1 Samuel – Chapter 12

David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 2 Samuel 12:16 – We have Nathan the prophet bravely confronting King David, who was living as if his sins were forever concealed. After making it clear to David that his sins with Bathsheba weren’t concealed but plainly visible to the Lord, Nathan pronounces the consequences attached to David’s sins. One such consequence was the loss of the baby that was conceived in adultery. In our verse above we see David approaching the Lord on behalf of his sick child. He lay flat on the ground without food for seven days, pleading with the Lord to save his child. Yet, at the end of the seven days, the child still died. After pleading, praying, fasting and confessing the baby still died. It’s so difficult to understand the reasoning of the Lord when something tragic like this unfolds. For we know God has the power to move in a different way than this, but like we see in this passage, the Lord doesn’t always move the way we are pleading for Him to. Physical healing doesn’t always come and rescue doesn’t always make it in time. This story reminds us of the major culprit behind all this loss and hurt…sin. While this is true, we must remember our God is greater than the devil and is greater than the sin in this world. So when tragic events unfold in our life, like in our passage, and we know God could have done something to change the course but didn’t, let David’s response in this chapter be your response. Choose to continue to worship. While it is unknown to us, God knows why things unfolded like they did. While the move of God may not seem to say, “I love you,” trust the words of scripture that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. Choose to trust and choose to keep worshipping. It will not be easy, but life without the Lord is much harder. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3031

1 Samuel 12 Daily DEVO Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 1 Samuel 12:23 – The people are worried that Samuel is going to quit praying for them and being a spiritual leader for them because of their sin. What we see in Samuel’s answer is something I want us to talk about today. We see Samuel telling them that their sinful behavior isn’t going to lead him to sin by not praying for them. That their choice to sin isn’t going to make Samuel start to sin too by not still helping them to follow God properly. For us, the sin in someone’s life should not be a reason for us to not share with them how to follow God properly. Maybe we’re nervous of the rejection we may get if we say something, or we think it won’t do anything even if we do say something. Like Samuel though, their sin should not lead you to sin by not helping them know God’s love. They may not listen and may not change, but that’s in God’s hand. Your role is to set an example of what living for God looks like and sharing when you can with them about how they can take part in that sort of life too. That’s not judging them, that’s loving them. Make sure you don’t take the easy way out and use their sin as an excuse to not share God’s love with them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 412

And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the Lord your God was your king. 1 Samuel 12:12 – Samuel is speaking to the people of Israel here. He reminds them of how when trouble came in the past they ran to God and each time they did He came through for them. Yet now, when a new trouble arises, they demand a king to be made instead to save them. They chose to handle their trouble like everyone else who didn’t have God chooses to handle their troubles. They had God, but the reached for less. How do people without God tend to deal with their troubles? Do the ways you handle troubles in life mirror those of people who don’t have Jesus in their life? If you are a follower of Jesus, you don’t have to reach out for help from the things non-followers of Jesus reaches out to. You have the God of all provision and help waiting to be called upon and He desires to be active in your story. Yes, a “king” is available to reach out to, but the God who has walked with you every step of your life is too. Who are you going to reach out to? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1637

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king. 1 Samuel 12:24-25 – Samuel had a serious chat with the people of Israel. They were foolish and sinful in their request for a king. God had always provided for them every step of the way. Whether it was rescue from slavery in Egypt to the most recent battle they all witnessed with their own eyes, God Himself was worthy to be their King. Yet they sinfully chose to reject God as their king and God allowed an earthly king to be chosen. What’s glorious though is that God doesn’t condemn them forever because of this sinful choice, but tells them that while unwise in the past with these choices, they can choose today to follow Him and He will bring blessing to them. Yes, they made the wrong chose in the past, but if they choose today to follow the Lord, the Lord will honor that and bring blessing. How amazing is it that we aren’t forever condemned because of our past sinful choices! That yes, we were foolish and made wrong choices in our past, but God is still allowing us today to make a new choice of following Him. If we still have breath in our lungs, the choice to begin following after God is still available to us, no matter the immensity of our past decisions. If then you have never chosen to follow Jesus, know today can be your day. Maybe yesterday was choosing the worst of the worst paths, but today can be different. Each of us have to make that call on who we are going to live our lives for. Let that call be to following Jesus today. If that’s something you want more details on, reach out. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2889