24 August 2015

Scriptures:

• 1 Peter 3:13-4:19
• Lamentations 2
• 1 Samuel 10:17-11:15
• Psalm 22

Observations:

• 1 Peter 3:14-15

The 1 Peter passage speaks very clearly on living after God. Live according to him and you will face persecution from the world around you, but you will also show a marked contrast between God and the world. In Lamentations, we see Jeremiah lamenting the punishment and fall of Israel. In 1 Samuel, we see the coronation of Saul and his first war victory. The psalm is one seeking the Lord and asking him for his protection.

The psalm and the 1 Peter passage fit nicely together. As Christians cleaving to Christ, we will face persecution and it will fell, at times, as though God has abandoned us, but we must take heart, as the psalmist does, and not forget he is with us. Israel fell because of their abandonment of God. Those who hold on to Christ are like wise men, who build their houses on solid rock and those who choose not to are like those who build their houses on sand, to parrot a parable of Christ's. Interestingly, the whole desire for a king and reign of Saul, as described in 1 Samuel, will follow the course of those who abandon God. At first, like this initial battle, everything goes well, but over time, we will see the strength of Saul and the holiness of Israel begin to falter.

Application:

For me, the big takeaway is to cleave to God, to stick to him like glue. We see what happens from abandoning God and we see how he looks after those faithful to him, though we are aware that we will not have things easy - persecution is a fact of life, especially for those who cleave to Christ. This is evident for anyone familiar with the history of the church.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to cleave to you. Give me the faith that endures, that I may honour you through any circumstance that life may bring. 

Be with my wife, who is not feeling well. Help her to recover. Help me to minister to her effectively, to be more sensitive to her needs than I have been, even when I am in a rush.

Be with our friends, some of whom are new parents, others of whom are waiting to adopt. Give them patience and endurance.

Guard my parents and siblings as they serve you today.

Amen