60IN60 Day 27 - Sat Jul 27

It's Day 27 and we're in 1 Samuel 19.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out today.

Help:
- Verses 8-10 - A couple issues here, which I've also addressed in previous days.  First, "an evil spirit from the Lord" most likely means that God had authorized Satan to send a demon to torment Saul.  God obviously doesn't have an evil spirits who are "on His side."  Second, why was David back in Saul's presence when Saul had tried to kill him before (18:11).  We don't know for sure, but some thoughts: a. There may have been a presumption that Saul was suffering from a mental illness that made him better sometimes and worse sometimes; b. Because the king's word was law, David's two options were to continue to be around Saul as one of his military men or to flee and essentially declare himself to be in open rebellion against the king - pursuing the second path was a big step; c. Like in domestic abuse situations we see today, we know that people don't always immediately remove themselves from dangerous situations the way you think they would.
- Verse 13 - "the household idol" - The presumption would be that it was Michal's and not David's, since we think of David as someone who served God.  Still, it's troubling that he allowed that idol worship to happen within his home.
- Verse 17 - She is lying to protect herself.  The fact that the Bible tells us about it does not mean that the Bible authorizes it.
- Verse 23 - In the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord coming on you was not a salvation event, but one that usually accompanied receiving power from God or having a special manifestation of the presence of God (as here).  It is odd that Saul received it too, but it was apparently something that happened to anyone who was there.  An imperfect analogy to today would be how even a non-Christian can be in a worship service where God is moving and be aware of the presence of the Spirit there even though the Spirit is not within them.
- Verse 24 - "stripped," "naked" - Yeah, that's weird.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Where God Spoke To You:
- "¹¹ On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. ( the normal way it seems for even modern day Christians to respond when under attack)...
⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”( what I need to remember when I or my loved ones, or my faith is under attack)"
- "1. I LOVE the whole story of Saul. It just reminds me, "Be careful what you wish for." Also, that the verse, "...and He will give you the desires of your heart" means He will put the desires in our hearts that align w/ His will for us, and that is for what we should be praying; not that if we're wishing for a red Ferrari and we pray enough, He'll drop one in our driveway. :-)  If we are wishing for a king when we're not meant to have one, it may not work out so well for us.

2. I didn't remember that David came from Bethlehem. Of course I knew that via Joseph, Jesus is a descendant of David, but I enjoy re-reading chapters and stories I've read many times before (David and Goliath), and noting something new each time.

3. 1 Sam 17:25 "The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” This doesn't seem to impress David. Vs 26: "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” He's more about the fact that Goliath is threatening God's people. I love that about him.

4. 1 Sam 17:45: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." This is how we should fight Satan daily, sometimes by the minute! Satan defies God at every turn, but God is always on our side and w/ HIS power, we can defeat the enemy. I need this reminder more often than I'd like to admit. Satan is fighting for my marriage, but we cannot let him win a single battle, much less the war. We have to just keep fighting in the power and name of Jesus!"