trust – Page 2 – Be Still…

1 Samuel 26:1-25 – Again?

Think of the restraint! David has opportunity again to take Saul out of the picture once and for all. And again, David lets Saul, God’s anointed king, live. This is a beautiful picture of trusting God, wouldn’t you agree?

David even had to control his man, Abishai, from taking this golden opportunity. It was a teachable moment to show Abishai the importance and respect that God’s anointed one should receive. Despite Saul’s evil intention to kill David, David gives mercy once more. David affirmed his trust in God, “Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.”

1 Samuel 17:1-11 – Rocked By Fear

Read 1 Samuel 17:1-11

standing on a ledge, looking down at feet and to the street below

Probably the most well-known of all Bible stories we learned as children was the story of David and Goliath. All sorts of images pop up for me, from the felt board stories of my wee years to play acting the story with children with costumes and sound effects when I was Children’s Ministry Director.

We are going to take our time as we walk through this story. Maybe new messages will pop out for us. Sometimes we tend to rush through things, especially when they are familiar. I guess we want to conserve our “energy” for handling the more complex or new things we encounter each day.

1 Samuel 2:1-11 – Song of Praise

Read 1 Samuel 2:1-11

red on black - treble clef with hearts on a staff, all swirling around bright light

For the gift Hannah received from the Lord, she was full of joy. It overflowed into this beautiful song. The first couple verses (1-2) could be a song of praise we all sing to God for how he is working in our lives. Reread it again as if this is your praise!

I love the sense of peace that flows over me as I read those words. God is our rock, steady and strong. We may be facing all sorts of tormentors and temptations, but we can cling to God, our rock. I think of Isaiah 40:29 which reads, “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” That theme is running through this song of praise as well, and it’s truth is comforting.

Judges 7:1-25 – Gideon’s Victory For God

Read Judges 7:1-25

When God shows up, miracles happen. Don’t you love how this story plays out? In the preceding chapter we saw Gideon as being a bit unsure. When God whittled his troops down to a few hundred men, I can’t imagine that did much for Gideon’s confidence. He certainly didn’t want to show up unprepared. But sometimes being overly prepared doesn’t allow for a miracle of God to be experienced to its fullest.

The LORD had proved himself to Gideon on more than one occasion since getting his attention in the winepress. Gideon was beyond asking for more proof, and yet God could sense there was some hesitation. God said to Gideon, “But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.”

Joshua 11:1-23 – The Whole Kit & Caboodle

Read Joshua 11:1-23

The Promised Land is now ready and available for the Israelites at last. Sometimes it’s hard to put ourselves in the time and place we are reading about. This is one of those situations. I, for one, have never encountered warfare firsthand. I can just imagine how intense the rush of adrenaline must be.

What can we take away from these victories? To trust God’s process! Joshua knew what God had commanded Moses. Joshua was fulfilling that assignment. God was now empowering Joshua when he said, “Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel as dead men. Then you must cripple their horses and burn their chariots.” Joshua understood it was his role to be God’s hands and feet, leading the army to make it happen. Joshua only needed to remember “who” was in charge. It was God.