Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 13, 2024

“David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 18:20-30.

“Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they told Saul, the thing was agreeable to him.  Saul thought, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.”  Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time you may be my son-in-law today.”  Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David secretly, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you;  now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’”  So Saul’s servants spoke these words to David.  But David said, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?”  The servants of Saul reported to him according to these words which David spoke.  Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David, ‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’”  Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.  When his servants told David these words, it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law.  Before the days had expired David rose up and went, he and his men, and struck down two hundred men among the Philistines.  Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law.  So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife.  When Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, then Saul was even more afraid of David.  Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually.

Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul.  So his name was highly esteemed.”  1 Samuel 18:20-30.

————–

Let us first meditate on a few specific examples of how David may have “behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul”.  Although the highlighted verse 30 attributes it to:  “it happened as often as they went out (to battle)”, we will also look at some other specific things that David did in the rest of today’s Scripture.

David was humble.  David said to Saul’s servants:  “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?”  Verse 23.

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.” Proverbs 15:33.

David was not in a rush to get rich, so to speak, by marrying into the royal family.  David first declined Saul’s offer that David could marry his older daughter Merab.  1 Samuel 18:17-19.  It was only after the second time presented in today’s Scripture that Saul pressured and deceived David that David accepted the challenge to be able to marry Saul’s other daughter, Michal.

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,
But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5.

David did twice what was requested of him by Saul.  Saul only requested “a hundred foreskins of the Philistines”, but David delivered two hundred foreskins to Saul. 

“The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.” Proverbs 12:24.

We learn elsewhere from Scripture about how David did in battle which is one of the toughest conditions of pressure to be wise.  It is much easier to be wise, or at least appear wise, in peace and prosperity.

“Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.” Psalm 119:98.

“Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle;
2 My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My stronghold and my deliverer,
My shield and He in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me.” Psalm 144:1-2.

More important than trying to find a few examples of how David acted wisely so that we can exercise our own wisdom and our own will to copy them, we should focus on what the LORD does and provides, such as the wisdom and righteousness given to us by God, personified by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  James 1:5.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.


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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 12, 2024

“David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him.” – “just as He chose us” – “God … has blessed us”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 18:12-19.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Samuel 18 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.  Therefore Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand;  and he went out and came in before the people.  David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him.  When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him.  But all Israel and Judah loved David, and he went out and came in before them.”  1 Samuel 18:12-16.

—————-

“70 He also chose David His servant
And took him from the sheepfolds;
71 From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.” Psalm 78:70-71.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12.

“Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.” Psalm 125:1-2. 

“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11-12.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:28-32.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-8. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 11, 2024

“For where jealousy … exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” – “love is kind and is not jealous”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 18:1-11.

“Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.   Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house.  Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.  Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.  So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered;  and Saul set him over the men of war.  And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments.  The women sang as they played, and said,

“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”

Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands.  Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”  Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual;  and a spear was in Saul’s hand.  Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.”  But David escaped from his presence twice.”  1 Samuel 18:1-11.

—————–

Jonathan, the son of Saul, could have been jealous of David and all the attention that David was getting.  But, Jonathan loved David and gave generously to David.

In sharp contrast, Saul had little reason to be jealous of David who helped Saul so much, but Saul was jealous of David and tried to kill David.

“Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 3:13-18.

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;  love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;  it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 10, 2024

“the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 17:41-58.  Here is a link to this Scripture – Bible Gateway passage: 1 Samuel 17 – New American Standard Bible 1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.  When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him;  for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance.  The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?”  And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.”  Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and 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 taunted.  This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you.  And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear;  for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.”

Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.  And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead.  And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him;  but there was no sword in David’s hand.  Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.  When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.  The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron.  And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.  The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps.  Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.”  1 Samuel 17:41-54.

———————

“Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.” Psalm 24:8.

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But victory belongs to the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31.

“Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph;  and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat:  thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.  Tomorrow go down against them.  Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.  You need not fight in this battle;  station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’  Do not fear or be dismayed;  tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.”  2 Chronicles 20:14-17.

“13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:13-22.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 9, 2024

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 17:28-40.

“Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men;  and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down?  And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?  I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart;  for you have come down in order to see the battle.”  But David said, “What have I done now?  Was it not just a question?”  Then he turned away from him to another and said the same thing;  and the people answered the same thing as before.

When the words which David spoke were heard, they told them to Saul, and he sent for him.  David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him;  your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”  Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him;  for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.”  But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep.  When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.  Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear;  and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”  And 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 may the LORD be with you.”  Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor.  David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them.  So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.”  And David took them off.  He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand;  and he approached the Philistine.”  1 Samuel 17:28-40.

—————-

The LORD not only delivered David from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, the LORD delivered David from Eliab’s anger and words which could have persuaded David to not fight Goliath.  Verses 28-30.  The LORD also delivered David from Saul’s words, armor, and proposed way to fight Goliath.  Verses 38-40.  And later in this chapter, we will read that the LORD delivered David from Goliath.

We may not recognize or fully appreciate how words or actions from others can lead us astray.

We need more help from God than we want to admit.

“I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.” Psalm 57:2.

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 7, 2024

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 17:12-30.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Samuel 17 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him.  And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry.  Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.  Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers.  As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words;  and David heard them.

When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.  The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up?  Surely he is coming up to defy Israel.  And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.”

Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, “What will 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 taunt the armies of the living God?”  The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, “Thus it will be done for the man who kills him.”  1 Samuel 17:20-27.

—————–

How could David stand his ground in front of Goliath?  “When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.”  Verse 24.

How could David even think about what he could get? “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel?”  Verse 26.

How could David be so bold? “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?”  Verse 26.

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:7. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 6, 2024

“Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature” – “Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 17:1-11.

“Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle;  and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.  Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines.  The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.  Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.  He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.  He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders.  The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron;  his shield-carrier also walked before him.  He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array?  Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul?  Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me.  If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants;  but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.”  Again the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day;  give me a man that we may fight together.”  When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.”  1 Samuel 17:1-11.

————–

“The fear of man brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.” Proverbs 29:25.

Israel had to fight Goliath in that day, and “they were dismayed and greatly afraid.”  Verse 11.

Today, we too have to fight our own Goliaths, so to speak.

But, there was hope for Israel in that day, and there is hope for us today.

Remember God’s Word.  There is hope no further away than the prior chapter.  “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him;  …”  1 Samuel 16:7. Although this was the LORD’S reply to Samuel who thought the LORD was going to choose Jesse’s son Eliab to be the next king, we can apply this Scripture to Goliath. In other words, we should not fear man, but rather, we should fear God.

There is also hope in the Scripture that was quoted in the prior devotions such as the following Scripture that was in the devotion two days ago.

“12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
“16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:12-22.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 5, 2024

“I will accomplish all My good pleasure” – “for I delight in these things” – “to the praise of the glory of His grace”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 16:14-23.

“Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.  Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.  Let our lord now command your servants who are before you.  Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp;  and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.”  So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me.”  Then one of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man;  and the LORD is with him.”  So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David who is with the flock.”  Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by David his son.  Then David came to Saul and attended him;  and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer.  Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”  So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand;  and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.”   1 Samuel 16:14-23.

——————–

Saul and his servants may have thought they were wise in coming up with a solution to provide relief for Saul for the sake of Saul.  But, we discern from Scripture that the LORD orchestrated everything to prepare David to be king for His own purpose and His own pleasure.  

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on the sovereignty of God.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

Today’s Scripture leads us also to meditate that the LORD exercises His sovereignty for His own sake.

In the much beloved and quoted Scripture about the promises of the LORD to give Israel a new heart and a new spirit and causing Israel to walk in His statutes (Ezekiel 36:26-27), we read the following context bookend verses of those promises.

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.  I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst.  Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.  …  Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations.  I am not doing this for your sake,” declares the Lord GOD, “let it be known to you.  Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel!”  Ezekiel 36:22-23 and 31-32.

Finally, even with the magnificent promises to His elect, the promises were “only” in Christ for the glory of God.  They were not primarily only for our sake.  It is amazing how often Scripture states that God’s promises are done for the glory of God.  Here is a link to a “Headnote” titled “Glory to God” in my web site which contains more examples and commentary –   Glory of God

This devotion will close with just one example.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 4, 2024

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

“Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?  Fill your horn with oil and go;  I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.”  But Samuel said, “How can I go?  When Saul hears of it, he will kill me.”  And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’  You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do;  and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you.”  So Samuel did what the LORD said, and came to Bethlehem.  And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?”  He said, “In peace;  I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.  Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.”  He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before Him.”  But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him;  for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel.  And he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”  Next Jesse made Shammah pass by.  And he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”  Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel.  But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”  And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?”  And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.”  Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him;  for we will not sit down until he comes here.”

So he sent and brought him in.  Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance.  And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him;  for this is he.”  Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.  And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.”  1 Samuel 16:1-13.

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The LORD did not choose Eliab.  Verses 6-7.  The LORD did not choose Abinadab nor Shammah.  Verses 8-9.  The LORD did not choose Jesse’s other sons.  Verse 10.  The LORD chose David.  Verse 12.  Thus, the first theme of today’s devotion is The LORD’S choice.  

The LORD does not look at outward appearance and choose on that basis as man does, “but the LORD looks at the heart.”  Verse 7.  Thus, this is the second theme of today’s devotion.

In summary of these two themes, the LORD’S choice of us is the basis of His lovingkindness to us. As one example, we see that the LORD’S choice of David was the basis of “the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.”  Verse 13.

“12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:12-22.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, …

And God freely gives us all other good things.

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:29-32.

“… You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:5-6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 3, 2024

“For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 15:24-35.

“Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned;  I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.  Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.”  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.”  As Samuel turned to go, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore.  So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you.  Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind;  for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”  Then he said, “I have sinned;  but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.”  So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.

Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites.”  And Agag came to him cheerfully.  And Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”  But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.”  And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul.  Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death;  for Samuel grieved over Saul.  And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.”  1 Samuel 15:24-35.

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“Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind;  for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”  Verse 29.

Today’s devotion will focus on this unchangeable quality of God.

Consider the following from the Belgic Confession, , particularly that God is “immutable” (unchangeable).

Article 1:  That there is One Only God.

We all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God; and that he is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good.

Consider the following from Westminster Larger Catechism.

Q. 7.  What is God?

A.  God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection;  all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

What comfort does this unchangeable quality of God bring us?

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings;  which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen;  but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.

Article 9.  Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church;  and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.

“For I, the LORD, do not change;  therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Malachi 3:6.

“…  for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Hebrews 13:5.

“You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:11.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

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