Obey God

Scripture
1 Samuel 24:4-6
The men said, "This is the day the Lord spoke of when He said to you, 'I will give you the enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish."  
Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
Afterward, David was conscience stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.  He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him, for he is the anointed of the Lord.'


Observation
The men who were hanging with David, following him; encouraged him to take advantage of the situation in finding Saul asleep in the cave.  Saul -  his enemy, the one who was trying to kill him!  His men said 'the Lord said He will give you your enemy to deal with as you wish!'  This is your chance David, TODAY is the day!'
So David crept up to Saul with knife in hand, but instead of killing Saul, David cut a corner of his robe.  
But afterward, David felt awful - conscience stricken.  Convicted by the Spirit of God that this was not right for him to do.  He said to his men, 'The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master!  He is the anointed of the Lord as my King!  Saul had been chosen by God and to do this was wrong.


Application
Being conscience stricken and convicted by the Holy Spirit are ways God speaks to us. When family and friends try to tell us to do something that is contrary to what God has put in our heart to do; don't do it!  Listen to the voice and promptings of the Holy Spirit rather than being influenced by the people that you love and you hang out with (if it's not what God has put in your heart to do.)  Don't let other voices influence or distract you from doing what God has said for you to do.  Do according to His will and purposes.  Only God can speak to each one of our hearts individually and show us the plan He has for us.


Prayer
Thank You Father God for Your Holy Spirit who speaks so gently yet so firmly in my life. Thank You for the peace that You alone can give when we respond to Your will.  You protect me and keep me from making some terrible mistakes.  Help me to listen and obey You in all things.  Give me discernment to know Your will.  In Jesus Name, A-men.


  

Help Me Lord - I Trust in You

Scripture

1 Chronicles 5:20

They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and their allies over to them, because they cried out to Him during the battle.  He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him.

Observation

The Israelites were helped by God because they had cried out to Him for help.  He answered their prayers because they trusted God.

Application

I've learned to cry out to God in times of trouble.  I know He will help me because I'm trusting in Him.  I believe and have faith in Him who is able to give help.  

Who else would I go to when I'm in the heat of a 'battle' and so very tired of fighting?  Who else could I cry out to when I'm in trouble, pain, or inner turmoil?  When all seems hopeless, and the battle looks like it is lost - do I change course because the answers I hope for aren't coming?  

Do I stop praying and hoping in God just because I didn't get my way? 

I remember when our 17 year old son, Johnny, was battling cancer and we were confined to his hospital room for over 100 days for intense chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant . . . the youth group made a poster that we hung on the wall of our room that became our 'sanctuary'. 

It read,

"Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless.  

Through God we will do valiantly, 

for it is He who will tread down our enemies!" 

(Psalm 108:12-13)  

God's word gave us hope and continues to give me hope as I walk with Him.  I cry out to God and I know He hears me - and He knows I trust Him with any answer He gives.  He always hears my cry; and answers me with peace and grace. 

Prayer

Father, I do trust You - and am learning to trust You more and more.  'Never let me be ashamed and don't let my enemies triumph over me.'  I give You all of my heart, my worship, my praise - for You O Lord are my Rock, my Strength, and my Redeemer.  Help me Lord as I trust in You no matter the outcome.  

In Jesus Name,  A-men.