The Daily Dose

When God Promotes

“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'” ~ 1 Samuel 17:45

Have you ever noticed that God rarely announces a changing of the guard with fireworks? More often, He quietly begins working behind the scenes while everyone else is still focused on the person in front of the spotlight.

That’s exactly what was happening in today’s scripture reading. At first glance, this chapter looks like it’s all about David and Goliath. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll see something even bigger taking place. God was shifting the leadership of Israel. Saul was still sitting on the throne, wearing the crown and carrying the title of king, but God had already chosen David. The giant wasn’t just an obstacle to overcome. He was the stage God used to reveal the man He had been preparing all along.

No one saw it coming. The soldiers thought Goliath was the biggest story that day. Saul thought the battle was about finding someone brave enough to fight. David thought he was just delivering lunch to his brothers. But God knew He was introducing Israel’s next king.

Isn’t that often how God works in our lives? While we’re focused on today’s problem, He’s accomplishing tomorrow’s purpose.

Here are three truths we can learn from this subtle transition.

1. God prepares you before He promotes you.

David didn’t become a leader the day he defeated Goliath. He became a leader when he faithfully tended sheep, protected them from lions and bears, worshiped God in lonely fields, and learned to trust Him when no one was watching. The giant simply revealed what God had already developed.

Our culture loves overnight success, but God usually works through quiet times of preparation. Maybe you’ve been faithfully serving in children’s ministry, volunteering behind the scenes, raising your family, showing up to work with integrity, or encouraging people without much recognition. Don’t mistake hidden preparation for being overlooked. God knows exactly where you are. Your current assignment may be preparing you for something far greater than you can presently imagine.

2. God opens doors that no one else can open.

David wasn’t invited to fight Goliath. He wasn’t part of the military. He wasn’t even old enough to serve in the army. He simply showed up to deliver food.

Talk about an unexpected job description. One moment he was carrying bread and cheese. The next moment he was standing before a giant. That’s quite a job change before lunchtime.

When God decides it’s time, He can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary opportunity.

Sometimes we spend so much energy trying to force doors open that God simply asks us to remain faithful where we are until He opens the right one.

Maybe you’re praying about a new ministry opportunity, a different job, or a fresh direction in life.  Keep being faithful today. God knows how to bring you into tomorrow.

3. Never confuse a title with God’s anointing.

Saul still had the title of king. David had the heart of a king. There is a difference. Saul looked the part, but fear kept him sitting in his tent while David trusted God enough to step onto the battlefield.

God wasn’t looking for someone with the most impressive credentials. He was looking for someone whose heart completely belonged to Him. That’s still true today. God isn’t searching for the most talented, the wealthiest, or the most influential person in the room. He’s looking for willing hearts that trust Him enough to step forward when He calls.

That means every one of us has an opportunity to be used by God, regardless of our position or experience. The question isn’t whether you have a title. The question is whether you’re available.

Here are a few practical ways to begin living these truths today.

• Be faithful in the responsibilities God has already given you.
• Don’t become discouraged if your work seems unnoticed. God never overlooks faithfulness.
• Trust God’s timing instead of comparing your journey with someone else’s.
• Look for opportunities to serve instead of waiting for recognition.
• Keep developing your relationship with the Lord during the quiet seasons.
• Be willing to step through the doors God opens, even if they weren’t part of your original plan.

One of the most encouraging truths in this chapter is that David never campaigned to become king. God orchestrated every step. He sent Samuel to anoint him. He sent Jesse to send him with lunch. He allowed Goliath to issue the challenge. He gave David the victory. When it was all over, Israel saw what God had known all along. God had been preparing a new leader.

The same is true for us. God is always preparing His people for what comes next. We don’t have to strive, manipulate circumstances, or force opportunities. We simply have to remain faithful where He has planted us and trust Him to open the right doors at the right time.

Today I want to encourage you to embrace the season God has you in today, even if it feels ordinary. Your pasture may be preparing you for a palace. Your daily responsibilities may be developing the very character you’ll need for tomorrow’s assignment. Don’t become distracted by someone else’s position or discouraged because your opportunity hasn’t arrived yet. God knows exactly where you are, and He is an expert at orchestrating divine appointments. Stay faithful, keep trusting Him, and be ready. When God’s timing arrives, He has a way of turning an ordinary day into the beginning of an extraordinary season.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Samuel 17

1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. 

2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. 

3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 

5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 

6 And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. 

7 Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him. 

8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 

9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 

10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” 

11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. And the man was old, advanced in years, in the days of Saul. 

13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 

14 David was the youngest. And the three oldest followed Saul. 

15 But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

16 And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening.

17 Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp. 

18 And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.” 

19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.

20 So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle. 

21 For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. 

22 And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. 

23 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. 

24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. 

25 So the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely, he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.”

26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, “So shall it be done for the man who kills him.”

28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”

29 And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” 

30 Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.

31 Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. 

32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 

35 I went out after it and struck it and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard and struck and killed it. 

36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 

37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 

39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So, David took them off.

40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 

41 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 

42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 

43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 

44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 

46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 

47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

48 So it was when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 

49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. 

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 

51 Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.

And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 

52 Now the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron. 

53 Then the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their tents. 

54 And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.

55 When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?”

And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.”

56 So the king said, “Inquire whose son this young man is.”

57 Then, as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 

58 And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” So David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

Journal:

• What area of my life feels like a pasture season where God may be preparing me for something greater?
• Am I faithfully serving where God has placed me today, even if no one else notices?
• Have I been trying to force a door open that God hasn’t opened yet?
• What character qualities is God developing in me during this season?
• If God presented me with an unexpected opportunity today, would I be ready to step forward in faith?

Activate Activity

And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” ~ Mark 11:21

Have you ever prayed about something and then wondered if your prayer got stuck in traffic on the way to heaven? You prayed with faith, expected God to move, and then…nothing. At least nothing you could see. If you’ve ever felt that way, today’s passage is for you.

In verse 14 of Mark 11, Jesus spoke to a fig tree and declared that no one would ever eat fruit from it again. Nothing appeared to happen on the outside. The tree looked exactly the same. There were no falling leaves, no cracking branches, and no dramatic special effects. But when Jesus spoke, something immediately began happening beneath the surface.

The next day, the disciples noticed that the tree had withered from the roots. The miracle didn’t begin when they saw it. It began the moment Jesus spoke. The visible result simply took time to catch up with the invisible work that had already begun.

Isn’t that often how God works in our lives?

When we pray according to God’s will and His Word, something begins happening immediately in the spiritual realm, even when nothing seems to be changing in the natural. God’s activity often starts at the root before it ever appears in the branches.

This is a wonderful picture of what happens when we pray over a situation, a struggle, or a problem. The moment our prayer is lifted to our Father in heaven, we have invited Him to work in circumstances we cannot control ourselves. His supernatural power begins moving in ways we may never see until much later.

Notice something else about Jesus. He didn’t spend His time talking about how disappointing the fig tree was. He spoke directly to the source. There is a valuable lesson in that for us.

Here’s the all important point. Make sure what you’re saying about your situation agrees with what you’re asking God to do.

It’s easy to pray one thing and then spend the rest of the day telling everyone how impossible the situation is. We ask God to heal, provide, restore, or intervene, then unintentionally speak words filled with doubt, fear, and discouragement. Those conversations don’t strengthen our faith. Every word we speak after praying for a situation either reinforces our faith in what we prayed for or our fear in what the current circumstance looks like.

Instead, keep your heart and your words in agreement with your prayers. If someone asks about your situation, it’s perfectly fine to say, “I’m trusting the Lord. He’s working on it.” You don’t have to pretend everything is perfect, but you also don’t have to give doubt and unbelief the microphone. After all, if God is working at the root, don’t dig the tree up every afternoon to see if it’s growing?

Here are some ways to activate your faith today:

• Pray specifically about the situation instead of worrying about it repeatedly.
• Thank God each day for working behind the scenes, even when you can’t see the results yet.
• Speak words of faith when discussing your circumstances with others.
• Fill your mind with God’s promises instead of dwelling on discouraging thoughts.
• Ask a trusted friend to pray with you and believe God’s Word together.
•  Be patient. God’s timing is always accomplishing something deeper than what you can see at the moment.

Remember, faith isn’t pretending a problem doesn’t exist. Faith is believing that God is already working, even before you see the evidence.

Today I want to encourage you to keep believing that God is working at the root of every situation you’ve placed in His hands. Don’t give up because you haven’t seen immediate results. Keep praying, keep thanking Him, and keep speaking words that agree with His promises. The same Jesus who caused the fig tree to wither from the roots is still at work today. His power has not diminished, His promises have not changed, and His timing is always perfect. Stay faithful, because what God has already started beneath the surface will eventually become visible for everyone to see.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Mark 11:12 – 21

12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 

13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 

14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

And His disciples heard it.

15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 

16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 

17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 

19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.

20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 

21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

Journal:

• Is there a situation I’ve been tempted to give up praying about because I haven’t seen immediate results?
• What words have I been speaking about my circumstances? Do they encourage faith or fuel discouragement?
• What promise from God’s Word can I begin thanking Him for today while I wait?
• How can I remind myself that God is working beneath the surface, even when I can’t yet see it?
• Who can I invite to stand with me in prayer and believe God for His perfect plan to come to pass?

Why a donkey

“Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ~ Mark 11:2

If you were planning the grand entrance of a King, what would you choose? A magnificent white horse? A royal chariot? Maybe even a parade with trumpets and banners? A donkey probably wouldn’t make anyone’s list. Yet that’s exactly what Jesus chose.

Someday Jesus will return to this world riding on a horse as the conquering King and rightful Ruler of the earth. You can read all about it in the book of Revelation. I’m not making it up. But in today’s reading, He entered Jerusalem riding on a young donkey. Why a donkey? What message was He sending on that first Palm Sunday?

A donkey was, and still is, a pack animal. It carries heavy loads. In Jesus’ day, donkeys pulled carts and transported people and supplies from place to place. It wasn’t a glamorous ride by any means. If anything, it was a picture of humility. During that time, a king would have entered a city in a grand procession, often riding a magnificent horse or traveling in an impressive carriage. Not on a lowly donkey that belonged to someone else.

Jesus was making a powerful statement. He was saying, “I come in peace. I have come to be your Savior. I have come to rescue people from the punishment of sin.” Many were hoping He would overthrow the Romans and restore Israel’s political freedom. Instead, He came to do something far greater. He came to change hearts.

His choice of transportation also revealed His heart. Jesus placed Himself on the same level as the people He came to save. Even though He was God in the flesh, He willingly humbled Himself and became one of us. He never used His position to elevate Himself above others. In fact, He most often referred to Himself as the Son of Man.

That’s quite a contrast to the world we live in today. We spend a lot of time trying to climb the ladder, gain recognition, and prove our point. Jesus chose the donkey. Apparently, heaven isn’t nearly as impressed with status as we often are.

His humble entrance into Jerusalem is still celebrated today because it demonstrated the very heart of God. It also gives us an example to follow.

In today’s world, and even here in America, we see constant hostility toward one another. It seems people are always ready for an argument, whether it’s politics, social media, the grocery store checkout line, and don’t forget who will be the greatest of all time.

There are certainly many opportunities to become angry or frustrated by the decisions made by governments, communities, and even people close to us. But hostility and condemnation aren’t the heart of God. Love, peace, gentleness, humility, and kindness are what God’s people should display.

Jesus never compromised truth, but He always demonstrated love. He wasn’t weak. He was strong enough to remain humble. Sometimes the greatest display of strength isn’t winning an argument. It’s choosing peace when you have every reason to fight.

Here are a few ways to begin living this out today:

1. Start your day by asking the Lord to help you respond with humility instead of pride.
2. Choose to listen before speaking, especially when you disagree with someone.
3. Look for one opportunity today to serve someone without expecting recognition.
4. Pray for people who frustrate you instead of criticizing them.
5. Let your words bring peace into conversations rather than adding fuel to the fire.
6. Remember that every person you meet is someone Jesus loves deeply.

Following Jesus isn’t always about making the biggest entrance. More often, it’s about faithfully serving others with a humble heart.

Today I want to encourage you to choose the path of humility, peace, and servant hearted love. Let the love of God lead your conversations, your attitudes, and your decisions. Walk into your home, workplace, school, or church ready to be a blessing instead of preparing for a battle. When you follow the example of Jesus, you’ll discover that humility isn’t weakness. It’s one of the greatest demonstrations of God’s strength working through your life. As you choose His way each day, you’ll point others to the Savior who first rode into Jerusalem on a humble donkey so that one day He could reign forever as the King of Kings.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 11:1-11

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 

2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 

3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”

4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 

5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”

6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 

7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 

8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 

9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

 Journal:

• In what situations do I find it most difficult to respond with humility instead of pride?
• Is there someone in my life who needs to experience God’s love through my attitude or actions this week?
• What practical step can I take today to bring peace into a difficult relationship or conversation?
• How does Jesus’ choice to ride a donkey change my understanding of true greatness?
• Where is God inviting me to serve quietly, even if no one else notices?

God Sees What Others Miss

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ~ 1 Samuel 16:7

Have you ever felt overlooked? Maybe you were passed over for an opportunity, left out of a conversation, or felt invisible in a room full of people. It can be discouraging when it seems like everyone else is being noticed while you’re simply doing your best to faithfully serve where God has placed you.

If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re in good company. In today’s scripture reading, God sent Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel. When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s house and saw Eliab, he immediately thought, Surely this must be the one. Eliab looked like a king. He had the appearance, the stature, and all the qualities people naturally admire.

But God saw something Samuel couldn’t see. One by one, Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel, and one by one, God said no. Finally, Samuel asked if there were any other sons. Jesse replied that the youngest was out tending sheep. In other words, David wasn’t even important enough to be invited to the gathering. Yet he was the very one God had chosen.

What encourages me about this chapter is that while everyone else was evaluating appearances, God was evaluating hearts. The same is true today. God sees what others miss. He sees your faithfulness, your character, your obedience, and the things you do when nobody else is watching.

Below are three points from David’s story that can encourage us when we feel unseen or unqualified.

1. God Looks Beyond Appearances

People tend to evaluate what they can see. God evaluates what cannot be seen on the outside. The world often measures success by popularity, position, appearance, achievements, or influence. God measures things differently.

Focus more on developing your character than promoting yourself. If you’re serving faithfully in your church, workplace, or family without much recognition, continue doing what God has called you to do. He sees every act of obedience and every sacrifice made for Him. God has even scripted the part of your story that only He sees.

2. Faithfulness in Small Things Prepares You for Greater Things

When Samuel came looking for a king, David was tending sheep. It may not have seemed important at the time, but those lonely days in the fields were preparing him for future leadership. Many people want the platform without the preparation. God often develops us in private before He uses us publicly.

Be faithful with today’s responsibilities. If you’re raising children, serving in a small ministry role, caring for aging parents, or working faithfully at a job that feels unnoticed, remember that God uses those seasons to develop character, wisdom, and trust. David probably didn’t realize he was preparing to become Israel’s greatest king while tending a flock of sheep. Yet every day he was learning to lead. He protected his sheep from danger, guided them to green pastures, and faithfully cared for what had been entrusted to him. Long before God entrusted David with a nation, He watched to see how he cared for a few sheep. Be faithful with what God has placed in your hands today, because it may be His training ground for the greater opportunities He has planned for tomorrow.

3. God’s Calling Is Bigger Than Your Current Circumstances

David was the youngest son, overlooked by his family and working in the fields. Yet God’s plan for his life was far greater than anyone imagined. Your current circumstances do not determine your future. God sees the potential He has placed within you, even when others don’t.

Stop defining yourself by your limitations and start seeing yourself through God’s promises. Maybe you’ve experienced rejection, failure, disappointment, or setbacks. Those things do not cancel God’s purpose for your life. God has never looked at a situation and said, “Well, that’s impossible.”

One thing I love about David’s story is that after he was anointed king, he didn’t immediately move into a palace. He went right back to tending sheep. Sometimes God’s promises come before God’s timing. Just because you don’t see immediate changes doesn’t mean God isn’t working.

Even though I’ve always felt most comfortable serving behind the scenes, somehow God has consistently placed me in leadership roles. Whether leading departments, managing teams, or overseeing groups and ministries, the right opportunities and the right people always seemed to come along at just the right time. I believe much of that is because I’ve tried to give my best wherever God has planted me, regardless of who was watching or who my supervisor was.

Likewise, there were certainly times when I felt overlooked and wondered if what I was doing really mattered. Like David tending sheep while his brothers were being considered, some of those assignments seemed small and unnoticed. Yet looking back, I can clearly see that God was using those very circumstances to prepare me for opportunities I couldn’t even imagine at the time. What felt ordinary at one point became part of His greater purpose. Through it all, I’ve seen God’s approval is far more valuable than human recognition. If I stay faithful where He has me today, I can trust Him to open the right doors tomorrow.

Today I want to encourage you to trust that God sees what others may overlook. He sees your faithfulness, your prayers, your sacrifices, and your desire to follow Him. Don’t become discouraged if you feel unnoticed or if God’s promises seem delayed. Continue serving Him where you are. Continue developing the character He values. Continue trusting His timing. The same God who saw David in the sheep fields sees you today. He knows exactly where you are, He knows exactly what He has called you to do, and He is faithfully preparing you for every good thing He has planned for your future.

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 16

1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”

2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”

But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 

3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.”

4 So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?”

5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 

9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 

10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 

11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” 

12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. 

15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 

16 Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.”

17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”

18 Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.”

19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 

20 And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. 

21 So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. 

22 Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” 

23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

Journal:

• Have there been times when I felt overlooked or unnoticed? How did I respond?
• What areas of my character is God currently developing?
• Am I being faithful in the responsibilities God has given me today?
• What promises or dreams has God placed in my heart that require patience and trust?
• How can I focus more on God’s approval than the approval of others?

Obedience Matters

_{“So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.'” ~ 1 Samuel 15:22}

Have you ever tried to take a shortcut, only to discover it actually took longer to get where you were going? Most of us have. Maybe your GPS suggested one route, but you were convinced you knew a better way. Twenty minutes later, you’re sitting in traffic wondering why you didn’t just follow the directions in the first place. It’s funny how often we think we know better, only to discover that the original instructions were there for a reason.

That not exactly what happened in the reading for today, but God gave King Saul very clear instructions regarding the Amalekites. There was no confusion, no mystery, and no need for interpretation. Yet Saul decided to partially obey. He followed some of God’s instructions while modifying others to fit what seemed reasonable in his own eyes.

From a human perspective, Saul’s choices may have appeared practical. After all, he kept some of the best animals to offer sacrifices to God. That sounds spiritual, doesn’t it? The problem was that God hadn’t asked for sacrifices. He had asked for obedience.

As God’s people today, we can fall into the same trap. Sometimes we substitute good intentions for obedience. We convince ourselves that partial obedience is close enough. Yet God is not looking for us to improve upon His instructions. He is looking for hearts that trust Him enough to follow His direction completely.

Here are three truths to consider from this chapter.

1. Partial Obedience Is Still Disobedience

Saul obeyed part of God’s command, but he ignored the rest. Many times we want to choose the portions of God’s instructions that feel comfortable while overlooking the parts that require sacrifice or trust.

Ask yourself if there is an area where you know what God wants you to do, but you’ve been delaying or modifying the instruction.

For example, perhaps God has been prompting you to forgive someone, spend more time with Him, step into a ministry opportunity, or make a needed change in your priorities. Instead of negotiating with God, choose obedience. God isn’t looking for a contract negotiation. He’s looking for a willing heart.

2. Good Intentions Do Not Replace Obedience

Saul tried to justify his actions by explaining that the animals would be used for sacrifice.The problem was not the sacrifice. The problem was that God never asked for it. Sometimes we create spiritual sounding reasons for doing what we wanted to do all along.

Before making decisions, ask yourself, “Am I following God’s direction, or am I trying to convince Him to bless my plan?” You may feel led toward a particular opportunity, relationship, or project. Take time to pray and honestly seek God’s wisdom rather than assuming your preference automatically equals His direction. I’ve found that just because something sounds like a good idea doesn’t mean it’s God’s idea.

3. Obedience Flows From Trust

At its core, obedience is not about rules. It’s about trust. When we obey God, we’re demonstrating that we believe His wisdom is greater than our own. Saul’s actions revealed that he trusted his own judgment more than God’s instruction.

Choose to trust God even when His direction doesn’t fully make sense. For example, if God is asking you to wait, trust Him. If He is asking you to give, trust Him. If He is asking you to step out in faith, trust Him. The greatest blessings often come on the other side of obedience.

One thing that encourages me about Scripture is that it doesn’t hide the mistakes of its heroes. Saul’s story reminds us that every believer faces opportunities to either trust God or trust themselves. The choice may seem small in the moment, but those decisions shape the direction of our lives.

I’ve certainly had moments where I thought my plan made perfect sense. Looking back, I can see that some of my greatest frustrations came when I tried to “help” God out by improving His instructions. Spoiler alert, He didn’t need my assistance. Time after time, I’ve discovered that His way is always better, His timing is always right, and His wisdom is always greater than mine.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God’s voice enough to obey it completely. Don’t settle for partial obedience or substitute good intentions for following His direction. When God speaks through His Word, through prayer, or through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, respond with a willing heart. The God who sees the end from the beginning knows exactly what is best for your life. As you walk in obedience, you’ll realize that His plans are better than anything you could create on your own, and His faithfulness will guide you every step of the way.

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 15

1 Samuel also said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the Lord. 

2 Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. 

3 Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”

4 So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah. 

5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley.

6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. 

7 And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt. 

8 He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 

9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.

10 Now the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, 

11 “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night. 

12 So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal.” 

13 Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord.”

14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”

15 And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.”

16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”

And he said to him, “Speak on.”

17 So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel? 

18 Now the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 

19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the Lord?”

20 And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 

21 But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”

22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 

25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord.”

26 But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”

27 And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. 

28 So Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. 

29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.”

30 Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord your God.” 

31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring Agag king of the Amalekites here to me.” So Agag came to him cautiously. And Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

33 But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul. 

35 And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Journal:

• Is there an area of my life where I have been partially obeying God instead of fully following His direction?
• Have I been justifying a decision that God has already addressed?
• What is one instruction from God’s Word that I need to put into practice more consistently?
• How has obedience to God brought blessing into my life in the past?
• What step of trust and obedience is God asking me to take today?

Take the next step

Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” ~ 1 Samuel 14:6

Have you ever stood in front of a situation that seemed completely impossible and thought, Well, this should be interesting? Maybe it was an unexpected bill, a medical report, a family conflict, or a dream that seemed far beyond your abilities. We’ve all faced moments when the odds looked stacked against us and the path forward wasn’t obvious.

That is exactly where Jonathan felt in today’s scripture reading. The Israelites were outnumbered, outmatched, and discouraged. The Philistines had superior weapons, superior numbers, and every natural advantage. But Jonathan saw something everyone else seemed to miss. He saw that God was still in the picture.

I love Jonathan’s attitude. He didn’t say, “We can’t do this.” He didn’t say, “Let’s wait until everything looks easier.” He simply said, “Perhaps the Lord will work for us.” That statement wasn’t filled with doubt. It was filled with faith. Jonathan understood that if God was involved, the size of the obstacle didn’t matter.

As God’s people today, we often face situations that seem too big for us. The good news is that God has never been limited by numbers, resources, experience, or circumstances. He specializes in doing extraordinary things through ordinary people who trust Him.

Here are three points from Jonathan’s example that can strengthen our faith.

1.Faith Takes the First Step

Jonathan didn’t sit around waiting for perfect conditions. He moved forward believing God would guide him. Many times we want God to show us the entire plan before we take the first step. God often works the other way around. He asks us to trust Him enough to move forward and they He gives us the next step.

Take the next step God has placed in front of you. Maybe you’ve felt prompted to start a small group, reach out to someone who needs encouragement, apply for a new opportunity, or begin a ministry project. Instead of waiting until you feel completely prepared, take a step in faith in that direction. My experience is that confidence shows up after obedience, not before it.

2.God Is Not Limited by Your Resources

Jonathan and his armor bearer were facing an entire Philistine garrison. Humanly speaking, the situation looked ridiculous. But Jonathan knew something important. God doesn’t need perfect conditions to accomplish His purposes.

Stop focusing on what you don’t have and start trusting God with what you do have. If you feel like you don’t have enough money, enough experience, enough education, or enough influence to accomplish what God has placed on your heart. Remember that God often starts with what seems insufficient and turns it into more than enough. After all, He fed thousands with a little boy’s lunch. I think He can handle our limitations.

3.Courage Inspires Others

Jonathan’s faith affected his armor bearer. When Jonathan stepped out, his companion responded, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then, here I am with you.” Faith is contagious. When one person trusts God, it often gives others the courage to trust Him too.

Choose to be a source of encouragement for the people around you. When someone is discouraged, remind them of God’s promises. When someone is facing a challenge, pray with them and help strengthen their faith. Your confidence in God may be exactly what someone else needs to move forward. Sometimes people don’t need a lecture. They simply need someone who believes God is still able.

One of my favorite parts of this chapter is that Jonathan wasn’t waiting for a committee meeting, a strategic planning session, or a twelve-step battle analysis. He simply believed God was able and acted on that belief. While wisdom is important, there are times when faith requires us to stop overthinking and start trusting.

I’ve seen this happen in my own life. Some of the greatest opportunities God has brought my way didn’t come with guarantees. They came with a simple invitation to trust Him. Looking back, I can see that many of the things God accomplished started with one small step of obedience. The miracle wasn’t in my ability. The miracle was in His faithfulness.

Today I want to encourage you to stop measuring your possibilities by your limitations and start measuring them by God’s ability. Whatever challenge you’re facing today, remember that nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few. He is not intimidated by your circumstances, your lack of resources, or the size of the obstacle in front of you. Take the next step He puts on your path. Trust Him with the outcome. The same God who gave Jonathan victory is still working in the lives of His people today. What seems impossible to you may simply be the next opportunity for God to display His power, faithfulness, and goodness.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Samuel 14

1 Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 

2 And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men. 

3 Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

4 Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 

5 The front of one faced northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah.

6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.”

7 So his armorbearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.”

8 Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. 

9 If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. 

10 But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us.”

11 So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden.” 

12 Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something.”

Jonathan said to his armorbearer, “Come up after me, for the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” 

13 And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them. 

14 That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land.

15 And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling. 

16 Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there. 

17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Now call the roll and see who has gone from us.” And when they had called the roll, surprisingly, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. 

18 And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here” (for at that time the ark of God was with the children of Israel). 

19 Now it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 

20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man’s sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. 

21 Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 

22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle. 

23 So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven.

Saul’s Rash Oath

24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. 

25 Now all the people of the land came to a forest; and there was honey on the ground. 

26 And when the people had come into the woods, there was the honey, dripping; but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 

27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his countenance brightened. 

28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’ ” And the people were faint.

29 But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 

30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”

31 Now they had driven back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the people were very faint. 

32 And the people rushed on the spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood. 

33 Then they told Saul, saying, “Look, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood!” So he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone to me this day.” 

34 Then Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, ‘Bring me here every man’s ox and every man’s sheep, slaughter them here, and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’ ” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slaughtered it there. 

35 Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. This was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

36 Now Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light; and let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” Then the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.”

37 So Saul asked counsel of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But He did not answer him that day. 

38 And Saul said, “Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today. 

39 For as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a man among all the people answered him. 

40 Then he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”

41 Therefore Saul said to the Lord God of Israel, “Give a perfect lot.” So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped. 

42 And Saul said, “Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me.” So Jonathan was taken. 

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”

And Jonathan told him, and said, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!”

44 Saul answered, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”

45 But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

46 Then Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.

Saul’s Continuing Wars

47 So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them. 

48 And he gathered an army and attacked the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.

49 The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Jishui, and Malchishua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. 

50 The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. 

51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

52 Now there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him for himself.

Journal:

• What challenge am I currently facing that seems bigger than my ability?
• Is there a step of faith God has been prompting me to take?
• Where have I seen God work through limited resources in the past?
• How can I encourage someone else’s faith this week?
• What would I attempt if I fully trusted that God was able to help me?

When waiting feels impossible

So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. ~ 1 Samuel 13:9-10

Have you ever noticed that God sometimes seems to show up about thirty seconds after you’ve decided to take matters into your own hands? You pray, you wait, you trust, you wait some more, and then suddenly you become convinced that God must need a little help. Before long, you’re making plans, forcing doors open, and trying to solve the problem yourself. Then, just when you’ve stepped ahead of Him, His answer shows up.

That is exactly what happened to Saul. The Philistine army was gathering, his soldiers were afraid, and Samuel had not arrived yet. Saul felt pressure from every direction. Instead of continuing to wait on God’s instructions, he took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice himself. The problem was not that Saul wanted victory. The problem was that he stepped out of God’s plan because he was unwilling to trust God’s timing.

As God’s people today, we often face similar struggles. We pray for answers, but sometimes the waiting feels uncomfortable. We want God to move now, not next week, next month, or next year. Yet many of God’s greatest lessons are learned in the waiting room of faith.

Here are three important truths from this chapter that can help us when waiting seems hard.

1. Pressure Reveals What and Who We Trust

Saul’s circumstances didn’t create the problem, they revealed it. When everything was calm, Saul appeared confident. But when the pressure was on, his trust in God’s instructions weakened. The same thing happens to us. Pressure has a way of exposing where our confidence really is.

Pay attention to how you respond when challenges come up. When unexpected bills show up, do you immediately panic or do you bring the situation before God? When a relationship becomes difficult, do you seek God’s wisdom or react emotionally? Pressure doesn’t have to pull us away from God. It can become an opportunity to press in closer to Him.

2. God’s Timing Is Better Than Our Timing

The painful part of Saul’s story is that Samuel arrived almost immediately after Saul acted. If Saul had waited just a little longer, everything would have been different. Sometimes God’s timing feels slow because He sees the entire picture while we only see the immediate need.

Choose patience when you don’t understand the delay. For example, perhaps you’re waiting for a job opportunity, healing, financial breakthrough, or direction for an important decision. Instead of assuming God has forgotten you, trust that He is working behind the scenes.

In my life, God’s clock and my clock rarely agree. If I were in charge, every prayer would be answered by tomorrow morning. Thankfully, God is much wiser than I am.

3. Obedience Is More Important Than Immediate Results

Saul wanted a quick solution. God wanted obedience. Many times we focus so much on getting an answer that we forget the importance of following God’s direction along the way. God is often more concerned about who we are becoming than how quickly we arrive at the destination.

Focus on your next act of obedience rather than trying to control the outcome. If God has instructed you to forgive someone, continue forgiving. If He has called you to serve faithfully, keep serving. If He has told you to wait, trust Him enough to wait.

Obedience may not always feel exciting, but it always positions us to experience God’s best.

One of the things I appreciate about Scripture is that it shows us real people making real mistakes. Saul’s story reminds us that impatience can cause us to miss what God is trying to do. Thankfully, God’s Word gives us the opportunity to learn from Saul’s experience rather than repeat it.

I’ve had many times in my life where waiting felt harder than moving. In one particular situation, I became convinced that it was time to leave my place of employment and submitted my resignation. The interesting part was that just one day later, a new position opened up, one that I had been praying about and hoping for. Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to withdraw my resignation and step into that new role. Looking back, I can see how gracious God was in that situation. He helped me humble myself, slow down, and recognize His leading before I stepped completely outside of His plan. That experience showed me something valuable. What feels like a delay is not necessarily a denial. Most of the time, God is working behind the scenes in ways we cannot yet see. Looking back now, I realize those waiting periods were not wasted. God was teaching me to trust Him, strengthening my faith, and preparing me to grow stronger for the next step in His plan for my life. If He had answered every prayer the moment I asked, I would have missed some of the greatest preparation seasons He designed for me.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God even when the waiting feels uncomfortable. Don’t allow pressure, fear, or uncertainty to push you ahead of His timing. The God who sees the end from the beginning knows exactly what He is doing. Stay faithful, keep praying, and continue following the direction He has already given you. His timing is never late, His wisdom is never lacking, and His plans are always worth the wait. What feels delayed today may become one of the greatest testimonies of God’s faithfulness tomorrow.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Samuel 13

1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 

2 Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent.

3 And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” 

4 Now all Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines. And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal.

5 Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven. 

6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. 

7 And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. 

8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 

9 So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering. 

10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

11 And Samuel said, “What have you done?”

Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, 

12 then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”

13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 

14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

15 Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people present with him, about six hundred men.

16 Saul, Jonathan his son, and the people present with them remained in Gibeah of Benjamin. But the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 

17 Then raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned onto the road to Ophrah, to the land of Shual, 

18 another company turned to the road to Beth Horon, and another company turned to the road of the border that overlooks the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

19 Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.” 

20 But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle; 

21 and the charge for a sharpening was a pim for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to set the points of the goads. 

22 So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son.

23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

Journal:

• Is there an area of my life where I am struggling to wait on God’s timing?
• How do I typically respond when I feel pressure or uncertainty?
• What has God taught me during previous waiting seasons?
• Is there a specific instruction from God that I need to continue obeying while I wait?
• How can I actively trust God this week instead of trying to solve everything myself?

His faithfulness is sure

 Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. ~ 1 Samuel 12:24

 Have you ever looked back on a decision and thought, what was I thinking? Most of us have a few moments we’d rather not relive. Maybe it was a poor decision, a missed opportunity, or a season when we knew what God wanted us to do but chose another path. The good news is that God doesn’t abandon His people every time they make a mistake. If He did, none of us would make it very far.

In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel stands before the people and gives a farewell address of sorts. He reminds them of God’s faithfulness throughout their history. He also reminds them that they had rejected God’s leadership by demanding a king. Even though God granted their request, it wasn’t His best plan for them.

Yet what amazes me is that despite their poor choice, God didn’t walk away from them.

Instead, Samuel gave them hope. If they would fear the Lord, serve Him wholeheartedly, and follow His ways, God would continue to be with them.

I think that’s a message we all need today. None of us have followed God perfectly. We’ve all had moments when we’ve chosen our own way. Yet God’s mercy is greater than our mistakes, and His faithfulness continues to pursue us.

Here are three truths that can help us walk confidently with God today:

1. Remember God’s Faithfulness

Samuel challenged the people to remember all the great things God had done for them. It’s easy to focus on what’s wrong and overlook everything God has already done right. Sometimes we become so consumed with the next prayer request that we forget the prayers He has already answered. Take time to intentionally remember God’s faithfulness.

Write down five ways God has provided, protected, healed, guided, or encouraged you during the past year. When new challenges arise, revisit that list and remind yourself that the God who helped you before is still helping you today.

I’ve noticed that my memory works selectively sometimes. I can remember an embarrassing moment from ten years ago but sometimes forget a prayer God answered three months ago. That’s why it’s important to intentionally remember His faithfulness.

2. Serve God Wholeheartedly

Samuel didn’t tell the people to serve God occasionally or when it was convenient. He encouraged them to serve Him with all their hearts. God isn’t looking for part of our affection. He desires a genuine relationship with His people. Invite God into every area of your life.

Don’t just seek Him when you’re facing a crisis. Talk with Him about your family, work, finances, ministry, friendships, and future plans. Develop a daily relationship rather than an emergency-only prayer life. Many people treat God like roadside assistance. They only call when they’re stranded. God wants much more than that. He wants daily fellowship with His children.

3. Don’t Let Past Mistakes Define Your Future

The people of Israel had made a significant mistake by demanding a king. But Samuel encouraged them to move forward and continue following God. One of the enemy’s favorite tactics is convincing us that we’ve missed God’s plan permanently because of past failures. The truth is that God’s grace is bigger than our mistakes. Stop rehearsing yesterday’s failures and start pursuing today’s obedience.

Maybe you’ve made financial mistakes, relationship mistakes, parenting mistakes, or spiritual mistakes. Instead of living in regret, ask God what step of obedience He wants you to take today. God specializes in redemption. He can take broken pieces and create something beautiful.

One of the things I love most about this chapter is that Samuel doesn’t minimize the people’s mistake, but he also doesn’t leave them stuck there. He points them back to God’s mercy and faithfulness.

When I look back over my life, there are certainly decisions I wish I could redo and many situations I wish I had handled differently. But God has repeatedly shown me that He is far more interested in where I’m headed than where I’ve been. His grace carried me through mistakes, disappointments, and times when I didn’t fully understand His direction.

Now, when I look back, I can clearly see that His faithfulness never changed, even when my circumstances did. One of the greatest gifts He has given me is freedom from living in a constant state of regret. Whenever memories of past failures try to paralyze me or convince me that it’s too late for God to work, He faithfully steps in. He reminds me that He is my Redeemer. He has a way of restoring what seems lost, redirecting what has gotten off course, and bringing His plans and purposes back into focus. What once looked like a detour becomes another testimony of His mercy, grace, and faithfulness.  I can put any decision, past, present or future into His hands and commit the choices to Him and He if faithful to take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it for good!

Today I want to encourage you to remember what great things God has done for you. Don’t allow past mistakes, present challenges, or future uncertainties to distract you from His faithfulness. Serve Him wholeheartedly, trust His guidance, and keep moving forward. The same God who led Israel through victories and failures is leading you today. He hasn’t given up on you, He hasn’t changed His mind about you, and He isn’t finished working in your life. His mercy is still available, His grace is still sufficient, and His plans for you are still good. Keep your eyes on Him and watch what He does next.

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 12

1 Now Samuel said to all Israel: “Indeed I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. 

2 And now here is the king, walking before you; and I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. 

3 Here I am. Witness against me before the Lord and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.”

4 And they said, “You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand.”

5 Then he said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they answered, “He is witness.”

6 Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the Lord who raised up Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt. 

7 Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord which He did to you and your fathers: 

8 When Jacob had gone into Egypt, and your fathers cried out to the Lord, then the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. 

9 And when they forgot the Lord their God, He sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them. 

10 Then they cried out to the Lord, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord and served the Baals and Ashtoreths; but now deliver us from the hand of our enemies, and we will serve You.’ 

11 And the Lord sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you dwelt in safety. 

12 And when you saw that Nahash 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.

13 “Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen and whom you have desired. And take note, the Lord has set a king over you. 

14 If you fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God. 

15 However, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

16 “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes: 

17 Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the Lord, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking a king for yourselves.”

18 So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.

19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”

20 Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 

21 And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. 

22 For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. 

23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. 

24 Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 

25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

Journal:

• What are some specific ways God has been faithful to me in the past?
• Is there an area of my life where I need to trust God more completely?
• Have I allowed past mistakes to influence how I view my future?
• What is one practical way I can serve God more wholeheartedly this week?
• How can I intentionally remember and celebrate God’s faithfulness in my life?

He is calling you

So, Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” ~ Mark 10:49

Have you ever called someone on your phone, listened to it ring several times, and then wondered if they were ever going to answer? Maybe you’ve even looked at your phone to make sure you had the right number. Sometimes our prayers can feel that way. We cry out to God, wait for an answer, and wonder if He heard us at all.

Perhaps you’ve been praying for a breakthrough, a healing, a prodigal child, a difficult relationship, or direction for an important decision. You’ve prayed faithfully, but nothing seems to be changing. The circumstances still look the same, and the answer doesn’t appear to be coming as quickly as you’d hoped. If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone.

In today’s scripture reading, Bartimaeus found himself in a desperate situation. He was blind and sitting by the roadside begging. Yet despite his physical limitations, he recognized something many others missed. Jesus was nearby, and He was the answer. As Jesus passed by, Bartimaeus cried out for mercy. Those around him tried to silence him. They told him to be quiet and stop bothering Jesus. But instead of becoming discouraged, he cried out even louder.

Then something remarkable happened. Jesus stopped. Out of all the people surrounding Him, all the conversations taking place, and all the demands on His attention, Jesus stopped for one desperate man calling out in faith.

I love that picture because it reminds me that no sincere prayer ever goes unnoticed. Jesus heard Bartimaeus, and He hears us too.

When Jesus stopped that day, something changed in Bartimaeus’ situation because the crowd of people that were trying to silence him shifted from saying: “Be quiet” to “Be of good cheer. Get up, He is calling you.”

What a difference one moment with Jesus can make. Sometimes the very people who doubted your breakthrough become witnesses to God’s faithfulness.

Here are some practical ways we can apply this truth to our lives:

• Keep praying even when you don’t see immediate results. Persistence is often a demonstration of faith.
• Spend quiet time with God each day. Prayer is not only talking to Him, but also listening for His direction.
• Read Scripture regularly. God often confirms His guidance through His Word.
• Pay attention to the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit and take action when He directs you.
• Refuse to let discouragement, disappointment, or the opinions of others silence your faith.
• Thank God in advance for His faithfulness, even before you see the answer.

One thing I find interesting is that Bartimaeus didn’t stay sitting on the roadside after Jesus called him. He got up and went to Him. He responded to the invitation.

Many believers want God’s answers but aren’t always willing to take the steps He directs them to take. Sometimes we’re praying for guidance while ignoring the instructions and faith action He’s already given.

It’s a little like asking your GPS for directions and then driving the opposite way. Eventually you end up hearing, “Recalculating.” Thankfully, God is much more patient than our navigation systems.

The truth is that Jesus is still calling people today. He is calling us closer to Himself. He is calling us to trust Him, follow Him, and walk in the plans He has prepared for our lives. His voice may not always come through dramatic moments, but He speaks through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, and through the gentle nudges He places in our hearts.

Some of God’s clearest direction in my life came during quiet moments when I simply sat with Him and listened. Not every answer came immediately, but He was always faithful to guide me one step at a time. Looking back, I can see that while I was waiting for answers, He was often preparing my heart to receive them.

Today I want to encourage you to keep calling out to Jesus and trust that He hears every prayer. Don’t allow delays, disappointments, or the opinions of others to silence your faith. Continue seeking Him, continue listening for His direction, and continue taking steps of obedience as He leads. The same Jesus who stopped for Bartimaeus still stops for those who call upon Him today. He sees you, He hears you, and He is calling you closer. As you follow His voice, you’ll discover that His direction is always worth the wait and His answers always arrive at the perfect time.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 10:46-52

46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Journal:

• What situation have I been praying about that requires continued faith and perseverance?
• Are there any distractions keeping me from hearing God’s direction clearly?
• What has God already shown me that I need to act upon?
• How have I seen God’s faithfulness in answering prayers in the past?
• What step of faith is Jesus calling me to take today?

A Place Prepared

“To sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” ~ Mark 10:40

Have you ever shown up somewhere with a seat already reserved for you? There’s something comforting about knowing your place has been prepared ahead of time. No scrambling, no wondering where you belong, no awkward moment standing in the aisle looking lost while everyone else seems to know where they’re going.

What if I told you that God has already prepared a place for you, not only in eternity but also in His plan for your life right here and now?

In today’s reading, Jesus makes it very clear that He wasn’t operating independently while He walked the earth. Earlier in the chapter, He told His disciples that He was going to Jerusalem where He would be betrayed, condemned, mocked, beaten, and crucified. None of this surprised Him because it was part of the Father’s plan. Yet He also knew the story wouldn’t end at the cross. Three days later He would raise up from the grave in victory.

Then James and John came with a special request. They wanted the seats of honor beside Jesus in His kingdom. In other words, they were asking for the corner offices in heaven. Jesus gently explained that those positions had already been prepared by the Father. They weren’t available through ambition, self promotion, or personal preference. God had already established His plan.

What amazes me about this passage is that Jesus wasn’t trying to create His own path.  He makes it very clear her in scripture that He didn’t come into the world on His own agenda.  Even though He was the son of God, He was here to carry out the plan that was designed for Him before He was even born. He was faithfully walking out the path the Father had prepared for Him.

The same is true for us today. Many people spend years trying to figure out what they should do with their lives, chasing one opportunity after another, hoping to discover their purpose. But Scripture teaches that God already has a plan. Our responsibility isn’t to invent a purpose. It’s to discover and follow the one He has prepared.

The good news is that God isn’t hiding His will from us. He wants to lead us. As we seek Him, spend time in His Word, pray, and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, He faithfully directs our steps.

Here are some practical ways to apply this truth and get started today:

• Begin each day by asking God to guide your steps and show you what He wants to accomplish through your life.
• Spend time reading Scripture regularly. God’s direction will never contradict His Word.
• Pay attention to the opportunities, burdens, and desires God consistently places on your heart.
• When faced with a decision, invite God into the process instead of making plans without consulting Him.
• Take the next step He reveals, even if you don’t yet see the entire path.
• Stay faithful in the small assignments. God often reveals larger opportunities through everyday obedience.

One of the greatest obstacles to hearing God’s direction is becoming so focused on our own plans that you fail to notice His. Sometimes we hand God our completed blueprint and ask Him to bless it, when He’s already prepared a much better one that is already blessed.

God’s plans often look different from what I originally imagined. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my life weren’t things I pursued. They were things God opened as I simply followed Him one step at a time. Looking back, I can see His fingerprints all over the journey.

And honestly, it has been the most fulfilling life to follow His path. If I had written my own plan years ago, it probably would have included fewer challenges, unlimited chocolate, no waiting seasons, and a personal assistant to handle all the difficult conversations. Thankfully, God knew better than I did.

The beautiful truth is that God knows exactly where your gifts, experiences, personality, and calling fit into His greater purpose. He has prepared a place for you that no one else can fill.

Today I want to encourage you to stop striving to create your own path and start seeking the one God has already prepared. Trust that your Heavenly Father knows exactly where you belong. Spend time with Him, listen for His direction, follow His leading, and take each step in faith one day at a time. You don’t have to figure everything out at once. The God who prepared your place is also preparing your path. As you walk closely with Him, He will faithfully lead you into the plans and purposes He established for your life long before you ever took your first breath.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 10:32-45

32 Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: 

33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 

34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 

40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 

42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 

43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 

44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Journal:

• Am I currently seeking God’s direction or primarily pursuing my own plans?
• What opportunities has God placed in front of me that may be part of His purpose for my life?
• Is there an area where I need to trust God’s timing more fully?
• What practical step can I take this week to spend more time listening for His direction?
• How have I seen God’s guidance and faithfulness throughout my life so far?