Day 82 - 1 Samuel 15-17, Psalm 82

In 1 Samuel 15, God commands Saul, through the prophet Samuel, to destroy the Amalekites. Saul partially obeys; he spares King Agag. Saul kept King Agag alive most likely for reasons of pride, politics, and self-interest, none of which align with God's command. We cannot partially destroy our wrongdoing. Despite God’s everlasting forgiveness, we need to put unending effort in ridding ourselves of sin. Sounds daunting? It is a never-ending effort. An effort that we know we will never achieve but it will forever be our responsibility to try.  

God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a new king from the house of Jesse (1 Samuel 16). Samuel was focused on Jesse’s eldest son. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (verse 7). David, the youngest and least expected, is chosen. God often calls the unlikely to do the extraordinary. That is you!

The famous battle unfolds between David and the Philistine giant, Goliath (1 Samuel 17). While Israel's army is paralyzed by fear, David steps up with faith. Sual offers David his royal armor, but David refuses for practical and spiritual reasons. On the practical side, he was not used to it. He did not feel comfortable in something fitted for someone else. Many times, we also feel uncomfortable when trying to fit into other expectations. Additionally, David recognized that his strength came from the Lord, not from any earthly tool. David faces Goliath with only a sling, five stones, and trust in God. He defeats the giant, declaring that the battle belongs to the Lord.

Psalm 82 is a powerful and somewhat mysterious psalm of only eight verses. God rebukes earthly leaders for their corruption and failure to uphold justice. He commands them to defend the weak. What vulnerable people has God assigned you to defend?