Daily Devotionals

Read 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

When the people located their new king, they celebrated. And why not? This was a glorious day. Saul was tall, strong, modest, and had the full support of his nation. From a human point of view, this was a beautiful start to a new era.

But from God's point of view, this was a sad day. His people had rejected Him asking, replacing Him with someone as impressive as a handsome film star. Unlike all

Read 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

From the time that Joshua died until Saul took the throne of Israel, the Hebrew government was not a monarchy like most surrounding nations. Theologians refer to it as theocracy — “God-rule.” The Lord ruled over Israel, issuing Hisdecrees and governing through prophets and priests. Each major region looked to a judge for what most other cultures would expect from a king. He(occasionally, she) led the people in battle, decided civil cases, and enforcedGod's laws.

Read 1 Samuel 3:19-21

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

Disintegrating families fail to respond quickly and thoroughly to the warnings of others. Listen to their teachers. They may seem biased against your child, but they rarely are. Take the early warnings seriously, and get involved soon. Listen to your pastor or your youth leader. Listen to the uniformed officer with a badge who rings your doorbell.

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-18

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

The temptation of any child of vocational Christian ministers is to see the work of the ministry as just another thing, just another religious occupation. Breaking through the wall of "public religion" must be the intense responsibility of the parent-minister if his or her children are to understand that this isn't a business, a slick profession, or an entertainment arena where Mommy or Daddy puts on a performance.

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-18

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

Eli was a great preacher, a fine priest. As the high priest, he was responsible, once each year, to enter the Most Holy Place and offer an atoning sacrifice on behalf of the nation. No one else had that privilege. He judged, he instructed the people in matters of worship, he gave counsel, he devoted his entire life to serving in the tabernacle of God and ministering to the needs of His people. But he was a passive, inactive father who indulged his sons. Those boys of his were a piece of work!

Read 1 Samuel 2:1-3:18

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

Eli and Samuel were probably taking their turn sleeping in the tabernacle to keep the lamp lit. They slept in little rooms or closets near that special area of God'spresence. It was when Samuel heard a voice call his name that he sat up in his little pallet and called back, "Yes?" No one answered.

Read Judges 21:25; 1 Samuel 1:1-28

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

Read Genesis 22:1-14

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

In this fascinating story of faith and sacrifice and trust and surrender, I see the characteristics of a God who asked nothing of Abraham that He didn't demand of Himself. Because it is so significant, I cannot resist sharing with you three powerful truths about our God that I see illustrated here.

Read Genesis 22:10-14

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

This isn't a movie. As far as Abraham was concerned, the drama didn't have a surprise ending. The knife goes up in order to bring it down into his son's chest or across his throat, and what will happen next is the death of his boy. This is real! This is faith in the wild where the stakes are incredibly high—life and death!

Suddenly, at the last possible moment, God intervened:

Read Genesis 22:9

ABRAHAM | SAMUEL | SAUL

Some people live so carefully they absolutely refuse to take risks. Everything has to be carefully regulated and kept under control ... their control. Borders defined, guidelines spelled out, every dime accounted for, no surprises. And after having expended so much time and effort trying to live safely, they end life never having accomplished anything of lasting value. They built nothing, tried nothing new, invested in no one.