THE LORD SPOKE (May 1)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Samuel 29-31

I Samuel 30:6a - "David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him, each one was bitter in spirit..."

What did David do in this situation?

1. his first thought was to inquire of the Lord (vs. 7b)
2. he sought out a spiritual adviser (7a)
3. he listened (vs. 8) - It's one thing to seek advice. It's another to listen to it! And, did you notice? "The Lord spoke."
4. he started moving immediately in response (vs. 9)
5. he didn't try to "go it alone" (vs. 9-16)
6. he took bold, decisive action (vs. 17-20)
7. he did not retain bitterness towards those who had opposed him (vs. 22)
8. he gave God the glory (vs. 23)
9. he acknowledged the team effort that was necessary to bring success in the battle (vs. 24-25)
10. he didn't use the experience to build up himself but generously blessed others (vs. 26-30)

I Samuel 30:6b - "But David found strength in the Lord His God."

Is that any surprise? When a man follows God so whole-heartedly and with such grace, God is pleased to shower His blessings not only upon him but also on all those around him. In this case it was several thousands of people: the six hundred mighty men, his own family and the other people of raided Ziklag, the elders of Judah, the inhabitants of Bethel, Ramoth Negev, Jattir, Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa, Rachal, the Jerahmeelites, the Kenites, the inhabitants of Hormah, Bor Ashan, Athach, Hebron, and right on down to us today!


New Testament: Romans 4

If you follow rabbinic Judaism, what’s left? Paul knocks out all the arguments in this section of his treatise. Remember, this has been his own training and background prior to his conversion. So these are the answers his own struggle with truth produced.

1) Salvation is not to be obtained through mitzvot (works) - Romans 4:2-8. Neither the quality nor the quantity of good works is sufficient to bring justification before God. He must credit our account with righteousness and He does that only on the basis of our believing in Him. It’s by grace, through faith.

2) Salvation does not come with a brit (circumcision) - Romans 4:9-12. It may have been the sign of the covenant but it never saved anyone - neither before nor after the Promise. Even those who are circumcised must follow in the footsteps of the faith of Abraham. It’s by grace, through faith.

3) Salvation does not come from Torah (law) - Romans 4:13-15. Though the Law reveals our sin and desperate need of a Savior (it’s a “schoolmaster to bring us to Christ”, Gal. 3:24), it cannot produce righteousness. Abraham received the Promise before the Law existed and he did so by grace, through faith.

So Paul nails home the conclusion: “the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace” (Rom. 4:16). And here’s the glorious part of this truth: it’s not just for “those who are of the law” (Abraham’s physical descendants), it’s also for “those who are of the faith of Abraham” (Gentile believers).

Later, when Paul gives his testimony (Phil. 3:4-6), he recalls his own faulty thinking and all the effort he had expended to attain a righteous standing with God:

...though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more; circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

Most of us probably couldn’t use the word “faultless” of ourselves in any category but no measure of self effort is sufficient. “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not of works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:8-10)