Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 19-27 are provided by Cami King of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 31:8-13: 

⁸ The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. ⁹ So they cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people. ¹⁰ They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. ¹¹ But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, ¹² all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. ¹³ And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.

We find ourselves at the end of our journey with King Saul. It is certainly a tragic end and one marked by missed opportunity. Think about it: Saul was a man anointed with the Spirit of the living God to lead His people, a people given a special relationship with the God himself. Think of the amazing ways God could have worked through Saul in this position. More so than the tragic manner in which Saul died, I’m reminded again of the tragic manner in which he lived, squandering away such an amazing opportunity.

When God called David to become king in place of Saul, he described David as “a man after my own heart.” This is usually understood to mean a man who was like the Lord (in the same way we’d use the phrase “like father like son”). There is certainly validity in this interpretation. But another way to understand this phrase is as “a man after my own choosing” – in other words, someone whom God selected, God’s best for His people, not his people’s best for themselves. It is common knowledge that Saul was named King as a concession to the people of God who insisted on having a King (and prematurely so). And the legacy of Saul is what their own efforts accomplished for them.

I wonder how often we miss God’s best because we’re in too much of a rush to secure what we think is best for ourselves. And we do all of this forgetting that what God can do is far greater than what we could ever imagine. As Paul said, God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” (Eph. 3:20). If God’s best is far better than our wildest dreams (and I have some pretty lofty dreams), doesn’t it seem better to wait out for His best… even if we’re not exactly sure what it is just yet? I sure think so!

Prayer

Gracious Father, help me to wait for Your best in my life. All my needs and desires will be satisfied in the very best way by You. Heal my short-sightedness and give me Your perspective for my life through Your Word and my daily communion with You.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 29

Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 6:7-10.

⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Questions to Consider

1. In what ways might we mock God in our actions?
2. What are some ways you find yourself sowing to the flesh? What are some ways you can sow to the Spirit?
3. How does verse 9 encourage you? How does verse 10 challenge you?

Notes:

1. In the context of this passage, if we live for the world and for our flesh but expect that as “Christians” we will reap something other than corruption, we deceive ourselves and mock the Lord. Each of us may do this in varying ways.
2. We sow to our flesh when we follow our own way. This can manifest in countless ways in our lives. We sow to the Spirit when we submit ourselves to the Lord and follow Him (obeying the things of God).
3. Paul expects that we will get tired from sowing to the Spirit, but encourages us to keep at it because it’s well worth it in the end. Doing good to everyone whenever we have opportunity seems like a tall order, but it should challenge us to make the most of every opportunity in our relationships and sow to the Spirit by doing good.

 Evening Reflection

Are you a man or woman after God’s own heart? Can those around you look at God and then at your life and say, “Like father like son/daughter”? Furthermore, what specific ways has God chosen you to do His work (in your family, workplace, church community, etc.)? Spend some time reflecting on these things and ask the Lord to enable you to do good to all as He leads and to make you more like Jesus.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 19-27 are provided by Cami King of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 31:1-7 

¹ Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. ² And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. ³ The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. ⁴ Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. ⁵ And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. ⁶ Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. ⁷ And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them.

As I read through this passage and imagine Saul taking his final breath, I can’t help but think of my grandmother who died last month. My mother told me of my grandmother’s final moments. She was weary from a long life and from battling illness but absolutely at peace. She lay in bed, listening to hymns (“Precious Lord Take My Hand” to be exact) as my mother and father held her hands and prayed her into the presence of God. In prayer and worship she breathed her last.

I’m also reminded of a story told by Tony Campolo about the death of his father-in-law. He’d not been speaking at all because of his health condition, but one morning at 6 am he shot up in bed and said, “O grave, o death! Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory? Praise be to God who giveth me the victory!” And then he repeated it a second time a little louder. And then a third time he shouted these words, “with full triumph in his voice” and “laughing at the satanic forces…” Then he leaned back in bed and died. In shouts of triumph he breathed his last.

Saul didn’t die in either of these ways. He was fearful and calculating to the last moment. He died the same way he lived – by his own hand.

These stories should sober us. Few people walk around with the imminence of death at the forefront of their mind. We get married, pursue careers, have children, spend money, spend time, plan out our lives, even serve the Lord as though tomorrow is promised. But it isn’t. The question then becomes, will we live life in such a way (with eyes fixed on God and life spent building His Kingdom) that our death is one of peace and triumph? Or will we live by our own hand (eyes fixed on ourselves and life spent building our own kingdom) and find that we die in the very same way? The choice is ours.

Prayer

Lord, help me to live well so that when my day comes to leave this earth I can die well too. Help me to live each moment knowing that the next isn’t promised. Not in fear or anxiety, but in a fervent commitment to the only thing that will last – Your Kingdom. May I make choices today that position me to breath my last breath in a way that honors You.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 28

Lunch Break Study

Read James 4:13-17.

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— ¹⁴ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Questions to Consider

1. In what ways do you “boast in your arrogance” as it relates to how you spend your time and plan your future?
2. How might the truth of verse 14 change how you approach each day?
3. How would it look for you to live with the mindset James prescribes in vs. 15? What would you do differently?

Notes:

1. Believers should live in light of the fact that Jesus will return. But instead, much of what we do and how we think is based on the present world and things we can see. This manifests in different ways for each of us.
2. All our plans and choices should be in light of our complete dependence on God (even for the gift of life itself).
3. Living for eternity will look similar for all of us in some general ways, but different for each of us in more specific ways. We might prioritize prayer over TV or missions over excessive vacationing or allow the things of God to direct our next move instead of our plans for career advancement (not that these things are necessarily mutually exclusive).

 Evening Reflection

Working with the young adults in my church, I’ve come to learn that the biggest reason people move from one city to another is because of their job. I think this is OK (I’m guilty of this myself), but what if as Christians our primary motivation for how we spend our time and even where we live was our desire to participate in the Kingdom of God? Spend some time reflecting on what motivates you and what priorities govern how you structure your life. Ask God to give you a heart that seeks first His Kingdom (and trust that all the other necessary and important things that we need and even want will be added) and a vision of how that might practically look in your life.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 19-27 are provided by Cami King of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 28:15-19:

¹⁵ Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” ¹⁶ And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? ¹⁷ The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. ¹⁸ Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. ¹⁹ Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

Dr. David Jeremiah, in Turning Point Daily Devotional, tells of a man who set out to steal gas from a motor home. He attached his siphoning hose to the tank and went to work. But when police arrived on the scene, the man lay writhing on the ground because he’d unintentionally attached his hose to the motor home’s sewage tank. The point: sin always has unintended consequences.

As comical (and disgusting) as that story may be, there is nothing funny about sin and its consequences in our lives. But taking a look into my own heart and reflecting on the few years I’ve done ministry in the church, I’m not convinced that many believers have a real concept of the consequences of sin.

Most of us are spoiled by grace. We are highly aware of the grace God offers in Christ, the forgiveness of our sin, but easily lose sight of what Jesus actually had to overcome to make that grace available to us. Sin has real material and spiritual consequences. And without this awareness of sin, we cheapen the grace of God.

As Saul’s life comes to an end, we see a clear picture of the effects of rebellion against God. Saul’s rebellion resulted in his demise as the king of Israel and eventually the loss of his life. The Bible tells us that all sin leads to death (James 1:15). And while the consequences of sin may not manifest in our lives as literally as they did in Saul’s, the end is still the same.

If someone told you that your choices and behaviors would surely bring about your death, wouldn’t you be hard pressed to take an alternate course of action? But that’s precisely what the Bible tells us about sin, and yet we struggle to will ourselves to change course. May we not fall victim to the unintended consequences of sin. Every good thing we desire and pursue in sinful ways will always evade us. All life and every good thing are only found in persistent submission to the Lordship of Christ.

Prayer

Lord, so often I choose to do things my own way, oblivious to the end result of my choices. Please forgive me. Help me to surrender to You and Your ways so that I can enjoy the abundant life You offer in Christ.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 27

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 6:20-23.

²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹ But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Questions to Consider

1. How would you answer Paul’s question in verse 21? What has been the fruit of your own sinful habits (try to be specific)?
2. Elsewhere, the Bible says Jesus has set us free (e.g. John 8), but here Paul talks about us being slaves to God. From this passage, how can both be true?
3. Spend some time reflecting on v. 23. What can you learn from this verse?

Notes:

1. The fruit of our sin is death – both physically and spiritually – that can come in the form of broken relationships, missed opportunities, wasted resources, regret, shame, etc.
2. Most of us define freedom as choosing to do whatever we want, but true freedom is choosing to do what enables us to do what we want (there is a difference). Sin leads to bondage, where we are enslaved to our patterns of sin whether we want them or not. But choosing to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ (even though it looks like slavery) leads to freedom from sin, so that we are able to choose what we want to do and what’s best for us and enjoy abundant life.
3. In the economy of sin, we work our whole lives only to receive a “pay check” of death. Death is what our sinful efforts earn for us. But in Christ, we are given a free gift of eternal life. We don’t work for it and earn a “pay check” from God. We simply receive.

 Evening Reflection

In C. S. Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters, an older demon counsels a younger demon about how to lead humans away from God. He explains, “It does not matter how small the sins are, provided that their cumulative effect is to keep the man away from the Light.… Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”

Take some time to reflect on this quote and what it means in your life. Are there any “small” sinful practices in your life? Are there brief but habitual moments of rebellion? Spend sometime offering these things to the Lord and ask for His help in choosing a different course.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 19-27 are provided by Cami King of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 28:3-7: 

³ Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. ⁴ The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. ⁵ When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. ⁶ And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. ⁷ Then Saul said to his servants,“ Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.”

One pastor tells of a time, just after the planes crashed into the World Trade Center in NYC, when he was unable to contact his son who lived in the city. He describes the anxiety he felt for the few days after the incident when he so desperately needed to hear his son’s voice but couldn’t reach him. Thankfully, his son was OK.

There is a definite anxiety when we can’t get in touch with those we love and depend on. This anxiety is heightened in moments of desperation. Have you ever felt the anxiety of silence when you sought God’s help in a desperate situation? There are countless reasons we may find ourselves asking and not hearing, most of which we won’t discuss today. But from Saul we see the workings of one very dangerous reason.

In today’s episode, the posture of the Lord toward Saul (silence) was in direct response to Saul’s posture toward God (rebellion). God spoke clearly to Saul throughout 1 Samuel and Saul repeatedly went his own way. What we learn of Saul is that he really only sought God for his own ends. And when God said something Saul didn’t want to hear, he ignored God (1 Samuel 15). Saul was not actually seeking the will of God. He was seeking God’s help in accomplishing his own will. And when God refused, Saul tried to get what he wanted through other means (v. 7). Truth be told, God had spoken on this issue through Samuel (who told Saul that his rebellion would lead to his demise). But it wasn’t what Saul wanted to hear, so he chose not to receive it.

Discerning the voice and leading of God is not an easy thing. But we can learn from King Saul what not to do. May we seek God for the purpose of following His will (not using Him to accomplish our own) and may we walk faithfully in accordance with God’s Word when He does speak (and not choose to ignore Him because we don’t like what we hear).

Prayer

Lord, help me to hear Your voice and to follow You wherever You lead. Help me surrender my own plans to Your plans, trusting that You know what is best. Just as Samuel said to You long ago, “Speak Lord, Your servant is listening.” You are worthy of my trust and obedience. Your way is the only way that leads to life.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 26

Lunch Break Study

Read John 6:60-69.

⁶⁰ When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” ⁶¹ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? ⁶² Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? ⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) ⁶⁵ And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

⁶⁶ After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. ⁶⁷ So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, ⁶⁹ and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 

Questions to Consider

1. Why did many of Jesus’ followers turn back? (v. 66)
2. Why did Simon Peter stay with Jesus even after the difficult teaching? (v. 68)
3. What are some “hard sayings” you’ve received from the Lord (commands to follow, teachings from Scripture, etc.)? Have you accepted or rejected them, obeyed or disobeyed? How do these verses challenge and/or encourage you to follow Christ even when it’s tough?

Notes:

1. Many of Jesus’ disciples turned back and no longer followed him because they felt His teachings were too hard to follow. His commands seemed too hard to obey.
2. Peter (who spoke for himself and some of the others) knew that even if the teachings and commands Jesus gave were difficult, they were true. He realized that the road Jesus offered them, as narrow as it was, was the only one that would lead to eternal life.
3. If we’ve rejected God’s words that are difficult, we should feel challenged to receive them because they are true and life-giving. If we’ve accepted difficult teachings of the Lord, we should feel encouraged because God’s way, even though sometimes tough, will lead us to eternal life. That’s a promise.

 Evening Reflection

Are you seeking direction from the Lord? Spend some time reflecting on your motives for doing so. Do you truly desire to do the will of God (whatever it may be) or are you just seeking God’s help and power in accomplishing your own will? When God does speak to you, are you willing to follow even if it’s not what you want to hear? Reflect on your time in the Word, in prayer and in the community. Has God already spoken to you previously on the matter through one of these means, maybe in ways you didn’t wish to receive? Pray and ask God to help you to hear His voice and to respond with a receptive heart of obedience.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 19-27 are provided by Cami King of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 26:17-25:

¹⁷ Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” ¹⁸ And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? ¹⁹ Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the Lord who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ ²⁰ Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

²¹ Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” ²² And David answered and said, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. ²³ The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. ²⁴ Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” ²⁵ Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Do these verses sound familiar? Well, if you’ve been following along with us in our study of King Saul, then they should. This is not Saul’s first time pursuing David only to come to his senses and relent. In an almost verbatim repetition of what we just read, Saul acknowledged his wrong and repented.

Yet with all the emotional language of apology and remorse, here again we find Saul doing the same thing, in the same place, offering the same apology for the exact same behavior. Saul is the definition of a repeat offender. But before we condemn him for his knuckle-headed behavior, let’s think of all the times we ourselves were repeat offenders. How many times have you fallen victim to the exact same sins? To whom have you offered apologies so many times that you now sound like a broken record?

I’m sure we can all empathize with King Saul in this way. Even with all our greatest efforts and with God’s grace to make the truth clear to us, we are prone to wander from the truth and fall back into our old patterns of sin. In the Hillsong song “All for Love” the songstress asks of the Lord, “How many times have I broken your heart?” If we were to stop for a moment and think about the times we’ve returned to the sin from which Jesus died to free us and the broken heart of God as a result, it may be too much to bear. But the song quickly follows this pondering with the powerful truth, “But You still forgive me if only I ask.”

And that is true for us today. We, like Saul, are repeat offenders. But our heavenly Father is faithful even in our persistent struggles. May this truth empower and compel us toward a different course of action and lead us back to the arms of our loving Father whose grace is still sufficient for us.

Prayer

Gracious Father, I am sorry for the times I’ve wandered away from Your truth and returned to my life of sin. Please forgive me and help me to take hold of the freedom from sin that I now have in Christ. Thank You for Your covenantal love that is everlasting, for Your mercy that is new every morning, and for Your grace that is sufficient even in my weaknesses.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 25

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 4:14-16.

¹⁴ Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Questions to Consider

1. What does it mean to “hold fast to our confession”?
2. In what ways does verse 15 comfort you in light of your struggle against temptation and sin?
3. What keeps you from confidently approaching the throne of God? Why is it so important that you overcome those things and go to Jesus in your times of need?

Notes:

1. The writer of Hebrews encourages us not to waver in our faith, but to stand firm in what we claim to believe. We do this in response to and because of the faithfulness of Christ to us (as our High Priest). And bound up in our faith is not merely belief (cognitive ascent) but faithfulness to what we believe (the actions that follow).
2. Jesus understands our struggles. It’s always more comforting to come to someone who understands what we are facing. Not that he excuses our sin (obviously that’s not the case), but he does understand experientially the temptations we face.
3. Most people are kept from God, especially in situations of sin, for one of two reasons. First, they feel too guilty to come to Him (sin has become bigger than the cross). Second, they have misappropriated grace so much so that they don’t even bother to repent anymore (the weight of sin and what the cross actually overcame has been lost). No matter what, we have to come to Jesus because He is the only one from whom we can receive the mercy and grace we so desperately need.

 Evening Reflection

What are the areas in your life where you struggle with being a “repeat offender”? What are those sins and habits that you struggle to overcome? Spend some time surrendering these areas to God. Repent of the sin in your heart (be specific) and ask for the power of the finished work of Christ to help you to overcome. Consider seeking accountability and being proactive with the Holy Spirit in receiving help in your areas of need. Above all, remember our High Priest, Jesus, who has already walked the path we must walk and made a way for us to live in victory over sin.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 19-27 are provided by Cami King of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 26:1-2, 6-9: 

¹ Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?” ² So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph…

⁶ Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab’s brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah, “Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” ⁷ So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him. ⁸ Then Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice.” ⁹ But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” 

We are all familiar with the story of the Titanic – the massive ship that ended in a massive crash and a tragic loss of life. The Titanic is certainly famous for sinking after receiving a fatal blow from an iceberg, but one thing it’s less known for is the ad campaign that preceded its first and final voyage. The Titanic was marketed as a ship that could not sink. Can you imagine – an unsinkable ship? It seems silly to us now, but it was believed very much back then by not only the passengers aboard, but by those who produced and navigated the Titanic, so much so that they didn’t bother to supply it with enough lifeboats for every passenger. It just wouldn’t have been necessary on an unsinkable ship.

One thing we can learn from this tragedy is the danger of false security. And in our passage for today, Saul reminds us of that danger once again. He is encamped with 3,000 men (v. 2) surrounding him for protection – a formidable army that had set out against David and his men, a group of merely 600. In comparison, Saul must have been assured of his safety. But when it was least expected (literally as Saul was asleep) David made his move and was given an opportunity to claim Saul’s life right in the midst of his fortified army. Saul was much more vulnerable than he knew.

David, on the other hand, with his measly 600 men, was protected all along the way – both in this encounter with Saul and the one we read about a couple chapters prior. David was not protected because of his great skill and his great army and his great resources. He was protected because of the hand of God. And in the end, it was God’s hand that even protected Saul – as his life was only spared in David’s pursuit of righteousness before the Lord.

Any means through which we acquire security is vulnerable to attack of some kind and penetration when least expected if that means is not God himself. He is our only true and reliable source of security—not our financial security, our family stability, our skills and gifts, our opportunities and open doors, who we know and what we do, not our personal histories or who we are or where we come from. None of these things—where we are so often prone to search for security—can provide what we so desperately desire. No. Only God himself can secure us.

Where do you find your security? Surrender those areas to the Lord and ask him to remind you that He alone is our security. May we declare as David does in 2 Samuel 22, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.” All other securities will indeed fail.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 24

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 19-27 are provided by Cami King of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 25:39-44:

³⁹ When David heard that Nabal had died, he said, “Praised be the Lord who has vindicated me and avenged the insult that I suffered from Nabal! The Lord has kept his servant from doing evil, and he has repaid Nabal for his evil deeds.” Then David sent word to Abigail and asked her to become his wife. ⁴⁰ So the servants of David went to Abigail at Carmel and said to her, “David has sent us to you to bring you back to be his wife.” ⁴¹ She arose, bowed her face toward the ground, and said, “Your female servant, like a lowly servant, will wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” ⁴² Then Abigail quickly went and mounted her donkey, with five of her female servants accompanying her. She followed David’s messengers and became his wife. ⁴³ David had also married Ahinoam from Jezreel; the two of them became his wives. ⁴⁴ (Now Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Gallim.)

Most of us aspire to greatness of some form or another. Whether it’s in our professional field, in our family life, in our social spheres – we want to be great. The dictionary defines “great” in a number of ways, all of which contain something to the effect of being better than what is perceived as average. I mean really, who wants to be average? We all want to be memorable, significant, and noteworthy. Some of us have learned (from society or from our own failures) that greatness is out of our reach; therefore, we may have long given up on this yearning within us. But, I believe all of us can find a hunger for significance somewhere inside.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with a desire for greatness and significance. But I am absolutely convinced that, if we were left to ourselves, we would pursue it in all the wrong ways and for all the wrong reasons. Not only this, but also our sin-diseased eyes often have a hard time even spotting what is truly great when we see it.

Saul wanted to be great; he wanted to remain king and ruler over Israel. However, Saul was threatened by David, initially because his constant disobedience to God led the LORD to reject him. Instead of repenting, Saul did everything in his power to remove David from the picture. But what do Saul’s efforts, his pursuit of greatness, accomplish? Well in our chapter for today (of which we’ve just read the very end), Saul is literally reduced to a footnote in David’s life story – a parenthetical addition for background and context. It’s quite the opposite of greatness.

In the life of Saul we see the result of our own selfish ambitions and vain conceit. Instead of seeking the will of God and the glory of God (as David did), Saul was so blinded by his own quest for greatness that he squandered away his rule over Israel – the calling of God on his life and his true shot at being great. Human nature is to pursue greatness through selfishness and for self-exaltation. We beg, borrow, and steal; we slander, murder, and manipulate; we hold tightly to our lives and lean on our own understanding – this, all in pursuit of significance and abundant life.

But the truth is, all people are like the moon – our light is only as great as that which we reflect. If we are merely reflecting ourselves, then the greatness we can achieve is quite limited and temporary. And at the end we will be but a footnote in God’s great story. But if we instead seek the kingdom of God and seek to reflect the glory of our Heavenly Father, then we can achieve greatness beyond our wildest imagination – and shine bright enough of light the night sky.

What does “greatness” mean to you? What would it look like in your life? Take some time to reflect on your personal pursuit of greatness – the means, motives, and ends. Remind yourself of our great and awesome Savior, who said that the first is last and the greatest is servant of all, and modeled for us (in his life of self sacrifice) the true road to eternal greatness. May we spend our lives in pursuit of what is truly great, seeking to be a reflection of the glory of our great God.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 22-23

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 19-27 are provided by Cami King of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 24:16-20:

16 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 

Some friends and I laughed this week about just how hard it is for parents to admit to their children when they are wrong. They will shuck and jive and maneuver in all sorts of odd ways to communicate their remorse without actually saying the oh so humbling words – “I am sorry; I was wrong.”

Most people have a hard time admitting when they are wrong – not just parents. I am definitely one of those people. I grew up thinking (rightly or wrongly) that the world expected me to fail and fall short and I would never give them the satisfaction of acknowledging that I had actually done so. It seems silly now – of course I will err in some way throughout my life; no one is perfect after all. But in those moments of error, especially when others are the victims of our “falling short,” it’s a lot easier said than done to verbally articulate our wrong doing and sincerely apologize. It’s just too humiliating.

After aggressive persecution of David, Saul finally comes to his senses upon realizing that David spared his life when he could’ve killed him while they were in the same cave (10). Thus, the king, seeing that his own jealousy has led to a misjudgment of David, expresses sincere remorse. And although, as we will learn in the chapters to come, this remorse was short lived, in the verses we just read, the king actually apologizes and acknowledges that he was wrong. Bonus points for King Saul!

Do you have a hard time admitting when you are wrong and verbally communicating that to others? Did you grow up with the John Wayne approach to relationships – believing that apologies are a sign of weakness? Especially for those in positions of authority – do you believe the lie that your position is somehow compromised by an admission of fault?

We learn from Scripture today and from life in general that apologies have a medicinal way of mending relationships and healing our hearts. Contrary to popular belief, some of our moments of most notable greatness are when we choose to humbly admit our faults and learn from our mistakes.

Prayer

Gracious Father, please grow my heart in humility as I remember Jesus—the most exalted one—and his willingness to humble himself for me. Open my eyes to see the people I’ve wronged and strengthen my heart to offer an admission of guilt and a sincere apology. May this be a step toward restoring broken relationships in my life and cultivating greater Christ-likeness in me.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 21

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 5:1-7:

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Questions to Consider

1. What does it mean for us to clothe ourselves in humility?
2. In what ways are Peter’s words at the end of verse 5 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” both a warning and an encouragement?
3. According to verses 6 & 7, how can we cultivate humility in our lives?

Notes:

1. Through his word choice, Peter is evoking the imagery of a slave putting on his apron, which he wears as a sort of uniform when he serves others. In this way, Peter is calling us to seek to be servants of one another, putting on humility as our work uniform, so to speak, as we go about doing Kingdom work.
2. If we are proud, God is the one opposing us. And quite frankly, none of us want to be on the receiving end of God’s opposition. But if we choose the road of humility, we know that God will extend us the grace to walk it out.
3. By depending on the Lord. Verse 7 is not a new command, but tells us how we can carry out verse 6. As we depend more on the Lord, we become more humble people and this extends to our interactions with one another.

 Evening Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on the situations where you found it difficult to say you were sorry. Why do you think it is hard for you to apologize? Think back to times others have apologized to you. How did their apology affect you and the relationship? Are there people in your life to whom you need to admit your wrong and apologize? Ask God to remind you of his amazing grace and example of humility and to give you courage to say, “I’m sorry; I was wrong.”

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 19-27 are provided by Cami King of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 24:1-7:

1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

Most of us are products of a culture that has very little concept of respect of authority. “Respect is not given, it’s earned” is a phrase many of us have heard or even said ourselves. And while there is some truth to this idiom and some legitimacy to the postmodernist loss of respect for authority, I am still able to perceive something noble and true about David’s posture toward King Saul in response to his God-given leadership role.

We are all placed in positions of authority and in positions under authority in various spheres. And while our passage for today begs us to examine our interactions with the latter space, I want to challenge us instead to reflect on the former space. Saul was David’s leader and what we read in the above passage is the kind of commitment and submission to which God called David as a result. As leaders (be it as parents, spouses, bosses, small group leaders, older brothers/sisters in Christ, etc.) we are given a great responsibility to care for and honor the people God has called to submit to us. There is great vulnerability in submission, yes, but there is even greater responsibility in leadership.

Obviously, Saul is not the model of responsible leadership. Instead of caring for and building up David, whom Saul wrongly views as his rival, he persecutes him, forcing David to the unfortunate place of choosing between honoring God (by respecting the leadership of Saul) and protecting his own life (by killing Saul before he kills David). In Romans 13, Paul encourages us to submit to the authority figures in our lives, knowing that all authority and leadership is given by God. In the same way, leaders are called to care for those under their watch, being fully aware of their vulnerable position.

What kind of leader are you? Who are the people subject to your leadership? Ask God to help you lead in such a way that their God-honoring respect of and submission to you is life-giving to them and not burdensome or even harmful.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the ways in which you’ve entrusted me with positions of leadership. Thank you for the trust and submission of those under my care. Please help me to lead in such a way that I build others up and encourage them toward Christ-likeness and not in a way that is self-seeking and harmful to others.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 13:1-7:

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Questions to Consider

1. What does verse 4 tell us about the purpose and role of authority figures?
2. As one subject to authority, we see obvious ways this passage may call us to action. But as one in positions of authority, how is this passage challenging or convicting?
3. What would people under your leadership say about you as a leader? In light of that, what changes are needed in order to improve your leadership?

Notes:

1. Positions of authority are for the purpose of serving God and for the good of others. Leaders are positioned by God and empowered to work on His behalf (not for their selfish ambitions or personal gain).
2. Again, we should be aware of the God-given nature of our positions of authority. Here, Paul seems to be focusing on governmental authority, but I’d think his sentiments are true for all positions of authority. If the position is given by God, then we should, with awe and reverence, use it for His glory. Furthermore we should be considerate of those subjected to us remembering that they are called by God to submission.
3. Personal application question.

 Evening Reflection

Think of the good and bad leadership to which you’ve been subject throughout your life. How has good leadership been life-giving for you? Reflect on the ways Jesus chose to interact with and exercise his authority. How can you be more like Him as you exercise your God-given authority in various spheres where others are subject to you?

Editor’s Note: Today’s QT is written by RCC intern pastor Andrew Kim.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 22: 6-8:

6 Now Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men who were with him. Saul was sitting at Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him. 7 And Saul said to his servants who stood about him, “Hear now, people of Benjamin; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, 8 that all of you have conspired against me? No one discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day.”

“You don’t know what I’m going through… You don’t understand.” I’ve heard those words come out of my mouth and that of others countless times. It seems to be the go-to answer when we, while going through rough and confusing times, don’t want to heed the advice or warnings of those around us unless they are sympathetic to our cause. This frustrating syndrome is aptly referred to as victim mentality.

I still remember having to make a significant personal decision to leave my previous job to a new one; the entire process was very laboring at the least. People gave me advice, but it only seemed to go so far. It felt like no one understood me or knew what I was going through; thus, rather than accepting their help, I found myself becoming defensive.

In today’s text, it appears that King Saul went through the same except his condition, in time, became very toxic. He once had an entire kingdom under his rule; now he couldn’t even rule over his own sanity. He lost control of the people near and far, but more importantly his own mind. Rather than listening to God and properly addressing his lack of trust in Him, he victimized himself to the detriment of everyone around him. Even though David never mentioned nor tried taking the throne, Saul couldn’t help but feel jealous and paranoid. In reality, no one was against him, except himself. He had lost control to the point of even killing God’s priests.

Do you feel like no one understands you? Do you feel that no words can actually give you peace? We can learn from Saul’s account that such sentiment, when left to fester, only leave us feeling further alienated. It may, then, lead to making rash decisions that hurt both you and others around you.   That is when we need to look to Christ who empathizes with our weaknesses and calls us to approach Him with confidence (Heb. 4:14-5). Let us remind ourselves that Christ is not only with us, but also for us.

Prayer

Lord, help me to remember the cross and that you were the ultimate victim for my sins. Your promise to never leave me nor forsake me still stands today. I know that in everything either good or bad, you are working in me even when I cannot see it, for you are always with me. Jesus, help me not to victimize myself but constantly turn to you.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:31-39 (ESV):

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Questions to Consider

1. Paul asks, “Who is to condemn?” How can we overcome our victim mentality?
2. Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” What are some things in our lives that can separate us from Christ?
3. What assurance can we take from this passage?

Notes:

1. Paul asks a rhetorical question implying that nothing in this world can condemn us. Christ became the ultimate victim by taking our sins upon the cross on our behalf so that rather than being condemned, we are now saved. Actually, before God we were never victims but transgressors. Now, having been forgiven by God in Christ, we are more than conquerors, including over our erroneous victim mentality.
2. Paul provides a list of things as a warning that will distract us from the inseparable love of Christ. Consider how these items can be relatable in your life (i.e. tribulations can represent hardships or struggles that you may be going through).
3. There is nothing in this world that can separate us from His love—not physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental. He continually intercedes for us (v. 34) in our weaknesses.

 Evening Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with Christ. What are the areas, times, situations, or even relationships that keep you from His love? How have you felt victimized and then let that spiral into a mess like Saul? Ask God to open your eyes to see His inseparable love and the people whom He has placed in your life to release you.