Acts 9-10 December 16, 2008
Posted by Sparky in Acts, NT - Other.Tags: Acts, Ananias, boldness, hearing God, Saul, value
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Scripture
Acts 9:17
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Observation
Okay, some context. Saul, Christian-hater and persecutor of anyone who even smells like they might believe that Jesus was the Messiah, has just had his conversion experience – Damascus road, blinding light, voice of Jesus, the whole works. He still goes to Damascus, but can’t function without his sight – we’re told he didn’t eat or drink anything for 3 days. At the same time one of the believers, Ananias, gets told by God in no uncertain terms to go and find this man who’s been torturing and killing his co-believers in Jerusalem, and welcome him into the fold. In v13-14 we learn that Ananias was unsurprisingly unsure about whether this was wise or not – but obedient to God, he goes and lays hands on him. And his first word to Saul is “Brother”.
This is amazing boldness in my opinion – Ananias not only overcomes his urge for self-preservation, but speaks to Saul without prejudice and with openness, no matter what was going on in his head. How mature, how brave, how Jesus-like!
Application
Not only is the boldness of Ananias impressive, but also his trust in God, and his ability to hear God and perceive the value of someone who, until now, had done everything he could to make the Christians’ lives hard. There are so many things to admire here, and to seek to live up to.
Prayer
God, please change my heart to make it more like yours, and more like Ananias’ in this moment. Help me overcome fear when speaking to people about you, and help me to hear your voice about those I am in contact with; also, please would you enable me to see the value YOU place on people, especially the ones I find hard to like, and not my own value. Amen.
1 Samuel 25-31 April 1, 2008
Posted by Sparky in 1 Samuel, History.Tags: 1 Samuel, David, Saul, strength in the LORD, troubles, Ziklag
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Scripture:
Selected verses:
30:6 – “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.”
Observation:
There are two interweaving stories in these chapters. Here’s a summary: David, accompanied by a large band of followers, is on the run from Saul, and he takes refuge in a Philistine city. When King Saul learns that’s where he is, he leaves him alone, and David and his band are given the city of Ziklag to live in. Meanwhile, the Philistine army amasses against Israel, and Saul gets scared. He gets so scared that he consults a medium to enquire of Samuel’s ghost what to do. Stupid move, as he doesn’t get the answer he wants; the LORD is against him. David and his followers march out to fight with the Philistines against the Israelites, but the Philistine commanders send him back to Ziklag, which has been sacked by marauding Amalekites, and all the families of David’s men have been carried off. After his men nearly turn on him, they go after the Amalekites and recover everything; David acts honourably throughout. Finally, the focus shifts back to Saul, who kills himself in the midst of battle with the Philistines.
The verse I have selected above details two responses to an awful situation – David’s men have had their home destroyed, and everything they cared about has gone. They respond in a totally understandable way. But David responds in the best way.
Application:
Some simple thoughts. When it seems as though our whole lives have been pulled out from under our feet, how do we respond? It makes total sense to give up and become bitter about what has gone wrong, and in many ways this is the natural response. But David, man of the Spirit, chooses a different path – he finds strength in God, even in the midst of his trouble. He has not denied the reality of the situation – two verses earlier he weeps with his men over the fate of their city. But he knows where strength can be found, and makes a choice to take everything he is feeling to the LORD.
Prayer:
Lord, I bring you my trouble, stress and feelings of unfairness. I know that you love me, and I know that you are good. I trust you to bring resolution to the things that trouble my spirit. Amen.
