Reading for today
Old Testament: 1 Samuel 8, 9, 10
New Testament: John 14
Thoughts from today’s reading
1 Samuel 8:5. The Israelites asked for a king so that they could be like other nations. Their motive for a king was wrong as God had clearly revealed that He did not want them to be like any other nation, but to be His own special people. God had already revealed to Moses hundreds of years before that they would ask for a king (Deuteronomy 17:14-15).
1 Samuel 9. We see here Saul from the tribe of Benjamin chosen to be king over Israel. Benjamin means son of the right hand (the hand signifying power). He tried and he failed in his ability to rule Israel. However, God chose David after him from the tribe of Judah (Praise). You cannot praise if you have no breath or if you do not use your mouth. David was established on the throne forever.
The Lord will have us know that you cannot reign successfully by the power of your hand, but you will reign by the power of your mouth.
John 14:15-21. Jesus announces here that the one who loves the Father and Jesus is the one who keeps the word of God. You cannot keep something that you do not have, so He has given us the scriptures and the Holy Spirit who brings those scriptures to life as the Word of God.
Reading the scriptures therefore becomes a very important step towards keeping the word and thus loving God.
Prayer
1. Heavenly Father you have revealed unto us that death and life are in the power of the tongue and that there is power in our praise to God which defeats enemies and establishes your kingdom here on earth. May we repent of trying to accomplish things in our own strength but rather lean on hearing, believing and speaking your word before we attempt to make things happen. Thank you Lord that we will reign in life as kings with Christ by the word of faith you have put in our mouth.
2. We thank you Father for giving us your word captured in the holy scriptures. Thank you for also giving us the Holy Spirit who reminds us of the word and reveals truth in the word of God to us in a way that we can live it out. You have given us all we need to keep your word thus loving you. May we abide in this love and may all that we ask in the name of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures be given unto us.