Scripture:
1 Samuel 22:1-4
Fri, 10 September 2021

Lost in Disorientation: “Until I Know…”

Observation:

What is significant about David’s move to Moab in the light of what had happened to him in 1 Samuel 21?

Deeper Reflection
LEAVING GATH, David went to Adullam in Judahite territory (v.1). When his family learned of this, they went to him (v.1), “because of their fear of reprisals by Saul”.11 And at Adullam, 400 men who were “in distress”, “in debt” and “discontented”, who “failed to integrate into the fabric of society” gathered to David, a leader who “could understand them”12 (v.2). From this band of men, David began to “form a fiercely loyal inner circle of followers, which was to become a personal army”13 that would strongly support him as king (2 Sam 23:8-39). From Adullam, David went to “the king of Moab” to seek refuge for his parents (v.3). Perhaps the Moabite king “felt allegiance to David”14, who had Moabite blood in him, being a great-grandson of Ruth the Moabitess (Ru 4:13, 17). David left his parents with the Moabite king “until I know what God will do for me” (v.3). Clearly, David did not know God’s agenda for him at this point of his discipleship journey. Apparently, he went to Ahimelech the priest at Nob (1 Sam 21:1) to inquire of God for him (1 Sam 22:10, 13, 15). And it seemed that nothing was heard from God. God does not answer by demand, however desperate and urgent our situation is, and however earnest we are in seeking Him. Virtually nothing is narrated about David and God in 1 Samuel 21. But now, David began to realign himself back to God in his wavering faith. And a genuine posture of “until I know what God will do for me” will not be disappointed.
11 Robert D. Bergen, 225 12 Robert D. Bergen, 225 13 Bill T. Arnold, 1 & 2 Samuel, The NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 2003), 225 14 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 143
Application:

In what ways is the principle of “until I know what God will do for me” relevant to me?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise:
  • Pray for SGI leaders: To discern what God is doing in their lives
  • Pray for significant people:
  • Pray for those in need:
  • Pray for self:

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:22-31
Sat, 3 June 2023

Walking Humbly in God’s Hand

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about God in this passage?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel’s words to Belshazzar, “You have not humbled your heart… but you have exalted yourself ” (vv.22-23a), point to a reality: We are either humble or proud. We cannot be not humble and not proud at the same time. Pride is not just self-exaltation, but self-exaltation “against the Lord of heaven”, which also means we “have not glorified God” (v.23). God is always in the picture of humility and pride. Central in true humility is God being glorified. Three theological realities give us the impetus to walk humbly before God.We cannot escape from God: “the God in whose hand are your lifebreath and all your ways” (v.23). We can commit our lives into God’s hand and be secure that “My times are in Your hand” (Psa 31:5, 15a). But even when we choose not to entrust our lives into God’s hand, we are in His hand regardless, for better or for worse before God. God examines our hearts: “you have been weighed and found deficient” (v.27). We are not to be proud or boastful, because God is “a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed” (1 Sam 2:3). We need to come to a point where we can meekly say as Jeremiah, “You know me, O Lord; You see me; and You examine my heart toward You” (Jer 12:3). God can end anything anytime: “God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it” (v.26). It is foolish to withhold anything from God, as if we can. God is God enough to take away anything from us as He pleases.
Application:

What aspects of God do I need to align my life with?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To know God’s heart and align their hearts to it
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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