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Gathering clouds

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Prayer : Prepare
Is God not picking up the other end of the phone? Listen with your ears, mind and heart open to his answer.

1 Samuel 28:3-25

'When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 28:3-25

3 Samuel had died. The whole nation of Israel was filled with sorrow because he was dead. They had buried his body in his own town of Ramah.
Saul had gotten rid of people who get messages from those who have died. He had also gotten rid of people who talk to the spirits of the dead. He had thrown all of them out of the land.
4 The Philistines gathered together and set up camp at Shunem. At the same time, Saul gathered all of the fighting men of Israel together. They set up camp at Gilboa.
5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid. Terror filled his heart. 6 He asked the Lord for advice. But the Lord didn't answer him through dreams or prophets. He didn't answer him when Saul had the priest use the Urim.
7 Saul spoke to his attendants. He said, "Find me a woman who gets messages from those who have died. Then I can go and ask her some questions."
"There's a woman like that in Endor," they said.
8 Saul put on different clothes so people wouldn't know who he was. At night he and two of his men went to see the woman. "I want you to talk to a spirit for me," he said. "Bring up the spirit of the dead person I choose."
9 But the woman said to him, "By now you must know what Saul has done. He has cut off everyone who gets messages from those who have died. He has also cut off everyone who talks to the spirits of the dead. He has thrown all of them out of the land. Why are you trying to trap me? Why do you want to have me put to death?"
10 Saul took an oath in the name of the Lord. He promised the woman, "You can be sure that the Lord lives. And you can be just as sure that you won't be punished for helping me."
11 Then the woman asked, "Whose spirit should I bring up for you?"
"Bring Samuel up," he said.
12 When the woman saw Samuel, she let out a loud scream. She said to Saul, "Why have you tricked me? You are King Saul!"
13 He said to her, "Don't be afraid. Tell me what you see."
The woman said, "I see a spirit. He's coming up out of the ground."
14 "What does he look like?" Saul asked.
"An old man wearing a robe is coming up," she said.
Then Saul knew it was Samuel. He bowed down. He lay down flat with his face toward the ground.
15 Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you troubled me by bringing me up from the dead?"
"I'm having big problems," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me. God has turned away from me. He doesn't answer me anymore. He doesn't speak to me through prophets or dreams. So I've called on you to tell me what to do."
16 Samuel said, "The Lord has turned away from you. He has become your enemy. So why are you asking me what you should do? 17 The Lord has spoken through me and has done what he said he would do. He has torn the kingdom out of your hands. He has given it to one of your neighbors. He has given it to David. 18 You didn't obey the Lord. You didn't carry out his burning anger against the Amalekites. So he's punishing you today.
19 "He will hand both Israel and you over to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be down here with me. The Lord will also hand Israel's army over to the Philistines."
20 Immediately Saul fell flat on the ground. What Samuel had said filled Saul with fear. His strength was gone. He hadn't eaten anything all that day and night.
21 The woman went over to Saul because she saw that he was very upset. She said, "Look, I've obeyed you. I put my own life in danger by doing what you told me to do. 22 So please listen to me. Let me give you some food. Eat it. Then you will have the strength to go on your way."
23 But he refused. He said, "I don't want anything to eat."
Then his men joined the woman in begging him to eat. Finally, he paid attention to them. He got up from the ground and sat on a couch.
24 The woman had a fat calf at her house. She killed it at once. She got some flour. She mixed it and baked some bread that didn't have any yeast in it. 25 Then she set the food in front of Saul and his men. They ate it. That same night they got up and left.
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Text: Main point: Gathering clouds
Crisis point

I am sometimes relieved when the young people I work with reach a crisis. A crisis can arrest slow decline. Failing life props can be abandoned and new possibilities considered. In a crisis, intervention comes running and things change.

Saul and Israel have reached such a crisis. Times are grim. The Philistines gather like ominous grey clouds. A sense of doom prevails over Saul's desperate search for help.

Bad news

He seeks God too late. Samuel is dead. No message of consolation through dreams or prophets. Finally, through the very mediums he previously banished, Saul hears the bad news. The end of his dynasty looms.

Whether by trickery or sorcery, the woman's vision of Samuel is unnerving. With God unreachable, Saul crosses a line that leaves him at the mercy of dark forces (v 8). No wonder Saul loses zest for living! Finally, through the crisis, God intervenes and a new and faithful king is anointed.

Look to God

We live with crises. New threats of conflict, disease, disasters and greed cloud our future. People are scrambling, grabbing on to wealth, leaders, medical breakthroughs, new age spirituality and even the stock exchange for security. People in crisis always look to something.

This passage is a warning. Many today have largely rejected God. God's faithful people must be praying for our world: that through crisis God will intervene and call people to reconsider their life and come to know him; that faith will not lie in godless leaders and personal empires, but with the Lord Jesus.

Glenda Trist
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Prayer : Respond
Lay your life before God. Allow the Spirit to search you and point out anything which grieves him. Then resolve with his help to deal with it.
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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15014&activityid=81442
Deeper study: Saul consults a medium: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15014&activityid=81445
Background: Magic and witchcraft: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15014&activityid=81446
Endor: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15014&activityid=81447
Vox pops: Hearing from God: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15014&activityid=81448
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15014&activityid=81449
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15014&activityid=81028
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Testing leaders: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15010&activityid=81416
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15010&activityid=81417
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15010&activityid=77078

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Character study

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Prayer : Prepare
An eye for an eye, and the whole world ends up blind. Stop revenge in its tracks, bring peace to the table.

1 Samuel 26:1-25

'So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 26:1-25

1 Samuel 26

David Spares Saul's Life Again
1 Some people from Ziph went to Saul at Gibeah. They said, "David is hiding on the hill of Hakilah. It faces Jeshimon."
2 So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph. He took 3,000 of the best soldiers in Israel with him. They went to the desert to look for David. 3 Saul set up his camp beside the road. It was on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon.
But David stayed in the desert. He saw that Saul had followed him there. 4 So he sent out scouts. From them he learned that Saul had arrived.
5 Then David started out. He went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner were lying down. Saul was lying inside the camp. The army was camped all around him. Abner was commander of the army. He was the son of Ner.
6 Then David spoke to Ahimelech, the Hittite. He also spoke to Joab's brother Abishai, the son of Zeruiah. He asked them, "Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?"
"I'll go with you," said Abishai.
7 So that night David and Abishai went into the camp. They found Saul lying asleep inside the camp. His spear was stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying asleep around him.
8 Abishai said to David, "Today God has handed your enemy over to you. So let me pin him to the ground. I can do it with one jab of my spear. I won't even have to strike him twice."
9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! No one can lay a hand on the Lord's anointed king and not be guilty. 10 You can be sure that the Lord lives," he said. "And you can be just as sure that the Lord himself will strike Saul down. Perhaps he'll die a natural death. Or perhaps he'll go into battle and be killed. 11 May the Lord keep me from laying a hand on his anointed king. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head. Then let's leave."
12 So David took the spear and water jug that were near Saul's head. Then he and Abishai left. No one saw them. No one knew about what they had done. In fact, no one even woke up. Everyone was sleeping. That's because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep.
13 David went across to the other side of the valley. He stood on top of a hill far away from Saul's camp. There was a wide space between them. 14 He called out to the army and to Abner, the son of Ner. He said, "Abner! Aren't you going to answer me?"
Abner replied, "Who is calling out to the king?"
15 David said, "You are a great soldier, aren't you? There isn't anyone else like you in Israel. So why didn't you guard the king? He's your master, isn't he? Someone came into the camp to destroy him. 16 You didn't guard him. And that isn't good. You can be sure that the Lord lives. And you can be just as sure that you and your men are worthy of death. That's because you didn't guard your master. He's the Lord's anointed king. Look around you. Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?"
17 Saul recognized David's voice. He said, "My son David, is that your voice?"
David replied, "Yes it is, King Saul, my master." 18 He continued, "Why are you chasing me? What evil thing have I done? What am I guilty of?
19 "King Saul, please listen to what I'm saying. Was it the Lord who made you angry with me? If it was, may he accept my offering. Was it people who made you angry at me? If it was, may the Lord send down a curse on them. They have now driven me from my share of the Lord's land. By doing that, they might as well have said, 'Go and serve other gods.'
20 "Don't spill my blood on the ground far away from where the Lord lives. King Saul, you have come out to look for nothing but a flea. It's as if you were hunting a partridge in the mountains."
21 Then Saul said, "I have sinned. My son David, come back. Today you thought my life was very special. So I won't try to harm you again. I've really acted like a foolish person. I've made a huge mistake."
22 "Here's your spear," David answered. "Send one of your young men over to get it.
23 "The Lord rewards everyone for doing what is right and being faithful. He handed you over to me today. But I wouldn't lay a hand on you. You are the Lord's anointed king. 24 Today I thought your life had great value. In the same way, may the Lord think of my life as having great value. May he save me from all trouble."
25 Then Saul said to David, "My son David, may the Lord bless you. You will do great things. You will also have great success."
So David went on his way. And Saul returned home.
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Text: Main point: Character study
Discerning God's will

This passage invites us to review how we use circumstances to discern God's will. Abishai certainly sees God's hand in allowing David to stand beside a sleeping Saul (vs 7,8). Even the spear was supplied!

Surely God had delivered Saul to David once again. Surely it was now confirmed that David was to kill Saul. How tempting for David.

Trusting God's sovereignty

Perhaps God delivered Saul to David to grow David's trust in God's sovereignty. For God this was essential in Israel's king. But by killing Saul, David would have usurped God and God's leader.

Would you and I have understood God's will here? Would we have merely acted opportunely? David understood. He resolutely refused to harm Saul.

David upheld God's sovereign right to anoint kingship and orchestrate his plans. He trusted God by letting Saul live. How then do we discern how to act? Such questions are often difficult.

Knowing God's character

David's decisions were informed not only by circumstances but also by a deep knowledge of and trust in God's character. He believed God would only require him to act consistently with God's character and purposes.

If ultimately God is concerned about our character and our relationship with him, perhaps it is more likely that he creates circumstances to grow these, than simply to direct our movements.

Glenda Trist
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Prayer : Respond
What aspects of your character would concern God?

Thank God for his continuing work in your life.

Ask for wisdom to partner with him in this growth.
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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15013&activityid=81433
Deeper study: A man after God's own heart (2): http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15013&activityid=81436
Background: Abigail: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15013&activityid=81437
Vox pops: Decisions?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15013&activityid=81438
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15013&activityid=81439
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15013&activityid=81027
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Testing leaders: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15010&activityid=81416
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15010&activityid=81417
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15010&activityid=77078

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Evil do, evil be

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
Here's your chance: the opportunity you've been waiting for all along. Will you do the right thing?

1 Samuel 24:1-22

'The men said, "This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.' " Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 24:1-22

1 Samuel 24

David Spares Saul's Life
1 Saul returned from chasing the Philistines. Then he was told, "David is in the Desert of En Gedi." 2 So Saul took 3,000 of the best soldiers from the whole nation of Israel. He started out to look for David and his men. He planned to look near the Rocky Cliffs of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to some sheep pens along the way. A cave was there. Saul went in to go to the toilet. David and his men were far back in the cave.
4 David's men said, "This is the day the Lord told you about. He said to you, 'I will hand your enemy over to you. Then you can deal with him as you want to.' "
So David came up close to Saul without being seen. He cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
5 Later, David felt sorry that he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 6 He said to his men, "May the Lord keep me from doing a thing like that to my master again. He is the Lord's anointed king. So I promise that I will never lift my hand to strike him down. The Lord has anointed him."
7 David said that to warn his men. He didn't allow them to attack Saul. So Saul left the cave and went on his way.
8 Then David went out of the cave. He called out to Saul, "King Saul! My master!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down. He lay down flat with his face toward the ground.
9 He said to Saul, "Why do you listen when men say, 'David is trying to harm you'? 10 This very day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord handed you over to me in the cave. Some of my men begged me to kill you. But I spared you. I said, 'I will never lift my hand to strike my master down. He is the Lord's anointed king.'
11 "Look, my father! Look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe. But I didn't kill you. I want you to know and understand that I'm not guilty of doing anything wrong. I haven't turned against you. I haven't done anything to harm you. But you are hunting me down. You want to kill me.
12 "May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord pay you back because of the wrong things you have done to me. But I won't lay a hand on you. 13 People say, 'Evil acts come from those who do evil.' So I won't lay a hand on you.
14 "King Saul, who are you trying to catch? Who do you think you are chasing? I'm nothing but a dead dog or a flea! 15 May the Lord be our judge. May he decide between us. May he consider my case and stand up for me. May he show that I'm not guilty of doing anything wrong. May he save me from your powerful hand."
16 When David finished speaking, Saul asked him a question. He said, "My son David, is that your voice?" And Saul sobbed out loud. 17 "You are a better person than I am," he said. "You have treated me well. But I've treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me about the good things you did to me. The Lord handed me over to you. But you didn't kill me. 19 Suppose a man finds his enemy. He doesn't let him get away without harming him. May the Lord reward you with many good things. May he do it because of the way you treated me today. 20 I know for sure that you will be king. I know that the kingdom of Israel will be made secure under your control. 21 Now take an oath in the name of the Lord. Promise me that you won't cut off my children from my family. Also promise me that you won't wipe out my name from my family line."
22 So David took an oath and made that promise to Saul. Then Saul returned home. But David and his men went up to his usual place of safety.
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Text: Main point: Evil do, evil be
Tension

God's humour is at play here! Tension is high as Saul pursues David. He stops to relieve himself in the very cave David has hidden in - and misses him! But David is well aware of Saul's presence.

A common defence at the school I work in is: 'They did it to me first.' Bad behaviour is justified because of the other person's actions. Essentially a similar decision is being contemplated here. But David chooses differently. And that is so powerful!

Choosing wisely

Whilst clearly aware of Saul's deadly intentions, David refuses his men's urgings to kill Saul. David will not allow Saul's bad behaviour to dictate his own standards. Instead David's actions are dictated by his honour of God. He chooses to leave retaliation to him.

David's actions demonstrate his beliefs and consequently his identity as God's servant. It is the choice we all face, in or out of the school playground!

Reflecting God

Retaliation is increasingly accepted in human behaviour and even excused in law. However, when we choose out of retaliation, we demonstrate a heart that is far from God. As David says, 'From evildoers come evil deeds' (v 13).

As God's people we cannot afford to let the worst of another's behaviour dictate our behaviour and identity. Our choices are to reflect God to those around us (see 1 John 3:7,8).

Glenda Trist
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Prayer : Respond
What choices face you in the coming day? Consider how best your decisions might reflect God to those around you. Pray for wisdom.
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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15012&activityid=81424
Deeper study: A man after God's own heart (1): http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15012&activityid=81427
Infographic: David and Saul: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15012&activityid=81428
Mercy: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15012&activityid=81429
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15012&activityid=81430
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15012&activityid=80011
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15010&activityid=81416
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15010&activityid=81417
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15010&activityid=77078

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Support WordLive

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Never-changing

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
Whether you're dodging pitfalls or being chased by troubles, stop - know that God watches over every step.

Psalm 142

'I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.'
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Bible passage: Psalm 142

Psalm 142

A prayer of David when he was in the cave. A maskil.
1 I call out to the Lord.
I pray to him for his favor.
2 I pour out my problem to him.
I tell him about my trouble.
3 When I grow weak,
you know what I'm going through.
In the path where I walk,
people have hidden a trap to catch me.
4 Look around me, and you will see
that no one is concerned about me.
I have no place of safety.
No one cares whether I live or die.
5 Lord, I cry out to you.
I say, "You are my place of safety.
You are everything I need in this life."
6 Listen to my cry.
I am in great need.
Save me from those who are chasing me.
They are too strong for me.
7 My troubles are like a prison.
Set me free so I can praise your name.
Then those who do what is right will gather around me
because you have been good to me.

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Text: Main point: Never-changing
Today's psalm is attributed to David when he fled to the cave of Adullam (see 1 Samuel 22).

David was in a really hard place. He was on the run for his life and had left behind him his closest friend. Imagine how he would have felt!

As with so many psalms, David is totally honest with God about his feelings: 'I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble' (v 2).

Even in the depths of his despair, however, he acknowledges God's presence, his good character, and his ability to help. He prays in faith and trusts that help will come in response.

Rachel Taylor
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Choose from today's activities...

Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15009&activityid=81385
Deeper study: Free and safe: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15009&activityid=81386
Dungeon prayer: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15009&activityid=81387
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15009&activityid=80009
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Friends forever?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81411
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81412
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=77078

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Place of refuge

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Prayer : Prepare
Alone? On the run? In trouble? Has your mission gone wrong? God welcomes all - you are safe in his presence.

1 Samuel 21:1-15

'David went to Nob, to Ahimelek the priest. Ahimelek trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?"'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 21:1-15

1 Samuel 21

Ahimelech Helps David
1 David went to the priest Ahimelech at Nob. Ahimelech trembled with fear when he met him. He asked David, "Why are you alone? Why isn't anyone with you?"
2 David answered the priest Ahimelech, "The king gave me a special job to do. He said to me, 'I don't want anyone to know what I'm sending you to do. So don't say anything about it.' I've told my men to meet me at a certain place. 3 Do you have anything for us to eat? Give me five loaves of bread, or anything else you can find."
4 But the priest answered David, "I don't have any bread that isn't holy. I only have some holy bread here. But it's for men who haven't made love to women recently."
5 David replied, "Well, we haven't made love to women recently. That's the way it is every time I lead my men out to battle. We keep ourselves holy even when we do jobs that aren't holy. And that's even more true today."
6 So the priest gave him the holy bread. It was the only bread he had. It had been removed from the table that was in front of the Lord. On the same day, hot bread had been put in its place.
7 One of Saul's servants was there that day. He had been made to stay at the holy tent for a while. He was Doeg from Edom. He was Saul's chief shepherd.
8 David asked Ahimelech, "Don't you have a spear or sword here? I haven't brought my sword or any other weapon. That's because the king's business had to be done right away."
9 The priest replied, "The sword of Goliath, the Philistine, is here. You killed him in the Valley of Elah. His sword is wrapped in a cloth. It's behind the sacred linen apron. If you want it, take it. It's the only sword here."
David said, "There isn't any sword like it. Give it to me."
David Meets a Philistine King
10 That day David ran away from Saul. He went to Achish, the king of Gath. 11 But the servants of Achish spoke to him. They said, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Isn't he the one the Israelites sing about when they dance? They sing,
" 'Saul has killed thousands of men.
David has killed tens of thousands.' "
12 David paid close attention to what the servants were saying. He became very much afraid of what Achish, the king of Gath, might do. 13 So he pretended to be out of his mind when he was with them. As long as he was in Gath, he acted like someone who was crazy. He made marks on the doors of the city gate. He let spit run down his beard.
14 Achish said to his servants, "Just look at the man! He's out of his mind! Why are you bringing him to me? 15 Don't I have enough crazy people around me already? So why do you have to bring this fellow here? Just look at how he's carrying on in front of me! Why do you have to bring this man into my house?"
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Text: Main point: Place of refuge
First point of call

David sought help from the priestly community at Nob. He knew that they would help him. Do you feel like this about your church?

I recently visited a friend's church in Florida and was totally inspired and excited by the amazing work they do during hurricane season. Their team is known by many in the local area as a first point of call for help.

God's hand

In today's passage we once again see God's hand of protection caring for David. He finds temporary refuge and sustenance in the priestly community, and Achish is convinced by David's pretend insanity after he is recognised in Gath.

David is not found by Saul and therefore continues to live another day. God works through the situation, circumstances and people to keep David safe from harm.

Rachel Taylor
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Text: Respond
There are so many broken people in this world needing to know Jesus' love. What can your church do to be a place where people go to get help in times of trouble?

Have a think about the needs of your local area and consider how your church might be able to reach out in love to your community. Are homeless people, young mothers and drug addicts welcomed and given help and support in your church?

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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15007&activityid=81370
Deeper study: On the run: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15007&activityid=81373
My place of refuge?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15007&activityid=81374
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15007&activityid=81375
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15007&activityid=80005
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Friends forever?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81411
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81412
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Sacrificial love

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Prayer : Prepare
Secret languages shared by best friends - spend time talking to God as a friend and thanking him for your relationship.

1 Samuel 20:18-42
'Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.' " Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 20:18-42

18 Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the time for the New Moon Feast. You will be missed, because your seat at the table will be empty. 19 Go to the place where you hid when all of this trouble began. Go there the day after tomorrow, when evening is approaching. There's a stone out there called Ezel. 20 Wait by it.
"I'll shoot three arrows to one side of the stone. I'll pretend I'm practicing my shooting. 21 Then I'll send a boy out there. I'll tell him, 'Go and find the arrows.' Suppose I say to him, 'The arrows are on this side of you. Bring them here.' Then come. That will mean you are safe. You won't be in any danger. And that's just as sure as the Lord is alive. 22 But suppose I tell the boy, 'The arrows are far beyond you.' Then go. That will mean the Lord is sending you away.
23 "And remember what we talked about. Remember that the Lord is a witness between you and me forever."
24 So David hid in the field. When the time for the New Moon Feast came, the king sat down to eat. 25 He sat in his usual place by the wall. Jonathan sat across from him. Abner sat next to Saul. But David's place was empty.
26 Saul didn't say anything that day. He said to himself, "Something must have happened to David to make him 'unclean.' That must be why he isn't here."
27 But the next day, David's place was empty again. It was the second day of the month.
Finally, Saul spoke to his son Jonathan. He said, "Why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the meal? He hasn't been here yesterday or today."
28 Jonathan replied, "David begged me to let him go to Bethlehem. 29 He said, 'Let me go. Our family is offering a sacrifice in the town. My brother has ordered me to be there. Are you pleased with me? If you are, let me go and see my brothers.' That's why he hasn't come to eat at your table."
30 Saul burned with anger against Jonathan. He said to him, "You are an evil son. You have refused to obey me. I know that you are on the side of Jesse's son. You should be ashamed of that. And your mother should be ashamed of having a son like you. 31 You will never be king as long as Jesse's son lives on this earth. And you will never have a kingdom either. So send for the son of Jesse. Bring him to me. He must die!"
32 "Why do you want to put him to death?" Jonathan asked his father. "What has he done?"
33 But Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father wanted to kill David.
34 So Jonathan got up from the table. He was burning with anger. On that second day of the month, he refused to eat. He was very sad that his father was treating David so badly.
35 The next morning Jonathan went out to the field to meet David. He took a young boy with him. 36 He said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow far beyond him. 37 The boy came to the place where Jonathan's arrow had fallen.
Then Jonathan shouted to him, "The arrow went far beyond you, didn't it?" 38 He continued, "Hurry up! Run fast! Don't stop!"
The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. 39 The boy didn't know what was going on. Only Jonathan and David knew. 40 Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy. He told him, "Go back to town. Take the weapons with you."
41 After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone. He bowed down in front of Jonathan with his face to the ground. He did it three times. Then they kissed each other and cried. But David cried more than Jonathan did.
42 Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace. In the name of the Lord we have taken an oath. We've promised to be friends. We've said, 'The Lord is a witness between you and me. He's a witness between your children and my children forever.' "
Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.
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Text: Main point: Sacrificial love
Jonathan risked his life for David. The famous verse, 'Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends' (John 15:13) rings true for both Jesus' sacrifice and for the price Jonathan was willing to pay to save his friend's life. Sacrificial loves speaks louder than any words ever could.

Saying goodbye

I think most people have had to say goodbye to someone important in their life at some point. Someone they won't see for a long time - perhaps a friend moving house, a sibling leaving home, a church member going away on a long-term mission.

It hurts to say goodbye to someone you love. But surely such pain as David and Jonathan experienced (v 41) is worth it for the depth and meaning of their close friendship.

God was clearly at the centre of David and Jonathan's relationship. Their greatest comfort in saying goodbye is their promise of loyalty to each other and the constant presence of the Lord who would watch over them both.

Rachel Taylor
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Text: Respond
David and Jonathan had a strong friendship founded on their love for one another and their faith in the Lord.

Do you have this aspect in your close friendships? What can you do practically to make Christ the centre of your relationships?
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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15006&activityid=81359
Deeper study: The Lord is watching: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15006&activityid=81363
Background: New moon festival: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15006&activityid=81364
Good shot: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15006&activityid=81365
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15006&activityid=81366
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15006&activityid=81367
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15006&activityid=80004
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Friends forever?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81411
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Significant friends

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Prayer : Prepare
Thank God for friends who are always there to look out for you - they'll save your life one day!

1 Samuel 19:1-24

'Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David and warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 19:1-24

1 Samuel 19

Michal Helps David Get Away
1 Saul told his son Jonathan and all of the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan liked David very much. 2 So Jonathan warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be very careful tomorrow morning. Find a place to hide and stay there. 3 My father and I will come and stand in the field where you are hiding. I'll speak to him about you. Then I'll tell you what I find out."
4 Jonathan told his father Saul some good things about David. He said to him, "Please don't do anything to harm David. He hasn't done anything to harm you. And what he's done has helped you a lot. 5 He put his own life in danger when he killed Goliath. The Lord used him to win a great battle for the whole nation of Israel. When you saw it, you were glad. So why would you do anything to harm a man like David? He isn't guilty of doing anything to harm you. Why would you want to kill him without any reason?"
6 Saul paid attention to Jonathan. He took an oath and made a promise. He said, "You can be sure that the Lord lives. And you can be just as sure that David will not be put to death."
7 So Jonathan sent for David and told him everything he and Saul had said. Then he brought David to Saul. David served Saul as he had done before.
8 Once more war broke out. So David went out and fought against the Philistines. He struck them down with so much force that they ran away from him.
9 But an evil spirit that was sent by the Lord came on Saul. It happened as he was sitting in his house and holding his spear. While David was playing the harp, 10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David got away from him just as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David escaped.
11 Saul sent some men to watch David's house. He told them to kill David the next morning.
But David's wife Michal warned him. She said, "You must run for your life tonight. If you don't, tomorrow you will be killed." 12 So Michal helped David escape through a window. He ran and got away.
13 Then Michal got a statue of a god. She laid it on David's bed. She covered it with clothes. And she put some goat hair at the place where David's head would have been.
14 Saul sent the men to capture David. But Michal told them, "He's sick."
15 Then Saul sent the men back to see David. He told them, "Bring him up here to me in his bed. Then I'll kill him."
16 But when the men entered, they found nothing but the statue in the bed. Some goat hair was at the place where David's head would have been.
17 Saul said to Michal, "Why did you trick me like this? Why did you help my enemy escape?"
Michal told him, "He said to me, 'Help me get away. If you don't, I'll kill you.' "
18 After David had run away and escaped, he went to Samuel at Ramah. He told him everything Saul had done to him. Then David and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.
19 Saul was told, "David is in Naioth at Ramah." 20 So Saul sent some men to capture him. When they got there, they saw a group of prophets who were prophesying. Samuel was standing there as their leader. Then the Spirit of God came on Saul's men. So they also began to prophesy. 21 Saul was told about it. So he sent some more men. They began to prophesy too. Saul sent some men a third time. And they also began to prophesy.
22 Finally, Saul decided to go to Ramah himself. He went to the large well at Secu. He asked some people, "Where are Samuel and David?"
"Over in Naioth at Ramah," they said.
23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God even came on him. He walked along and prophesied until he came to Naioth. 24 There he took off his royal robes. Then he prophesied in front of Samuel. He lay there without his robes on all that day and night. That's why people say, "Is Saul also one of the prophets?"
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Text: Main point: Significant friends
Both David's closest friend and his wife help to save his life when Saul decides to try and kill him. He used them to warn and protect him.

Has God been trying to speak words of encouragement, challenges or warnings to you through a friend or relative recently? God places people in our lives to help us.

Sometimes it can be hardest to take advice from those closest to us, but they are often the ones who are right! I know I certainly don't thank my friends and family enough for being there for me as a source of comfort, advice, encouragement and companionship.

Why not go out of your way to acknowledge and be grateful for what they do for you? Thank God for bringing them into your life.

Rachel Taylor
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Text: Respond
Jonathan acted as an ambassador for and protector of David.

Think about something practical you can do to help out one of your friends who is finding life difficult at this time, such as:

● doing some household chores for them

● babysitting their children

● inviting them over for dinner

● calling them for a chat
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15004&activityid=81339
Deeper study: Help from strange sources: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15004&activityid=81342
Background: Michal: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15004&activityid=81343
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15004&activityid=81344
Praying for good luck: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15004&activityid=81345
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15004&activityid=81346
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15004&activityid=80002
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Welcome: Friends forever?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81411
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81412
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Reason for success

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Prayer : Prepare
Exclusive! Read on to find the secret of success with our One Simple Rule To Being Successful, Popular And Loved.

1 Samuel 17:55 - 18:16
'Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul's officers as well.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 17:55 - 18:16

55 Saul had been watching David as he went out to meet the Philistine. He spoke to Abner, the commander of the army. He said to him, "Abner, whose son is that young man?"
Abner replied, "King Saul, I don't know. And that's just as sure as you are alive."
56 The king said, "Find out whose son that young man is."
57 After David killed Goliath, he returned to the camp. Then Abner brought him to Saul. David was still carrying Goliath's head.
58 "Young man, whose son are you?" Saul asked him.
David said, "I'm the son of Jesse from Bethlehem."
1 Samuel 18

Saul Becomes Jealous of David
1 David finished talking with Saul. After that, Jonathan and David became close friends. Jonathan loved David just as he loved himself.
2 From that time on, Saul kept David with him. He didn't let him return to his father's home.
3 Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him just as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David. He also gave him his military clothes. He even gave him his sword, his bow and his belt.
5 David did everything Saul sent him to do. He did it so well that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. That pleased Saul's whole army, including his officers.
6 After David had killed Goliath, the men of Israel returned home. The women came out of all of the towns of Israel to meet King Saul. They danced and sang joyful songs. They played lutes and tambourines. 7 As they danced, they sang,
"Saul has killed thousands of men.
David has killed tens of thousands."
8 That song made Saul very angry. It really upset him. He said to himself, "They are saying David has killed tens of thousands of men. But they are saying I've killed only thousands. The only thing left for him to get is the kingdom itself." 9 From that time on, Saul became very jealous of David. So he watched him closely.
10 The next day an evil spirit that was sent by God came on Saul with power. Saul began to prophesy in his house. At that same time David began to play the harp, just as he usually did. Saul was holding a spear. 11 He threw it at David. As he did, he said to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David got away from him twice.
12 The Lord had left Saul and was with David. So Saul was afraid of David. 13 He sent David away. He put him in command of 1,000 men. David led the troops in battle. 14 In everything he did, he was very successful. That's because the Lord was with him.
15 When Saul saw how successful David was, he became afraid of him. 16 But all of the troops of Israel and Judah loved David. That's because he led them in battle.
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Text: Main point: Reason for success
Are you rich? Are you beautiful? Are you popular? Do you have people who love you?

These are the sorts of questions one might ask to discover if a person is successful by the world's standards. But is this all it means to be successful?

God was with him

Today's passage says of David that, 'In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him' (18:14). That meant:

● he brought honour to his family (17:58)

● he had a best friend who loved him (18:1)

● he was victorious in battle (18:7)

David's faithfulness and devotion to God did not go unrewarded. It is obvious that by worldly standards David was successful.

Firm foundations

There is another more important level to David's success, however. The reason for it: God was with him.

The courage he gained to fight Goliath and the inner strength we continue to see as David loses favour with Saul is due to one constant in David's life - his foundations in the Lord. Without this, he would not have had success in the first place, and without this he would not survive the difficult times.

Rachel Taylor
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Prayer : Respond
What are you striving after? Is it success in the world's eyes or the presence of God in your life?

Take some time to ask God for more of his presence and blessing on you and your family.
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81330
Deeper study: Friendly fire: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81333
Background: An evil spirit from God?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81334
Vox pops: Jealousy?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81335
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=81336
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15003&activityid=80001
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Help when it's hard

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Prayer : Prepare
God is the rock of strength, fortress of refuge, shield and deliverer. Stand on his foundations and feel secure.

Psalm 18:1-29

'You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.'
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Bible passage: Psalm 18:1-29

15 Because I do what is right, I will enjoy your blessing.
When I wake up, I will be satisfied because I will see you.
For the director of music. A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. He sang the words of this song to the Lord. He sang them when the Lord saved him from the powerful hand of all of his enemies and of Saul. He said,
Psalm 18
1 I love you, Lord.
You give me strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fort. He is the One who saves me.
My God is my rock. I go to him for safety.
He is like a shield to me. He's the power that saves me. He's my place of safety.
3 I call out to the Lord. He is worthy of praise.
He saves me from my enemies.
4 The ropes of death were almost wrapped around me.
A destroying flood swept over me.
5 The ropes of the grave were tight around me.
Death set its trap in front of me.
6 When I was in trouble, I called out to the Lord.
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice.
My cry for help reached his ears.
7 The earth trembled and shook.
The base of the mountains rocked back and forth.
It trembled because the Lord was angry.
8 Smoke came out of his nose.
Flames of fire came out of his mouth.
Burning coals blazed out of it.
9 He opened the heavens and came down.
Dark clouds were under his feet.
10 He got on the cherubim and flew.
The wings of the wind lifted him up.
11 He covered himself with darkness.
The dark rain clouds of the sky were like a tent around him.
12 Clouds came out of the brightness that was all around him.
They came with hailstones and flashes of lightning.
13 The Lord thundered from heaven.
The voice of the Most High God was heard.
14 He shot his arrows and scattered our enemies.
He sent great flashes of lightning and chased the enemies away.
15 The bottom of the sea could be seen.
The foundations of the earth were uncovered.
Lord, it happened when your anger blazed out.
It came like a blast of breath from your nose.
16 He reached down from heaven. He took hold of me.
He lifted me out of deep waters.
17 He saved me from my powerful enemies.
He set me free from those who were too strong for me.
18 They stood up to me when I was in trouble.
But the Lord helped me.
19 He brought me out into a wide and safe place.
He saved me because he was pleased with me.
20 The Lord has been good to me because I do what is right.
He has rewarded me because I lead a pure life.
21 I have lived the way the Lord wanted me to.
I haven't done evil by turning away from my God.
22 I keep all of his laws in mind.
I haven't turned away from his commands.
23 He knows that I am without blame.
He knows I've kept myself from sinning.
24 The Lord has rewarded me for doing what is right.
He has rewarded me because I haven't done anything wrong.
25 Lord, to those who are faithful you show that you are faithful.
To those who are without blame you show that you are without blame.
26 To those who are pure you show that you are pure.
But to those whose paths are crooked you show that you are clever.
27 You save those who aren't proud.
But you bring down those whose eyes are proud.
28 Lord, you keep the lamp of my life burning brightly.
You are my God. You bring light into my darkness.
29 With your help I can attack a troop of soldiers.
With the help of my God I can climb over a wall.

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Text: Main point: Help when it's hard
David's witness

Hearing or reading someone else's declaration of faith, their testimony, and their witness to God's faithfulness during difficult times is an inspiring and faith-building exercise. Let's be encouraged today by David's witness of God's faithfulness during the tough times!

This psalm appears to be a congregational adaptation of a more personal version composed by David (see 2 Samuel 22). Just as this psalm was adapted for use by a congregation, so you can personalise it for your own use.

Reminders

Go through the passage and pick out three statements which ring true and are relevant to your current situation. Write out three sentences: eg 'I believe God is my fortress because.' Write them in your journal or somewhere where you will read them again.

You can look back on these as David looked back on God's faithfulness before fighting Goliath. Remind yourself of God's work in your life!

Rachel Taylor
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Choose from today's activities...

Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15002&activityid=81325
Deeper study: So great salvation!: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15002&activityid=81326
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15002&activityid=81327
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15002&activityid=79999
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Welcome: Who'd be a leader?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81409
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81410
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Struggle and success

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Prayer : Prepare
There's a lot of work to be done. are you ready to leave the sofa behind, roll up your sleeves and muck in?

Luke 10:1-20

'After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.'
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Bible passage: Luke 10:1-20

Luke 10

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy?two
1 After this the Lord appointed 72 others. He sent them out two by two ahead of him. They went to every town and place where he was about to go.
2 He told them, "The harvest is huge, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.
3 "Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals. And don't greet anyone on the road.
5 "When you enter a house, first say, 'May this house be blessed with peace.' 6 If someone there loves peace, your blessing of peace will rest on him. If not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in that house. Eat and drink anything they give you. Workers are worthy of their pay. Do not move around from house to house.
8 "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set down in front of you. 9 Heal the sick people who are there. Tell them, 'God's kingdom is near you.'
10 "But what if you enter a town and are not welcomed? Then go into its streets and say, 11 'We wipe off even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet. We do it to show that God isn't pleased with you. But here is what you can be sure of. God's kingdom is near.'
12 "I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for that town.
13 "How terrible it will be for you, Korazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on black clothes. They would have sat down in ashes. 14 On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
15 "And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to heaven? No! You will go down to the place of the dead.
16 "Anyone who listens to you listens to me. Anyone who does not accept you does not accept me. And anyone who does not accept me does not accept the One who sent me."
17 The 72 returned with joy. They said, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we speak in your name."
18 Jesus replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to walk all over snakes and scorpions. You will be able to destroy all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. 20 But do not be glad when the evil spirits obey you. Instead, be glad that your names are written in heaven."
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Text: Main point: Struggle and success
World mission

When I visit other churches I'm always struck by the sense of community I instinctively feel and the fact that almost anywhere you go around the world you will find Christians (probably one of whom knows people you know!).

It is thought that the number 72 in today's passage represents all the known nations of the world (see Genesis 10). The task isn't finished yet, but I'm encouraged at just how far the gospel has spread!

Coping with rejection

While there is encouragement to be found, the realistic picture is that revivals, successful churches and successful ministries experience hard times. In the spiritual battle for souls there is both struggle and success.

The hardest thing about mission - whether it's to your work colleagues or across the globe - is the rejection we often experience. We will not always find favour in the eyes of people; we are sent out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Doing God's work we must have an eternal perspective. We need to focus not on our temporary hardships or achievements, but on the reality that our names are written in heaven (v 20).

Rachel Taylor
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Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15001&activityid=81319
Deeper study: Names written in heaven: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15001&activityid=81320
Lord of the harvest: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15001&activityid=81321
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=15001&activityid=79998
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Living testimony

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Prayer : Prepare
Your entire life has been preparing you for this moment. Think about the toolbag of skills and experiences God has given you.

1 Samuel 17:28-54

'David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 17:28-54

28 David's oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking with the men. So he burned with anger at him. He asked him, "Why have you come down here? Who did you leave those few sheep in the desert with? I know how proud you are. I know how evil your heart is. The only reason you came down here was to watch the battle."
29 "What have I done now?" said David. "Can't I even speak?"
30 Then he turned away to speak to some other men. He asked them the same question he had asked before. And they gave him the same answer.
31 Someone heard what David said and reported it to Saul. So Saul sent for him.
32 David said to Saul, "Don't let anyone lose hope because of that Philistine. I'll go out and fight him."
33 Saul replied, "You aren't able to go out there and fight that Philistine. You are too young. He's been a fighting man ever since he was a boy."
34 But David said to Saul, "I've been taking care of my father's sheep. Sometimes a lion or a bear would come and carry off a sheep from the flock. 35 Then I would go after it and hit it. I would save the sheep it was carrying in its mouth. If it turned around to attack me, I would grab hold of its hair. I would strike it down and kill it. 36 In fact, I've killed both a lion and a bear. I'll do the same thing to this Philistine. He isn't even circumcised. He has dared the armies of the living God to fight him.
37 "The Lord saved me from the paw of the lion. He saved me from the paw of the bear. And he'll save me from the powerful hand of this Philistine too."
Saul said to David, "Go. And may the Lord be with you."
38 Then Saul dressed David in his own military clothes. He put a coat of armor on him. He put a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David put on Saul's sword over his clothes. He walked around for a while in all of that armor because he wasn't used to it.
"I can't go out there in all of this armor," he said to Saul. "I'm not used to it." So he took it off.
40 Then David picked up his wooden staff. He went down to a stream and chose five smooth stones. He put them in the pocket of his shepherd's bag. Then he took his sling in his hand and approached Goliath.
41 At that same time, the Philistine kept coming closer to David. The man who was carrying Goliath's shield walked along in front of him.
42 Goliath looked David over. He saw how young he was. He also saw how tanned and handsome he was. And he hated him. 43 He said to David, "Why are you coming at me with sticks? Do you think I'm only a dog?" The Philistine called down curses on David in the name of his god. 44 "Come over here," he said. "I'll feed your body to the birds of the air! I'll feed it to the wild animals!"
45 David said to Goliath, "You are coming to fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I'm coming against you in the name of the Lord who rules over all. He is the God of the armies of Israel. He's the one you have dared to fight against.
46 "This very day the Lord will hand you over to me. I'll strike you down. I'll cut your head off. This very day I'll feed the bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air. I'll feed them to the wild animals. Then the whole world will know there is a God in Israel.
47 "The Lord doesn't save by using a sword or a spear. And everyone who is here will know it. The battle belongs to the Lord. He will hand all of you over to us."
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet him. 49 He reached into his bag. He took out a stone. He put it in his sling. He slung it at Goliath. The stone hit him on the forehead and sank into it. He fell to the ground on his face.
50 So David won the fight against Goliath with a sling and a stone. He struck the Philistine down and killed him. He did it without even using a sword.
51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of Goliath's sword and pulled it out. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.
The Philistines saw that their hero was dead. So they turned around and ran away.
52 Then the men of Israel and Judah shouted and rushed forward. They chased the Philistines to the entrance of Gath. They chased them to the gates of Ekron. The dead bodies of the Philistines were scattered all along the road to Gath and Ekron. That's the road that leads to Shaaraim.
53 Israel's army returned from chasing the Philistines. They had taken everything from the Philistine camp.
54 David picked up Goliath's head. He brought it to Jerusalem. He put Goliath's weapons in his own tent.
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Text: Main point: Living testimony
God's presence

This passage reiterates some of the themes previously seen this week. Once again we can learn that what matters for God's work is not age or appearance, but his presence: 'The LORD . will rescue me' (v 37).

Both Saul and Goliath see David as merely a boy, and yet he is the one who provides an example of courage, bravery and trust in God's power.

This story outlines the fact that God doesn't need human strength and weaponry to protect David: '. it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's' (v 47).

Bringing glory to God

Like all the best stories of heroism, David puts his life on the line - in this case, to bring God the glory in battle. David actively trusts that God will grant victory and makes himself vulnerable for God's power to be shown through him.

Would you be willing to trust God with your life?

Rachel Taylor
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Prayer : Respond
● What is your 'Goliath'?

● What 'armour' are you tempted to wear?

● What would be the apparently 'small stones' (actions) you could take?

● Can you accept who you are and who God is as you face 'Goliath' together?

The size of a problem as God sees it is always very different from the way we see it. Ask God to help you see the challenges you face through his eyes.

Sheila Pritchard
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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14999&activityid=81307
Deeper study: No easy ride: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14999&activityid=81311
Background: How big was Goliath?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14999&activityid=81312
Infographic: David and Goliath: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14999&activityid=81313
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14999&activityid=81314
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14999&activityid=81315
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14999&activityid=79997
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Who'd be a leader?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81409
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81410
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=77078

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Giant fears

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Prayer : Prepare
What are you most afraid of? On God's side, even the smallest of us can become giant killers.

1 Samuel 17:1-27

'Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 17:1-27

1 Samuel 17

David Kills Goliath
1 The Philistines gathered their army together for war. They came to Socoh in Judah. They set up camp at Ephes Dammim. It was between Socoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the army of Israel gathered together. They camped in the Valley of Elah. They lined up their men to fight against the Philistines. 3 The Philistine army was camped on one hill. Israel's army was on another. The valley was between them.
4 A mighty hero named Goliath came out of the Philistine camp. He was from Gath. He was more than nine feet tall. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a coat of bronze armor. It weighed 125 pounds. 6 On his legs he wore bronze guards. He carried a bronze javelin on his back. 7 His spear was as big as a weaver's rod. Its iron point weighed 15 pounds. The man who carried his shield walked along in front of him.
8 Goliath stood and shouted to the soldiers of Israel. He said, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? I'm a Philistine. You are servants of Saul. Choose one of your men. Have him come down and face me. 9 If he's able to fight and kill me, we'll become your slaves. But if I win and kill him, you will become our slaves and serve us." 10 Goliath continued, "This very day I dare the soldiers of Israel to send a man down to fight against me."
11 Saul and the whole army of Israel heard what the Philistine said. They were terrified.
12 David was the son of an Ephrathite. His name was Jesse. He was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons. When Saul was king, Jesse was already very old. 13 Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul into battle. The oldest son was Eliab. The second was Abinadab. The third was Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest sons followed Saul. 15 But David went back and forth from Saul's camp to Bethlehem. He went to Bethlehem to take care of his father's sheep.
16 Every morning and evening Goliath came forward and stood there. He did it for 40 days.
17 Jesse said to his son David, "Get at least half a bushel of grain that has been cooked. Also get ten loaves of bread. Take all of it to your brothers. Hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten chunks of cheese to the commander of their company. Find out how your brothers are doing. Bring me back some word about them. 19 They are with Saul and all of the men of Israel. They are in the Valley of Elah. They are fighting against the Philistines."
20 Early in the morning David left his father's flock in the care of a shepherd. David loaded up the food and started out, just as Jesse had directed.
David reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions. The soldiers were shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were lining up their armies for battle. The armies were facing each other.
22 David left what he had brought with the man who took care of the supplies. He ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers. 23 As David was talking with them, Goliath stepped forward from his line. Goliath was a mighty Philistine hero from Gath. He again dared someone to fight him, and David heard it.
24 When Israel's army saw Goliath, all of them ran away from him. That's because they were filled with fear.
25 The men of Israel had been saying, "Just look at how this man keeps stepping forward! Again and again he dares Israel to fight him. The king will make the man who kills him very wealthy. He will also give him his daughter to be his wife. He won't require anyone in his family to pay any taxes in Israel."
26 David spoke to the men who were standing near him. He asked them, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine? Goliath is bringing shame on Israel. What will be done for the one who removes it? This Philistine isn't even circumcised. He dares the armies of the living God to fight him. Who does he think he is?"
27 The men told David what Israel's soldiers had been saying. The men told him what would be done for the man who killed Goliath.
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Text: Main point: Giant fears
Faith not fear

There is such a contrast of attitudes in this passage! The Israelites see Goliath and are 'dismayed and terrified' (v 11). But David is more concerned that Goliath has dared to challenge God's people to fight.

He is an example of faith to the Israelites, who react in fear. While the Israelites focus on Goliath, David sees the 'army of the living God' (v 26).

What is your initial reaction to problems? Do you usually react in fear or trust?

Trust in God

It is so easy to get caught up in the fear of man rather than the fear of God. It's easy to worry and to be paralysed by fear of another person's opinions or feelings, especially if that person is someone in authority over you, or someone who gets offended easily.

Proverbs 29:25 has some words of wisdom here. Whatever your fear, you need to surrender it to God and replace it with faith and trust in him.

Rachel Taylor
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Text: Respond
If we wait until we feel no fear we will wait a long time and live a very restricted life. On the other hand Jesus said 'Don't be afraid' more times than any other single phrase. There's a challenging paradox here!

Ask God to show you how to live this paradox. Next time you are afraid, acknowledge the fear and pray for the courage to step out anyway. Then you will discover that to face your fear is to overcome it and experience freedom from its hold over you.

Visit the WordLive forum to share your fears, and how you've overcome them with God's help.
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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14998&activityid=81298
Deeper study: Know your enemy: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14998&activityid=81301
Infographic: David and Goliath: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14998&activityid=81302
Search for the hero: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14998&activityid=81303
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14998&activityid=81304
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14998&activityid=79995
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Who'd be a leader?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81409
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81410
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=77078

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Seeing the heart

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
Stop worrying about your hair! When was the last time you took a look in the mirror at the state of your heart?

1 Samuel 16:1-13

'The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16

Samuel Anoints David to Be Israel's King
1 The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you be filled with sorrow because of Saul? I have refused to have him as king over Israel. Fill your animal horn with olive oil and go on your way. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it. Then he'll kill me."
The Lord said, "Take a young cow with you. Tell the elders of Bethlehem, 'I've come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord.' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. Then I will show you what to do. You must anoint for me the one I point out to you."
4 Samuel did what the Lord said. He arrived at Bethlehem. The elders of the town met him. They were trembling with fear. They asked, "Have you come in peace?"
5 Samuel replied, "Yes, I've come in peace. I've come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Set yourselves apart to him and come to the sacrifice with me."
Then he set Jesse and his sons apart to the Lord. He invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab. He thought, "This has to be the one the Lord wants me to anoint for him."
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider how handsome or tall he is. I have not chosen him. I do not look at the things people look at. Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. But I look at what is in the heart."
8 Then Jesse called for Abinadab. He had him walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The Lord hasn't chosen him either."
9 Then Jesse had Shammah walk by. But Samuel said, "The Lord hasn't chosen him either."
10 Jesse had seven of his sons walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said to him, "The Lord hasn't chosen any of them." 11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these the only sons you have?"
"No," Jesse answered. "My youngest son is taking care of the sheep."
Samuel said, "Send for him. We won't sit down to eat until he arrives."
12 So Jesse sent for his son and had him brought in. His skin was tanned. He had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, "Get up and anoint him. He is the one."
13 So Samuel got the animal horn that was filled with olive oil. He anointed David in front of his brothers. From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came on David with power. Samuel went back to Ramah.
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Text: Main point: Seeing the heart
God's requirements

This passage has spoken to me in different ways in the past. It is both a comfort and a challenge to know that God sees my heart and doesn't judge in the way others might.

It's easy to end up feeling small or inadequate when we measure ourselves against the world's definition of popularity, or beauty, or success. But God's requirements are drastically different.

It's ironic that in today's passage even the prophet Samuel assumed God would choose Jesse's eldest son to be the anointed king. Why do you think God liked what he saw in David's heart?

Surrendered to God

Something to be noted from today's passage is the providence of God. We see an honest account of the humble beginnings of a figure who later becomes Israel's most esteemed king. God provides success for whoever he chooses to use.

The presence of the Spirit (v 13) clearly indicates God's blessing upon David. Imagine what God can do with your life if you were totally surrendered to him!

Rachel Taylor
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Text: Respond
'The LORD does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart' (v 7b).

Challenge yourself to think about how you see people. Do you see people's hearts or do you judge by appearances?

Why not encourage your closest Christian friend by telling them about godly characteristics you see in them.
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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14997&activityid=81288
Deeper study: Decisions, decisions: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14997&activityid=81291
Background: David: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14997&activityid=81292
Infographic: David's anointing: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14997&activityid=81293
Vox pops: First impressions?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14997&activityid=81294
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14997&activityid=81295
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14997&activityid=79994
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Who'd be a leader?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81409
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81410
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=77078

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Finish the job!

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
Listen up! Who or what has God sent to challenge you recently? Now is not the time for avoidance tactics.

1 Samuel 15:1-31

'Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 15:1-31

1 Samuel 15

The Lord Is Sorry He Has Made Saul King
1 Samuel said to Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you as king over his people Israel. So listen now to a message from him. 2 The Lord who rules over all says, 'I will punish the Amalekites because of what they did to Israel. As the people of Israel came up from Egypt, the Amalekites attacked them.
3 " 'Now go. Attack the Amalekites. Set everything apart that belongs to them. Set it apart to me in a special way to be destroyed. Do not spare the Amalekites. Put the men and women to death. Put the children and babies to death. Also kill the cattle, sheep, camels and donkeys.' "
4 So Saul brought his men together at Telaim. The total number was 200,000 soldiers on foot from Israel and 10,000 men from Judah. 5 He went to the city of Amalek. He had some of his men hide and wait in the valley.
6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, "You were kind to all of the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt. Get away from the Amalekites. Then I won't have to destroy you along with them." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.
7 Saul attacked the Amalekites. He struck them down all the way from Havilah to Shur. Shur was near the eastern border of Egypt. 8 He took Agag, the king of the Amalekites, alive. He and his men totally destroyed all of Agag's people with swords.
9 But Saul and the army spared Agag. They spared the best of the sheep and cattle. They spared the fat calves and lambs. They spared everything that was valuable. They weren't willing to completely destroy any of those things. But they totally destroyed everything that was worthless and weak.
10 Then the Lord gave Samuel a message. He said, 11 "I am very sorry I have made Saul king. He has turned away from me. He has not done what I directed him to do."
When Samuel heard that, he was troubled. He cried out to the Lord during that whole night.
12 Early the next morning Samuel got up. He went to see Saul. But Samuel was told, "Saul went to Carmel. There he set up a monument in his own honor. Now he has gone on down to Gilgal."
13 When Samuel got there, Saul said, "May the Lord bless you. I've done what he directed me to do."
14 But Samuel said, "Then why do I hear the baaing of sheep? Why do I hear the mooing of cattle?"
15 Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites. They spared the best of the sheep and cattle. They did it to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. But we totally destroyed everything else."
16 "Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night."
"Tell me," Saul replied.
17 Samuel said, "There was a time when you didn't think you were important. But you became the leader of the tribes of Israel. The Lord anointed you to be king over Israel. 18 He sent you to do something for him. He said, 'Go and set the Amalekites apart. Set those sinful people apart to me in a special way to be destroyed. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.'
19 "Why didn't you obey the Lord? Why did you grab what you had taken from your enemies? Why did you do what is evil in the sight of the Lord?"
20 "But I did obey the Lord," Saul said. "I went to do what he sent me to do. I totally destroyed the Amalekites. I brought back Agag, their king.
21 "The soldiers took sheep and cattle from what had been taken from our enemies. They took the best of what had been set apart to God. They wanted to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal."
22 But Samuel replied,
"What pleases the Lord more?
Burnt offerings and sacrifices, or obeying him?
It is better to obey than to offer a sacrifice.
It is better to do what he says than to offer the fat of rams.
23 Refusing to obey him is as sinful as using evil magic.
Being proud is as evil as worshiping statues of gods.
You have refused to do what the Lord told you to do.
So he has refused to have you as king."
24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I've broken the Lord's command. I haven't done what you directed me to do. I was afraid of the people. So I did what they said I should do. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin. Come back into town with me so I can worship the Lord."
26 But Samuel said to him, "I won't go back with you. You have refused to do what the Lord told you to do. So he has refused to have you as king over Israel!"
27 Samuel turned to leave. But Saul grabbed hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore.
28 Samuel said to Saul, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today. He has given it to one of your neighbors. He has given it to someone who is better than you. 29 The One who is the Glory of Israel does not lie. He doesn't change his mind. That's because he isn't a mere man. If he were, he might change his mind."
30 Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me in front of the elders of my people and in front of Israel. Come back with me so I can worship the Lord your God."
31 So Samuel went back with Saul. And Saul worshiped the Lord.
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Text: Main point: Finish the job!
Disobedience again

Most people who like working in a team know if they are the sort of person who's great at starting off a task, encouraging people along the way, or finishing it off. We are all good at different things. But when you've been given a task, it's rarely any good if it is left incomplete, regardless of whether you have a 'finisher' on your team!

Today we see Saul once again disobeying a command. It is obvious that he does not 'totally destroy all that belongs to them' (v 3; see v 9). While this is admittedly a difficult example, the point is clear: Saul did not obey the command he was given. Once again he makes excuses; he blames other people.

Facing up to reality

What makes Saul's sin even worse is his status as anointed king. There is a hint that Saul has excused his sin as minor and unimportant (v 17).

We too need to stop making excuses for our sins and face up to their reality and our responsibility as examples for other people. We need to act in complete obedience, not half-hearted acquiescence.

Rachel Taylor
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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14996&activityid=81278
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14996&activityid=81280
Deeper study: What God wants: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14996&activityid=81281
Background: Amalekites and Kenites: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14996&activityid=81282
Making amends: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14996&activityid=81283
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14996&activityid=81284
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14996&activityid=81285
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14996&activityid=79993
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Who'd be a leader?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81409
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81410
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=77078

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Dire consequences

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Prayer : Prepare
Stuck between a rock and another rock? Hard pressed from every side? You're not the only one.

1 Samuel 13:1-22

'When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 13:1-22

1 Samuel 13

Saul Refuses to Obey the Lord's Command
1 Saul was 30 years old when he became king. He ruled over Israel for 42 years.
2 He chose 3,000 of Israel's men. Two thousand of them were with him at Micmash and in the hill country of Bethel. One thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. Saul sent the rest back to their homes.
3 Some Philistine soldiers were stationed at Geba. Jonathan attacked them. The other Philistines heard about it.
Saul announced, "Let the Hebrew people hear about what has happened!" He had trumpets blown all through the land. 4 So all of the people of Israel heard the news. They were told, "Saul has attacked the Philistine army camp at Geba. He has made Israel smell very bad to the Philistines." The people of Israel were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.
5 The Philistines gathered together to fight against Israel. They had 3,000 chariots and 6,000 chariot drivers. Their soldiers were as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Micmash. It was east of Beth Aven.
6 The men of Israel saw that their army was in deep trouble. So they hid in caves and bushes. They hid among the rocks. They hid in pits and empty wells. 7 Some of them even went across the Jordan River. They went to the lands of Gad and Gilead.
Saul remained at Gilgal. All of the troops who were with him were shaking with fear. 8 He waited seven days, just as Samuel had told him to. But Samuel didn't come to Gilgal. And Saul's men began to scatter. 9 So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the friendship offerings." Then he offered up the burnt offering.
10 Just as Saul finished offering the sacrifice, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to greet him.
11 "What have you done?" asked Samuel.
Saul replied, "I saw that the men were scattering. I saw that the Philistines were gathering together at Micmash. You didn't come when you said you would. 12 So I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down to attack me at Gilgal. And I haven't asked the Lord to show us his favor.' So I felt I had to sacrifice the burnt offering."
13 "You did a foolish thing," Samuel said. "You haven't obeyed the command the Lord your God gave you. If you had, he would have made your kingdom secure over Israel for all time to come. 14 But now your kingdom won't last. The Lord has already looked for a man who is dear to his heart. He has appointed him leader of his people. That's because you haven't obeyed the Lord's command."
15 Then Samuel left Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. Saul counted the men who stayed with him. The total number was about 600.
Israel Doesn't Have Swords or Spears
16 Saul and his son Jonathan were staying in Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. What was left of the army was there with them. At the same time, the Philistines camped at Micmash.
17 Three groups of soldiers went out from the Philistine camp to attack Israel. One group turned and went toward Ophrah in the area of Shual. 18 Another went toward Beth Horon. The third went toward the border that looked out over the Valley of Zeboim. That valley faces the desert.
19 There weren't any blacksmiths in the whole land of Israel. That's because the Philistines had said, "The Hebrews might hire them to make swords or spears!"
20 So all of the people of Israel had to go down to the Philistines. They had to go to them to get their plows, hoes, axes and sickles sharpened. 21 It cost a fourth of an ounce of silver to sharpen a plow or a hoe. It cost an eighth of an ounce to sharpen a pitchfork or an axe. That's also what it cost to put new tips on large sticks that were used to drive oxen.
22 So not one of Saul's or Jonathan's soldiers had a sword or spear in his hand when he went out to battle. Only Saul and his son Jonathan had those weapons.
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Text: Main point: Dire consequences
Waiting

I can think of many times when I have given up waiting. standing in long supermarket queues, waiting in line for a theme park ride. But what about waiting when it's an act of trust in God? How many times do we give up waiting for God to keep promises he's made to us and take things into our own hands?

Making excuses

Saul is told, 'You didn't obey the LORD your God' (v 13). This could either refer to 10:8 where Saul was told he should wait seven days for Samuel to come, or it could simply be that only priests were allowed to offer sacrifices (see Numbers 18:7). Whatever the original command, Saul knew he had been disobedient, for he started to make excuses.

Obedience

His disobedience came at a great price - his kingdom ceased. On several occasions Saul refused to listen to the prophet Samuel who brought the word of God to him. This passage highlights the incredible importance of obedience to God's word and the severe consequences for repetitive sin for which we fail to repent.

Rachel Taylor
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81268
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Deeper study: Trust and obey: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81271
Background: Saul: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81272
Trust and see.: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81273
Trust not in your own understanding.: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81274
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14995&activityid=81275
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Why, O God?

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Prayer : Prepare
Let go of your rebellion, rejoin God's flock. Unite as we proclaim praise for our Shepherd and Saviour.

Psalm 79

'Help us, God our Saviour, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.'
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Bible passage: Psalm 79

Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.
1 God, an army from the nations has attacked your land.
They have polluted your holy temple.
They have completely destroyed Jerusalem.
2 They have given the dead bodies of your people
as food to the birds of the air.
They have given the bodies of your faithful people
to the animals of the earth.
3 They have poured out the blood of your people like water
all around Jerusalem.
No one is left to bury the dead.
4 We are something our neighbors joke about.
The nations around us laugh at us and make fun of us.
5 Lord, how long will you be angry with us? Will it be forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your burning anger on the nations
that don't pay any attention to you.
Pour it out on the kingdoms
that don't worship you.
7 They have swallowed up the people of Jacob.
They have destroyed Israel's homeland.
8 Don't hold against us the sins of our people who lived before us.
May you be quick to show us your tender love.
We are in great need.
9 God our Savior, help us.
Then glory will come to you.
Be true to your name.
Save us and forgive our sins.
10 Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
Show the nations that you punish those who kill your people.
We want to see it happen.
11 Listen to the groans of the prisoners.
Use your powerful arm
to save the lives of those who have been sentenced to death.
12 Lord, our neighbors have laughed at you.
Pay them back seven times for what they have done.
13 We are your people. We are your very own sheep.
We will praise you forever.
For all time to come
we will keep on praising you.

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Text: Main point: Why, O God?
Mockers getting away with it

There are times when you wonder why the world reveres the wheeler dealers, the schemers and those who mock faith.

Perhaps you have even indulged in a bit of 'Give our jeering neighbours what they've got coming to them' dialogue with God (v 12, The Message), even wishing that God would 'go public and show the godless world that they can't kill your servants and get by with it' (v 10, The Message). After all, it's his reputation that is at stake (v 9).

God sends us

But maybe it's not that simple. Maybe it's not God's reputation we are concerned about, but ours? Perhaps we feel hard done by when God doesn't act in big ways and prove who he is to the world - a world that is endlessly encroaching on his territory (v 1) and ridiculing us when he fails to intervene (v 4).

God doesn't need to prove he is God to anyone, much less to a fallen humanity. What he does is qualitatively different: he sends us into the world as living witnesses to his love. Righteous anger may be an appropriate response in some situations, but we are called to praise him for ever (v 13) and share him unceasingly.

Michael Wardlow
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Prayer : Respond
'Lord, you know me intimately. Let me draw strength from you to face with love those who mock you and scorn me.'

Decide to take this seriously and take a risk for God this week.
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Called to be responsible

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Prayer : Prepare
Don't let your relationship with God disappear like a morning mist. Hold on to something solid.

Hosea 13:1-16

'An east wind from the LORD will come, blowing in from the desert; his spring will fail and his well dry up. His storehouse will be plundered of all its treasures.'
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Bible passage: Hosea 13:1-16

Hosea 13

The Lord Is Angry With Israel
1 When the tribe of Ephraim spoke,
the other tribes trembled with fear.
Ephraim was honored in Israel.
But its people sinned by worshiping Baal.
So they were as good as dead.
2 Now they sin more and more.
They use their silver
to make statues of gods for themselves.
The statues come from their own clever ideas.
Skilled workers make all of them.
The people pray to those gods.
They offer human sacrifices to them.
They kiss the gods that look like calves.
3 So those people will vanish like the morning mist.
They will soon disappear like the early dew.
They will be like straw
that the wind blows around on a threshing floor.
They will be like smoke
that escapes through a window.
4 The Lord says,
"People of Israel, I am the Lord your God.
I brought you out of Egypt.
You must not recognize any God but me.
You must not have any Savior except me.
5 I took care of you in the desert.
It was a land of burning heat.
6 I fed you until you were satisfied.
Then you became proud.
You forgot all about me.
7 So I will leap on you like a lion.
I will hide and wait
beside the road like a leopard.
8 I will attack you like a bear
that is robbed of her cubs.
I will rip you wide open.
Like a lion I will eat you up.
Like a wild animal I will tear you apart.
9 "Israel, you will be destroyed.
I helped you. But you turned against me.
10 Where is your king?
Wasn't he supposed to save you?
Where are the rulers in all of your towns?
You said, 'Give us a king and princes.'
11 So I became angry and gave you a king.
Then I took him away from you.
12 Ephraim, your guilt is piling up.
I am keeping a record of all of your sins.
13 You will suffer pain like a woman having a baby.
You are like a foolish child.
It is time for you to be born.
But you refuse to come out of your mother's body.
14 "I will set you free from the power of the grave.
I will save you from death.
Death, where are your plagues?
Grave, where is your power to destroy?
"Ephraim, I will no longer pity you.
15 Even though you are doing well among the other tribes,
trouble will come to you.
I will send a hot and dry wind from the east.
It will blow in from the desert.
Your springs will not have any water.
Your wells will dry up.
All of your treasures
will be taken out of your storerooms.
16 People of Samaria, you must pay for your sins.
You have refused to obey me.
You will be killed with swords.
Your little children will be smashed on the ground.
Your pregnant women will be ripped wide open."
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Text: Main point: Called to be responsible
Don't be complacent

Past greatness is no guarantee of future blessing (v 1), for we cannot store up grace and favour with God as we do money in a bank. We cannot live off our past experiences of God, however fantastic they were, but rather we are called to enjoy new and greater experiences. This is our responsibility.

God is angered by Israel's complacency, as this leaves little room for him in their thoughts, indeed it allows for worship of false gods (v 2). As responsible disciples, we should not attempt to square a God of love with a God who appears to permit the death of babies (v 16), but ask instead what we can do to limit human suffering.

Holy God

What we see here is the outworking of irresponsibility, wherein people reap the whirlwind of what they sowed. God does not take pleasure in the death of anyone, much less children (see Luke 17:2), but he is holy and must punish sin wherever it is found.

We must take up our responsibility to share his love so that few will be lost. We know the one true God and have the responsibility to ensure that others do not become complacent, as we have seen the consequences of that today.

Michael Wardlow
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Enter the dragon

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Prayer : Prepare
There's a place, prepared for you, where you can find care and safety. Go there now: seek God's refuge.

Revelation 12:1-17

'A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.'
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Bible passage: Revelation 12:1-17

Revelation 12

The Woman and the Dragon
1 A great and miraculous sign appeared in heaven. It was a woman wearing the sun like clothes. The moon was under her feet. On her head she wore a crown of 12 stars. 2 She was pregnant. She cried out in pain because she was about to have a baby.
3 Then another sign appeared in heaven. It was a huge red dragon. He had seven heads and ten horns. On his seven heads he wore seven crowns. 4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky. It threw them down to earth.
The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to have a baby. He wanted to eat her child the moment it was born.
5 She gave birth to a son. He will rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was taken up to God and to his throne.
6 The woman escaped into the desert where God had a place prepared for her. There she would be taken care of for 1,260 days.
7 There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But the dragon wasn't strong enough. He and his angels lost their place in heaven.
9 The great dragon was thrown down to the earth, and his angels with him. The dragon is that old serpent called the devil, or Satan. He leads the whole world down the wrong path.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven. It said,
"Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God have come.
The authority of his Christ has come.
Satan, who brings charges against our brothers and sisters,
has been thrown down.
He brings charges against them before our God day and night.
11 They overcame him
because the Lamb gave his life's blood for them.
They overcame him
by giving witness about Jesus to others.
They were willing to risk their lives,
even if it led to death.
12 So be joyful, you heavens!
Be glad, all you who live there!
But how terrible it will be for the earth and the sea!
The devil has come down to you.
He is very angry.
He knows his time is short."
13 The dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth. So he chased the woman who had given birth to the boy.
14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle so that she could fly away. She could fly to the place prepared for her in the desert. There she would be taken care of for three and a half years. She would be out of the serpent's reach.
15 Then the serpent spit water like a river out of his mouth. He wanted to catch her and sweep her away in the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman. It opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had spit out.
17 The dragon was very angry with the woman. He went off to make war against the rest of her children. They obey God's commands and hold firmly to what Jesus has said.
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Text: Main point: Enter the dragon
God's work

You may recognise biblical parallels in today's reading, reminding you perhaps of:

● the fall (v 15)

● the exodus (v 6)

● Joseph's dream (v 1; see Genesis 37:9)

● Jesus' birth (v 5) and ascension

● maybe even Paul's teaching on the second coming (v 2a)

John is reminded of the history of God's work among his people, as his vision moves swiftly towards the final consummation.

The witness

The heavenly battle scene (vs 7-9) is new and, whether or not this refers back to Satan's attempt to overthrow God in the beginning, or whether it refers to the prelude to the final days, should not concern us too much. The fact is that God has overcome (v 10b) and through Jesus' death (v 11a) has achieved a victory which empowers a witness (v 11b) able to face death without fear (v 11c).

Indeed our English word 'martyr' is a transliteration of a Greek verb meaning 'to witness'. Certainly witnessing for God in the early church era sometimes carried with it the possibility of martyrdom.

God's people will face trouble for sure (v 17), and even martyrdom in some countries today, but our God is able to sustain us (v 10).

Michael Wardlow
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14991&activityid=81236
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Deeper study: Victory assured: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14991&activityid=81239
Background: Who is the angel Michael? : http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14991&activityid=81240
The dragon: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14991&activityid=81241
Safe: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14991&activityid=81242
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14991&activityid=81243
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Our God reigns

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Prayer : Prepare
Feeling shaken, overwhelmed, defeated? Receive God's breath of life; enjoy his victory and his presence.

Revelation 11:1-19

'I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshippers.'
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Bible passage: Revelation 11:1-19

Revelation 11

The Two Witnesses
1 I was given a long stick that looked like a measuring rod. I was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar. Count the worshipers who are there. 2 But do not measure the outer courtyard. It has been given to those who aren't Jews. They will overrun the holy city for 42 months.
3 "I will give power to my two witnesses. They will prophesy for 1,260 days. They will be dressed in black clothes to show how sad they are."
4 The witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand in front of the Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and eats up their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.
6 These witnesses have power to close up the sky. Then it will not rain while they are prophesying. They also have power to turn the waters into blood. And they can strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want to.
7 When they have finished giving their witness, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them. He will overpower them and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city where their Lord was nailed to the cross. The city is sometimes pictured as Sodom, or as Egypt.
9 For three and a half days, people from every tribe, language and nation will stare at their bodies. They will refuse to bury them. 10 Those who live on the earth will be happy about this and will celebrate. They will send each other gifts, because these two prophets had made them suffer.
11 But after the three and a half days, a breath of life from God entered the two witnesses. They stood up. Terror struck those who saw them.
12 Then the two witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven. It said to them, "Come up here." They went up to heaven in a cloud. Their enemies watched it happen.
13 At that very hour there was a powerful earthquake. A tenth of the city crumbled and fell. In the earthquake, 7,000 people were killed. Those who lived through it were terrified. They gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second terrible judgment has passed. The third is coming soon.
The Seventh Trumpet
15 The seventh angel blew his trumpet. There were loud voices in heaven. They said,
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.
He will rule for ever and ever."
16 The 24 elders were sitting on their thrones in front of God. They fell on their faces and worshiped God. 17 They said,
"Lord God who rules over all, we give thanks to you.
You are the One who is and who was.
We give you thanks because you have taken your great power
and have begun to rule.
18 The nations were angry,
and the time for your anger has come.
The time has come to judge the dead.
It is time to reward your servants the prophets
and your own people and those who honor you.
There is a reward for all your people,
both great and small.
It is time to destroy
those who destroy the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened. Inside it the wooden chest called the ark of his covenant could be seen. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings and thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
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Text: Main point: Our God reigns
Understanding the message

Despite the fact that hundreds of books have been written on this passage, we are still unable to say with any authority that we know the identity of the Beast of Revelation! But this lack of knowledge does not hinder us in understanding the core of the message.

God allows John to measure the temple (probably symbolising the Church), demonstrating that God alone is its architect and protector (v 5).

God's power

Despite the emergence of the beast who represents all that is evil and depraved, and who eventually causes the death of God's witnesses (v 7), God demonstrates his greater power when he raises the witnesses to life again, before taking them to be with him in glory (v 12).

Their resurrection was only possible because of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns with his Father in heaven (v 15).

What the Beast falsely claimed as his kingdom is now revealed as God's kingdom in a very visible and powerful way (v 13). And while God's show of power strikes terror into the hearts of those who have mocked the Church and abused God's children, it is celebrated in heaven by the saints (v 17) with a remarkable hymn of praise.

Michael Wardlow
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Deeper study: Go and tell: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14990&activityid=81229
Background: The two witnesses? : http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14990&activityid=81230
The time is now: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14990&activityid=81231
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Sweet and sour

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Prayer : Prepare
When did you last get a personal letter? Hear God's message, hand-delivered by angel, especially for you.

Revelation 10:1-11

'Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.'
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Bible passage: Revelation 10:1-11

Revelation 10

The Angel and the Little Scroll
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was wearing a cloud like a robe. There was a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun. His legs were like pillars of fire.
2 He was holding a little scroll. It was lying open in his hand. The angel put his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. 3 Then he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.
4 When they had spoken, I was getting ready to write. But I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said. Do not write it down."
5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 He made a promise in the name of the One who lives for ever and ever. He took an oath in the name of the One who created the sky, earth and sea and all that is in them. He said, "There will be no more waiting! 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is ready to blow his trumpet, the last part of God's plan will be carried out. God told all this to the prophets who served him long ago."
8 Then the voice I had heard from heaven spoke to me again. It said, "Go and take the scroll from the angel standing on the sea and on the land. It is lying open in his hand."
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will become sour in your stomach. But in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey." 10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. In my mouth it tasted as sweet as honey. But when I had eaten it, it became sour in my stomach. 11 Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."
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Text: Main point: Sweet and sour
Angels

Angels are back in style. There are angel cards, angel guides, shops selling angel merchandise, websites offering advice on how to understand their roles, and films in which they are leading protagonists.

Our views on the world are moulded through images, media and what we hear others say. So it is with angels.

No ordinary angel

Our concept is probably that they are human sized, shiny white, with wings and a harp and are, in the main, fairly innocuous. If this is so, then yesterday's passage perhaps threw us, as angels appeared to be leading a host of armies that murdered thousands.

And today, well, this is certainly no ordinary angel. He is huge, straddling land and sea as he demonstrates God's rule over all. He roars like a lion and is surrounded by rainbows and clouds.

God's word

The show of strength, however, is not designed to draw attention to the messenger, but to the message. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty (v 7b), for time is short (v 6b).

The scroll John receives is God's word - sweet tasting to those who believe, but a sour flavour for those who reject him. John's duty is to preach this word however unpalatable it might be. So it is with us.

Michael Wardlow
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Prayer : Respond
● List the people close to you who don't yet know Christ. Bring each one to him in prayer.

● Share what concerns you have for them. Tell the Lord what you think they need most of all.

● Ask him how you can love them best.

● Give him time to tell you something you can do. It might seem to be nothing dramatic, but be willing to do whatever he tells you.
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Choose from today's activities...

Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14989&activityid=81215
Deeper study: Taste and speak: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14989&activityid=81218
Background: The magnificent seven: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14989&activityid=81219
Scratch and sniff: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14989&activityid=81220
Over the rainbow: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14989&activityid=81221
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14989&activityid=81223
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14989&activityid=79984
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Dark days: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14988&activityid=81407
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14988&activityid=81408
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14988&activityid=77078

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We'd love you to support WordLive. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/91202.id?in=WLDEP

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