May 21 ~ 2 Samuel 2 – selected verses 8-28
8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. 9 He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.
12 Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. 13 Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side.
14 Then Abner said to Joab, "Let's have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us."
"All right, let them do it," Joab said.
15 So they stood up and were counted off—twelve men for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. 16 Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.
17 The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men.
18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle. 19 He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. 20 Abner looked behind him and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?"
"It is," he answered.
21 Then Abner said to him, "Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel would not stop chasing him. 22 Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?"
23 But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.
24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon. 25 Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill.
26 Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Don't you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?"
27 Joab answered, "As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued the pursuit of their brothers until morning."
28 So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I know you are thinking, “That’s barbaric! Those guys started a lethal fight against each other just for sport.” I’m telling you, Old Testament days were not for sissies! But let’s look at this in 21st Century terms. Don’t we do this today? Don’t we pit people against each other – maybe not with spears and swords, but with words and actions? Don’t we stir up trouble – sometimes just for sport? And quite often, doesn’t this have serious consequences, too?
Oh, sure… maybe nobody gets speared through the stomach. But sometimes people are brokenhearted over such conflicts. Feelings are hurt, and the way people interact with each other can be changed forever by a single incident that was instigated out of malice – or even “innocently” started with gossip or a rumor or an unkind comment.
My point is this. What started out as a little entertainment or “fun” turned into a bloodbath – and actually, the tide turned on those who initiated the event. And so often this happens to us. We don’t mean to start World War III or cause trouble between others, but because we do not guard our hearts and our actions, that is exactly the outcome. And sometimes we are even drawn into the crossfire and hurt ourselves. God calls us to be good stewards of our thoughts, words, and actions. Are you behaving like Abner? Is your “sword” devouring others today? Isn’t it time to put an end to the pursuit and fight? Ask God to show you how to regain self-control in this area… blow the trumpet and call a halt!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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May 20 ~ 1 Samuel 1:21-26
21-22 When Elkanah next took his family on their annual trip to Shiloh to worship God, offering sacrifices and keeping his vow, Hannah didn't go. She told her husband, "After the child is weaned, I'll bring him myself and present him before God—and that's where he'll stay, for good."
23-24 Elkanah said to his wife, "Do what you think is best. Stay home until you have weaned him. Yes! Let God complete what he has begun!" So she did. She stayed home and nursed her son until she had weaned him. Then she took him up to Shiloh, bringing also the makings of a generous sacrificial meal—a prize bull, flour, and wine. The child was so young to be sent off!
25-26 They first butchered the bull, then brought the child to Eli. Hannah said, "Excuse me, sir. Would you believe that I'm the very woman who was standing before you at this very spot, praying to God? I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him to God. He's dedicated to God for life."
Then and there, they worshiped God.
1 Samuel 2:1-11
1 Hannah prayed: I'm bursting with God-news! I'm walking on air. I'm laughing at my rivals. I'm dancing my salvation. 2-5 Nothing and no one is holy like God, no rock mountain like our God. Don't dare talk pretentiously - not a word of boasting, ever! For God knows what's going on. He takes the measure of everything that happens. The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces, while the weak are infused with fresh strength. The well-fed are out begging in the streets for crusts, while the hungry are getting second helpings. The barren woman has a houseful of children, while the mother of many is bereft.
6-10 God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up. He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives - a place in the sun! For the very structures of earth are God's; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle! God's enemies will be blasted out of the sky, crashed in a heap and burned. God will set things right all over the earth, he'll give strength to his king, he'll set his anointed on top of the world! 11 Elkanah went home to Ramah. The boy stayed and served God in the company of Eli the priest.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Do you remember to praise God for all He does for you? Do you give back? I’m not saying you have to give Him your firstborn, but do you give of your time, talents and money? God’s blessings are so vast and huge… isn’t it the least we can do to give back to Him all that we can and to praise His name? Have you thanked Him today for all He has done in your life?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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May 19 ~ 1 Samuel 1:8-20
8 Her husband Elkanah said, "Oh, Hannah, why are you crying? Why aren't you eating? And why are you so upset? Am I not of more worth to you than ten sons?"
9-11 So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to God's Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried - inconsolably. Then she made a vow:
Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
If you'll take a good, hard look at my pain,
If you'll quit neglecting me and go into action for me
By giving me a son,
I'll give him completely, unreservedly to you.
I'll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.
12-14 It so happened that as she continued in prayer before God, Eli was watching her closely. Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, "You're drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!"
15-16 Hannah said, "Oh no, sir - please! I'm a woman hard used. I haven't been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I've been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don't for a minute think I'm a bad woman. It's because I'm so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I've stayed here so long."
17 Eli answered her, "Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him."
18 "Think well of me - and pray for me!" she said, and went her way. Then she ate heartily, her face radiant.
19 Up before dawn, they worshiped God and returned home to Ramah. Elkanah slept with Hannah his wife, and God began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked.
Dedicating the Child to God20 Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, "I asked God for him."
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever prayed so hard and fervently that an observer might think you were drunk? Have you ever poured out your heart to God, broken and humble, and asked for Him to hear your prayers, believing beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will answer?
Hannah was incredibly faithful. In the midst of horrible ridicule and taunting from Peninnah and tremendous disappointment, she continued to pray and believe that God would hear her. What is the lesson for us? Never give up on God! Never stop praying and talking to Him and sharing your deepest desires, your darkest hurts, or your most intimate needs. I’m not going to tell you that God will always give you everything you ask for, but He WILL answer your prayers according to His will and what He knows is best for you. Samuel means “I asked God for him.” What have you asked God for lately?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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May 18 ~ 1 Samuel 1:1-7
1-2 There once was a man who lived in Ramathaim. He was descended from the old Zuph family in the Ephraim hills. His name was Elkanah. (He was connected with the Zuphs from Ephraim through his father Jeroham, his grandfather Elihu, and his great-grandfather Tohu.) He had two wives. The first was Hannah; the second was Peninnah. Peninnah had children; Hannah did not.
3-7 Every year this man went from his hometown up to Shiloh to worship and offer a sacrifice to God-of-the-Angel-Armies. Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as the priests of God there. When Elkanah sacrificed, he passed helpings from the sacrificial meal around to his wife Peninnah and all her children, but he always gave an especially generous helping to Hannah because he loved her so much, and because God had not given her children. But her rival wife taunted her cruelly, rubbing it in and never letting her forget that God had not given her children. This went on year after year. Every time she went to the sanctuary of God she could expect to be taunted. Hannah was reduced to tears and had no appetite.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
In Hannah’s day, it was HUGE that she was unable to have children. Bearing children was everything for women of that day. In many ways, it still is today. Don’t we know people like Peninnah and Hannah today? Maybe you are like one of them! We flaunt what we have and “rub it in,” like Peninnah. We feel sorry for ourselves like Hannah. We are insensitive. So often when a woman miscarries, “well-meaning” people say, “you will have other babies.” Or maybe you drive a really expensive car that your parents were able to buy for you, and you say to a friend, “I wish I had XYZ” when their parents can’t afford to provide them with even a clunker to drive.
Maybe you are struggling to make ends meet, and your boss is constantly talking about his/her latest trip or purchase. Maybe you are an assistant to someone who has you ordering expensive clothing and electronics for them, while you can barely afford to put food on your table and pay your utility bills. Maybe you are often mindlessly talking to your friends about your latest acquisition – cars, TVs, computers, your favorite new restaurant, or what movie you just saw.
Even worse, we do this at CHURCH! We look at others and, at least with our facial expressions and body language, we say, “I can’t believe you are wearing THAT!” or “YOU are at church? The roof may cave in!” or “I am far more Spiritual than you will ever be!” We are all Peninnahs at times, and sometimes we are Hannahs… so we know how awful this feels. And maybe, if you have been Hannah enough, you expect to be taunted and made to feel bad at church, just as she did. You may even be reduced to tears and stripped of your appetite. And you may have quit coming to church.
It’s time for us to check ourselves, our feelings, and our treatment of others. It’s time to realize that we are all worthy of God’s love… and of fair treatment by others, especially Christians. It’s time for us to check OUR behavior and treatment of others and see where WE need to improve. Sometimes love really isn’t enough to make another person feel good about himself/herself. Sometimes actions DO matter. How are YOU treating others?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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May 17 ~ Joshua 2:8-24
8-11 Before the spies were down for the night, the woman came up to them on the roof and said, "I know that God has given you the land. We're all afraid. Everyone in the country feels hopeless. We heard how God dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt, and what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you put under a holy curse and destroyed. We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and God, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below.
12-13 "Now promise me by God. I showed you mercy; now show my family mercy. And give me some tangible proof, a guarantee of life for my father and mother, my brothers and sisters—everyone connected with my family. Save our souls from death!"
14 "Our lives for yours!" said the men. "But don't tell anyone our business. When God turns this land over to us, we'll do right by you in loyal mercy."
15-16 She lowered them down out a window with a rope because her house was on the city wall to the outside. She told them, "Run for the hills so your pursuers won't find you. Hide out for three days and give your pursuers time to return. Then get on your way."
17-20 The men told her, "In order to keep this oath you made us swear, here is what you must do: Hang this red rope out the window through which you let us down and gather your entire family with you in your house - father, mother, brothers, and sisters. Anyone who goes out the doors of your house into the street and is killed, it's his own fault - we aren't responsible. But for everyone within the house we take full responsibility. If anyone lays a hand on one of them, it's our fault. But if you tell anyone of our business here, the oath you made us swear is canceled - we're no longer responsible."
21 She said, "If that's what you say, that's the way it is," and sent them off. They left and she hung the red rope out the window.
22 They headed for the hills and stayed there for three days until the pursuers had returned. The pursuers had looked high and low but found nothing.
23-24 The men headed back. They came down out of the hills, crossed the river, and returned to Joshua son of Nun and reported all their experiences. They told Joshua, "Yes! God has given the whole country to us. Everybody there is in a state of panic because of us."
Joshua 6:22-2522-24 Joshua ordered the two men who had spied out the land, "Enter the house of the harlot and rescue the woman and everyone connected with her, just as you promised her." So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, and brothers - everyone connected with her. They got the whole family out and gave them a place outside the camp of Israel. But they burned down the city and everything in it, except for the gold and silver and the bronze and iron vessels - all that they put in the treasury of God's house.
25 But Joshua let Rahab the harlot live - Rahab and her father's household and everyone connected to her. She is still alive and well in Israel because she hid the agents whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
You couldn’t make up this story! Suppose two men showed up at your house and needed to be hidden from their enemies, and then as they left, they told you not to leave or enter through the front door or be killed. They also told you to gather your family and “hunker down” until someone returned to get you. Would you believe them? Would you do it – especially if you knew they thought of you as someone with a bad reputation who most people didn’t like?
Let’s put it in a real life perspective. Suppose you don’t feel like you are very popular or well-liked in your community/school/church/family. And yet, someone comes to you and says, “I need your help. I need a loan, but absolutely nobody can find out you loaned this money to me. I promise I will do all I can to repay you quickly – WITH INTEREST! But YOU have to promise that no one will ever know this happened.” Would you do it? Would you be able to keep your mouth shut? Would you show honor and integrity?
Suppose someone confided in you that they were struggling with an addiction – alcohol, drugs, gambling, Internet porn, an eating disorder, working too much, Internet or video games – and they asked for your help in getting help. BUT… they asked you not to tell anyone else about this. Would you honor their wishes? If you felt you were not up to the task, would you admit this and ask the person to find someone else to help them?
Pastors, doctors, lawyers and other professions are called to a code of confidentiality. We have to have people we can trust to keep our personal information private. And there are often times that WE are trusted with information and asked to keep it under our hat. Are you a person who can do this? It may not have life-or-death consequences if you tell, as in the case of Rahab, but in Spiritual terms, God is calling us to be people of honor and men and women of our word. If you struggle in this area, ask for the courage and faith of Rahab… and the strength to do what is right and honorable in YOUR situations.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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May 16 ~ Joshua 2:1-7
1 Joshua son of Nun secretly sent out from Shittim two men as spies:
"Go. Look over the land. Check out Jericho." They left and arrived at the house of a harlot named Rahab and stayed there.
2 The king of Jericho was told, "We've just learned that men arrived tonight to spy out the land. They're from the People of Israel."
3 The king of Jericho sent word to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you to stay the night in your house. They're spies; they've come to spy out the whole country."
4-7 The woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, two men did come to me, but I didn't know where they'd come from. At dark, when the gate was about to be shut, the men left. But I have no idea where they went. Hurry up! Chase them - you can still catch them!" (She had actually taken them up on the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax that were spread out for her on the roof.) So the men set chase down the Jordan road toward the fords. As soon as they were gone, the gate was shut.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Imagine that you already have a nasty reputation in town. In fact, you are pretty unpopular, and the last person people would come to for help. But they DO come to you and ask you to help in a huge way – in fact, you are asked to risk your life to help. I’m not talking about asking you to buy a few Girl Scout cookies or even to harbor a criminal… I’m talking about help like Corrie Ten Boom’s family gave the Jews during World War II, or hiding people of another race in the 1800’s from people who would wish to lynch them. Would you do it? Would you risk it?
What about YOUR reputation? Would you risk it to stand up for someone of another race who is being ridiculed or snubbed in your own community? Would you risk being ostracized – or worse – to be friends with someone who is gay or has AIDS? Would you hide a woman and children from an abusive husband and/or father until help could arrive? If someone suffered a huge embarrassment in the community, would you continue to be their friend and associate with them? Would you be friends with a known alcoholic or drug addict? Would you visit someone in jail and minister to them?
It is funny to me that so many people in Old Testament times were willing to lay down their life for a God they had never seen. Yet those of us who know Jesus (even though we haven’t physically SEEN Him – yet!) and have so much information to prove His existence and what He did for us often cannot muster as much as a few gestures of human kindness toward others. What is wrong with this picture?
I want you to consider Rahab. She was a most unlikely person for God to use, but He did it anyway. If God can use Rahab, He can use us, too. If Rahab can stand up and serve and put her life on the line, can’t we stick out our neck just a little for someone else in Jesus’ name?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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May 15 ~ Judges 4:11-27
11-13 It happened that Heber the Kenite had parted company with the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses' in-law. He was now living at Zaanannim Oak near Kedesh. They told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor. Sisera immediately called up all his chariots to the Kishon River—nine hundred iron chariots!—along with all his troops who were with him at Harosheth Haggoyim.
14 Deborah said to Barak, "Charge! This very day God has given you victory over Sisera. Isn't God marching before you?"
Barak charged down the slopes of Mount Tabor, his ten companies following him.
15-16 God routed Sisera—all those chariots, all those troops!—before Barak. Sisera jumped out of his chariot and ran. Barak chased the chariots and troops all the way to Harosheth Haggoyim. Sisera's entire fighting force was killed—not one man left.
17-18 Meanwhile Sisera, running for his life, headed for the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite. Jabin king of Hazor and Heber the Kenite were on good terms with one another. Jael stepped out to meet Sisera and said, "Come in, sir. Stay here with me. Don't be afraid."
So he went with her into her tent. She covered him with a blanket.
19 He said to her, "Please, a little water. I'm thirsty."
She opened a bottle of milk, gave him a drink, and then covered him up again.
20 He then said, "Stand at the tent flap. If anyone comes by and asks you, 'Is there anyone here?' tell him, 'No, not a soul.'"
21 Then while he was fast asleep from exhaustion, Jael wife of Heber took a tent peg and hammer, tiptoed toward him, and drove the tent peg through his temple and all the way into the ground. He convulsed and died.
22 Barak arrived in pursuit of Sisera. Jael went out to greet him. She said, "Come, I'll show you the man you're looking for." He went with her and there he was—Sisera, stretched out, dead, with a tent peg through his temple.
23-24 On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the People of Israel. The People of Israel pressed harder and harder on Jabin king of Canaan until there was nothing left of him.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
The first time I read this story, I was stunned! Can you imagine tricking a man into your tent and then driving a tent peg through his skull while he slept? Imagine how scared Jael must have been. What if he woke up and saw her? Surely she would die! And yet, as Deborah told Barak, “This very day God has given you victory over Sisera. Isn't God marching before you?”
What God did for Barak, He will do for us. Our trials and troubles may not involve an army with 900 iron chariots, but some days our “battles” can seem every bit as big. This very day God has given you victory over your own battles. Isn't God marching before you? Remember Jael. Remember her courage. Remember Barak and God’s plan for him. Remember Deborah and her sound judgment and faithfulness. Remember yourself and know that what God did for these, He will also do for you. This very day God has given you victory over your battles. Isn't God marching before you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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