“Then God spoke to Samuel: ‘I’m sorry I ever made Saul king. He’s turned his back on me. He refuses to do what I tell him’” (1 Samuel 15:10–11).
When Samuel told Saul God had taken the kingdom from him, Saul admitted he had sinned. Though Samuel grieved for Saul he went away and left him. Soon God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to search for the next king of Israel. God showed Samuel He had chosen David, the youngest son of Jesse.
“Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life” (15:13).
Saul and his men were again lined up in battle against the Philistines, but the giant Goliath had them cowering in fear. None of them would fight him. Jesse had sent David with food for his other sons who were on the battlefield and when he got there, David saw the men of Israel backing away in fear. He offered to slay the giant, and Goliath mocked him.
“David answered, ‘You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel’s troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me’” (17:45).
Today’s Nourishment: There are lots of lessons to be learned from these chapters. One of the most important to me is to always do exactly what God says! God rejected Saul because he made an exception to God’s command to destroy the Amalekites. He did what seemed fitting to him instead of what God had said. Second, God truly looks on the heart. God called David to be king although he was the youngest of Jesse’s sons and was slender and good looking. He knew He could use him no matter what others said or thought. I think we often say, “God looks on the heart” without really understanding what we’re saying. God REALLY DOES look into a person’s heart, and sees things that we may not see. Think about that for a minute.
My favorite verses in today’s reading are what David tells Goliath (17:45–47), “…I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies … This very day God is handing you over to me. I’m about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there’s an extraordinary God in Israel. … The battle belongs to God—he’s handing you to us on a platter!”
We know the end of the story. You should be inspired to go and do everything God has for you to do. Know who lives inside of you. Remember, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NIV).
Tomorrow’s Delight: 1 Samuel 18–20, Psalm 11, 59
Jacinta Hampton
Website: justjacinta.wordpress.com
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Jacinta, I agree, there is so much nourishment for life lessons in Today’s Reading. I kept thinking of the giants that need slaying in my own life. I know, through Christ, we are on the verge of slaying this giant of my back issues. Your post has given me such confidence in believing for this. “I can do all things through Christ who strengths me” is our family life verse. Thanks for caring and sharing today’s message of hope!
Thank you for an encouraging word from God. I am seeking God as to what my part is in taking down my persinal giant. I see that David threw faith filled words at Goliath before he threw that stone. Then the stone took an straight path to the mark and slayed the enemy. I don’t want to be on the sidelines cowering. I want to be successful in the frontline battle. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,
Amen, June. That’s good insight also!
Wow this is so good and such a good reminder for me to pursue The Lord in what I know He’s called me to do. I learned a long time ago in a study about David and Goliath that David could face that giant because his God had come through for him before. He knew that if he could slay a lion and a bear with God behind him he could certainly take on a giant. What I got out of it was that David remembered his past victories and so therefore this battle would be no different in that his God would go before him to victory! Hallelujah I feel a shout coming on!