Rare Comradeship

Prepare: Have people hated you without a cause? How have you reacted?
Read: 1 Samuel 20: 1-23

A little boy threw stones at a man on the street and called him names because he had an ugly face. Later the same man walked into his house. The mother told the boy, "Many years ago, he was the one who rushed into our burning house and rescued you. His face was badly burnt in the process and that is why he looks so ugly". People can hate you:

1. With a cause.When you do wrong, when you hurt people knowingly or unknowingly, or because of your failures, people can rightfully hate you. Never let yourself be found in this position.

2. Without cause. Because of sheer jealousy [as in the case of David] people can hate you or because you are more talented or they feel you could compete with them.

3. Because of the cross: The fact that you are a Christian, a child of God, can make you an enemy of the Devil, his kingdom and his people.

The solution: If you are wrong, set yourself right before God and man. Otherwise love everyone, forgive everyone, bless every one, look to God and move on. Let not the hatred of people make you forget the love and acceptance that Jesus has offered to you. Never indulge in self pity. He will fight for you, deliver you and honour you.

Respond: Make me a channel of Your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring Your Love...

Victory's Aftermath

Prepare: What fruit does my life bear?
Read: 1 Samuel 17:55-18:16

After the great victory, David received two kinds of response. The King's son, Jonathan took to David instantly. "The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David". 1 Sam 18:1. Jonathan saw how passionate he was about the living God and how he had killed the giant. Jonathan knew in his heart that God was with David (vs 14). He removed his robe and gave it to David along with his own armour, sword, bow and belt acknowledging that David was the next anointed king. When God's spirit rules our hearts, there will be no jealousy, anger or competition. It is only filled with love of Christ which transcends all barriers.

The second response was from King Saul himself. Saul was happy about David because David was able to get rid of the giant. He gave him a position as promised. When the women appreciated David more than Saul, the fire of jealousy was kindled in Saul. He tried to kill David. God's Spirit had departed from Saul. He knew in his heart that God was with David, and so was fearful of him.

When we move away from God, we invite the spirit of flesh to control our behaviour, speech and thoughts. It is harmful to self and others. Let us introspect on what controls us.

Respond: Lord, we yield ourselves to the control of Your Spirit. Help us to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our daily life. Amen.

The Battle is the Lord's

Prepare: God alone is worthy of praise.
Read: 1 Samuel 17:41-54

David faced Goliath with unshakable faith in God. David was determined and not discouraged by the comments of people. David was sure of what he was going to do. Today we see two more principles he followed.

Goliath was fully armed when he moved towards David. His shield bearer was in front of him. He over estimated himself and under estimated David based on the appearance. He was over confident about the outcome. He was boasting in his own strength when he warned David that he would give the birds and the beasts  a feast from David's flesh.

David on the other hand planned his strategy, chose his weapon and proceeded to face the giant. He too was confident that his plan would succeed. But he was more confident in His Lord. "But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts.. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand". (1 Sam 17:45). He did not trust in the weapons of the world. (Ps. 44:6,7).

The principle that David followed was put in your best effort but depend on God's strength. Pro 3:5 says, "Lean not on your own understanding, trust in God.. He will make your path straight".

Secondly, David accredited the success to His God - the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's (1 Sam 17:47). His one desire was that the earth should know how mighty His God was. When you get the victory, give glory to God.

Respond: God, Almighty, all glory, honour and power belong to You for You give us victory. Amen. 

The Living God

Prepare: Faith is the key to face giant-like problems.
Read: 1 Samuel 17:20-40

Have you ever encountered a 'giant' in your life and wondered how to face it? Today's passage teaches us many things from the life of David.

That morning when he carried the lunch box to his brothers, he did not dream that he would be seeing a giant, let alone face one. Our life is not without giants. But how we face it is all that matters. Gigantic problems appear in our lives when we least expect them.

There were thousands of trained warriors facing the giant for forty days and all of them ran in fear when they listened to his words of blasphemy. David did not run away in fear, nor did he put it off for another day. He faced the giant with unshakable faith in God. Either you can turn away in fear or face the giant with faith. Don't put off facing your giant.

David's brothers called him names and scolded him. King Saul expressed his doubts about David's experience as a warrior. The giant himself considered David as a no good fellow. People discouraged David, but he was not deterred. Discouragements and disappointments are bound to come up in our fight against the giants in our lives. Don't give up.

David carefully chose five smooth stones. With a sling in one hand and a staff in the other, he moved purposefully toward the giant. He knew what he was doing and prepared to face the giant. Plan strategically with the wisdom God has given you.

Respond: Dear Lord, help us to be people who are focused on You so that we can overcome any obstacle. Amen.

Successor to Saul Anointed

Prepare: Man's perception Vs God's
Read: 1 Samuel 16: 1-13

Saul was rejected by God for his disobedience. He was the first choice of God to be the King of Israel. But his heart was not right with God. When he was dethroned by God, Samuel grieved for a long time. God made it very clear to Samuel that He was in control of the situation and that Samuel should trust Him.

Believe: God works through difficult situations in His own time (Rom 8:28). Samuel was afraid to take the next step which God placed before him to go to Jesse in Bethlehem to dedicate the next King. He was still looking  to the past and was hesitant to move forward. But God said, "Go, I will direct your next step".

Believe: When God is with you, don't be afraid to take the step of faith. Is you still hold on to the past, you will find yourself stuck.

Samuel obeyed the Lord and did all that was instructed. When he saw Eliab, Samuel thought, "This is the man, the Lord has chosen". But the Lord said very clearly, "Don't fall for outward looks. I look deep within the heart". The same was repeated with the rest of the six children. The eighth son, David was introduced by his father Jesse as a 'lad keeping the sheep'. But David was anointed; the Spirit of God came upon him from that moment.

Believe: God always searches the hearts and tests the minds to give every man according to his ways (Jer 17:10).

Respond: Give me an understanding heart, O Lord. Amen. 

Happy Ending

Prepare: Loyal hearts reap blessings.
Read: Ruth 4:1-21

There is happiness all around in this chapter. The book of Ruth started with sadness and emptiness. Turning back to God and fully trusting in the living God changed the whole story. Prov 3:56, ' Trust in the Lord.. He will make your paths straight' came true in Ruth and Naomi's life.

Ruth, a Moabite widow married Boaz, a Jewish man and became a blessing to Boaz. Ruth, a Moabite daughter-in-law brought happiness into her mother-in-law's life and became a blessing to Naomi in her old age. Now Naomi was content in the Lord's doing for her. Ruth, a Moabite woman worshipping the pagan gods, now became a blessing to the whole of Israel and to the world. She bore a son to Boaz. They named him Obed. Obed became the grandfather of David. In David's line, many centuries later, Jesus the promised Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world was born.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is committed toward him" - 2 Chron 16:9. Ruth was loyal to the living God.

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, " In returning and rest you shall be saved" - Isaiah 30:15. If we have gone away from the Lord, let us return to Him in repentance and commit ourselves and our life's struggles to Him. He will turn it into a blessing.

Respond: I want to come back to You, Lord and rest in You, so that Your blessings will flow through me. Amen.

Kinsman Redeemer

Prepare: Jesus the only Way.
Read: Ruth 3:1-18

For Ruth, shelter, food and kind words were not a permanent solution. She needed a companion for life who could redeem her from her plight.

Boaz was a trustworthy man. As a first step, he showed himself as trustworthy by saying 'I will do, I will redeem'.

Boaz was a righteous man. He wanted to do right by fulfilling the law. He gave a chance to  the other relative to redeem Ruth. He knew the extent of sacrifice involved in redeeming Ruth and he knew that the other relative would not do it. He wanted Ruth to know that he was the only one and not anything or anyone else could redeem her.

Boaz was a man of grace. He goes beyond the requirement of law and supplies grain to Ruth proving to her that he her provider.

Boaz represents Jesus, our redeemer. Jesus said, "I have come to lay down My life". Jesus has enabled us to experience even in our waywardness that He is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus has shown His grace even in our unfaithfulness.

Ruth responded by trusting Boaz, by asking him to spread his wings over her symbolizing a relationship for life. She did not run after the world's attraction; instead she looked to him for redemption.

If only we could respond like Ruth, Jesus our kinsman redeemer, will redeem us, give us an eternal relationship with Him and bless us richly.

Respond: Jesus, You are the righteous God, the only Way and the only Redeemer. I come to You trusting in Your work. Amen.