time with God!
Jeremiah asked God why are wicked people successful? (vs 1 -2)
Like even though they always talk about God, they care nothing about Him.
Jeremiah told God to appoint a time for the wicked people in the land to be "slaughtered"
So harsh a word!
God later assured Jeremiah that He knows everything that goes on in the land.
And that He will abandon the nation, He will forsake them and turn them over to the enemies.
Because these people have turned their backs to God.
God will do it such that the land will lay in waste and lie empty.
But God also promised that after He has uprooted the people of those nations, He will relent and have pity on them. He will restore these people to their own lands and to their own country. But these people must make sure to follow the ways of God.
Jeremiah 13
An Object Lesson from Ruined Linen Shorts
God told Jeremiah to buy some linen shorts and wear them. And that he should not put it in water.
Jeremiah did so.
Then God told Jeremiah to take the shorts to this place called Perath and bury them in a crack in the ricks.
Jeremiah did so.
Many days later, God told Jeremiah to get the shorts from Perath.
Jeremiah did so. And realised that the shorts were ruined and good for nothing.
God spoke to Jeremiah through the shorts.
God will ruin the highly exalted positions in which Judah and Jerusalem take pride.
The people who are stubborn and worship other gods will become like the linen shorts - good for nothing.
Quite cute huh! God speaks through many funny situations. But quite sad for the Israelites. As I think about how they can stray away from God, even though He is so good. I feel that it can be the same for us- it is very easy to stray away from God. But being close to God takes a lot of intentional effort! So we need to be on our toes and always remember God because He is good! And always spend time with God!
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