Tag Archives: the book of 1 Samuel

April 12
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“But Samuel replied: ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'” (I Samuel 15:22, NIV) 

The adage, “It is better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission,” has no traction in a disciple’s relationship with his or her heavenly Father. 

Like any good parent, God wants you and me to be obedient to His will and to His way because our disobedience always requires a sacrifice: Sacrificed time, sacrificed opportunities, sacrificed relationships that might have sustained us and, most notably, sacrificed intimacy with our God and Creator. 

Simple obedience is always preferable to our most extravagant “make-ups” and “make-goods” for doing wrong.  Always best to do it right the first time up!   – Luther 

Reminder: Daily Encouragement will be on break, as usual, tomorrow.  Have a great day in worship and praise on this Palm Sunday!  Lord willing, see you again on Monday.

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April 11
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“‘Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine [Goliath] will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you.'” (1 Samuel 17:36-37, NIV)

Yesterday, we were encouraged to use our memory of God’s goodness to provoke us to be grateful.  Today’s scripture encourages us to use our memory of God’s faithfulness to provoke us to trust and faith in our heavenly Father — at all times, and in every circumstance.

David’s faith, confidence, and courage at the great, public moment of his confrontation with Goliath had as its foundation the lesser, private moments in his life when God had been equally faithful.  God’s power and faithfulness is no less when we’re facing a giant before an audience of thousands, than it is when we were confronting ordinary foes in the wilderness. 

When facing the giant (whatever or whomever it might be), recall our heavenly Father’s faithfulness and power in the less public periods of your life.  It will give you the faith, the confidence, and the courage you need to overcome!  – Luther

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April 10
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“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24, NIV)


Memory and gratitude are antidotes to many of the maladies that afflict our soul and that steal the joy of living.  These maladies include self-entitlement, greed, a zero-sum view of common resources, and a competitive spirit when cooperation is what is needed.

When we “[remember] what great things [God] has done for [us],” such as giving us the things that money cannot buy (e. g. life, peace, joy, love, security of soul, integrity of mind) — and an abundance of the things money can buy (e. g. food, shelter, clothing, transportation) — it provokes within us an enduring reverence for the Lord, and a burning desire to serve him with faithfulness and enthusiasm.

To count the few things we don’t have — instead of the many blessings we do have — sidetracks us from the path that leads to peace with our heavenly Father.  Remember — and be thankful.  – Luther

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