Reading for today
Old Testament: 1 Samuel 29, 30, 31
New Testament: John 21
Thoughts from today’s reading
1 Samuel 29:9-11. The Philistines were prepared to fight against Israel and as they prepared to go, David who was living in one of the cities of the Philistines serving Achish the lord of that city, also joined their armies. He was however prevented from fighting with them by the other lords of the Philistines as they feared he may turn against them.
When David returned to his camp, it was destroyed and all their families and stuff were gone. they then had to go and fight the Amalakites to revoer all they had. While he was engaged in that battle, king Saul was fighting against the Philistines and was killed.
The last 3 chapters of 1 Samuel shows how God orders our steps so that His will is fulfilled. If David had been in the battle that ended Saul’s life, he could have been accused of working with the Philistines to overthrow Saul as king. He was however taken far away from being a part of it, and thus by Gods divine arrangement the way was prepared for him to become king.
John 21:15-17. Jesus asks Simon three times if he loves Him. By the third time He asked the question, Simon became grieved possibly because he felt the Lord did not believe his response. It is however worth noting that what comes out of our mouth creates life or death, so Jesus possibly needed to make Simon declare his love for Christ three times to counteract his denial of the Lord three times.
Prayer
1. Lord, may I always trust that you are working all things together for my good. Just like David had to fight a battle to recover everything he had lost but was not aware that you were keeping him from another battle that would lead to the end of Saul, his enemy, and pave the way for him to ascend the throne. Let all my challenges be taken in faith knowing you are working a far greater weight of glory for me.
2. Lord Jesus, I come to you because you are merciful and you will always give me the opportunity to be restored to you. Wherever I have spoken words that have betrayed or denied you in my life, I repent of it and ask that you give me the right words to counteract any negative effects I may have released. Thank you that your blood continually speaks better things that release me from the power of negative words. I praise you for this now and always, amen.