Scripture Nugget 4.12.2016

“…‘As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity, when the one who told me, “See, Saul is dead,” thought he was bringing me good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag – this was the reward I gave him for his news. How much more then, when wicked men have killed a righteous man on his bed in his own house! And now I shall I not require his blood at your hand, and destroy you from the earth?’” 2 Samuel 4:9b-11

When the two brothers, Rechab and Baanah, captains of Saul’s raiding parties heard of their commander Abner’s death they attempted to gain advantage with David by killing Saul’s Son Ishbaal. They take Ishbaal’s head to David as a trophy and proof of the kill, hoping for a promotion within David’s army. David is incensed, he refuses to be bought by yet another self-serving mercenary act. David puts his trust in God, not the acts of ruthless men who jockey for position by assassinating an innocent, defenseless man. Though Saul attempted to kill David several times and pursued David mercilessly; David remained loyal to and loved Saul, the LORD’s anointed. David also chosen by God to lead God’s people had to wait for his time. Over and over while Saul was alive David was persecuted by Saul. In essence he often said, “Saul’s still the king and it’s not time for him to die”, even though Saul’s death would lead to David’s kingdom. David was patient and waited for that which he was anointed to become. O that I would have patience, be satisfied and live completely in the circumstances of the moment, not attempt to make things happen, even the things I’ve been promised or feel God leading me to. That I would accomplish today, all that I am called to do without thought of how it might improve my position in the future. Selflessly live for God, loving God, loving and serving others just because that is what God calls me to do.

Scripture Nugget 4.11.2016

“Then David asked the young man who was reporting to him, ‘How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathon died?’ The young man reporting to him said, ‘I happened to be on Mount Gilboa; and there was Saul leaning on his spear, while the chariots and the horsemen drew close to him. When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered,” Here sir.” And he said to me, “Who are you?” I answered him, “I am an Amalekite.” He said to me, “Come, stand over me and kill me; for convulsions have seized me, and yet life still lingers.” So I stood over him, and killed him, for I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.’ ….. David said to him, ‘Were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?’ Then David called one of the young men and said, ‘Come here and strike him down.’ So he struck him down and he died. David said to him, ‘Your blood be on your head; for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, “I have killed the LORD’s anointed.”’” 2 Samuel 1:5-10, 14-16

This Amalekite mercenary’s report concerning the details of Saul’s death appears to be false given what we read in 1 Samuel 31 about the death of Saul. “So Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell upon his sword and died with him. So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together on the same day.” 1 Samuel 31:4d-6 It seems this man is attempting to gain favor with David by taking credit for killing Saul. It’s a perfect plan, there are no witnesses, at least not close by to confirm or deny his story. Too bad for him, David gives him all the credit, allows self-testimony to be the only testimony, David believes his story and has the man killed for killing the LORD’s anointed and appointed king. Who among us is willing to take credit for, or attempt to profit from something that has happened, that is in fact true (Saul was dead) but we had nothing to do with what happened? The thing, the event, the task that happened might not be a bad thing, might be a good act that helped another out. But when I say, ”I did this”, or “I did that”, “It was my idea”, when in fact, what was accomplished was done by several, “we did it”, and “it was _’s idea” , is a much more accurate report. What’s the harm? Whatever it was did get done, right? Am I, are you willing to die over something like this? Maybe you won’t die, but get fired from your job, lose respect of your friends and family…… “be put to death” comes in many forms in this world. Those who love God first, and love others are not mercenary, they live in, receive and share God’s grace, not hoard it for themselves.

Scripture Nugget 4.10.2016

“Then all the corrupt and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, ‘Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we recovered, except that each man may take his wife and children, and leave.’ But David said, ‘You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us; he has preserved us and handed over to us the raiding party that attacked us. Who would listen to you in this matter? For the share of the one who goes down into battle shall be the same as the share of the one who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.’” 1 Samuel 30:22-24)

Grace is available to all. The rear guard receives the same portion of the spoils of war as those who attacked to gain the spoils. David learned a lesson from his mistake of not leaving a rear guard in Ziklag, which was attacked, and burned after all and everyone was carried off. He remembers the pain of coming home to find his family gone, and his home destroyed so he generously provides for those who remained behind protecting the baggage. Commanders have a responsibility to provide security and protection for the entirety of the battlefield. This is a lesson for us, the church. Are we leaving some behind without a rear guard? Do we lead some to Christ then leave them without a teacher, effectively stopping the disciple making progress? As some grow old and fall away do we all them to give up by not caring for them, by not reaching out to keep them involved, to protect them from attackers – spiritual as well as mortal? As the church we have responsibility to protect all from the Attacker, to help keep all connected and in relationship with God. O Lord that I do my part each and every day, forgive me when I haven’t.

Scripture Nugget 4.9.2016

“Now Samuel died; and all Israel assembled and mourned for him. They buried him at his home in Ramah. The David got up and went down to the wilderness of Paran.” 1 Samuel 25:1

We’ve all experienced life after the death of someone we greatly admire. Someone who has been an example, an encourager, exhorter, and a standard bearer. Someone who has not only called us out but called us up, to become better, to love God and others more deeply. How we react is important. Now going into the wilderness is not necessarily a bad decision. It depends on the motivation; am I going there to quit or to set the conditions to listen for God’s direction. Or am I going there to find, hang out with and become part of those who live in wilderness at all times. Not to call them out and up into a life with Christ, but to go down permanently (semi-permanently) blocking God’s grace; hardening my heart. Grief is part of life abundant, as the teacher tells us in Ecclesiastes, “there is a time to cry and a time to laugh”, and sometimes those happen simultaneously. Grief, properly experienced will drive us to call out to God who will then pull us up. Why do you go down to the wilderness? O God that I always go to search for you, to reconnect with you, to call out to you for you to pull me up by your grace. Thanks be to God!

Scripture Nugget 4.8.2016

“Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them.” … “Stay with me, and do not be afraid; for the one who seeks my life seeks your life; you will be safe with me.” 1 Samuel 22:2 & 23

David is leading a large group of family and friends who have reached a point of desperation; they gather with him for leadership and protection – for life. Saul is searching for David, for he is threatened by the blessing of God upon David and David’s success which comes through obedience to God. Saul eventually has Ahimelech, a priest who helped David, put to death as well has destroys and kills all the priests and their families in Nob, a city of priests. Ahimelech’s son is the only one to escape he seeks safety and refuge with David. He like those already gathered with David is in distress and is discontented. David welcomes him. Likewise Jesus welcomes all who upon reaching a point of desperation (distress, debt, discontent) from the circumstances of life, the obstacles to grace, those sins in our lives that block the Holy Spirit and therefore life, life abundant. Those who reach this point cry out to God, God hears and responds, God pours out grace to overcome, to provide life, life in abundance that is to be shared with others. Not consumed, not hoarded but shared. That is the difference between Saul and David. Saul does not cry out in desperation, Saul blocks God’s love and Grace, even in the moments when Saul realizes God’s grace he hoards it for himself. He sees God’s blessing upon David, He wants to steal it, possess it, to kill David as if doing so Saul can receive that which David receives. David has done nothing but lived obediently to the king and to The King – God, sharing the abundance of the blessing he has received in support of Saul’s kingdom. Saul repays with murderous threats and pursues David to kill him.

For all of us, who reach that point of desperation and cry out to God, Jesus, the Son of God, responds, “Stay with me, and do not be afraid; for the one who seeks my life seeks your life; you will be safe with me.” O that I always remember, life with Christ, is life in the Kingdom of God. Though there will be times of persecution, of need, of hardship, I am safe with Jesus, safe from those who would do him harm. O God I believe, help me when I stumble in faith.

Scripture Nugget 4.7.2016

“Then Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, since both of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, “The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants, forever”’”

This is personal for me today. Earlier this week a dear friend from high school asked me to pray for her daughter, M.K.W.. To pray that God would breakthrough in her life to overcome the obstacles to grace she is up against. I ask my friends, members of the congregations I presently serve and have served, and anyone else who reads my daily scripture nuggets, to stop right now and lift up a prayer for M.K. (not my niece in law, close family will understand). Pray she realize that regardless of what she has done, or how far she has strayed, God the loving Father will always welcome her back, will restore and redeem her. Pray God’s grace overcomes all the obstacles she feels are insurmountable. Please pray for M.K. daily…. Thank you, God bless you. In His grip, Ed

Scripture Nugget 4.6.2016

“Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the army. …‘only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.’ For Saul thought, ‘I will not raise a hand against him; let the Philistines deal with him.’ … Then Saul said, ‘Thus you shall say to David, “The king desires no marriage present except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged on the king’s enemies,” ‘ Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hands of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 18:12-13, 17b, 25

The way we live and lead is an example to others even when aren’t trying to be an example. Lessons are learned, sometimes not good lessons. David learned from Saul, compare the way Saul treated David and the way David treated Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. Personal pride, self-centeredness and narcissism separates one from God, sometimes permanently, other times momentarily, regardless, separated from God one makes bad decisions because of loss of focus on God and God’s will for the future. Sin is the result. By God’s grace we may return from this separation, all sin is overcome by Jesus sacrifice. Wake up, confess, repent, and receive forgiveness, return to walk with God. God says, “I am here with you, won’t you be with me?” O Lord that I would always stand with you in the light, not by myself in the dark.”

Scripture Nugget 4.5.2016

“And Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obedience to the voice of the LORD? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry. Because you have reject the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.’” 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Saul is a slow learner. Personal pride blinds him from submitting to the full authority of God, therefore he is in fact, rebellious. As one of my Army bosses use to say, “We all work for somebody, and we all are held accountable”. Another use to say, “There are times when we just have to shut up and color.” When we are coloring for someone else it’s important to color that which they tell us to and to stay inside the lines. Saul isn’t learning the lesson. O God that I submit to your authority, that I take on fully the task(s) you designate and carry out those tasks with your help. That you O God are and will be Lord of my life, always and forever.

Scripture Nugget 4.4.2016

“Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you. The LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever, but now your kingdom will not continue; the LORD has sought a man after his own heart; and the LORD has appointed him to be ruler over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.’” 1 Samuel 13:13-14

Saul’s lack of patience and unwillingness to submit to authority are the issue here. By taking matters into his own hands, conducting the sacrifice without the priest, he overstepped his role as king. He did what he wanted, when he wanted to do it. He didn’t wait for God’s timing. That I would always remember to stay in my lane, do that which I’m called to do and leave tasks I’m not called to, to the ones that are. That I be patient and let things work out in God’s time.

Scripture Bugget 4.3.2016

“So Samuel reported all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, ‘These will be the ways of the kings who will reign over you; he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots; and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots; and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and give it to his officers and his courtiers. He will take your male and female slaves, and the best of your cattle and donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the LORD will not answer you in that day.’” 1 Samuel 8:10-18

Oh how careful I must be when wishing for that which others appear to have. Especially when I haven’t consulted God. What is it, who is it I wish to rule over me? What or who will I worship? God loves, God provides, God doesn’t ruthlessly demand, God doesn’t force, God first loves me/us so that I/you may love God in return. God doesn’t take for God’s pleasure, God gives freely hoping not forcing me/us to love God in return. “If we didn’t have the choice to say no, our yes would be meaningless”. Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it……