- When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. 2 Samuel 17:23 – Ahithophel, the main counselor for King David whose advice was esteemed almost as highly as scripture, found his advice not being followed. He advised Absalom to allow him to lead an attack against David, who was on the run, so he could kill the king. Yet another counselor, who was a supporter of David, gave Absalom different advice that appealed to Absalom’s pride and Absalom jumped on that one instead. When Ahithophel realized his counsel was rejected, he knew it wouldn’t be long before David was back on the throne and he’d be executed for his treason. So he went home, got all his earthly life set in order, then killed himself. Something we see here is Ahithophel was wise enough to take care of all his earthly things first. What is saddening though is that while he was wise enough to make sure his earthly life was set in order, he wasn’t wise enough to set his after-earthly life in order. He invested so much of his life into making this life how it should be that he didn’t give space to consider getting right the life to come. Let’s not make the same mistake we see unfold in this passage. Yes, take care of things in this life, but take even more care of the things in the life to come. Make sure that you have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Make sure your sins are forgiven so you can be in Heaven with the Father once this life is over. Be investing today in the life to come for this life we are in now is so fleeting. Before you consider setting things in order in this life, make sure your afterlife is in order. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3036
- And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” (v.37) It is far too easy to find ourselves frustrated and impatient with God over our current situation. Maybe we have been in this position far too long at work and want a promotion. Could be the single life is destroying your self-esteem and all you can dream for is the day prince (or princess) charming steps into your picture. Maybe its middle school and all you can focus on is the big day when you’re able to call yourself a freshmen. Whatever the case may be, the question of why is God leaving me here so long isn’t the easiest to answer…but I’ll give you one. You’re not ready yet for the next step. I don’t believe God is trying to stop you from moving on, He just loves you enough that He wants you to be able to handle the next step when you get there. Rather than throwing you into that promotion, He’s going to teach you where you’re at now what is needed to manage the responsibilities in that next step. Rather than putting a ring on your finger today, He’s going to teach you how to be the best partner for that special someone that they need and you need. He’s not stopping you, He’s shaping you. God wants for you to move forward, but when the time is right and when you can handle it. Allow God the time He needs to shape you into the person you need to be for your next step. Trust He knows what He is doing. – Daily DEVO 16
- 1 Samuel 17 Daily DEVO Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 1 Samuel17:1 – With our chapter today being over the iconic story of David and Goliath, the routes we could take with today’s devotion are many. But what I want us to focus on is something we can learn from verse one, even before Goliath shows up. It’s says the enemy gathered at a place which belonged to Judah. Meaning, before the epic battle started, there had to be a time where they let the enemy enter their land. That the reason they had a Goliath to face was because they allowed the enemy to step into their land to start with. We too can end up with a “Goliath” to face if we let the enemy into our life even in small ways. Make sure that you aren’t allowing the enemy to have space in your life even in seemly harmless ways. What you don’t realize is that little allowance you’re giving the enemy into your story is his way of bringing a Goliath of a problem into your life. Trust that if you’re already facing the Goliath God has you covered if you lean on Him, but begin now keeping the enemy out when he seems small and harmless. It only takes a small spark to create a wildfire that can destroy everything. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 417
- And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.” 1 Samuel 17:17-18 – You may not be fighting a battle but we should always care for those who are. At this point in the story David wasn’t on the battle lines. He was simply taking a break from watching the family’s sheep to go bring supplies to his brothers who were fighting. He may not have been on the battle field with them, but that didn’t stop David from investing in the welfare of his brothers. Who right now in your bubble of people is fighting some sort of battle? You may have no fight in it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t care for them still. Pray for them, bring them a dessert, babysit their kids so they can have a date night. Maybe our part isn’t a daily battling alongside them, but they need to know they aren’t alone on the battlefield. Seek out somehow today to care for someone who is fighting a battle today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1642
- And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” 30 And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before. 1 Samuel 17:29-30 – Chapter 17 holds the iconic story of David and Goliath. While we read about the seemingly impossible victory that the Lord gave to David against the giant Goliath on the battlefield, we also see another battle that David faced within this chapter that likely was far more difficult for him. This was the battle against his own people. For when David begins to speak boldly and faithfully saying he’d be willing to take on the enemy, how does Israel respond? His own brother rejects him, insults him, and claims David is here only with evil intentions. King Saul looks at David and flat out tells David that he couldn’t win against Goliath. Before David stood before Goliath, David had to stand up to the discouragement and lack of faith of those around him. This too can be where our greatest battles are faced. Not against the enemy, but against those around us who discourage us and speak their unfaithfulness to the Lord over us. How then did David handle this? He stood firm in his faith and turned away from such people. Sadly in your walk you will have people, even people who are followers of Jesus, be a discouragement to your pursuit of Jesus. When this takes places, stand firm in what the Lord has given you and be willing to step away from their negative influence. While they are content with remaining in a posture of doubt and fear, that’s not where you are. You know the power of our God and you know He is worthy to follow. Stay strong, stay focus on Jesus, and stay the course. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2894
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