1 Samuel 14, John 7:31-53, Psalms 109:1-31, Proverbs 15:5-7

What God said to me – There is an old song “Little Is Much When God Is In It”.  It was inspired by the account of My Son, Jesus, feeding more than five thousand people with five loaves and two fish.  However, there are many stories in My word along the same lines – the widow who fed Elijah all during the drought with a handful of flour and a little oil that never ran out – My Son turning the water to wine – the prophet’s widow whose creditors were coming to take her sons and Elisha took a small bottle of oil and filled enough vessels to pay the debt and support the family.  “I AM” able to do exceedingly, more abundantly than you can think or ask and I don’t just mean taking a few things and making them into many.  When Saul’s son. Jonathan, was going over to confront the Philistines with just his armor bearer, he said, “the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by a few.”  He understood the truth that if he was following Me that two could be as successful as an entire army.  Now think of this in terms of your life and ministry – you don’t have to be charismatic or talented or articulate for Me to do great things through you.  You just have to be surrendered to Me.  You could be a greeter at church or a childcare worker or serve food at a fellowship – there is no small ministry when I call you to it – like a stone tossed in a lake, the ripple effects go beyond what you can see – little is much when “I AM” in it.

1 Samuel 12-13, John 7:1-30, Psalms 108:1-13, Proverbs 15:4

What God said to me – Patience is hard, but impatience can be costly.  In a recent racing movie, F-1, the veteran driver working with the rookie on his team sets him up to win.  When the rookie gets into second place, the old timer tells him to wait until he hits the straightaway and then pass for the win.  But the rookie sees an opportunity on the curve and zooms past the front runner only to go airborne and crash.  His impatience not only cost him the race, but his injuries caused him to sit our several more races.  When Saul was king of Israel and was facing the Philistines in battle, he was instructed to wait seven days for Samuel to come before he went into battle.  When the seventh day arrived and Samuel was not there, Saul decided he couldn’t wait any longer, so he usurped the duties of the priest and offered the sacrifice himself.  As soon as he had finished, Samuel showed up.  Saul’s impatience and subsequent actions revealed a heart that didn’t trust My plan or My sovereignty and it eventually cost him his kingdom.  I promised that I would instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.  So, when things are not happening in the way or in the time you think they should, stop and seek Me.  My timing is perfect.  My plan is perfect.  When you try to force something to happen or manipulate the circumstances, you are revealing a heart that doesn’t truly trust My sovereign plan.  They that wait for Me will renew their strength.  Trust My plan.  Trust My timing.  Trust My love for you – and wait.

1 Samuel 10-11, John 6:43-71, Psalms 107:1-43, Proverbs 15:1-3

What God said to me – You reap what you sow.  It is true in nature, and it is true in society.  People cry out to de-fund the police and elect officials who do it and then they are shocked when crime goes up or no one responds immediately to their 9-1-1 call because of it.  They say it is only fair that food and shelter and healthcare should be low cost to everyone and then complain that their taxes are sky high.  Whether it is society or with your own children, sometimes you have to let people experience the consequences of their actions and decisions in order to get their attention and bring them to repentance.  Many times Israel rejected Me and turned to idolatry.  They eventually rejected Me as their king and they suffered war and conquest and disease and famine as a result.  You’ve heard it said to be careful what you wish for – Israel wanted a king so they could be like the other nations so they got a flawed, sinful, selfish man as a leader rather than a holy, loving, merciful God.  The same can be true of your life if you are not careful.  You can look about and think you are missing out by not being like the world around you rather than following Me, but you’d just be exchanging the leadership of a holy, loving Father for that of yourself – a flawed, sinful, selfish person.  Hold on to Me and trust Me to lead you in the paths of righteousness.