Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Today's scriptures are about boasting in our weaknesses, because by faith, God will make us strong. We shouldn’t base the love of God upon the circumstances in our life, because God has purpose and plans for us. Just as He’s created each of us with gifts and talents, He’s also given us weaknesses. These weaknesses are put into place to not only keep us close to God, but to also allow Him to show His power and strength through us. Have you noticed that most of the people God used to do great things in the stories found in the bible were the most unlikely people? Most of them where what the world considered weak, but they all had very strong faith. This reminds me of the story of David and Goliath. There was a time when King Saul reigned over Israel, but he disobeyed the word of God and the Kingdom was about to be stripped from him. At this time, God spoke to the Prophet Samuel, and he delivered the news to Saul. It’s written: Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." (1 Sam. 15:28) Take note of how Samuel described this person. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God described you in that way?
God then commanded Samuel to go to Bethlehem to visit a man named Jesse, because one of Jesse’s sons was going to be the new King. Samuel went, and when he met Jesse’s son Elaib he said "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." (1 Sam. 16:6) It goes on to say: But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (16:7) Samuel then met seven other sons of Jesse, but he knew that the Lord hadn’t chosen either of them. He asked if there was another, and the last of Jesse’s sons, the youngest, was David. David wasn’t even considered to be “interviewed by Samuel, but was left outside to tend to the sheep. It’s written: So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." (16:12). Why do you think, out of all of the sons, God chose the one lest likely to go; the one who was seemingly the weakest? I think it’s because the greater testimony could come out of using David, instead of the older, wiser, or stronger of the sons; and he had the most humbled heart. Samuel then anointed David with the Spirit of the Lord, and he went on to work with King Saul, as his right hand man, helping Saul in any way that he could. Mostly by praying with him.
The Philistines threatened to attack Israel, while they were still under Saul’s command. They had a giant named Goliath in their army, He was bigger than anyone they’d ever seen before; they referred to him as “a champion” in the New King James version of the bible. No one had come close to defeating Goliath, so he challenged Saul to a one on one fight with anyone in his army. He said, “if this man kills me, we will be your slaves” (17:9). The soldiers were very afraid, because they couldn’t think of anyone who could possibly defeat him.
These were the people of God; His chosen nation, so He wasn’t going to let them fall. At this moment of great weakness, whom do you think they turned too? There are times in our life when we’re going to face “giants”, but it’s all in God’s perfect plan. He allows these giants to help challenge our faith. Through these challenges, we’re strengthened.
The Philistines gave Saul some time to find a suitable warrior to fight Goliath, but the time was drawing near. Saul called to David, who wasn’t even a soldier in the Army, to come and pray with him. When David came to Saul, Goliath showed up. Everyone else ran away in fear, but David, the person lest likely to step up, was the only one who volunteered for the challenge. No matter how much people laughed at or mocked him, he stood firm on His faith in God. Even King Saul tried to talk him out of it, but he said: The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (17:37) When Saul heard that, he gave him his blessings. I’m sure you know how this ends; David defeated this giant with a rock and a slingshot, how great and mighty is our God! David went on to be one of God’s greatest and most beloved Kings of Israel, as well as a great Psalmist. He was loved so much because He trusted God with all His heart, and never changed his mind. No matter how many battles he faced, he overcame them with faith, not by his on strength. He wasn’t perfect by any means, and fell short, but God knew his heart, just as He knows ours. Remember, stand on the love of God, and not on your own strength, because that’s the only way you’ll defeat the giants in your life. Most weaknesses are giants, because we cannot overcome them without God. Jesus is the way to this victory, so get to know Him today. Take the God Quiz right now! My favorite verse today is: I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. (Psalms 71:16)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455338&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!