Job Descriptions

"Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD. Abraham came near and said, 'Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?'"

Genesis 18:22:23 

Here we find Abraham's great intercessory prayer on behalf of Lot and his family. He didn't go down to Sodom and try to save them himself, He asked God to do it. Compassion drove Abraham to ask God for his loved ones' salvation.  God listened to and granted Abraham's request. The Lord is still hearing and answering intercessory prayer for the unsaved today. It is our job to pray. It is God's job to save.

God, the Promise Keeper

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God."

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

In our society it has become so commonplace to make promises and break them, that we often find it difficult to trust anyone. Some politicians make bold promises they never intend to keep. Too often promises spoken at the altar are kept only until the passion wanes. How comforting it is to know that every promise God has ever made has been kept in Christ. Jesus is God's "Yes" to us. "Yes, I love you -- I sent my only Son to die for you" (John 3:16). "Yes, I will forgive you -- my grace is lavished on you in Jesus" (Ephesians 1:7-8). "Yes, I will strengthen you -- you can do all things through Christ" (Philippians 4:13). "Yes, I will come for you. Yes, you will be with me eternally. Yes. Yes. Yes." And the list goes on and on. God is willing and able to keep every promise He has made to those who love Him. Through Christ we say "Amen (Yes)"  back to God. "Yes, I love You, Lord." "Yes, I put my trust in You, Jesus." "Yes, I will serve You, Master." All this to the glory of God!

Hope for the Overlooked

"Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.”

1 Samuel 16:7

The Lord had sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a king from the sons of Jesse. Samuel was ready to anoint the first son he saw, based on his looks, but God said, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (v. 7).  Samuel wasn't the only one impressed with physical prowess Jesse brought all of his sons before Samuel, except David. It appears from the text that David's father considered him insignificant, not including him in the feast or the sacrifice. And when Jesse referred to David, he called him "the youngest", failing to call him by his name. Sometimes in our own family we can be overlooked and discounted. The message we receive either directly or indirectly is that we don't measure up. If that's been your experience, remember that God is a Father who is most interested in your heart. If it's devoted to Him, He will use you in ways you never imagined. No matter what anyone else thinks. 

In Time of Need

"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 4:15-16

When I am troubled and hurting, I want to talk to a friend who will listen and sympathize. Someone who understands. Jesus, our High Priest, is the perfect friend to run to for compassion. He won't reject us when we tell Him about our pain. His mercy caused Him to heal countless people that came to Him with ailments.  He won't criticize us for weeping in grief. He wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus. Do you think you are under a great trial that Christ cannot relate to? When He left His heavenly home and came to dwell on earth as a man, He was tempted far beyond anything you or I will ever experience, yet He did not sin. Yes, Jesus sympathizes. But He does so much more than just listen with compassion. He has the divine power to help us in our time of need. "You cannot pour out your heart in the fullest confidence to a person you do not respect, but if you get with some one you entirely trust, how swiftly the words flow and how very easy it is to tell out the whole heart. Just so with this great word of the writer of this Epistle, descriptive of the temper and disposition with which men are to go to God — with confidence, full, cheerful, and unembarrassed, and which expresses itself in full trust." -- Alexander Maclaren. 

Take Refuge

"But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You." 

Psalm 5:11

ref-uge (noun)

1: shelter or protection from danger or distress

2: a place that provides shelter or protection

3: something to which one has recourse in difficulty

God is the perfect refuge. Those who place their trust in Him will not be disappointed (Romans 10:11). He is always present; they don't have to search for Him (Psalm 46:1).  He answers their cry for help (Matthew 14:30-31). He rescues them from trouble (Psalm 91:3,15). He gives them the kind of peace that can only be found in Him (John 14:27). When darkness closes in and threatens to steal your song of joy, you must remember the truth of scripture. God is your shelter. Take refuge in Him. 

Samuel's Calling

"And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 

1 Samuel 3:9-10

The Lord teaches us much about Himself in His calling of Samuel. . . 

The Lord is no respecter of time. He had an important message for Samuel, and He chose the sleeping hour to deliver it. 

The Lord persistently pursues. He repeatedly called until Samuel answered. 

The Lord uses others to help us discern His call. Eli recognized God's calling of Samuel and counseled him to respond to the Lord's voice.

These are only three things I discovered from 1 Samuel 3 this morning. What have you found?

Our Faithful God

"O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD?  Your faithfulness also surrounds You."

Psalm 89:8

I'm enthralled with the faithfulness of our God. This beautiful song expresses what I want to share so perfectly. Please enjoy it on this the Lord's Day.  And if you are caught up in a storm and cannot see beyond the darkness, know that He still heals and demons still bow to Our Faithful God.  Trust Him. He loves you.