SOAP 04/19/2014; 1 Samuel 22:2

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 22; Psalm 17, 35; Matthew 6

S) "² 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. Now there were about four hundred men with him."

1 Samuel 22:2 (NASB)

O) There is such a wonderful thing happening here. David, the forever-established king of Israel, the forefather of Jesus, gathers to himself the rabble, the least likely, the destitute and desperate, the common, and he leads them to glory. This is such a moving foreshadow of who Jesus is to us. Before we meet Him, we are all distressed, indebted, discontented, abandoned, the least of the world. Then Jesus comes, just like his father David, and He pulls us into His service, His army, to lead us for His mighty purposes.

A) It's easy to forget what it was like without Him. It's easy to forget, I haven't always been part of this. I haven't always been one of men, gathered to Jesus. So, I need to recall my beginnings. I need to recall how lost and aimless I felt, discontent with the direction of my life. I need to be reminded how much debt was overwhelming me. I need to make myself remember how far my stress reached; how completely desperate I was when I was gathered to Jesus. He erased my debts, provided refuge, eased my heart, and calmed my anxieties. He gave me a purpose. He gave me a place with Him.

P) Father, forgive my selfishness, God. You drew me in, elected me, and gave me so much that I can never even fathom repaying. I do not want to be negligent to Your purposes, God. I want to be faithful and obedient and effective as one of Your elected. David started with a small group of cast-offs, and I started as a cast-off. But David used this small group of elected men, this rare group of men; he used them to stage some of the greatest military and political accomplishments. I know that You have a purpose for me in the place You've put me. I don't want this to be about me anymore, Father. I want to be part of Your four hundred men. Change my heart, by the Holy Spirit inside me, to change my desires and motives. I submit myself to Your discipline, God. I submit myself to Your ways, Your will. Use me how You see fit. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/18/2014; 1 Samuel 20:14-15

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 20, 21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

S) "¹⁴ If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness of the Lord, that I may not die? ¹⁵ You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth."

1 Samuel 20:14-15 (NASB)

O) I re-read this passage about five times before I could clearly see what Jonathan was really saying. He's discussing with David, the eventuality of David's ascension to the throne, which would require his father's death. However that unfolds, Jonathan first acknowledges that he might die in the process, particularly since he was the prince and would-be heir to the throne. So, in a typical military coup, anyone on David's side would wipe out all descendants of Saul, to leave no claim to the throne, once David is crowned. Furthermore, he would be safeguarding his life against future machinations, so that he (and his house) would live on, beyond David's own life. But, the part that was tripping me up, over and over, was the last line, starting, "... even when..." It seemed somewhat disjointed to say, essentially, "Don't kill me (violent), even when you've obtained peace (non-violent)." But, then I started to think about whom Jonathan was; he was a valiant warrior, and could be a powerful political ally, if he had recently abdicated the throne David occupies. Even if David didn't love Jonathan as himself, he might choose to keep him alive just for the military or political advantages. But, if David had peace on every side, what need would he have for such advantages? What need would he have for Jonathan? So, he asked David for lovingkindness, even when David has nothing to gain.

A) This is a foreshadow of the lesson Jesus teaches in Luke 6:32-36, but there is a subtle, yet important difference. Jesus's lesson was to love our enemies, and He also mentions reward; it is an important point, but not news to even some of the newest Christians. When I sense a person is against me, I am aware that I need to love them (not that I am always obedient to that, but I am usually well aware of the command). You know what I am not good at remembering? That I need to love people that way, even when they aren't my enemies. There's a weird thing that happens, that I can sometimes treat the people closest to me, the poorest. It's very easy for me to remember to be especially kind and unselfish toward my wife, when I am also trying to be amorous with her. But, what about days when I don't have anything to really gain from her? We all know that God loved us, even while we were sinners (see Romans 5:8); He showed His lovingkindness to His enemies. But, it's important to note that He shows us the same lovingkindness, now that we are no longer His enemies; He still gains nothing from us. This goes beyond my wife (who is my closest ally #usvsworld), and includes my kids, family, and friends; but, there is one more layer. Can I love God this way? It's easy to love God when I need Him. I need to love Him, even when if I were to gain no advantage from the relationship.

P) Father, forgive me for my selfish motivations. Continue to open my eyes to see my shortcomings, so I can be disciplined to be more like You. Help me to love You first, with as pure a love, as unselfish a love, as is humanly possible. Even supernaturally possible. Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit, to change my heart, to change my abilities to be more like You in this way. I want to love others with Your lovingkindness, and show them an unselfish, pure love, that glorifies Your name, and causes worship and praise for You, God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/17/2014; 1 Chronicles 7:24

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

S) "²⁴ His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, also Uzzen-sheerah."

1 Chronicles 7:24 (NASB)

O) It's a small thing, tucked in the midst of more genealogy. Ephraim has a daughter, whom God uses to build 3 separate towns. While little is known about Uzzen-sheerah (it is only mentioned once in the Bible), it was a town that, at the very least, was named after the woman. The other two towns are mentioned in a few different places in the Bible, and seem to have a fair amount of significance where they are mentioned. Our purpose is not our own glory, but God's glory. Sheerah was used by God in a pretty amazing way, considering the time period, and the notoriously misogynistic world in which she lived. The Bible is clear that God has given roles for husbands and wives, and that is a good thing. But this verse is a reminder that God has plans for women to serve Him in mighty ways also.

A) As a father of two girls, I want to do everything I can to reinforce biblical principles of how God intends marriages to look. But this verse is such a great example that submission to your husband does not equal oppression that will keep a woman from doing something really amazing! Along with ensuring that my daughters understand what it means to follow and support a godly husband, I want them to know that God might still call them to do incredible things as individual women. It doesn't mean they will be independent of their husbands, but it does mean they might have a calling specific to them. My daughters don't have to do anything as extraordinary as building towns, to consider life a success in glorifying God, but they could build towns.

P) Father, in every way, help me raise my daughters to know how much You value them as individuals. Let them see themselves first, as Your daughters. Before seeing themselves as my daughters, or as wives, or as mothers; let them place their identity firmly in You, Jesus. From there, help me show them that Your plans for their lives can be every bit as big and adventurous and fantastic, as any boy's could. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/16/2014; 1 Chronicles 6:31

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

S) "³¹ Now these are those whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after the ark rested there."

1 Chronicles 6:31 (NASB)

O) This seems like such a departure from what I typically see in the church today. It seems like most worship teams I see are assembled based on two criteria, talent and volunteering. If a person has skill and will, they seem to make it onto the stage. It isn't to say that churches don't also hold their worship team members accountable to a higher standard (although, that's not always the case). I do think that, mostly, it's a position and ministry that is seen with a fair amount of responsibility. It's just that, I don't know that I've ever heard of a person who was told by leadership that they must serve on the worship team. Sometimes, a person may be on the team out of need, but I don't know that this is the same thing. How differently would a worship service go, if the worship leader wasn't the most talented musician or singer in the church, but was elected based on their humility and devotion?

A) I think there are a few things at work, there. Primarily, I'd say it comes down to the way leadership is seen in our culture. If we know our leaders are elected by God (see Romans 13:1), then we will be obedient to our leaders (unless they are leading in sin). But, that's rarely the case, as the rebellious heart of our culture (against all authorities, not just godly authority), has affected the heart of our church. On the flip-side, a person in a leadership position may need to be more bold in their obedience, and trust what they are hearing as God's command. It's hard to do, with an obstinate people, but fear of God must always trump fear of man.
P) Father, discipline me to be obedient to You, first and foremost. Continue to show me the absolute authority of Your word, so that I will be humble and teachable, able to be led, and willing to obey; not just You, God, but the authorities You establish over me. Change my heart to fear You more, and fear man less. I want to be completely devoted and obedient to You, LORD. I will submit to authority, and I will lead in obedience. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/15/2014; Psalm 9:10

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

S) "¹⁰ And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You."

Psalm 9:10 (NASB)

O) Perhaps the most powerful, most pivotal word in this verse, is the word "will." It makes the verse definitive, non-negotiable, and unmistakeable. If the word used had been, "should," or "may," then there would be room for some interpretation, but that's not what it says. In fact, some certain translations don't even include the word "will," making the two concepts of knowing His name, and trusting in Him, immediately tied, without the passage of time.

A) This verse is about faith. Like so many others, it is again predicated on the person and character of God. His track record, if you will, shows that He has not forsaken those who seek Him. If I know His name, really know the LORD as He is, then I must know He has never failed. If I know that, then I will put my trust in Him. If I am in a place in my life, where I am not trusting the LORD, then I cannot say I know His name without contradicting the Bible. If I do not know Him well enough to trust Him, it is only because I am not acknowledging the fact that He has not forsaken those who seek Him. So, when my faith is struggling, when I am having a hard time trusting Him, the answer is simple. Seek Him, to know His name, and I will find Him (see Matthew 7:7-8), and trust Him, and not be forsaken.

P) Father, I know this concept, this teaching, but it's easy to forget it sometimes. LORD, let me not forget! I have seen Your name prevail. I have witnessed the victory You have won. I have received Your provision. I have walked within Your plans. revive my memory, God. When trouble comes, let me fully trust in You, knowing that You are mighty to save. Let me seek You every turn, that You will be found, and that I will be found in You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/14/2014; 1 Chronicles 5:25

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 15, 16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

S) "²⁵ But they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them."

1 Chronicles 5:25 (NASB)

O) There is a duality at work here, that takes the infidelity of the people (in this case, they are the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) to a new level. Their rebellion against God is bad, on its own, but what makes takes the transgression from there, to treachery, is the betrayal that is defined by the last line above, "Whom God had destroyed before them." I don't think it is as simple as the people turning away from God, as it is they turned toward the just-defeated-gods. See, the LORD had destroyed the people before the Israelites, proving Himself as living, active, and mighty. Then, after a relatively short time period, the Israelites turn to serve the gods who had previously failed the inhabitants of the land, in their fight against the LORD and the Israelites! They weren't just cheating on God, they were cheating on God, with God's enemies!

A) The truth is, any infidelity against God, is going to be with His enemies. I guess the truly insulting part is that these enemies had been so recently, openly, clearly defeated by Him. In my own life, this might shamefully look like having close, romantic, good sex with my wife, and then looking at porn the next day. It could really manifest in any spiritual/physical instance of God giving a victory, and me turning my back on it and Him, to chase the just-defeated enemy. Another example could be the same as God providing for me financially, and then me turning around to become obsessed/worried about financial security. I need to honor God at all times, but victories can, and should, be used to increase my focus and devotion to Him, to give me an opportunity to fix my gaze on His goodness, worthiness, and sovereignty in my life.

P) Father, everyone and everything that is not for You, or of You, is really against You. I need to remember that if I am not fully committed to You in all things, then I am most likely putting myself against You, allying with Your enemies unwittingly. Make me fully aware of my allegiances, God. I do not want to be fooled. Open my eyes to see, disciplining me, in my devotion to You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/13/2014; 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13

S) "⁹ Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, 'Because I bore him with pain.' ¹⁰ Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, 'Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!' And God granted him what he requested."

1 Chronicles 3:1-4 (NASB)

O) Given the wording that Jabez uses, "that it may not pain me!" and also the apparent definition of his name (v.10), I wonder if Jabez dealt with issues of "pain" throughout his life. Like, it's easy to envision a boy being teased about a name like that, and people saying things like, "You're such a Jabez in my neck!" Or, maybe something like, "No wonder he's crying again, his name is Jabez!"
Now, admittedly, this is all very speculative, but what we can glean from these verses, is that he had a rough start, at least. Then, as he grew, he became a relatively honorable man. Then, when he inquires of God about something pretty serious, a pretty big request, he seems to draw on a painful past. And then, at the end, God grants him his prayer.

A) It's easy for me to think a couple of foolish things. First, that God might be under an obligation to answer my prayers based on my relative "good character." Second, that God might be more inclined to answer my prayers based on the struggles I've seen in my past. The truth is that, God answers prayers based on grace alone, and not any kind of obligation, so no man can boast (see Ephesians 2:8-10, for example). And also, I am to rejoice in my sufferings, that they might glorify Christ (see 1 Peter 1:6-7, for example). In the end, I don't think Jabez was wrong to pray the way he did, exactly, but it's a reminder that when I make my requests to God, they are answered only out of grace, not because God owes me anything. I praise God for every blessing He gives, however it might be measured, and I cannot begin to feel entitled, not matter what my justifications might lead me to believe. The last sentence of the above verse says, "And God granted him what he requested." It does not say, "And God paid him what was owed." Or, "And God obeyed what he commanded." God's answers to our prayers is still Him granting our request. Nothing more.

P) Father, forgive me for arrogance and pride, and misguided, sinful thoughts of entitlement. My past is so full of Your grace already, that I sometimes wonder that I should make requests to You at all. But I know that Your love for me is everlasting, and unfailing, and full. Thank You, Father, for answering my prayers at all, for hearing my requests, for giving me the life I've had so far. Thank You for the future answers to prayer that You may give. Make me patient and humble, to accept Your answers as sovereign and good. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.