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It’s No Obstacle to God

Read it! Acts 28

But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

(vs 5)

 

Think it through

OK, so I’m really afraid of snakes. Really afraid. I had a hard time featuring this verse because it has the word “snake” in it, and of course the visual image of Paul shaking it off into the fire (my stomach is turning over right now). Every time I read this passage I laugh out loud at verse 6, probably out of sheer relief that the snake part is over. But God spoke to my heart through this verse today, through this snake-shaking image, so there it is.

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A Confident Leader with a Dependent Heart

Read it! Acts 27

Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve

stood beside me and said,

“Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar;

and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.”

(vs 23-24)

 

Think it through

Acts 27 reads like an adventure story—a true one! To be in the midst of a “northeaster,” on a ship with ropes tied around it to keep it together…to be lost at sea for two weeks…to throw over cargo and tackle with your own hands just to keep the ship afloat…and after all of that, to look to one of the ship’s prisoners to be the heroic leader.

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You Know, You Just Might Be Wrong

Read it! Acts 26

I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

(vs 9)

 

Think it through

Paul was wrong.

Here is guy who followed the Lord according to the strictest sect of Judaism. He was a man of great learning (in fact, Festus thought Paul knew so much that it had driven him crazy!). He was zealous for God. But he was totally, completely wrong about Jesus.

I think of myself as a pretty smart person and I have definite opinions on all kinds of things. I have my weak areas (sports, politics, and cooking instantly spring to mind) but I have many areas of strength as well—things I’ve learned and things I’ve lived. Sometimes I’m sure I get a little over-confident in the area of Christian living.

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Tired Trust

Read it! Acts 21

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?

I am ready not only to be bound,

but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

(vs 13)

Think it through

Acts 21 starts out with a description of Paul’s travels—some of the places he stayed and people he encountered. It’s easy to read over these words quickly, especially since we’ve never been to these places (at least I haven’t).

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Suffering for the Savior

Read it!: Acts 9

But the Lord said to Ananias,

“Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles

and their kings and before the people of Israel.

I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

(vs 15&16)

 

Think it through:

From what I can tell, being God’s chosen instrument is rarely an easy thing. In Tarsus, Saul clearly thought that he was being God’s instrument. Saul probably thought he was suffering for the Lord when he left his home on the journey to arrest more “heretical” Christians.

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Should We Be “Two-Faced” for Jesus?

Read it!: I Samuel 24

When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed?

May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today.

(vs 19)

 

Think it through:

By I Samuel 24, King Saul had shown himself to be wildly jealous, delusional, and murderous. David has the perfect opportunity to kill the king—the men around him are urging him to do so! Instead, he confronts Saul with his face to the ground, calling him “My lord the king” and “my father.”   Saul sees reason (for once) and commends David for his action.

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How Not to be a Fair-Weather Friend

Read it!:  I Samuel 19 &20

Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it for you.”

(Chapter 20, vs 4)

 

Think it through:

Now here’s a story of a truly great friendship (perhaps the greatest friendship recorded in the Bible—or anywhere!), that between Jonathan and David.  These two friends loved each other greatly.  Can you picture them meeting one another, discovering their nearly instant rapport?  I can imagine them hanging out, sharing confidences with one another, and enjoying the ringing sound of their combined laughter.

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Trouncing the Green-Eyed Monster

Read it! I Samuel 18

As they danced, they sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him.

“They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”

Vs 7&8

 

Think it through

Saul began as a proud supporter of David. After all, David’s successes in battle were Saul’s successes. He promoted the young leader quickly. But as soon as Saul heard the people sing David’s praises, his heart changed. David had entered Saul’s territory, becoming more popular that he was in his land of Israel. Saul became jealous (vs 8), then watchful (vs 9), and then murderous (vs 11).

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How Weakness Brings Glory

Read it! I Samuel 17

All those gathered here will know that it is not by the sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.

(vs 47)

Think it through

As he says these words, David is looking up at Goliath. Nine foot tall Goliath (I can look at my eight foot-high ceiling to get some perspective on that!). Covered in armor Goliath. Wielding a huge sword Goliath. And next to him, there’s young, ruddy David with his slingshot and five smooth stones.

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What’s the True Value of Your Efforts?

Read it! I Samuel 16

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

(vs 7)

 

Think it through

So let’s kick off this series with one of my favorite verses from David’s part in God’s story, I Samuel 16:7. This verse reminds us that God knows us, inside and out.  When He looks at you and me, He sees the special and unique children He created.

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