The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Are you a courageous leader? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 17. I've titled this chapter "Battling Giants." So far, we have the battle scene. In today's text, David will head out to battle. As I read, I want you to notice David's curiosity. Let's read 19-30: Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. And the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel." And David said to the men who stood by him, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" And the people answered him in the same way, "So shall it be done to the man who kills him." Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, "Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle." And David said, "What have I done now? Was it not but a word?" And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before. — 1 Samuel 17:19-30 Verse 26 is an incredible first declaration from David. Surrounded by men paralyzed by fear, he issues a rhetorical question followed by a declaration of contempt. It is not a question that was meant to be answered. It was a statement of disbelief that no one had responded and that a reward was required to rally them when Goliath had offended God. David's courage is curious, controlled, and concerned about the things of God. The contrast between David and every man on this battlefield is profound. Every other man is paralyzed by a giant, while David is compelled by God. His courage is so great that the men are confused about it, his brothers are angry about it, and the king will hear about it. Courageous leadership does not involve mustering moral strength to defend one's beliefs. Instead, courageous leadership is an act of faith based on trust in God despite threats or apparent danger. David epitomizes this. And so should we. To develop courageous faith like David had, consider these two practical steps: First | Focus on God's Perspective, Not the Size of the Challenge. David's courage came from his unwavering trust in God. Instead of focusing on the size of your problems, focus on the greatness of God. Remind yourself of God's power and past faithfulness. This perspective will encourage you to face challenges head-on, knowing God is with you. Second | Take Bold Action Rooted in Faith. David's faith led him to take decisive action. We must move our faith into bold action, build courageous leadership, and deepen our trust in God. #CourageousLeadership, #FaithOverFear, #DavidVsGoliath Ask This: How can you shift your focus from the size of your challenges to the greatness of God in your current situation? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's power and faithfulness? In what areas of your life is God calling you to take bold action rooted in faith, similar to David's approach with Goliath? How can you step out in courage to lead with conviction and trust in God's guidance? Do This: See God's perspective, act in faith, and be courageous. Pray This: Lord, grant me the courage to face my giants with unwavering faith, just as David did. Help me focus on Your power and take bold action rooted in trust, knowing that You are with me every step. Amen. Play This: Courageous.

Have you ever asked: "When will I find my calling?" Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 17. I've titled this chapter "Battling Giants." Yesterday, we got our first look at the battle scene and the giant Goliath. Today, we look to another scene a few miles from the battle. The home of David of Bethlehem. Let's read 12-18: Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening. And Jesse said to David his son, "Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them." — 1 Samuel 17:12-18 What stands out to me in this section is that David has numerous jobs. First, he is King Saul's musician. Second, he is the caretaker of his family farm and aging father. Third, he's a food service delivery boy for his brothers. Fourth, he's a messenger for his father. David is a grinder. He's busy with work to do. There is an important message in this for all young men: Get a job—get more than one. Serve your elders. Work up the ranks. Perfect a craft. Do it with excellence. And here is why this is so important: You learn numerous valuable skills in service to others. But it's always in the grind that God reveals your calling. If you are trying to figure out your calling, that is how you do it. The same way David did. In the grind. Backing up, we all know the outcome of this story: David finds his calling as a warrior for God on his way to becoming the King of Israel. But what we often miss is the grind on David's way there. There was the grind of serving an aging father as the youngest son. There was the grind of playing music for a bipolar spirit-possessed king. There was the grind of serving brothers who teased and ridiculed him. In the grind, God sharpened David for a job that only he could do until it presented itself. This is how it works for us all. There is nothing glorious about the grind. But in the grind, God's glorious calling is revealed. So, if you are trying to figure out your calling, ask God to reveal it. But don't sit around and wait and live in frustration. Get a job, work hard, and grind it out for the Lord. In the grind, God will reveal his calling. You will know it when the moment is upon you, for all the lessons you learned in the grind will be revealed in the calling. #FindingYourCalling, #GrindForGod, #PurposeInTheProcess Ask This: How can you embrace the grind in your current season of life, trusting that God is preparing you for something greater? In what ways can you serve others with excellence today, knowing that God may be using these moments to reveal your calling? Do This: Do the grind with excellence today. Pray This: Lord, help me to embrace the grind with a willing heart, trusting that You are shaping me for Your greater purpose. Guide me to serve others faithfully, knowing that in these moments, You are revealing Your calling for my life. Amen. Play This: Have It All.

Do current events have you living in fear? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 17. I've titled this chapter "Battling Giants." Let's dive in straight in today, beginning in verse 1: Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. — 1 Samuel 17:1-3 Elah is an absolutely perfect place for a battle. Today's video shows a current picture of it, as you can still walk this place today. Elah is a mile-long s-shaped valley, and between it are two hills or tells—one for the encampment of the Philistines and the other for the Israelites. Then verses 4-11 read: And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us." And the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together." When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. — 1 Samuel 17:4-11 Notice all the time invested in retelling the details about Goliath. There is more time spent on this than the victory at the end. That is probably because they had 40 days and 80 mornings and evenings to look at and listen to Goliath. In the greater context we notice that he comes closer and closer to the mount of the Israelites camp each time, taunting and heckling the people, their king, and the Almighty God. Thus, after more than a month of this emotional beating, the soldiers are intimidated and terrified. Systematic indoctrination by messages of intimidation and fear is nothing new. Scroll through social media for a while or turn on the news. Listen long enough, and you will buy into it. If you allow yourself to be bombarded by these messages long enough, for example, twice a day for 40 days, you will believe that the giant is too big. As followers, we must monitor the people, the information, and the amount of information we listen to. It's important to know what is happening in the world, but it's not okay to constantly take in information designed to indoctrinate and imprison you in fear. This is one reason I love reading the Bible with you every day. Reading God's Word a little each day over a long period of time is enough to reset our minds to God's unchanging truth. In God's Word, we are exposed to God, and he defeats all giants that perpetuate terror and fear. Remember, in our story, David is not indoctrinated by these messages and will save the day. You will also see soon that he finds the fear-mongering messages of the uncircumcised Philistine preposterous, and thus, he brings a whole new perspective into this terrifying moment. So stop indoctrinating your yourself in messages of fear, and get in God's Word with a message that casts out all fear. #FaithOverFear, #ConquerTheGiant, #StrengthInScripture Ask This: How has fear influenced your decisions or outlook recently, and what practical steps can you take to shift your focus from the giants of fear to the promises of God? In what ways can you apply David's example of courage and faith to confront and overcome the 'giants' in your own life, and how can daily engagement with Scripture help you in this process? Do This: Assess and stop messages of untruth. Spend more time in the truth. Pray This: Lord, I ask for Your strength to face the giants of fear in my life with the same courage that David showed. Help me to focus on Your promises and not be overwhelmed by the threats around me. Amen. Play This: Truth Is.

Are you battling a giant? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 17. I've titled this chapter "Battling Giants." The key verse of this chapter is 1 Samuel 17:45, which reads: Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." — 1 Samuel 17:45 This statement is the rallying cry of a sold-out, courageous man of God. It's one of the most famous statements in the Old Testament, and it was heard right in the middle of the most famous battle ever fought. But here's the perspective we need to have of this chapter. This story is about God, his battle, his victory, and his defeat of a giant. Most people wrongly conclude after reading this chapter that in our battle with our giants, we can be victorious if we simply muster up some courage and get into the fight. However, that is not a precise interpretation and application of this story because that is not how David sees this battle. David sees this moment not as a battle between him and a giant but between God and a giant. The start of his rallying cry is a hint of it, but as he continues, he concludes with this statement in verse 47: For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand. — 1 Samuel 17:47 David has a perspective that no one in Israel seems to have. He is fully convinced of six truths in these two verses: God is greater. God has all authority. God is the leader of great armies. You have defied him. God is going to battle you. God will give you in our hands. From the first moment David walked upon the battle to the final moment he lopped off Goliath's giant head, there was no doubt about his perspective. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he saw the situation differently. David understood this was not a battle between him and a giant. It was a battle between a Giant God and a mortal man who had defied God. Sometimes, we read ourselves into God's story because we want to be the hero. But the hero of this story is not David. It's God. David knows this from beginning to end, which is shown by what he states. The problem is that most of the observers of the battle and even readers today fail to see the story this way. We want to read David, his skill, and his courage into the story and make him the center of the story. But when we do this, we rob the divine truth and application of this incredible victory. The point is that God is a victorious God. He will have victory over those who oppose him, and sometimes, he will use outrageous means to achieve this victory. This means that sometimes, he will use us to accomplish this victory. But that does not mean we are the heroes. It simply means that God stooped to us. If you have an impossible battle before you today, maybe you need to examine it again. Do you see it as a battle between you and someone who is against you? Or do you see it as a battle between God and someone who is against God? These are two very different perspectives that lead to two very different results. If you actually take the time to play them out in your mind and compare them, you will see a vast difference. Then your response will change and so might the result. But my advice is to let God be the hero, and the result will be much better. #BattleBelongsToTheLord, #GodFightsForUs, #VictoryThroughFaith Ask This: How does viewing your current challenges as a battle between God and your obstacles change your approach to facing them? Reflect on how shifting your perspective from focusing on your strength to relying on God's might can alter your strategy and mindset. In what ways can you acknowledge and invite God to be the hero in your daily struggles and decisions? Consider practical steps you can take to make God the central figure in your battles rather than trying to be the hero on your own. Do This: Look again at the battle. See and respond differently. Pray This: Lord, I surrender my battles to You, trusting that Your strength will overcome any giant I face. Help me to see every challenge as an opportunity for Your glory to shine through, not my ability. Amen. Play This: You've Already Won.

Are you working on both your internal and external qualifications? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16. I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." Yesterday, we discovered a rush of the Spirit onto David and off Saul. The problem is so noticeable that King Saul's aids have a potential and interesting solution to the problem. Here is it in verse 16-23: Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well." So Saul said to his servants, "Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me." One of the young men answered, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him." Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me David your son, who is with the sheep." And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight." And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him. — 1 Samuel 16:16-23 This is a fascinating moment. God's divine baton is being realized by supernatural means, and at the same time, we learn David has some very pronounced external qualities that are the making of a great resume: Musician. Brave. Fighter. Articulate. Handsome. This is a pretty good resume for a fifteen-year-old boy. But remember, God did not choose David for his external qualities alone but because of his heart. Even so, these are impressive external qualities that others have noticed. Because of them, two unlikely men will meet, making for an improbable alliance that will change their lives and legacies. We should pay attention to both our internal and external qualities. Having a great heart and pure motivation is great, but this is no excuse for being or acting sloppy. Young men should hear a call to action in this. Groom yourself. Work on manners. Improve your communication. Perfect a craft. Dress appropriately. Present yourself well. At the same time, the point is not to become overly consumed with external matters. There is a point at which external matters no longer matter, and we use them to mask who we are. Too many men are overdeveloped on the outside and underdeveloped on the inside. Don't be motivationally immature. Remember, external matters matter, but only if we care about the matters of our heart. If we do both well, we might one day find ourselves standing in the office of the man whose role we will ultimately assume. #LeadershipGrowth, #InnerCharacter, #MenOfFaithsobey Ask This: How are you intentionally developing your inner character and outward presence to align with God's calling in your life? In what areas might you be focusing too much on external appearances, and how can you redirect your attention to cultivating a heart that honors God? Do This: Be consistent on the inside and out. Pray This: Lord, help me cultivate a pure heart and strong character so that my actions and appearance reflect Your purpose for my life. May I never neglect the inner work You are doing in me but strive to grow in every area for Your glory. Amen. Play This: Same God.

There is no neutral ground in leadership with God. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16. I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." Here's the context for this moment. Samuel has gone to Bethelem for what looks like a sacrifice of atonement, but it's a sacrifice of anointment. Here, he is going to anoint David, king of Israel. The town has prepared for the sacrifice, and Jesse has seven sons whom God has not chosen. We realize the youngest of his boys, David, was out tending the sheep and was absent. David, the youngest and left out child, now enters the ceremony. All eyes are locked on him, and this happens: And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he." Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. — 1 Samuel 16:13-15 There are two important observations in this text. First, the rushing of the Spirit. The Spirit rushes onto David and noticeably off of Saul. This appears to happen instantaneously, meaning that the events coincide, which would be appropriate. This is the passing of the divine anointing from one king to the next, as Samuel predicted. God's people, authority, and blessing would pass to the next man. I have mentioned this before, but the anointing of the Spirit was different in the Old Testament than today. In the Old Testament, the Spirit fell on certain men at certain times, but after Jesus's ascension, the Spirit lives in us. The difference is on versus in, and the reason for this is that the anointing of Jesus is permanent and done by a perfect prophet, priest, and king. Here are a couple of texts that emphasize this: And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us. — 2 Corinthians 1:21 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. — 1 John 2:20 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. — 1 John 2:27 A second observation is that the Spirit not only rushes off Saul, but a harmful spirit torments him. This can appear disturbing for two reasons: first, it's tormenting him, and second, it reads like God is doing the tormenting. But let's remember that Saul was in this situation because he was deliberately disobedient, which means that the torment directly resulted from Saul's wicked choices. The observers had no problem seeing God's sovereign hand in this situation. This is not to infer that God made Saul do it, but that he gave Saul the option to obey or disobey. The blessing of being God's anointed and the consequences of not was up to Saul, but whatever his choice in the end, God was never surprised by the result and still in complete control of the outcome. There is no "neutrality" when it comes to God. I think even believers get this wrong. We believe that there are neutral positions tucked into God's commands. When action is required, we convince ourselves inaction is permitted. But inaction is just apathetic disobedience disguised by our inclinations for indifference. We believe our indifference and passivity are neutral, but they're not. The options are to obey God or obey the Devil. You submit to the Spirit of God, or you submit to the Spirit of the Devil. One brings truth, and the other brings torment. Throughout the Bible, God demands that his followers and leaders make a choice. The choice is definitive. You are either with Christ or against Christ (Matt. 12:30); you are either hot or cold (Rev. 3:15-16); otherwise, you are spat out of his mouth. #LeadershipByGod, #DivineAnointing, #ObeyOrDisobey

Are you desperate for an answer from God but not getting an answer? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16. I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." In yesterday's text, we discovered that Samuel's obedience, despite his fear and grief, revealed God's story and plan in Bethlehem. Today, we are going to see that process and David's anointing. Let's read verse 6-11: When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him." But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one." Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one." And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here." — 1 Samuel 16:6-11 Three of Jesse's eight sons are named Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah. These are the oldest three, which will come into play in the next chapter. But God is gradually revealing that he has a way of choosing a leader that is different from how we choose. He does not choose by seen means. He chooses by unseen means. When we await God's decisions, we must come to terms with how God chooses and reveals his choices. God answers in his way and in his time. We don't always like this because we are forced to stand and wait, and we don't want to wait. We prefer to make a quick choice, by seen means, sit down, and be done with it, and when God does not do it our way and in our time, we get irritated with him. So, I would assume Jesse and his boys are a little irritated with this experience, just like we are when God does not answer the way and with the timing we want. Here's the lesson: God's answers don't come your way. They don't because you cannot see the way God sees. God's way and timing probe into the unseen. If you want real, working, divine answers from Him, you must wait for God. I guarantee there is someplace in your present life where you need an answer from God. The frustration and stress of waiting for his answer will tempt you to seek an answer in your way and in your time. But don't do it. Stand and wait. Be patient. Ask God to quench your fears and anxieties while you are waiting. Ask him to quench your bias and impatience while waiting. And then, when the answer walks into the room, you will know it because God's choice is always way better than yours, even though it does not happen in your way and your time. #TrustGod, #FaithInTheWait, #GodsTiming Ask This: Where in your life are you tempted to take matters into your own hands instead of waiting for God's answer, and how can you practice patience and trust in His timing? How might shifting your perspective from focusing on the outward appearance of situations to seeking God's unseen purpose change how you approach decisions and challenges? Do This: Be patient for God's answers. Pray This: Lord, help me to trust in Your perfect timing and to wait patiently for Your answers, even when I feel anxious or uncertain. Quench my impatience and teach me to see with faith, knowing that Your way is always better than mine. Amen. Play This: Holy Water.

When you are obedient, you are participating in God's divine plan and story. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16. I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." In yesterday's text, we discovered how grief and fear can consume us, making it challenging to see God's plan. The principle we discovered is that in difficult times, our obedience is how God reveals his plan and provides relief. In today's text, we will see that Samuel obeys, which unfolds a timeless plan. Let's read verse 4-5: Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, "Do you come peaceably?" And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. — 1 Samuel 16:4-5 There are three critical words in this text: Bethlehem. It is the birthplace and home of David, but we also know it is the birthplace of Jesus. It's the small town that was the birthplace of God's choices for kings. Trembling. The people are scared to death of Samuel. They are scared of him because they know that God speaks to him, and he has just stripped the kingdom from Saul and hacked Agag to pieces. So, these people were scared of him as much as Samuel was afraid of King Saul. Consecrate. The consecration was a washing and cleaning process to prepare you for the time dedicated to the Lord. To outsiders, this consecration would look like a sacrifice of atonement, but in the end, we know it was a sacrifice of anointing. But here's the catch of this moment. They did not know what we know about David's lineage or Bethlehem's birthplace. From this town and through this man, Jesus would enter the world. But remember, we know this. But they did not. Even Samuel did not. But Samuel, regardless of his grief and fear, was obedient to God, and look at what God revealed through him to us that he did not see. Here's the point, which is connected to yesterday's devotion. When you are obedient in times of paralyzing emotion, you are participating in a plan of God that you cannot see. Obedience always reveals God's plan. Think about it. We are enjoying the wonderful plan of God today and the story of Jesus because Samuel was obedient in a tough moment in his life. He never met Jesus, but by going to Bethlehem, he walked into the town where Jesus was born and met Jesus's relatives fourteen generations removed. How awesome is that? The best part is he didn't even know it. But because he was obedient, he met divine royalty and a royal line that would be God's choice for King, both at the moment and in the future. When you act in obedience, you are participating in God's divine plan. You are playing a role in God's story. This is a great reason to be obedient today. You don't want to miss out on playing a role in God's story. So be obedient today, especially if it's hard for you right now. Because you never know, you might be meeting divine royalty and being written in the story of God that future generations might be reading. #ObedienceToGod, #DivinePlan, #GodsStory Ask This: How have you experienced God's plan unfolding through your obedience in the past, even when you couldn't see the bigger picture at the time? In what area of your life is God calling you to be obedient right now, and how might your obedience impact His larger story and plan? Do This: Participate in the story by being obedient. Pray This: Lord, help me remain steadfast in my obedience, even when I can't see the full scope of Your plan. Guide me to trust that my faithfulness contributes to Your divine story and purposes. Amen. Play This: God Is In This Story.

Does God really regret and repent? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In our reading through 1 Samuel 15. Someone wrote in a question. Let's call this gentleman Mark DuVal. Here was his question: "In Chapter 15, God regrets anointing Saul as king. There are other places where God has similar regrets. How does God regret something he knows in advance will happen when he is omniscient?" Great question! If you have a question like this as we are reading the text, write it in, and as I have time, I will do my best to answer it. Here's my best explanation: The text he is referencing is 1 Samuel 15:10-11 so let me read it: The word of the Lord came to Samuel: "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments." And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night. — ‭1 Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ Here's the easiest way to think about this theological conundrum. The Bible rarely mentions God conveying or experiencing "regret," but when it does, it's used to express his sorrow and displeasure with human sin (Genesis 6:5-9). When humans use the word "regret,​" they experience it and use the word differently than God. Humans ​use this word to ​describe sorrow or remorse for a decision ​they could not foresee and​, therefore​, experience regret or sorrow about their decision. This could be a worldly regret or a godly regret. When God experiences regret, he does not experience ​it in the same w​a​y that we do. He has complete foresight of the future. Therefore​, while he may experience the emotions of regret​, he does not do so from a position of surprise or shock. Instead, he does so apart from sin and in ​the full light of his promises and commands​. This means he experiences regret but experiences the emotion differently than we do. It is crucial not to read our position and feelings of regret and repentance into how God experiences regret and repentance. Listen to what Samuel says about God's "regret" further down in the same chapter in verse 29: "And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret." ‭‭— 1 Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭29‬ In other words​, Godly regret is different from human regret! ​We know this from experience. There is ​a vast difference between experiencing regret for getting caught in sin and experiencing regret for realizing we have sinned and committed ​an offense against God's nature, person, and command. For reference, go back to Jesus' teaching on the story of the Prodigal Son. The younger son experiences true Godly regret. He realizes he has sinned against God and man, and in that order (Luke 15:18). In a similar ​occurrence further into this story​, King David ​will have a moment of regret and repentance. His regret and repentance ​are vastly different from Saul's. Therefore, God accepts his repentance even though there are still consequences. Just remember it this way. God does not regret the way we do because he does not sin and foresee all things; therefore, his "regret" is right and righteous, whereas ours "regret" stems from our wrong and unrighteous behavior. Thus, Jesus proclaimed this message to the world: "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). #GodsRegret, #BiblicalWisdom, #FaithQuestions Ask This: How do you typically handle feelings of regret, and how might understanding God's perspective on regret help you navigate those emotions differently? In what areas of your life do you need to experience true, godly repentance, and how can you take steps to align your heart with God's will? Do This: Live without regret, and if you have regrets, repent! Pray This: Lord, help me to understand Your perfect ways and teach me to repent with a heart that seeks true transformation. Guide me to trust in Your wisdom, even when I don't fully grasp Your plans. Amen. Play This: Run To The Father.

Are there consuming emotions that prevent you from seeing God's plan? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16. I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." Today, we pick up right after Samuel had done two things: First, he told King Saul God had rejected him. Second, he hacked Agag to pieces because King Saul had not done it. Today, we pick up in Samuel 16 with verses 1-4, where Samuel is now back at his home: The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons." And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me." And the Lord said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you." — 1 Samuel 16:1-4 We see Samuel's human side here. Like all of us, he experienced grief and fear. These are real human emotions and concerns we will all experience at some point. We experience grief in relationships when we encounter human frailty, sin, or loss. We experience fear when the future is uncertain, our family is falling apart, or we suddenly lose jobs. And when these things happen, we tend to become overly concerned about ourselves, precisely what Samuel has done here. But usually, in your time of great grief and fear, God is up to something. You won't always see it because you will tend to become overly focused on yourself. Therefore, God and his plan will seem far from you because you have made too much of the situation and how you feel. This is what Samuel has done, and God is trying to help him snap out of it. So, notice what God tells Samuel to do to help him snap out of it. He tells him to do his job, be obedient, get a heifer, and make a sacrifice. In short, God tells him to be obedient in his grief and fear, like he always has, even though those steps are hard to take. The principle is this: In difficult times, our obedience is how God reveals his plan and provides relief. God had a plan for Israel, a plan for the next king, and a plan to relieve Samuel of his grief and fears. This plan would only be realized if he took the hard steps of obedience. It was not going to be revealed by focusing on his grief or being consumed by his fears. It would only be revealed if he did what he always did, continued to listen to God in this hard moment, and acted in obedience. If you are currently consumed by concerning emotions, the best thing you can do is turn your focus to God and continue to be obedient to him. Ruminating on your losses and problems won't help, but taking steps of obedience will. Eventually, through obedience, you will see God's plan for your marriage, your career, your loss, and even your egregious sin. God, I pray that you will give us strength to be obedient to you today and that you will relieve us of those consuming and concerning emotions that prevent us from seeing your plan. Amen. #FaithOverFear, #ObedienceInTrials, #TrustGodsPlan Ask This: What emotions are currently consuming you, and how might obedience to God's Word help you regain focus on His plan? Can you recall a time when choosing obedience in a difficult situation revealed God's purpose for your life? How did that experience shape your faith? Do This: Be obedient, and God will reveal his plan to you. Pray This: Lord, help me to trust Your plan even when I'm overwhelmed by fear and grief. Give me the strength to be obedient, knowing that through my faithfulness, You will reveal Your purpose. Amen. Play This: Have It All.

We know how you choose leaders, but do you know how God chooses leaders? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we start a new chapter, 1 Samuel 16. I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." The key verse of Chapter 16 is verse 7. It reads: But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." — 1 Samuel 16:7 In this chapter, you will see a difference between Samuel's, Jesse's, and God's choice of a leader. Samuel has a bias toward the size of the man. Jesse, David's father, has a bias toward the age of the man. And God has a bias toward the heart of a man. This is one of the challenges in selecting a leader. We judge based on things we see, like experience, education, and competency. We make appointments based on vision, values, passion, and plans. We assess appearance, communication, character, and emotional intelligence. However, a potential leader can appear competent and proficient in all these areas and still fail the one test that is challenging to administer and evaluate — the nature of the leader's heart. As followers of God, we should assess and address our hearts. This is God's primary concern. He cares about external matters but only as they are driven, directed, and determined by the internal matter—your heart. Here are my questions for you today. Question one is, "How's your heart?" Take a moment to reflect on that question. Write it out. Talk it out with someone. Question two is, "Would God select you?" Now, most of you are going to disqualify yourselves. If this is the case, let's alter the question to: "What do you need to address in your heart for God to qualify as his leader?" #HeartOfLeadership, #GodsCriteria, #1Samuel16 Ask This: What aspects of your life might be reflecting an outward appearance of leadership or righteousness but potentially masking issues within your heart? How can you bring those internal struggles to God for transformation? How can you cultivate a heart that aligns more closely with God's values and intentions for leadership? Consider specific actions or changes to reflect a heart seeking God's approval over man's. Do This: Assess and address. Pray This: Lord, help me to see beyond the outward appearances and focus on the condition of my heart. Guide me in aligning my inner life with Your standards, so that I may lead with integrity and reflect Your values. Amen. Play This: Here's My Heart.

Do you grieve our national leaders? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." In yesterday's devotional, we saw how Saul's insecurity led him to disobedience by prioritizing the people's voice over God's, which resulted in his leadership being torn from him and given to the man we will read about in the next chapter. With this, we close off this chapter with this sad reality in verses 34-35: Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel. — 1 Samuel 15:34-35 These two men went to their homes and never saw each other again. It is such a sad ending to forty years. We also learn that Samuel would outlive King Saul. That is an interesting detail, considering that before Saul was appointed King, the people thought Samuel was old and needed a successor. Now we learn Samuel would outlive his reign. But notice Samuel's response to Saul. He was "grieved over" him. Samuel didn't psychologically hate him. He hoped something better would have transpired during his reign and that Saul would have obeyed. Therefore, he grieves for him and the situation. I have met many believers from generations ahead of me who feel the same about our time. They are grieved about what they see and hear in our time, and their hearts are heavy. Faithful servants of God don't celebrate fallen leaders and God's judgment and retribution. They grieve it because they know that sin awaits everyone, and they, too, are susceptible to its consequences. Pray for our national leaders. Pray against untruthful ideologies and ask that God's truth be revealed to them. Pray that they will act in obedience to God. Pray for an end to untruth, disobedience, and deception. But don't celebrate it—grieve it because you, too, have sinful inclinations. God, we pray for our nation. We pray for all our leaders. Expose untruth, reveal the truth, and call our leaders to obey you. Amen. #PrayForLeaders, #GrieveNotCelebrate, #FaithfulResponse Ask This: How can you cultivate a heart of empathy and prayerfulness when faced with the failures or shortcomings of those in leadership positions, both in your community and on a national level? In what ways can you personally model obedience to God in your daily life, especially when you see others in leadership not living out these values? How can this influence your prayers and actions toward leaders? Do This: Pray for our leaders. Pray This: Lord, help me grieve our leaders' shortcomings with a heart full of compassion and prayer rather than judgment. Guide me to live in obedience to Your commands and to seek Your truth in every situation. Amen. Play This: Let the Nations Rise.

Are you leading others toward following God's voice, or are they leading you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." In yesterday's devotional, we discussed how Saul's insecurity led him to disobedience, masking his fears with empty sacrifices. We explored the importance of confessing our insecurities to God before they drive us into sin. Today, we will read the consequences of his disobedience. We start with verse 24: Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. — 1 Samuel 15:24 King Saul finally breaks down. His rationalizing, deflecting, blaming, and explaining end because he finally feels the consequences of his sin. But you need to see the issue. His insecurities have led him to listen to the wrong voice. Instead of listening to God's voice, he was listening to the people's. Instead of pleasing God, he is trying to please the people. This verse outright rejects democracy in the transition from Judges to the Kings. We learn that democracy was not God's plan. We all know why. People are sinful, and sometimes, so is their voice. They advocate and vote for their selfish desires. For those in the US, we live in this socio-political experiment, and it won't end well. In Saul's situation, he was appointed God's voice to the people, not vice versa. I cannot predict the future of our nation or any nation. But I know this: believers can always be a voice for God in a sinful world. We can proclaim God's voice into a world that proclaims their own. This world has no problem with proclaiming its ideologies. They are willing to sacrifice the unborn and their vas deferens to their ideologies. But as believers, we have a divine call to be the voice of God in a world that chooses to ignore his voice and listen to its own. While you have breath, this is what you should be doing. Proclaiming the voice of God to your family, workplace, church, and the world. Next here is what Saul says next in 25-31: "Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord." And Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel." As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore. And Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret." Then he said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the Lord your God." So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul bowed before the Lord. — 1 Samuel 15:25-31 Saul appears to be repentant, but we see his sin has consequences. This is true in every form of leadership. Sin has dire consequences that affect our ability to lead others and continue in the same role. Saul should not be surprised by this. Listening to God was the condition of his continuity as the leader of the people. Go back to 1 Samuel 12:14-15: If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. — 1 Samuel 12:14-15 This draws out one of the great tensions of leadership. Leadership is contingent on our followership of God. You see God is the only leader. The rest of us are followers. However some of us are allowed, or in this case as Saul appointed to the leadership of God's followers. If we steward our leadership well, we may be allowed to steward a greater following. But if we fail, we are removed and rejected from leadership. We can repent and bow before God, but this does not always result in us continuing with the role because we were unable to steward the conditions of the role. This is why I am okay with God removing me or any other fallen spiritual leader from their role if they are unable to lead God's people. And as we know, God is going to anoint a new leader, David, who enters the story in the next chapter. But still, then there is some unfinished business. Let's read a couple of more verses: Then Samuel said, "Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites." And Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is past." And Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord in Gilgal. — 1 Samuel 15:32-33 Samuel had to do what the King was supposed to do. I lov

Are you sacrificing your insecurities to the Lord, or are you only bringing sins of insecurity to him? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." Today, I am going to read a moment where Samuel is going to call King Saul out. Let's dive into 17-23: And Samuel said, "Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, 'Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.' Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?" And Saul said to Samuel, "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal." — 1 Samuel 15:17-21 Saul perceives his voice and leadership as small, but his role is not small. Saul was God's anointed and appointed, and his voice and leadership mattered. God wanted to use them to lead the kingdom. Based on what we have learned about Saul, there are two internal forces within him—deep insecurity combined with opportunistic self-interest. Both come into play right here, and they are exposed when he is confronted by Samuel's "Why?" question. We all struggle with this because we all have insecurities. We have insecurities in our relationships, leadership, marriage, and career. Yet these insecurities, when unrealized and left unaddressed, can awaken devious forms of opportunistic self-interest. They result in us taking advantage because we feel we need the advantage to satisfy our insecurities. But what we think no one sees discerning people in our lives do see. In this situation, Samuel understands what Saul has done. Cattle are lowing and bleating that should have been slaughtered, but he has saved them for "sacrifice to the Lord." Then, when Saul is confronted with the "Why?" question, he does the same four things all insecure, guilty people do. Rationalize. Deflect. Blame. Explain. Instead of admitting and owning up to their deep insecurities and devious selfishness, they rationalize, deflect, blame, and explain. Here's some advice. It's something I have had to learn the hard way: Confess your insecurities before you have to confess your sin. Everyone has some deep insecurity. Most of the time, we don't take the time to understand them. But it's far better to acknowledge, understand, confess, and lead them before they lead you into sin. And because Saul doesn't confess his insecurities but rather rationalizes, deflects, blames, and explains, here is how Samuel responds in verses 22-23: And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king." — 1 Samuel 15:22-23 Now, with this context, you see the point of our key text in the chapter. God does not care about Saul's sacrifices, mainly because they were selfish sacrifices contrived from insecurity, sin, and disobedience. God doesn't want someone else's best. He wants your best, derived from wholehearted obedience, because you find your security in him. God wants your full obedience, not your empty rituals. Half-hearted attempts don't cut it with God. God doesn't want what you think is best. He wants what he knows is best. This text calls you to examine your heart and to move beyond the rationalizing, deflecting, blaming, and explaining. Today, challenge yourself to address your insecurities. Instead of bringing the best of your presumptions or assumptions, sacrifice your insecurities to God, and then you will know what is to be wholeheartedly submitted to Him. #ObedienceOverSacrifice, #FaithfulLeadership, #ConfrontInsecurities

Don't be intentionally arrogant and ignorant. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." Today, I am going to read quite a bit of text. First, here's the context. King Saul is commanded to strike down the Amalekites, but he does not complete the task. He spares Agag, the leader of the Amalekites, and some of the best cattle. Here is what happens next in verses 10-12: The word of the Lord came to Samuel: "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments." And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night. And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, "Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal." — 1 Samuel 15:10-12 We cannot miss a few things in this text. First, the contrast between Samuel's character and Saul's. Second, Samuel's priority for worshipping God over Saul, who worships himself. Third, Samuel hears and heeds God, whereas Saul does not. Yet, in light of all this, Samuel prays. Samuel, who is deeply angered at what is happening in the nation and with their leader, prays in the shadow of the moment. Samuel's response is very relevant, given our time. We are surrounded by selfish leaders who worship their ideas and agendas. We are told lies that are sold as the truth. Immorality is celebrated as the new morality. Thus, we as a people and nation have drifted far from God. The right response to this is righteous anger resolved in prayers cried out to the Lord. I hope you are praying for our nation and its leaders. If not, you should be. Cry out to the Lord for them. Pray for their character and worship and that they hear and heed God's voice. But Samuel will not stop with petitions of prayer. He will confront the King. Listen to verses 13-16: And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord." And Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?" Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction." Then Samuel said to Saul, "Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night." And he said to him, "Speak." — 1 Samuel 15:13-16 King Saul is intoxicated by his arrogant ignorance. He's so proud of what he has done. But he has not done all God asked him to do. Samuel calls him out because he has spared Agag and the best cattle. Then, when called out, he deflects, blames, and then explains. This is what all selfish people guilty of arrogant ignorance do. They find some devious way to benefit themselves through the errors and evils of others. Then, when busted, they blame others rather than owning the error of their ways. You will see Saul's subtle selfishness if you read a little between the lines in this text. He accomplishes a great victory over the Amalekites. Immediately following, he builds a monument to himself. Next, he heads to Gilgal to offer sacrifices to the Lord. But he will not give the best of his cattle; instead, he will provide the best of his enemy's cattle. Then Samuel shows up and calls him out, which clarifies why Saul did what he did. King Saul's heart is far from God. We see this spoken in his defense. Let's reread it: Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God... Samuel's intimacy with God is not Saul's intimacy with God. Something has happened within Saul. Saul's power and success have led to arrogance and the drift toward intentional ignorance. Success can do this to any leader. When we attribute our success to ourselves, we elevate ourselves and find any way to retain this position, even if it means using devious means. If you're a leader, examine your heart. Invite the probing question: "Am I being devious, arrogant, or intentionally ignorant?" If so, address it, expose it, confess it, and repent of it. And as you do, remember to pray for national leaders who need to do the same. Cry out for yourselves, and cry out for them. God, we come to you as our God. We confess and repent of our arrogant ignorance. We want and need your leadership in all of this life. Amen. #HumbleLeadership, #PrayForWisdom, #RejectPride

Are you doing what God said but not following through all the way? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." So far in this chapter, Saul has been given the command of God through Samuel to wipe out the Amalekites for the long contention with the Israelites. Let's see how King Saul handles that in verses 4-9: So Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand men on foot, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart; go down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction. — 1 Samuel 15:4-9 We start with a picture of a massive force of 210,000 Israelite soldiers who swept over a large landmass, ending in a devastating defeat of the Amalekites. But after it is all said and done, King Saul spares Agag and some of the best cattle. This is called self-serving selective obedience. It's what we do when we know what God told us to do, but we don't follow all the way through with what he told us to do. There have been plenty of times in my life when I know what God wants me to do, but I do it half-heartedly, with a bad attitude, or incompletely. This is because I know what God wants me to do, but I really don't want to do it, and everyone can see that. Then, right in the middle of "doing it," I turn to serve myself because I cannot resist my selfish desires that are not being met. We have all done this. But note that this same act was King Saul's final undoing. This moment left a giant black mark on his leadership legacy. Today, repent of any self-serving selective obedience. Confess it and give it up. Start getting your heart to work in harmony with what God wants you to do. Don't do the Christian life half-heartedly. Do it with all your heart and rid yourself of self-serving selective obedience. God, I give you the secret parts of my heart that selfishly do what I want. Those places, desires, and intentions where I pretend to be obedient but am not fully obedient. Purify those places and desires so my obedience will be true, whole, and acceptable to you. Amen. #FullObedience, #FaithfulLiving, #NoHalfMeasures Ask This: In what areas of your life have you been tempted to obey God partially or with a half-hearted attitude? How can you commit to fully following through on His commands? How might selective obedience be impacting your spiritual growth or relationships? What steps can you take today to align your actions with God's will completely? Do This: Stop all self-serving selective obedience. Pray This: God, I give you the secret parts of my heart that selfishly do what I want. Those places, desires, and intentions where I pretend to be obedient but am not fully obedient. Purify those places and desires so my obedience will be true, whole, and acceptable to you. Amen. Play This: Yes (Obedience).

Do you struggle with clear commands of God? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." Here is verse 1-3 of Chapter 15: And Samuel said to Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'" — 1 Samuel 15:1-3 A lot of people, when they read these verses, are disturbed by this violent command of God. They read it apart from history and condemn and categorize it as "genocide" or "ethnic cleansing," which is a very short-sighted view of this command. What we read here is God's delayed judgment on a long history of violence by the Amalekites. The Amalekites were descendants of Esau. Amalek was Esau's grandson. What instigated this judgment was that they were the first human threat to the people of Israel after the Exodus (Exodus 17:8–16). You might remember this story. It's that epic moment when Moses is standing on the hill watching the battle with the Amalekites and Aaron and Hur on either side, helping to hold his arms and staff up because when they held his hands and staff up, they were winning against the Amalekites. Well, after that battle, God told Moses to write down that there would come a day when he would: "Utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" (Exodus 17:14). And for many years, the Amalekites, a nomadic people, continued to be a violent and hostile people to the Israelites, (Judges 3:12–14; 6:3–5, 33; 7:12) which God wanted to bring to an end. We need to wrestle with God's justice, but sometimes, our myopic view of justice fails to account for God's extraordinary perspective on justice. The more I get to know God and his Scripture, the less I question his commands and even the harshness of his justice. When I was younger and knew the Scriptures less as well, I was troubled by even the simple commands of God. I had trouble seeing how bad company would corrupt good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33) or how sex outside of marriage was a sin against my own body (1 Corinthians 6:18). But with age and exposure to Scripture, I came to discover that in every instance there was great spiritual wisdom behind each one of these commands. Therefore, over time, I learned to trust God and his commands because I now know the wisdom behind these commands. I see something now I did not see before. In this instance, God's command is to wipe out an entire tribe. Many modern readers are troubled by this because they have no context for the command and do not see what the people of the day easily saw and understood. Therefore, they take these verses out of context and call what is "bad good and what is good bad," perverting the truth, justice, and promise in God's command (Isaiah 5:20). We do this because we are fully convinced our perspective of justice is more progressive and developed than God's, which is laughable. Our perspective on this life and God's judgment is never more progressive, loving, just, and merciful than God's. That is sheer stupidity and arrogance. We will never know more than God. I would encourage you today to get to know the riches of God's wisdom by being obedient more quickly, even when you don't fully understand. It's okay to ask the hard questions and get good answers, but don't delay obedience. Sometimes, delayed obedience is disobedience. So, if God is calling you to do something, do it! Don't miss out on the opportunity to get to know the deep wisdom of God by doing what he has commanded even when you don't like it or don't fully understand it. #ObedienceToGod, #DivineJustice, #TrustInHisWisdom Ask This: When have you struggled to obey God's commands because they seemed harsh or difficult? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? What areas of your life are you tempted to delay obedience? How can you take immediate action to align with God's wisdom, even when it's challenging? Do This: Be obedient more quickly. Pray This: Lord, help me to trust Your wisdom and obey Your commands, even when I don't fully understand. Grant me the courage to act swiftly in obedience, knowing that Your ways are always just and true. Amen. Play This: Teach Me To Obey.

Are you striving for obedience or just saying you are? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." In Chapter 15, Samuel returns, but I must caution you: This is a chapter filled with disappointment. It concludes with God expressing regret over appointing Saul as king and Samuel vowing never to speak to King Saul again! In light of this, here is the key verse of this chapter where Samuel says to King Saul: "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams." — 1 Samuel 15:22 This is easily one of Samuel's greatest quotes. He points out that you can either obey God or abuse God's sacrificial system. Followers had the right to make a sacrifice for their known sins, but this never gave them the right to be purposefully disobedient and abuse the system. Throughout the Bible, believers are never given the right to abuse God's forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love. As Paul said in Romans 6:2, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!" God wants us to experience the complete faith and total joy of living a life of obedience by way of the Spirit. But we have to choose to listen and live in this life by obeying God and resisting sin. If you have been unengaged in some elements of biblical faith or too lethargic in making an effort against sin, I want to encourage you not to abuse the sacrifice of Jesus. Engage and give an effort in obedience today. Experience the full joy and effort of living a life of faith. #TrueObedience, #FaithOverRitual, #LivingFaithfully Ask This: In what areas of your life might you be substituting rituals or words for genuine obedience to God? How can you shift from merely talking about faith to actively living it out? Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled with disobedience. How can you apply the principle of "obedience is better than sacrifice" to make a different choice next time? Do This: Struggle against disobedience and live in faith. Pray This: Lord, help me to move beyond mere words and rituals and truly embrace a life of obedience to You. Strengthen my resolve to align my actions with Your will and experience the full joy of living faithfully. Amen. Play This: Available.

Have you made a rash judgment lately? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." In the latter part of Chapter 14, we are surveying Saul's leadership and comparing it with Jonathan's. There is this hangover from that bad vow of Saul, and because of the vow, Saul does not hear from God. Saul is now hunting down the problem within his camp, and the lot has fallen to Jonathan. Now we pick up with what Saul does when he finds out he is not hearing from God because his son broke the vow he established that Jonathan had not heard in verses 43-46: Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." And Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die." And Saul said, "God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan." Then the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die. Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. — 1 Samuel 14:43-46 This underscores the kind of man and leader Saul is: insanely selfish to the point of injustice. And not just any injustice. Injustice that is willing to kill his son. This is sheer insanity. I cannot ever imagine saying something like this to any of my children, regardless of how sinful they were, and Jonathan has not sinned against God. I guess we know why Saul did not hear from God, and the Philistines were allowed to escape. It was the selfish rage within Saul's heart. This text holds three essential lessons for us. First, we see that there are limits to the king's power in the newly founded monarchy. He is allowed to institute an oath or curse, but he is not allowed to enforce it if the extent of it is unjust. Second, this chapter summarizes the picture of Saul's leadership for the next 40 years. Third, and most importantly, the people stand up against Saul and for what is right to ransom Jonathan from Saul's unjust judgment. This third point is important. We as believers have a responsibility to speak up for injustice when those in faith are served injustice. This may require us to stand against authority, which is risky but righteous. The saving grace of this chapter is Jonathan's faith. His faith fights two fights: first, a fight for Israel's saving the 600, and second, a fight for his own life before his father. So, let's go back to yesterday's devotional. We talked about how to hear from God when he was silent. As we see, God was not silent. God, in the end, spoke. And he spoke through 598 godly voices who spoke up for one righteous man of faith and against one unjust judgment of a king. Thus, the sin has been found. God was silent to Saul because of his sin against his son and all of Israel, and God delivered his judgment in the silence. As we close this chapter, let's remember that sometimes sin lies within us. If you are a leader of any kind, please deal with the sin and selfishness that live within your heart. Don't carry on with sin to the same level of stupidity as Saul. But if you do, or when you do, make sure and listen to the godly people around you. Righteous people will only follow you so far; at some point, you might need to follow them because they might be the voice of God. #LeadershipLessons, #FaithInAction, #RighteousStand Ask This: In what ways might unchecked selfishness or pride be impacting your leadership or relationships? How can you address it before it leads to greater consequences? When faced with an unjust situation, how can you discern when it's time to speak up or take a stand, even if it means challenging authority? Do This: Test your heart and discern your judgments. Pray This: Lord, help me to recognize any selfishness or sin within my heart and give me the courage to address it. Grant me the strength to stand up for what is right, even when it's difficult or risks challenging those in authority. Amen. Play This: Heart of God.

Do you wonder why God isn't speaking, or you cannot hear his voice? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." We are in the latter part of Chapter 14, surveying Saul's leadership. We are still feeling the hangover that results from that stupid vow Saul instituted, but in the end, Saul builds an altar to the Lord, and then here is what happens next in verses 36-38: Then Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." But the priest said, "Let us draw near to God here." And Saul inquired of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?" But he did not answer him that day. — 1 Samuel 14:36-37 Saul is pretty excited about this victory—I would be pretty high, too—because death was knocking at his door. But he wants to continue the campaign and finish them off, which probably would have been the case if they had the calories to do it. But before they go, in traditional fashion, he tries to consult God, but God doesn't answer, which bothers him. We have all been in this situation: We want to know what God wants us to do and even seek his counsel, but we don't seem to get the answer as fast as we want. And it's irritating because we are irritated with God's sovereignty. But there is more to this story. Verses 38-42 read: And Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today. For as the Lord lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die." But there was not a man among all the people who answered him. Then he said to all Israel, "You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side." And the people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you." Therefore Saul said, "O Lord God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O Lord, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim." And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. Then Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan." And Jonathan was taken. — 1 Samuel 14:38-42 Saul does what any believer would do. He searches out the sin, preventing the voice of God, which is the right impulse. When God is silent, it is right to ask this question and deal with sin because sometimes sin prevents the voice of God or us from hearing the voice of God. The problem with Saul's search is that he will not like the answer. So the priest pulls out the Urim and Thummim, which are kept in his breastplate and rolls the divine dice. We are not exactly sure how this worked, but we do know this: it is the same process used for selecting Saul as King. But this time, the selection is not of a king but of a sinner. And the die falls to Jonathan. Tomorrow, we will see how this pans out. But for now, remember that every situation in this life is an opportunity to consult God. Sometimes, God's answers don't come in the timing we like or expect. The key is not to be irritated with God's sovereignty. We need to trust his sovereignty when he calls us to act and not act. And sometimes, when he doesn't answer, this is a good time to do business with our selfishness and sin. So do that today! #GodsTiming, #DivineSilence, #SaulAndJonathan Ask This: When you face moments of silence from God, what practical steps can you take to reflect on your own life and possible barriers to hearing His voice How can Saul's experience with unanswered prayers guide you in your own journey of seeking God's direction, especially when His responses are delayed or unclear? Do This: Seek his voice and search out your sin. Pray This: Lord, when Your voice seems silent, help me to trust in Your timing and seek my own heart for any barriers to hearing You. Guide me in dealing with my sin and selfishness, so I can remain faithful even in the quiet moments. Amen. Play This: Lord, I Need You.

Has legalistic leadership adversely affected you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." In the first part of Chapter 14, we witness Jonathan, who acted in faith, and God did some incredible things through him. In the second part of Chapter 14, Saul engages in and flubs up a really great thing that God had been doing. Saul cuts off the priest, who is in the middle of his duties because he sees the chaos in the enemy camp. So they head off in hot pursuit. But before they go, Saul makes the people swear an oath not to eat until his enemy is defeated. We saw last time this was an unnecessary oath promoted from self-interest, and his son Jonathan knows it. Now the people are weak, and here is what happens in 31-35: They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint. The people pounced on the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood. Then they told Saul, "Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood." And he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here." And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, 'Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.'" So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night and they slaughtered them there. And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord. — 1 Samuel 14:31-35 Let me say here that it sounds like they were eating raw flesh, like cannibals. But they are not. They simply had not allowed all the blood to drain from the animal before they cooked it. They were starving, so it led them to rush and sin. We have all encountered a moment like this. We have all been so hungry or waited so long to eat that when we are sat before a buffet, we cannot stop eating. Plenty of times, I have been so hungry that I have eaten an entire family-size bag of chips. There have been times I have waited so long for a meal that when food is finally in front of me, I eat too fast and beyond my capacity, to the point I cannot move. When you sit excessive amounts of food before hungry and exhausted men, we should expect them to rush and overeat. That's what happened here. The people were tired and hungry. They now had excessive food and rushed into an act of sin. But Saul led them into this unnecessary sin and blamed them for it. This is terrible leadership. Saul ruined a great story and a great moment. Had he not mandated this vow, think about how awesome this story would have ended. Jonathan and his armor-bearer sneak away. They take steps of courageous faith. They seek God. They climb a cliff into battle. Two men slaughter twenty men. Then, the Hebrew turncoats in the Philistine ranks turn on the garrison. Then, outside tribes join in from every direction. Saul sees the commotion and hustles over. Even in the moment of need, God provides some natural provision in the form of honey for a last push in battle. And finally, there is a complete defeat and plunder. Six hundred men defeat 36,000 men and send them running, but the whole story is ruined by an oppressive and selfish vow that should have never been issued, and then Saul blames his men for rushing to eat. Legalistic leaders forbid freedoms that God grants. They forbid freedom to control situations, people, and outcomes. However, sometimes, these restrictions backfire, tempting people to break with legalism and do things God forbids. This is exactly what Saul did here. His vow led the people into sin. Even worse, Saul doesn't take ownership of the policy that led his people into sin. He blames them. Saul played god, thus ruining a great moment where God did something great. One tension in leadership is knowing how to best lead a person or people to victory. Some only need to know the goal, others need tangible steps, and still others need protective boundaries. It is different for everyone. But as leaders, we have to make sure our attitude and heart are in the right place as we make these decisions. Saul instituted his vow out of selfish intent. He wasn't concerned about God or his victory. He was only worried about himself, his image, and his victory over "his enemy" (1 Samuel 14:24). If you lead one or many, pay attention to your heart today. There may be one who is challenging for you to lead. Be careful how you speak and lead them. Let the Spirit have control, and stop being purposely oppressive or passively aggressive. If you do, your legalistic plan might backfire and draw unneeded attention to your selfishness and sin. #LeadershipLessons, #FaithOverLegalism, #AvoidLegalism Ask This: In what areas of your life or leadership have you found yourself imposing unnecessary restrictions or rules? How can yo

Are their policies and procedures oppressing you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." This latter section of Chapter 14 is going to illustrate a sharp contrast between Jonathan and Saul, and a lot of this stems from the very next thing Saul does in verse 24: And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies." So none of the people had tasted food.— 1 Samuel 14:24 Just to be clear, nothing in the Bible substantiates or supports the need for a vow like this. This was something conceived only by Saul. It also appears to be self-motivated, as insinuated by the phrase "my enemies." This misunderstanding leads to a great contrast in leadership between Saul and Jonathan. Jonathan perceived the battle to belong to the Lord, and Saul perceived it to be his battle with his enemies, a misunderstanding that would continue throughout his 40-year reign. The irony of Saul's vow is that it pressed the people harder than the battle itself. Let's read down from verses 25-30 to see how this played out. Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were faint. Then Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great." — 1 Samuel 14:25-30 As we will see by the time we get to the end of the chapter, this honey was merely God's provision. The problem is that Saul has forbidden it. But Jonathan did not know it because he was absent when the vow was given. So Jonathan stabs his staff into it and eats. Once he finds out about his father's vow, he points out how stupid and oppressive the vow is for finishing the work of the Lord. Leadership is always challenging, but oppressive policies do not make it less of a challenge for anyone. I have seen this happen so many times. As organizations grow, so do politics, policies, and procedures. But sometimes, these policies restrict the freedom needed to accomplish the mission. They might even be self-defeated. In this case, Saul's policy was born out of his need for self-preservation, and it defeated the troops. In the coming text, we will see how his policy led his people to sin. As a leader, I always feel this tension in my family, workplace, and personal life. I debate in each instance and with each person how to offer freedom to lead and provide appropriate boundaries that prohibit sin and organizational failure. In each instance, it is different. It has been different with every one of my children, and it changed as they aged. Each staff member has been different and changed at various stages of development. But it's not only their age and stage that I have to keep my eyes on. It's the motivation of my heart as I establish these boundaries. If I am not careful, I can be selfish and oppressive and develop policies and procedures that become oppressive because I am only looking out for myself, which can lead me and them into sin rather than toward God's salvation. That's the issue in this text. Jonathan had led the people into salvation, and Saul was leading them into sin. Don't lead the people you lead into sin. Instead, walk the leadership balance carefully by paying attention to your motivation today. And if you need to change how you parent and lead, do it. #LeadershipLessons, #AvoidingOppression, #WisdomInLeadership Ask This: How have you experienced or observed policies or decisions in your own life that seemed to prioritize personal agendas over the well-being of the group? How did that impact your perspective on leadership? In what areas of your life—whether at work, in your family, or within your community—might you be setting rules or boundaries that are more about self-preservation than genuine growth and freedom? How can you adjust your approach to better align with God's principles of leadership and service? Do This: Balance your leadership and stop oppressing the people you lead. Pray This: Lord, help me recognize and confront any policies or decisions in my leadership that may be driven by selfish motives rather than Your guidance. Grant me wisdom to lead

Are you climbing into a battle today? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." At this point in the chapter, Jonathan and his armor-bearer have slipped away from the Israeli camp. They trekked over the Philistines and decided that they were the only ones who could take down the enemy. We left off last time with their preposterous plan to expose their position and see if the Lord would give them an opening to take them down. Next, we will see how this plays out first in verses 12-13: And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you a thing." And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, "Come up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel." Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. — 1 Samuel 14:12-13 Two details capture my attention here. First, they have to scale a cliff, which requires using their "hands and feet," which would be a very exposed position. Second, the call to "come up" has two perspectives with the same intended result. The Philistines call Jonathan to "come up" with the intent to kill the two of them, and Jonathan calls his armor-bearer to "come up" to kill the Philistines. This captures me because this is the challenge in just about every spiritual battle in life. Every spiritual battle has the same goal on either side: to win. But on one side of the fight, there is God; on the other, there is not. When we engage, we need to be sure we are "coming up" or "climbing" into the right side of the battle. As we have seen, Jonathan did. He consulted God before he came up and climbed into this mess. But let's continue: And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him. And that first strike, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, killed about twenty men within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land. And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic. — 1 Samuel 14:13-15 As far as we can tell from the text, this was a small outpost of the Philistines a little away from the main camp. They occupied a small landing by the rocky crags, and Jonathan and the armor-bearer slaughtered them. But what happened next rattled the Philistines. The timing of the attack, the victory, and the earthquake were all bad omens to the rest of the Philistine camp. It sent them into a freakish panic, so much so that it awakened Saul and the Israelite army. There are times in our lives when we will experience events like this. When I experience them, I feel like I am walking in perfect step with the Lord and his Spirit. As I take the steps, I feel like God has me hedged in. He is walking before, beside, and behind me. I look up before me and see God doing what only God can do. As believers we should know the experience of these moments. These experiences were not intended only for Jonathan. We are told about these moments because God wants us to know these moments in our own lives. But to experience them, we must fight our spiritual battles differently. We need to consult the Lord. We must ask him for signs. We have to trust him in faith. We must act in obedience. Then, when it comes time to fight, we must let his will be done and his glory reign regardless of the outcome. But here is how this concludes in verses 16-23: And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. Then Saul said to the people who were with him, "Count and see who has gone from us." And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. So Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here." For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel. Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand." Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven. — 1 Samuel 14:13-15 We discover that Saul sees what is happening and realizes what Jonathan has done. But you will notice two things happen before Saul gets to the battle. First, some Israelite turncoats had joined forces with the Philistines. Once they see what

Are you fighting a battle that requires bold faith? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." This is a long chapter, so I am not going to cite every verse, but I am going to pick out the significant texts and events in this chapter over the next week. The first part (1 Samuel 14:1-23) tells the story of Jonathan and his leadership through a challenging situation. Let's begin in verse one: One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side." But he did not tell his father. — 1 Samuel 14:1 Remember, the King and his son are in a desperate situation. Jonathan defeated a garrison that stirred up the Philistines. King Saul had just acted in disobedience by a sacrifice reserved for a holy man. Their force is now reduced to 600 ragtag men. They have no weapons, and the Philistines have them surrounded. In the midst of this, Jonathan and his armor-bearer will sneak over to the enemy camp to survey the situation. The climb down relatively close to where the Philistines are, and in verses 6-7 it reads: Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few." And his armor-bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul." — 1 Samuel 14:6-7 This is about to become Jonathan's "David and Goliath" moment. Here, Jonathan pronounces profound faith in God. His faith is strong, and you will notice he's not alone. He has a believing man by his side who also sold out with him in the same faith. We all need someone like this at our side in life's challenges. We need battle buddies, fellow fighters, and courageous companions sold out with us in faith. They are people of faith who will stand by our side through thick and thin. Not to be confused with people who are merely sold out to our ideas, plans, strategies, and tactics. The strategy, in this case, has yet to be revealed. We see two men who are mutually sold out in faith and believe that God would be their salvation before the strategy is even revealed. These are the types of men and women we need by our side in the face of life's challenges. Faith-filled believers who fill us with faith for the challenge we see before us. Then next, we read the strategy in verses 8-11: Then Jonathan said, "Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. But if they say, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up, for the Lord has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us." So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves." — 1 Samuel 14:8-11 Now we have the strategy. Honestly, it's a preposterous plan for three reasons. First, Jonathan would give up the element of surprise by standing up and exposing their position. Second, Jonathan had a stronger battle position on the rocky cliff than if he had climbed down to them. Third, remember it's two men against an entire garrison who are rested and will be prepared for battle by the time the two of them make their way down the rocky cliffs. The plan is so absurd that if it succeeded, it could only be because the Lord did it. But even though the plan appears preposterous, Jonathan's faith in God and God's plan are profound. Jonathan is doing what we all should do in our life's battles. He takes one step of faith in God at a time. Jonathan knows he is going to fight a battle. He is resolved about that. But notice the small steps he took. The first step was leaving the Israelite army behind. The second was surveying the enemy garrison. The third step was ensuring the resolve of his battle buddy. The next step was a test to expose how the battle would be fought. Even though we may know the end of the story, don't dismiss the small steps of faith taken along the way. Some of you are out there fighting a big battle right now. Some of you are just like me; you want to get to the end of the battle and the conclusion of the fight. But don't fail to fight faithfully the smaller fights. Big spiritual battles are won in small moments of faith. It's small strategic wins that lead to great spiritual success. So don't neglect even a simple prayer that aligns your heart and effort with the heart of God. It may lead to a victory even when it doesn't make logical sense. #FaithInAction, #BoldLeadership, #SmallStepsBigVictory Ask This: How can you apply Jonathan's approach of small steps of faith and courageous action to a current challenge in your life? Reflect on prac

When the odds are stacked against you, will you still act in faith? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." This is a long chapter that could be divided into two parts. Part one is the story of Jonathan's leadership, and part two is the story of Saul's leadership. As you will see there is a great contrast between these two men. Remember, Saul and Jonathan are a father-son duo in a desperate situation. Jonathan defeated a garrison that stirred up the Philistines, and Saul had just acted in disobedience. Their force of 3000 is now reduced to 600 ragtag men. They have no weapons, just gardening tools, and they watch as the enemy Philistines surround them, cutting them off from retreat and help from any side. But then, almost out of nowhere, we hear this from young Jonathan in verse six: Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few." — 1 Samuel 14:6 Out of this moment arises one man. One man sees the entire situation differently. Just to let you know, I am a realist. Some people are natural pessimists, and others are optimists, but I would classify myself as a realist. I see the reality in each situation. Because of this, sometimes I can tip toward pessimism, and other times I tip toward optimism, which has to do with my past experiences with a given situation. Regardless, Jonathan is not declaring optimistism. He is not looking at a bad situation and calling it a good situation. There is nothing good about this situation. What he is stating is his faith in God. He believes and is fully convinced that God can do anything in and with a terrible situation and that he can take action based on his faith, even if the odds in the present situation are stacked against him. I don't know what the situation is before you today. This situation might be overwhelming. You might feel surrounded. If so, I want you to know that, in all reality, this situation might be terrible, and the odds might be fully stacked against you. But remember, you serve a God who defies all odds. So, regardless of your situation, don't let your situation dictate a change in what you believe about God. Believe in faith, trust in a God who can do anything, and act based on this because Jonathan was right: "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few." That is not a statement of optimism. It's a statement of fact. #FaithOverFear, #LeadershipLessons, #TrustInGod Ask This: In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed or surrounded, and how can you apply Jonathan's faith in God's ability to save, regardless of the odds? How does your view of God influence your actions during difficult situations, and what steps can you take to strengthen your trust in Him as Jonathan did? Do This: Act in faith, not optimism or pessimism. Pray This: Lord, help me to trust in Your power and sovereignty, even when the odds are against me. Strengthen my faith like Jonathan's so I can act boldly and confidently in Your name. Amen. Play This: Stand In Faith.

Have you ever been in a situation where problems pile up, and you're not sure if you can handle one more? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." In Chapter 13, the Philistines press against King Saul. Saul offers a burnt offering he shouldn't have, and Samuel pronounces an indictment against him. Meanwhile, the Philistines are 36,000 strong with advanced weaponry and Saul is a measly 600 men with rudimentary weapons. Listen as I read 19-23: Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears." But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle, and the charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads. So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan, but Saul and Jonathan his son had them. And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash. — 1 Samuel 13:19-23 This section is an important description because not only do the Philistines have them surrounded, preventing any kind of retreat or help from other tribes to the north, south, east, or west. They also have complete control of all metallurgical resources. And not just the weaponry but also the tools that aid in sharpening and repairing of their everyday agricultural tools. The Philistines intentionally retained control of all these resources. These tactics are still being used today. They're being used by stakeholders in popular media who control and spin the information we hear, using it to persuade us of their ideas and beliefs. They're being used by influencers and investors who use their power to persuade us of their positions or to buy their products. They're also being used by corporations, whose policies and procedures prevent proselytizing while proselytizing us of positions that the Bible is against. But here's the good news. Even without resources, believers can be victorious. The enemy will monopolize resources as he wages war against us. We may feel resourceless, but we worship a God of all resources. Today, if you feel like you are under attack. If you feel outnumbered, outflanked, and underresourced. If your life is full of problems and you don't if you can handle one more issue. If you feel like you are on the edge of defeat and destruction. I want you to know you are not. 1 Samuel 14 is coming, and it's good news because the world does not possess and monopolize these resources. We have a God of all resources who can do something with nothing; he is the only resource you need. #FaithOverFear, #GodsProvision, #VictoryInChrist Ask This: How can you trust God to provide for your needs when you feel outnumbered or under-resourced in your current challenges? In what ways can you rely on God's strength and wisdom when facing situations that seem overwhelming and impossible to handle on your own? Do This: Give God your problems and let him help. Pray This: Father, in my moments of weakness and feeling overwhelmed, remind me of Your limitless power and provision. Help me to trust You completely, knowing that You are my ultimate resource and strength. Amen. Play This: My Help.

Have you been disobedient and find yourself outnumbered and outflanked? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." In Chapter 13, the Philistines test Saul. Saul offers a burnt offering he should not have. Samuel pronounces an indictment against Saul. And not the Philistines are getting ready to go to war with Israel. And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men. And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual; another company turned toward Beth-horon; and another company turned toward the border that looks down on the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. — 1 Samuel 13:15-18 Here is what we learn in this text. Saul and Jonathan combine forces because now the Philistines are all stirred up. The problem they now have is their combined force is only about 600 men in comparison to the 36,000 plus soldiers ready in the Philistine camp just a few miles away. They are clearly close enough that they can see the camp and their strategic movements as they come out in three different waves; one travels north, another east, and the last west. This is a portrait of a hopeless situation. Saul, Jonathan, and their 600 warriors are outnumbered and outflanked, and with that, their King has just committed an offense against God. I don't know if you have ever been in a situation like this in your life, but there is nothing like this moment. Nothing tests our faith more than knowing we have been disobedient, and in the shadow of this event, we discover we are outnumbered and outflanked. The only good part for a believer is that you have no one and nothing to trust in other than God, not even your own obedience. In complete helplessness, you are forced to turn to the only Helper. Reduced to a state of helplessness, you must rely on the help of God. With age and wisdom, I have come to learn that helplessness, as irritating and unsettling as it can be, is God's proving ground for discipling me in faith. It is the training ground for relying less on myself and more on him. He uses helplessness to rewire my mind, soul, and heart to his ways and his help and deepen my trust and faith in him. He does it so I will be stronger for the coming season, responding more quickly in faith and leading others to the same faith in their helplessness. Have you been in a helpless situation like Israel, disobedient and outnumbered and outflanked where God has been your help? Then tell others how God was your divine help. Are you in a helpless situation, disobedient, feeling outnumbered and outflanked? Then turn to God, who is your help, and let God disciple you in the ways of faith. And get ready to tell the story of what God will do because God is faithful even when we are not. He is our help and salvation. #TrustInGod, #FaithUnderFire, #DivineHelp Ask This: In what areas of your life have you experienced a sense of helplessness, and how can you turn to God for strength and guidance in those moments? How can you share a story of God's faithfulness during a time when you felt outnumbered and outflanked, and how might your testimony encourage others in their faith journey? Do This: Turn to the Lord your Help. Pray This: Lord, when I find myself outnumbered and outflanked by life's challenges, help me to rely on Your strength and guidance. Teach me to trust in Your faithfulness, even when I have been disobedient, knowing that You are my ultimate helper and salvation. Amen. Play This: Living Hope.

Are you making excuses for your actions as a leader? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." In Chapter 13, the Philistines test Saul. In disobedience, he does not wait for Samuel to offer spiritual direction by burnt offering and, therefore, does it himself. And here is the interchange between Saul and Samuel. Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.' So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering." And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you." And Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal. The rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army; they went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. — 1 Samuel 13:11-15 So Saul gets called out by Samuel, and as he does, he offers five immediate excuses: The people were afraid and running in fear. You, their spiritual leader, were not on time (even though he was). The Philistines are close and prepared to attack us. I knew I needed to seek the favor of the Lord. So, I forced myself to do something I knew I shouldn't do. These excuses sound all too familiar, don't they? This sounds like every teenager who has ever been caught in a mistake. Saul's response to Samuel underscores a universal truth about leadership. Leadership is a role that comes with pressures from all directions, both internal and external, and physical and spiritual. Leaders encounter these pressures daily, and they have the privilege of making decisions that either honor or dishonor God. This is the challenge of leadership, a truth that we must all come to terms with. But what's even more telling is Saul's response. Yes, he was under immense leadership pressure at this moment, but instead of leading with patience, acting in faith, and seeking godly direction, he chose to act on his own volition and afterward offered a bunch of excuses. Saul's leadership failure at this moment cost him dearly. As a result, God declared that Saul's kingdom would not continue to his next of kin, a decision that would affect his next of kin, Jonathan. This is a stark reminder that we, as leaders, are all in danger of suffering the same fate if we are not careful as well. The pressures of leadership will always test the dimensions of our character. Acting impatiently and offering excuses may provide momentary relief, but they ultimately undermine leadership trust and integrity with both God and man. Godly leadership demands that we own our mistakes, learn from them, and strive to align our actions with God's commands, regardless of what pressures come our way. #LeadershipIntegrity, #ObeyGod, #AvoidExcuses Ask This: How do you handle the pressures and challenges in your own leadership roles, and what are some excuses you might use to justify your decisions? In what areas of your life are you tempted to offer excuses rather than seeking godly direction and acting with integrity? How can you address these areas to align more closely with God's commands? Do This: Lead with godly integrity. Pray This: Lord, help me to recognize and confront any excuses I use to justify my actions and decisions. Grant me the courage and integrity to lead with faithfulness and obedience to Your commands, no matter the pressures I face. Amen. Play This: Lead the Way.

Have you ever been embarrassed by an impatient and insecure action? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." In Chapter 13, the Philistines test Saul and the nation. Enemy combatants are close at hand, and the people are gathered at Gilgal, but the Philistines greatly outnumber them. Next, we read verses 8-11: He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, "Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings." And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. Samuel said, "What have you done?" — 1 Samuel 13:8-11 Basically, Samuel does something similar to what Jesus did a couple of times in the Gospels and shows up late to the party. This long delay triggers Saul because, by this time, he is losing the people, and they are scattering. So, Saul feels he needs to do something to hold the nation and troops together until Samuel arrives and, in doing so, offers a sacrifice he should not have offered. Now, I am going to confess that I would have been tempted to act like Saul does here. There are situations I handle exceedingly well and those that I don't. I could see this particular situation being a test for me, especially if I were a young leader who felt the pressure to perform before the nation, knowing I was losing the people and I was waiting for a very old man to arrive on the scene. But this is no justification for my rationalizations or Saul's actions in this text. Saul acted in disobedience and did something he should not have done; thus, his partial obedience was still complete disobedience. In my lifetime, I have found that the battle for obedience is fought entirely within my heart. Yet this battle is elicited by the pressures of situations and people in this life. When the situations and people before me become complex and complicated, and I don't feel I can see a way out, insecurities and impatience tempt me to behave based on my volition rather than trust in faith in God. Today, fight your battle valiantly. Look at every battle twice. Discern the battle before you and the war raging within you. Don't temporarily win one only to lose the other and, in the end, lose them both, thus facing the embarrassment of the question—"What have you done?" #ObedienceMatters, #TrustInGod, #FaithOverFear Ask This: In what areas of your life do you find yourself rationalizing disobedience, and how can you practice complete trust in God instead? How do the pressures of your current circumstances reveal the state of your heart, and what steps can you take to align your actions with faith rather than fear? Do This: See you battle twice and fight valiantly. Pray This: Lord, help me to trust in Your timing and guidance, even when I feel pressured to act on my own. Strengthen my heart to obey You completely, resisting the urge to take matters into my own hands. Amen. Play This: You've Already Won.

Are you feeling completely outnumbered and powerless? That could be good! Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." Chapter 13 is about two years after Saul's inauguration. Saul has 2000 men under his command. Jonathan, his son, has 1000 men under his command. They have split up and are trying to move out these garrisons of Philistine soldiers that have encamped around the region, put there to intimidate the Israelites. Jonathan has just defeated one garrison, which stirs up all the Philistines. Listen to what happens next in verses 5-7: And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven. When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns, and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. — 1 Samuel 13:5-7 The Israelites are overwhelmed because they have stirred up a hornet's nest and realize they are outnumbered and overpowered. Saul and Jonathan's current combined force was 3000 against a whopping 36,000 Philistine troops, who also had a lot of advanced weaponry. It's probably how the modern State of Israel feels today, given the fact that the entire land mass surrounding them is against them in some way. There have been plenty of times in my life when I have felt surrounded like this: outflanked, overwhelmed, outnumbered, and overpowered. When this happens, my human rationale battles with my spiritual rationale. Sometimes, my impulse is just like the Israelites—ignore, deflect, run, and hide. But there is one principle I have learned that has better equipped me for these moments. I have learned that in situations like this God will reduce me and my situation to complete helplessness so that I will stop relying on myself and rely on his salvation. The problem I always have is that I tend to lean too much on my skill, effort, and tactics until I realize that they won't work and might even complicate matters. If, in a present situation, you feel like you have tried everything within your power to do what is right and righteous, then you might need to stop. But don't stop and run, hide, and live in fear. Instead, stop in your helplessness and trust in the Lord, your help and salvation. If you don't let the Lord help where you cannot, you might end up doing what Saul does next—you might make a tragic and fatal mistake. #FaithOverFear, #TrustInGod, #SpiritualStrength Ask This: In what areas of your life do you feel outnumbered or overwhelmed, and how can you shift from relying on your own strength to trusting in God's help and salvation? Reflect on a time when you faced a daunting challenge. How did your response align with or differ from the Israelites' reaction in 1 Samuel 13, and what can you learn from this to apply in future situations? Do This: Let God be your salvation. Pray This: Lord, when I feel overwhelmed and outnumbered, help me to stop relying on my own strength and turn to You for salvation. Grant me the faith to trust in Your power and guidance, even in the face of daunting challenges. Amen. Play This: Shout Hosanna.

Are your insecurities leading to deception? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." Chapter 13 jumps forward in time about two years after Saul's inauguration. Saul and Jonathan, his son, who is probably in his 20s, are going to divide forces and see if they can deal with these garrisons of Philistine soldiers encamped around the region of Israel. They encamped around the region mostly to intimidate the Israelites. Here is how the first four verses read: Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel, Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent. Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear." And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become a stench to the Philistines. And the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal. — 1 Samuel 13:1-4 The author captures two interesting details here. First, we notice that Jonathan is the one who finally deals with that garrison of Philistine soldiers mentioned back in 1 Samuel 10:5. If you recall when Saul was making his trip back after being anointed by Samuel as the first king, he was told he would meet a garrison of Philistine soldiers and also some prophesying prophets. This is that same garrison. Clearly, Saul has left this issue unaddressed, which means that two years later, his son has to deal with it. Second, it is revealing that Saul declares his son's victory, takes credit for it, and never corrects the misunderstanding that it was Jonathan's victory and not his own. If you work in a large business with a deep hierarchy, this is about every day of your business existence. Insecure leaders in the hierarchy above you blame you if you fail and take credit from you if you succeed. This situation is an early indication of the type of man and leader we know Saul will be. Insecure leaders who are untested and have questionable character will do deceptive things. Over time, these small deceptions will become more pronounced until they are finally exposed and called out. If you want to avoid these issues in your life and leadership, you must assess your fears, confess your insecurities, address your character faults, and ensure that you are putting your faith and trust in God, who is your salvation in every situation. Don't do what Saul does here, which only tips his life and leadership in the wrong direction. #LeadershipLessons, #FaithInAction, #OvercomingInsecurity Ask This: In what areas of your life might you be practicing partial obedience, and how can you fully align your actions with God's commands? How do you handle situations where others take credit for your work or blame you for their failures, and what steps can you take to maintain integrity and trust in those moments? Do This: Assess your fears, confess your insecurities, and address your character faults. Pray This: Lord, help me to recognize and address any areas of partial obedience in my life, guiding me to fully align my actions with Your will. Strengthen my integrity and trust in You, especially when facing challenges or unfair treatment. Amen. Play This: Trust In God.

BUY THE 1 SAMUEL JOURNAL 99% obedience is always 100% disobedience. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." Chapter 13 recounts a single event in the second year of Saul's forty-year reign as king (Acts 13:21). There are four main characters in this chapter. First, Samuel (1 Sam. 13:8), the Judge and Prophet for all the people, still plays a significant role. Second, Saul (1 Sam. 13:1), the King, is grappling with his role as a leader and warrior, a struggle that becomes evident as the chapter unfolds. Third, Jonathan (1 Sam. 13:3), the son of Saul, is introduced here, and his success surpasses that of his father. Fourth, the Israelite enemy, the Philistines (1 Sam. 13:3), are depicted as strong, numerous, armed, and battle-ready. As we read this chapter, you will see that Saul will make a critical mistake. There is a moment when he will realize that he is outnumbered, outflanked, and under-equipped, and the pressure of the situation will tempt him to do something he wasn't supposed to do. He will circumvent the spiritual process by offering a sacrifice reserved for Samuel's role alone. Out of fear, this one act of disobedience will affect Saul's entire legacy. Because of this, Samuel gives this indictment in verse 14, which is the key verse of this chapter. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you. — 1 Samuel 13:14 For those familiar with the story, this is the first mention of David, a figure who has not been born yet but whose presence is already being felt. But here is the driving truth of this text and the chapter. Partial obedience is complete disobedience. Or 99% obedience is 100% disobedience. Most of us don't like this truth. But this is the central truth of this chapter and one of the great truths declared throughout the Bible. We live in a fallen world. We are sinful and have fallen short of God's glory. We may want to be king, but because of our sins, God has his own choice for king. And if you read this verse in light of a New Testament reality, we know that Jesus would come from the line of David and be God's choice for King. Jesus was 0% disobedient; therefore, he was 100% obedient and perfect in all his ways to fulfill these roles when we were not. As believers, we must come to terms with the enemy who surrounds us. Battles lurching in our lives will rage a war within us. It's the war within that must be fought first. It's the battle within that Saul failed to realize. In his insecurities, he responded in fear and was unable to trust in faith; therefore, he lost it all. Today, you will fight a battle. It might look like a fight with a broken car, a traffic jam, a disobedient child, a non-compliant worker, a delayed order, a computer crash, or, God forbid, all the above. When this occurs, you will feel subverted and surrounded, and you will be stirred to fight. This is just the enemy stirring you to sin. Instead of jumping to judgment and responding in fear, stop to note the war that is raging within you. Give God your insecurities. Give God your fears. Then, trust God in faith and lean on his sovereignty. His salvation is better than yours because his salvation is 100% obedient. #PartialObedience, #FaithOverFear, #LessonsFromSaul Ask This: In what areas of your life might you settle for partial obedience, and how can you shift your approach to align with God's commands? How do you typically respond to pressure or challenges that overwhelm you? What practical steps can you take to trust God's sovereignty and maintain faith even in difficult situations? Do This: Trust in God's salvation in every battle by faith. Pray This: Lord, help me recognize and address areas of partial obedience in my life so I can fully align with Your will. Strengthen my faith to trust in Your sovereignty and guide me through the battles I face each day. Amen. Play This: Come Jesus Come.

What great thing has the Lord has done for you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." In the story, Samuel is giving his farewell address, and he closes off his great speech with these words in 1 Samuel 12:24-25: Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king. — 1 Samuel 12:24-25 In these two verses, Samuel implores the people to transition their fears. He wants them to move from fearing "things" to fearing "one" worth fearing—the Lord. In the Bible, there are two broad references to fear. One is often called a "spirit of fear," which is focused on things and results in disbelief and disobedience. The other is the "fear of the Lord," which is focused on God and results in faith, obedience, awe, and reverence. Samuel has appropriately identified the issue of the nation. The issue they keep having is the same issue that all believers have. Our faith is tested and exposed by the things we fear. If we fear things in this life, then we are putting our faith in the things of this life. If we fear God, we are putting our faith in the person of God. This is where the battle of faith is fought every day. Today, you are going to experience some fear. Fear of a person. Fear of failure. Fear of being late. Fear of letting someone down. There are so many things to fear that I can't list them all. But you will encounter a fear of some kind that is unique to you. The challenge is not letting the fear of that thing, whatever it is, control you. You must turn from fearing that thing to faith in God, who is worth fearing. Samuel suggests we consistently make that turn by "considering all the great things God has done." In this instance, the most recent great thing the people of Israel could "consider" was that unexplainable storm. A storm rolled in and drenched them in a stormless season, reminding them that God was in complete control of all things and his word to Samuel was ordained by God. Surely, in your life, you have one of these unexplainable divine events that display God's faithfulness—one that brings you back to the fear of the Lord when you fear other things. Remember, recall, and consider this event and what God did for you in detail when fear strikes you today, which will help to anchor you in a reverent fear of the Lord. #FearOfTheLord, #GodsFaithfulness, #DailyDevotional Ask This: How has a recent challenge or fear in your life been met with a reminder of God's faithfulness, and how did it shift your perspective or response? What specific "great things" has God done in your life that you can recall and use to strengthen your faith when faced with fear or doubt? Do This: Remember a moment of God's faithfulness when you experience a fear. Pray This: Lord, help me to remember and reflect on the great things You have done in my life, especially when I am overwhelmed by fear. Strengthen my faith to trust in Your power and faithfulness above all else. Amen. Play This: I Will Fear No More.

Are you ready to move beyond sin and into deliverance? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." In the story, Samuel is giving his farewell address. He has just explained to the nation that their request for a king was evil and wicked. As a confirmation, he called on a storm, and it rained down on them. In shock, the people responded in fear. Here is what Samuel says next in 1 Samuel 12:20-23: And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. — 1 Samuel 12:20-23 Samuel's exhortation to the people is fourfold: Stop giving yourself to fear. You have been sinful. Do not repeat this sin. Dedicate yourselves to the Lord. Now, this might seem like cold, calculated, and unempathetic counsel, but it isn't. Fear is what got Israel into this sinful mess. They were fearful of other nations, so they wanted a king like other nations. At this point, adding more fear to the situation would only lead to more of the same. So Samuel is trying to get them to snap out of it. I have seen many believers act this way when confronted by their sin. They suddenly realize their sin and the effects of their sin. Then, instead of embracing the truth about themselves and the situation and moving through the experience, they fabricate untrue ideas and images about the situation that take them to an unhealthy place. Fear takes over, and their reasoning is hijacked by irrational ideas not based in reality. Therefore, they are drawn further into sin. This is precisely why so many get stuck in repetitive cycles of sin. They realize their sin but have an unhealthy view and response to sin that keeps them from moving beyond the issues, thus rededicating themselves wholly to the Lord. Right here is where Samuel speaks some grounded truth. He tells them two things. One is a stop, and the other is a start. First, stop turning aside to "empty things that cannot profit or deliver." Second, start giving yourself wholly to God, who does profit the nation and is your only deliverer. But it's the reasoning behind this stop-and-start that is so profound. You see, something bigger was at stake than the nation's well-being. It was the name of the Lord. The Lord had committed himself to them, and "for his great name's sake," he was not about to abandon them if they would turn from their sin. God's name, his covenant, and his grace were greater than all their sin. This profound and almost unreasonable thought anchors all our faith in moments of sin. God's name, his covenant, and his grace are greater than all your sins. God does profit and deliver, but we have to believe in and surrender to his name, trust in his covenant promises, and accept his unreasonable grace. So, if you have been having trouble moving through your sin, maybe it's time to accept "God's grace that will pardon and cleanse within, his grace that is greater than all our sins!" #GraceOverSin, #FaithfulDeliverance, #MoveBeyondFear Ask This: What "empty things" in your life are you turning to instead of fully trusting in God's grace and deliverance? How can you start dedicating yourself more wholly to the Lord this week? When confronted with your own sin, do you find yourself driven by fear or by faith in God's promises? How can you shift your perspective to embrace God's grace and move beyond the cycle of sin? Do This: Play the song, stop sinning, and start accepting God's grace. Pray This: Lord, help me turn away from the empty things that draw me away from You and embrace Your grace, which is greater than all my sins. Strengthen my faith to trust in Your promises and dedicate myself wholly to You each day. Amen. Play This: Grace Greater Than Our Sin.

Are you drifting in faith without even realizing it? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." In the story, Samuel is giving his farewell address to the people. He just explained to them that their request for a king was wicked, but he also explained that if they and their king (Saul) remain faithful, they will be blessed. Then Samuel emphasized the proof of this prophetic address by calling on a storm that would have been highly unusual in the summer season, and then it rained down on all of Israel. In shock, here is how the people responded in verse 19: And all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king." — 1 Samuel 12:19 To me, the most interesting part of this response is the use of the personal pronoun "your." The people plead with Samuel to pray to "your God" or "his God." There is no question that Samuel has faith in God. His entire address began with evidence of his faith and faithfulness to God all the days of his life. What's in question here is everyone else's faith in the nation because of their sinful request. All people are prone to the drift of faith. We drift because we take our "spiritual eyes" off the object of our faith. We then focus on other things and place our faith in them. In this situation, the people have put their faith in a political and military leader, which is a timely warning given our election cycle. The drift of faith is a personal issue with far-reaching implications (in the case of Israel, it is having national implications). But the drift begins on a personal level. We divert our gaze from God and place our faith in other things. For some, we put too much faith in a person. For others, we put too much faith in our skills. For still others, we put too much faith in material security. But whatever it is, we move from trusting in God to trusting in another object. Once this drift begins, we fail to experience the personal nature of faith in God, and then God becomes impersonal (like he has become for Israel) because we have moved from him. If you feel like this drift is happening in your life, then turn your attention back to God. Whatever object is distracting you from God, stop giving it your attention. Stop placing your faith in it and the temporal outcomes it might provide. Then, renew your faith in God, who can provide better and lasting outcomes. Give him your full attention; give him all your faith, which will result in you getting to know "your God" more personally and intimately. God, help me to redirect all my attention and place all my faith in you. Amen. #FaithRenewal, #TrustInGod, #OvercomingSpiritualDrift Ask This: In what areas of your life have you noticed a drift away from trusting in God, and what steps can you take to refocus your faith on Him? How can you identify and address the distractions that are causing you to place your faith in things other than God? Do This: Share the seen events of God with others. Pray This: Lord, help me to recognize when my faith drifts away from You and give me the strength to refocus on Your unwavering presence. May I trust fully in You, placing all my hope and faith in Your eternal promises. Amen. Play This: Stand In Faith.

What seen events have drenched your faith in the unseen God? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." Remember, the nation of Israel is gathered at Gilgal. Samuel is proclaiming his final and historic address before the entire nation: But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king." So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. — 1 Samuel 12:15-18 This is awesome because, you see, Samuel is no ordinary teacher. He's not some big-name Christian influencer, pastor, and teacher upheld by public popularity. He's the Lord's anointed Judge and Prophet who was faithful from beginning to end. When Samuel spoke, he spoke on behalf of the Lord, not himself, and never to gain any form of public popularity but to drive the people back to the Lord. But it's the timing of this event and inauguration that is interesting. It happened during the wheat harvest, which means nothing to you, but it meant everything to them. They were an agrarian culture, so they relied on the production of the land. To them, harvest was everything. It was their sustenance for the coming year, and they happened to be gathering on this day. But note: wheat harvest began during early summer when it never rained. Therefore, a sudden thunderstorm and rain would have been a bizarre and unusual occurrence. So now, imagine Samuel speaking. As he closes, he points out their wickedness and calls the people to repent and obey. He prays that God will confirm his exhortation to them with a natural but unlikely event. As he prays behind him, a storm system blows in. Exposed in the valley of Gilgal, thunder roars, lightning strikes, and the people are drenched by an inescapable rain and the might of an inescapable God. Many in this life believe they can escape the reality of God. We think we can outthink and outmaneuver God, but eventually, sin rains down on us all, and we are drenched by the inescapable reality that God is the only one who can save. He is the unseen God who is King over all seen things. And sometimes God uses seen yet unexplainable events to communicate that he is still there, still working, and still saving. Recently, our first grandchild entered this world. Everett was born accidentally at home three months early while my daughter put on her pants in the bathroom. Within minutes, EMTs were at her home. They cut the cord and rushed Everett off to the hospital. On the way to the hospital, an EMT held him in his hands as he stopped breathing. They tried to resuscitate him and were unsure if their efforts on this tiny child were effective. But with God and a lot of prayers from people like you, Everett is home. He is alive and well. It was a wild ride. Today, Everett is almost 12 pounds, and he is thriving. God has drenched our lives using this small child to show us the inescapable reality of an awesome God. Here's my question for you today: What "seen" events have drenched you in the reality of our "unseen" God? Recall one, and share it with someone today. Drench them in the reality of God. #FaithInAction, #UnseenGod, #DivineIntervention Ask This: How have unexpected or extraordinary events in your life helped you recognize the presence and faithfulness of God, even when He seemed unseen? In what ways can you share your experiences of God's intervention with others to encourage them in their own faith journeys? Do This: Share the seen events of God with others. Pray This: Lord, thank You for revealing Your presence through the unexpected events in my life and reminding me of Your unwavering faithfulness. Help me to see and share Your work in my daily experiences, trusting in Your unseen power and grace. Amen. Play This: My Life Is Proof.

Spiritual leaders always point out the real hero in the story. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." Before I read the text, let me give you a little context. The nation of Israel is gathered at Gilgal. Samuel and Saul have gathered the people for a day of celebration, remembrance, and rededication. Think of this moment as a gathering on the National Mall. Samuel addresses the nation and references some historical people who have played critical roles in Israel's history. I will read verses 6-14, and it would be good for you to circle or underline these critical players in the text. Here's the text: And Samuel said to the people, "The Lord is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your fathers. When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your fathers cried out to the Lord and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. But they forgot the Lord their God. And he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them. And they cried out to the Lord and said, 'We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. But now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, that we may serve you.' And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety. And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' when the Lord your God was your king. And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. — 1 Samuel 12:6-14 There are two things worth noting about this part of Samuel's address. First, Samuel mentions a listing of great spiritual leaders—Moses, Aaron, Jacob, Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and himself. These are generational leaders who left a mark on the people of Israel forever. I believe that every generation needs spiritual leaders like this. Those who leave a generational mark. We should be praying for leaders like this in our time because we need them. But we should pray that they have these qualities—that they direct us toward deliverance, cry out against oppression, and drive us toward repentance. Second, we notice that Samuel also explains these historic spiritual leaders, including himself, were mere vessels. The heroes of the story were not these men. The hero was the Lord. It was the Lord who performed all the righteous deeds. He provided the leaders and the people with salvation, deliverance, safety, and a place to dwell. What I find especially profound about Samuel's address to the people is how he redirects attention to the Lord. If you think about the context of this situation, it could have been very easy after this military victory to make Saul the hero of the story and to boast and celebrate that. But Samuel doesn't play to this opportunity. In fact, he does the opposite of what we would expect. He tells them in their victory that their desire to have a king (i.e., Saul) over God, who is their King, was wrong and sinful. Great spiritual leaders do this. They have the propensity to look back over time, define the fine points of spiritual drift, and then carefully redirect people back to the real hero of the story—God. Today, we need more spiritual leaders like this in our homes, churches, and workplaces. So pray that God will raise up new spiritual leaders like Samuel who understand that the finite stories of our generations are only short sentences in a longer narrative with one Hero and King—God. God, raise up spiritual leaders who direct us back to you, the only Hero and King. Amen. #GodIsFaithful, #SpiritualLeadership, #TrueHero Ask This: In what ways can you recognize and acknowledge God's role as the true hero in your personal victories and successes? How can you actively encourage and support the development of spiritual leaders in your community who consistently point others to God? Do This: Pray for spiritual leaders. Pray This: Lord, help me to always see You as the true hero in my life and give me the wisdom to direct others to Your greatness. Raise up spiritual leaders around me who will guide us with humility and a steadfast focus on Your glory. Amen. Play This: Champion.

What is going on behind the walls of your life? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." Backing up, here's the context. The nation of Israel is gathered at Gilgal for a time of celebration and remembrance, and essentially, we are watching the transition of leadership from the time of the judges to the time of the kings. Samuel gives an address to all the people, and here is what he says in verses 1-5. It reads. And Samuel said to all Israel, "Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you." They said, "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand." And he said to them, "The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." And they said, "He is witness." — 1 Samuel 12:1-5 Samuel is exposing his leadership character and integrity to the people. He says, "Examine me," as I have "examined myself." Many men and leaders are unwilling to do what Samuel does here. It's the same reason many don't want to go to marital counseling, medical exams, or legal audits. They are afraid. They are so scared of what they don't know, might learn, or have spent a lot of time hiding. Yet the man who submits himself to examination and is willing to expose himself is the one who experiences the most freedom. He has nothing to hide. He lives consciously free because he has been freed from the fear and the bondage of hiding. Years ago, I was walking through a large multi-million dollar home a friend was building for one of his clients. It had just been framed, and as we walked through it, he noticed a few twisted studs in the wall. On the way out, he grabbed a hammer and beat three of them out. Honestly, I was surprised by what he did. But I'll never forget what he said next. "Vince," he said. "The owner would never know about those twisted studs after the wallboard is up. But I would always know, and these people work with me because they know I build homes with integrity." That was an unforgettable, teachable moment. The problem is that most leaders don't behave like this. Most of the time, leaders hide minor issues because of insecurities. They put the wallboard up over their minor problems. Over time, they learn to get better and better at hiding the issues behind the wallboard of life. Until one day, there's a big problem. Then, they have to rip the wallboard down and address it. But behind the wallboard, there is more than just one issue. There are twisted studs, leaking pipes, electrical problems, and a torn vapor barrier that all need to be redone. Now, the issue affects not only them but everyone in the home, and the price tag is costly. Take some time to self-examine or open yourself up to public examination. Get over your resistance to change. Permit yourself to experience all the benefits of a wholly exposed life. Doing this is as simple as taking a few minutes to ask someone you lead for leadership feedback. Or as bold as asking your spouse or children to tell you something you need to change to be a better husband or father. Remember, to find freedom and genuine integrity, you might have to rip out some studs. So get to work. #IntegrityInLeadership, #EmbraceSelfExamination, #FaithfulLiving Ask This: In what areas of your life are you hiding issues behind a "wallboard" of superficial solutions, and how can you start addressing these underlying problems with honesty and integrity? Who in your life can you invite to give you honest feedback about your leadership, character, or relationships, and how will you respond to their input to foster genuine growth and transparency? Do This: Live expose and challenge yourself to self-examination. Pray This: Lord, grant me the courage to honestly examine my life and address the hidden issues that may be holding me back. Help me embrace integrity and seek genuine growth so that I can lead with transparency and honor You in all I do. Amen. Play This: Clear The Stage.

Does your situation need your solution, or is it a call to recall? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." Today, we turn to the key verse of this chapter, which happens to be verse 24. It reads. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. — 1 Samuel 12:24 We will explore this statement in more depth as we read to the end of the chapter, but for now, I want you to notice the challenge Samuel presents to the people of Israel. It's a call to recall. Samuel is not a stupid man. He knows that the people are prone to drifting from God. I have done a lot of boating in my life, and I know if your anchor is not set and secure, then you are going to be susceptible to drift. When winds and currents change, they are going to tug at that boat and pull and drag your anchor. At first, the movement is subtle and unnoticeable. You'll think you're still in the same spot, anchored firmly. But bit by bit, the anchor begins to loosen, and the boat begins to drift. If you survey the history of the people of Israel, this is how they acted in their relationship with God. They have defining moments that anchor them to God and his faithfulness. But over time, the currents of life and fear of man result in drift and this pattern repeats again and again. As Samuel nears the end of his life and as the time of the judges gives way to the time of the kings, he knows that the people are going to be susceptible to spiritual drift. He also knows that legislation and leadership are not the solution to this drift. The problem is more personal and specific. It's an issue of the heart. These problems keep arising because the heart of the nation is not anchored to God. They want other things, like a king, instead of God, who was, is, and always will be their King. And his desire is for them to anchor into Him again. As I think about this today, I am compelled to evaluate myself. Am I drifting from God in any way? Is there a situation subtly and unnoticeably pulling on my anchor? And, of course, I did think of one. One situation that has troubled me has been pulling on my anchor of trust. It has caused a subtle drift. But the Good News of this text is that Samuel presents me with the solution for my spiritual drift. Let me read it again with a little emphasis: Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. First, I must acknowledge the winds and currents of my fears and return to fearing the Lord. Second, I need to give my whole attention to serving God rather than serving myself and my ideas. Third, I need to realize that the currents of the situation may be trying to divide my heart, but God wants my undivided heart in every wind and against every wave. But it's the closing of this text that really captures me. It's a simple life hack for spiritual drift. It's a call to recall. Samuel says, "Consider what great things [the Lord] has done for you." Today, if you are evaluating your life and sense a subtle or significant spiritual drift, heed Samuel's call to recall. Simply recall a few of the great things the Lord has done for you. Write them down or share them with someone else. Doing this will help reset that anchor in fearing and faithfully serving God with all your heart. #FaithfulLiving, #HeartCheck, #GodsFaithfulness Ask This: In what areas of your life are you relying on your solutions instead of seeking God's guidance and faithfulness? How can you practice recalling and sharing the great things God has done for you to strengthen your faith and encourage others? Do This: Heed Samuel's call and recall God's faithfulness. Pray This: Lord, help me to shift my fears and anxieties to a deeper trust in You and to serve You with all my heart. Remind me daily of Your great deeds so my faith remains strong and unwavering. Amen. Play This: Evidence.

Have you gone back lately to the location where God's work began in you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 11. I've titled this chapter "The First Test of Saul's Leadership." In this chapter we have seen Saul's first test of leadership. He has left family farming behind for a profession of fighting. He has defeated the Ammonites across the river in Jabesh-Gilead. Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom." So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. — 1 Samuel 11:14-15 Gilgal's Importance Gilgal is important for five reasons. First, it was the site of the first encampment on the west side of the Jordan River. Second, it was the location of the twelve stones gathered from the basin of the Jordan River that served as a reminder of God's deliverance. Third, it was the first place the Passover was celebrated in Israel. Fourth, it was the location of the mass circumcision of the men in keeping with the covenant. Fifth, it was the location of the first Tabernacle. Gilgal was a place of great significance, and Samuel will lead the people back here to mark another moment of remembrance. Here, they will renew the covenant, and Saul will be commemorated as king. My Gilgal Just a month ago, I drove past the home where I spent most of my youth—my grandfather's home. I had not been back in more than 20 years. As I stopped in front of this house, I recalled several events that occurred there—but one moment stood out more than any other. It was the moment I repented of my sin on the threshold of the doorway of that home to God and my grandfather. For me, this was a sweet moment to remember. Your Gilgal Recalling and recounting your story and even returning to the places where these events occurred can be powerful. We each have places where God did incredible spiritual things in our lives. Returning to your "Gilgal" helps you to see back and see forward. Today, recall a "Gilgal" in your spiritual journey. Recount the place and remember what God did for you here. Then, if you have the opportunity, share this moment with a friend, family member, or fellow believer, and take the time to remember all the great things that God has done. #SpiritualJourney, #RememberingGilgal, #FaithMilestones Ask This: What specific event or place in your past has been a significant "Gilgal" where you experienced God's transformative work, and how has reflecting on it impacted your faith today? How can revisiting and sharing your personal "Gilgal" moments with others help strengthen your spiritual growth and encourage those around you? Do This: Return or recall your Gilgal. Pray This: Lord, I thank You for the significant moments in my life where You have worked powerfully and shaped my faith. Help me to revisit these milestones with gratitude and share their impact with others, so Your glory may be evident in all I do. Amen. Play This: God In Every Moment.

Are you a leader who can claim victory with restraint? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 11. I've titled this chapter "The First Test of Saul's Leadership." At this point in the story, Saul has defeated his first enemy. Nahash and the Ammonite army. But now he has to deal with a battle within. Here is the text in verses 12-13: Then the people said to Samuel, "Who is it that said, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, that we may put them to death." But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel." — 1 Samuel 11:12-13 So what happens here is a truism about leadership: One test of leadership leads to another. For the leader, the tests never end. If you lead, you will encounter challenges from outside and inside opposition that will test you continually. They will test not only your abilities, skills, and talents but also your character, integrity, and in whom you trust. At this moment, Saul could have used this momentum to put down his dissenters, but he didn't. He regulated his desire and restrained himself because he understood something that some of the people failed to see—it was not his strategy, strength, or skill that worked salvation in Israel—it was the Lord. This is a remarkably humble statement from Saul. He did not always make declarations like this, but here, Saul's understanding of humility and trust in leadership is inspiring. Believers who lead must have an undivided understanding that God is the ultimate leader. God is the King. If we truly submit to this belief, then when we encounter his salvation, it's his salvation. But this is where many spiritual leaders get it wrong. They conflate the salvation gained with something provided by their abilities, skills, and talents. As soon as a leader does this, they become king in their mind, and they will do anything to protect and preserve this, including putting down dissenters. Today, if you sense you have made too much of yourself in a current situation or recent win, take another look at that situation. Review how you responded and what you thought of yourself. Instead of thinking so much of yourself, think about what God did and what he did that you could not do. Then if you failed to give glory to God, do that now. Thank him and celebrate him and the King. Maybe the next time you win, see the win as God's win, not yours, and lead faithfully through the daily tests that all leaders encounter. #LeadershipLessons, #HumbleLeadership, #TrustInGod Ask This: In what areas of your life or leadership have you taken credit for a victory that truly belonged to God, and how can you redirect that credit to Him today? How can you cultivate humility and trust in God's guidance in your daily leadership, especially when faced with internal and external challenges? Do This: Believe God is King, and you are not. Pray This: Lord, help me to recognize and celebrate Your hand in every victory, remembering that it is Your strength and not my own. Grant me the humility to lead with integrity and to trust in Your ultimate leadership. Amen. Play This: King of Kings.

Are you surrounded by an enemy and feel like giving up? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 11. I've titled this chapter "The First Test of Saul's Leadership." Here's what's happening in this chapter. Saul has been appointed king. He returned to family farming because his time for fighting had not yet come. Then, the Ammonite enemy, Nahash, came against an Israelite city called Jabesh-Gilead. Saul heard about it and gathered three hundred thirty thousand soldiers at a Bezek, about 10 miles away. Then the people of Jabesh-Gilead, knowing salvation is coming, communicate some "disinformation" to Nahash in verses 10-11: Therefore the men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you." And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. — 1 Samuel 11:10-11 Today's text contains two pieces of vital military intelligence for the people of Jabesh. First, it confirms that Saul will attack with three companies from three different positions. Second, it confirms that it would happen early, between 3 and 6 a.m. This military strategy is very strategic, given that Saul has never been in battle, as far as we know, and he has never led people into a battle in his life. He devised an unexpected triple-coordinated attack in the wee hours of the morning. But I think the most interesting aspect of this text is how the men of Jabesh use this military intelligence. They use it to stall the Ammonites. At first read, it looks like disinformation, but it's not. It's actually a statement of truth, trust, and faith in God that salvation is coming through Saul, who has never fought a battle in his life. Today, face your challenges in the same way. God has given you access to all the military intelligence you need. It's all found in God's Word. There is plenty of intelligence in it to help you plan a defense or offense. God's intelligence enables you to fight against a spiritual enemy that seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. And yet, I recognize that for some of you, the battle is close. The enemy has you surrounded. He has now infiltrated your ranks. He is bargaining with you and wants to make a treaty with you. But don't. Stall a little longer. Trust in faith. The God of your salvation is coming, and he is mounted with three companies of soldiers prepared to attack in the wee hours of the morning. #FaithInTheBattle, #TrustGodsTiming, #DivineStrategy Ask This: How can you use the "military intelligence" found in God's Word to prepare for and face the battles in your own life? Are there specific verses or principles that stand out to you as particularly relevant? In what ways can you demonstrate trust and faith in God when you feel surrounded by challenges or difficulties? How can you apply the lesson of Saul's unexpected victory to your current struggles? Do This: Do not surrender to the enemy. Surrender to the Lord. Pray This: Lord, when I feel overwhelmed by the battles in my life, help me to trust in Your divine strategy and stand firm in Your Word. Grant me the strength and faith to hold on, knowing that You are always at work, preparing the way for my deliverance. Amen. Play This: Surrounded (Fight My Battles).

Are you surrounded by defeat? Salvation is coming. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 11. I've titled this chapter "The First Test of Saul's Leadership." Let's set up the scene. Saul has been appointed king. Nahash has besieged Jabesh-Gilead. Saul gives the nation orders to gather and come to the aid of the people of Jabesh-gilead. Then here is what happens in verses 8-9: When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. And they said to the messengers who had come, "Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.'" When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. — 1 Samuel 11:8-9 Four key details in this short text are insightful about the situation. First, Bezek is on the west side of the Jordan, and Jabesh is on the east side of the Jordan. Second, the two towns are about 10 miles apart, so Saul has an easy march to Jabesh. Third, three hundred and thirty thousand was a massive assembly. In fact, it was the second largest mounting noted in the Bible from the book of Genesis to 2 Kings. Fourth, after they mount to march against Nahash, Saul sends a message to the people of Jabesh that they are hours away from salvation and the defeat of the enemy. There have been many times in this life when I have felt on the edge of defeat. We have all been there—surrounded, opposed, threatened, and hopeless. You might feel like this right now in your marriage, with your finances, because of a compulsion, due to your health, or in your career. These moments are terrifying. But nothing brightens the eyes and gives hope to the soul more than someone stronger with a message that guarantees deliverance. In a very natural sense, Saul is going to gather the tribes to rescue the people of Jabesh-gilead. And [spoiler alert] there is going to be a great victory. But this message of guaranteed victory is just a distant whisper of Jesus's victory over the enemy of sin in this world. Jesus conquered the seed of all sin that led to the oppression and hopelessness depicted in moments like this in Jabesh-gilead. Jesus rescues those who cry to him when they are on the edge of defeat because of sin. My friend, a message of salvation has been proclaimed, and the man of salvation has come, and his name is Jesus. Today, salvation can come to you, led by King Jesus and the angelic armies of God. But you must surrender to him as your Lord to know his total and complete salvation. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. — Acts 4:12 God, I come to you. I call on you as my Savior, recognizing that I am beaten down by the sins of others and the sin that lives in me. I need your salvation from sin. I choose to surrender all my life to you as my Lord and Leader. I will no longer lead my life, and I surrender to your leadership. I receive your eternal salvation and the joy that comes with this message. Amen. #SalvationInChrist, #VictoryInFaith, #OvercomingDefeat Ask This: In what areas of your life do you currently feel surrounded by defeat, and how can you invite Jesus into these situations to bring His salvation and hope? How can you share the message of Jesus' victory and salvation with others who may be feeling hopeless or defeated? Do This: Surrender to Jesus's salvation and his Lordship. Pray This: Father, Help me to trust in your strength and surrender my battles to you. Amen. Play This: Surrounded (Fight My Battles).

Do you feel torn between two different callings? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 11. I've titled this chapter "The First Test of Saul's Leadership." To set up the moment. Saul has just been appointed king, and everyone was sent to their home. We are not sure how much time has transpired, but Nahash, an Ammonite enemy, has besieged Jabesh-Gilead. And now the word is going to get back to Saul. Here are verses 5-7: Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, "What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?" So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!" Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. — 1 Samuel 11:5-7 There are numerous details in this text: First, the word about the capture of Jabesh-Gilead finally gets back to Saul. Second, when it does, the Spirit of God rushes back upon him for the second time. Third, Saul experiences what we call "righteous anger" because he is rightly angered at what has happened with God's people. Fourth, we learn that this all happens as Saul is farming and doing his family's job. Fifth, in his anger, Saul takes two of his oxen (a.k.a. drafting animals) and cuts them into pieces, essentially killing his career and livelihood. Draft animals were important and expensive assets in farming, and Saul used them to send a message to all the tribes of Israel. Fifth, Saul seizes this defining moment to step into his role and use it to unify the people of Israel. In life, we all have defining moments. For Saul, this was one of those moments. While he was anointed and appointed the first king of Israel, he had yet to take hold of his kingship and become the warrior that God intended him to be. But here, the opportunity presents itself. Notice what he does. He kills his drafting oxen. He slaughtered his former way of life and used the slaughtered oxen to issue a call to all of Israel. By the way this is not the only time something like this happened in the Bible. Look up the story of Elijah and Elisha in 1 Kings 19:19-21. In my own life, I have had moments like this. One of these moments happened when I was 20. My grandfather was dying of cancer, and I watched him painfully die for hours in a hospital bed. In the silence of that room, listening to his gasp for air, I knew that God was calling me to do for other men what my grandfather had done for me — disciple men. That was 34 years ago. That moment was a defining moment for me. A week later, I returned to college, and I "killed the oxen." I changed my field of study from business to the bible, and I began studying the Bible like crazy in hopes of one day being able to disciple other men like my grandfather had done for me, which is what we are doing right here. Daily discipleship provided to those who want to grow in their faith. But to live out this calling, I learned one very valuable lesson. You have to kill the oxen, burn the ships, break the chains, and cut the lifeline. There has to be a point of no return where you decide to go all in and live out the calling God has given you. You cannot live in two callings. They will always compete for your time, attention, energy, and resources. So I have only one question for you today. What oxen do you need to kill? #FaithfulLiving, #DivineCalling, #BiblicalLeadership Ask This: What "oxen" in your life are holding you back from fully embracing the calling God has placed on your heart, and how can you take steps to "kill" them and move forward? Reflect on a defining moment in your life when you felt God's calling. How did you respond, and what changes did you make to align yourself with His purpose for you? Do This: Kill the oxen in your life. Pray This: Father, give me the courage to let go of anything that holds me back from fully embracing Your calling for my life. Help me to trust in Your plan and step forward with faith and determination. Amen. Play This: Burn The Ships.

Don't be deceived by slippery alliances. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 11. I've titled this chapter "The First Test of Saul's Leadership." I am going to be reading verses 1-4 today, which state: Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you." But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, "On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel." The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days' respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you." When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud. — 1 Samuel 11:1-4 There are three interesting details in the opening of this chapter. First, it is important to note that Jabesh-gilead is on the eastern side of the Jordan. It was the stretch of land from the river looking toward the desert. There were two and a half tribes that had their homes on the eastern side. They were vulnerable to enemies from the east, like the Ammonites, because of the separation by the river. Second, even though the Ammonites have already gained control of Jabesh-gilead they engage them in a proposal. The agreement was to take control peacefully but at the cost of the right eye of all the people. Removing the dominant eye would be an identifier and weaken any future revolt. Third, Nahash agrees to a seven-day interlude, and we are not told why. This was probably because he knew these people were more than a single city and tribe, and he did not want to risk awakening the sleeping giant of Israel, which he did. As this story develops, we discover two lessons that are especially applicable to believers. First, we should be guarded and cautious about engaging in relationships, doing business, or entering into agreements with a person or group who does not share our values and beliefs, especially if we suspect they intend to harm us. Second, we have a spiritual obligation and priority to engage in relationships, do business, and enter into agreements with other believers who need our support and services. We can all agree that there is a spiritual enemy who opposes the work and the people of the Lord. This enemy seeks to divide, weaken, and conquer believers like Nahash did here. In fact, the Hebrew word Nahash means "snake," which is the same Hebrew word used for the serpent in Genesis 3:1-24. One way to avoid being deceived by a snake is to avoid relationships with them and be in relationship, do business, and enter into agreements with brothers and sisters in the faith. There was a time in my life when I was more open to engagements with people who were not Christians and with whom I did not share biblical values. But after you have been burned a few times by slimy friends, slippery deals, and bitten by deceptive agreements, you learn that it's better to be burned by a believer who might turn back to fear God than one who will have you enter into an agreement only to pluck out your eye, subject you to slavery, cut your off from your family forever. What's ironic about this exhortation is there are Christians out there today who will contest this. There are young men and women dating people who are not believers, who believe that one day they will persuade the other person and then enter into a permanent marital covenant based on the hope of conversion because they feel compatible with the person on the other end. There are business owners who engage in agreements with vendors and suppliers who do not share biblical values in hopes of influencing them for the kingdom, only to wake up one day and realize that they have compromised their biblical values to maintain the momentum, money, and market value of their product and services. There are employees who work in companies whose corporate values do not match with biblical values, while these companies and corporations oppress believers and force them to celebrate sin that the bible opposes. Do you see how slimy and slippery the work of the serpent is? Today, thoroughly assess your relationships, agreements, and deals. Prioritize building biblical relationships and engaging in partnerships with like-minded individuals. In a world of uncertainty, we must come together, support, and rely on each other. Our collective strength is powerful if we prioritize supporting the efforts of fellow believers. #SpiritualDiscernment, #BiblicalLeadership, #GuardYourHeart Ask This: How can you evaluate the integrity of your current relationships and agreements to ensure they align with your biblical values? What steps can you take to address any misalignments? In what areas of your life are you currently facing pressures or temptations to compromise your faith for the sake of conven

Are you ready to have your leadership tested from beginning to end? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 11. I've titled this chapter "The First Test of Saul's Leadership." The key verse of this chapter is verse 13, which reads: But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel." — 1 Samuel 11:13 This statement by Saul is awesome. It demonstrates his ability to steward the leadership authority he was given by God. Throughout this chapter, we will watch as Saul fights for the vulnerable, defeats enemies, leads the people to salvation, and even (right here) spares those who were early dissenters. This chapter is a profound example of Saul's spiritual leadership. But as we all know, Saul begins well yet ends poorly. And guess what? God is concerned about how you start but even more about how you finish this life. You begin this life in a deficit, as a sinner. God's hope is that you will finish this life as victorious saints, holding dearly to his salvation until we take our last breath. Saul did this life in reverse, exactly the opposite of what he intended for you to do, which led to a tragic end. I recently competed in a 10-mile obstacle event. About 6 miles in, I came to one of those American Ninja Warrior obstacles with the ascending and descending monkey bars, rotating wheels, and rope swings. As I was approaching, I slowed my run to decrease my heart rate and found an open lane that I wanted to get in. Five steps away from my lane, a 30-year-old guy in pretty good running shape jumped right in front of me. I was a little irritated with him but I bit my tongue thinking, he is young and probably ready to go. So he stood there, wiped his hands, and then he could tell he was out of breath. He had run too hard to the starting line. He stood there for about 90 seconds, trying to catch his breath, while I became more and more irritated with him. I looked for another lane, but there wasn't one, so I waited until he finally took the leap about 2-minutes in. He grabbed the first bar and fell straight into the pool of water beneath. Seconds later, I jumped up and flew over him and this 54-year-old man completed the obstacle while he was wading in the water below. I don't share this to gloat, but your enthusiasm at the start is irrelevant if you are not prepared from the start to finish the race. So today, set your sights on the finish. Aim to finish well because it's irrelevant how you start the race of life. The only thing that matters is how you finish. #LeadershipTested #FinishStrong #SpiritualLeadership Ask This: How does Saul's decision to spare those who opposed him challenge your own approach to handling dissent and opposition in leadership roles? Reflecting on Saul's journey from a promising start to a tragic end, what steps can you take today to ensure you finish your own race of faith well, consistently honoring God until the end? Do This: Set your eyes on the finish and then come in sliding. Pray This: Father, guide me in stewarding the leadership roles You've entrusted to me with humility and wisdom, reflecting Your grace and mercy in all decisions. Help me to finish my race faithfully, keeping my eyes fixed on You until the very end. Amen. Play This: O Come To The Altar.

If you are reluctant to lead, trust the divine pecking order. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 10. I've titled this chapter "The Appointed But Reluctant Leader." Today, we conclude Chapter 10, in verses 25-27: Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. But some worthless fellows said, "How can this man save us?" And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace. — 1 Samuel 10:17-27 Believers are reluctant to lead for many reasons, but one is that we fail to trust the divine pecking order. In this instance, a king was selected, but we all know God was not forfeiting his role as the King. God was still the King of all things. His justice would reign. At no point did the people of Israel cease to be his people. When we truly understand that God is sovereign, our reluctance should fade away. It is here that we discover we are not the leader. God is. We are merely his servants, selected for his service and to a particular task in his kingdom. Like Samuel or Saul, we, too, are selected for a unique role in God's Kingdom to serve his people. This perspective is easily lost in our self-interested times. Pastors, presidents, principals, politicians, and public servants forget this. When we do, we convince ourselves that our skills, talents, and abilities got us to where we are. We end up rejecting God because we have consciously left God behind by trying to be self-reliant and our own leader. Stop rejecting God. Trust his divine pecking order. Let him lead. See your role as a servant in his kingdom. If you do, you will listen more carefully, follow more willingly, and be less irritated with his decisions. #TrustGod, #DivineLeadership, #FaithfulServant Ask This: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's divine order, and how can you begin to surrender those areas to His leadership? How can recognizing God as the ultimate leader change your approach to serving others in your current roles and responsibilities? Do This: Trust God's pecking order. Pray This: Father, help me to trust in Your divine order and recognize Your sovereignty in my life. Guide me to serve faithfully as Your chosen servant, embracing my role in Your kingdom with humility and obedience. Amen. Play This: Without Hesitation.

Your strategies are never as good as God's plan. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 10. I've titled this chapter "The Appointed But Reluctant Leader." Today, we continue the story. Samuel is going to gather the nation again at Mizpah as he did in Chapter 7 after the Ark of Covenant was recovered from the Philistines. But on this day, Samuel is going to anoint Saul, the first king of Israel, in verses 17-27: Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah. And he said to the people of Israel, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.' But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, 'Set a king over us.' Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands." Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the Lord, "Is there a man still to come?" and the Lord said, "Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage." Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!" Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. But some worthless fellows said, "How can this man save us?" And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace. — 1 Samuel 10:17-27 When they gather on this day, no one but Saul and Samuel know about God's selection of Saul as king. This was hidden from everyone. With this in mind, the people are probably a little concerned that this gathering is going to be a talk-down. And they are right. It is a talk down, but it results in them getting what they want. They will get a king. There are three teachable moments in this text: The Lord Is The Deliverer The first thing Samuel does after gathering the nation is communicate a message that has come directly from God. Samuel begins with, "Thus says the Lord," which is a declaration of a divine message to God's people. Samuel understood he was only a messenger between God and his people. In this instance, Samuel's initial exhortation was the reminder that God has always been their deliverer. As we know, they have a short memory and they need this reminder. In fact, believers in every generation have a short memory of what God has done. I know I, too, can get caught in a cycle of self-centered reasoning, forgetting what God has done in the past and how that parallels my present challenge. This is another reason why it is so important to read Scripture. It reminds us of all the things God has done that we so easily forget. Which leads to the next point. In their forgetfulness: The People Reject The Lord As Their Deliverer Because they fail to remember what the Lord has done for them, they turn to a human strategy and a human representative. They want a king "like all the other nations," so they petition God to "set a king over them." The sad irony is that the people insist even though their petition is a blatant rejection of God as their King. They no longer want to be a nation under God. They want to be a nation led by their own king, a struggle we still endure to this day. The present election cycle is evidence of this yet again. As disappointing as this is, each generation thinks it has a better plan than God does. From one generation to the next, we pedal our ideas on how companies, the church, and the country would best be led, how to structure it, how to reach lost people, how to train and disciple, how to build leaders, and the like. Every generation thinks that they have a strategy that is better than the last, and yet, most of the time, these strategies end up distracting attention from the King, who deserves the glory. God Gives Them What They Want In the end, God gives the people what they want. The selection process was by lots, which would, in modern terms, be selection by "rolls of sacred dice" (or two stones). But we really don't know how they did this here since Scripture is silent on the exact method Samuel used. This process probably took a while, but you will notice that in the end, the people trust the process. Samuel and Saul knew ahead of time who the lot would fall

Are you ready to break the deceptive silence about your faith in God? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 10. I've titled this chapter "The Appointed But Reluctant Leader." Today, we continue the story. Saul arrives back home, and this is what happens in verses 10-16: When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, "What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" And a man of the place answered, "And who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place. Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, "Where did you go?" And he said, "To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel." And Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you." And Saul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found." But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything. — 1 Samuel 10:10-16 This section explains what Saul said and did not say after he returned home. Let's look at both seperately: What Saul Said When Saul comes to his home in Gibeah, the Spirit of God rushes upon him, and he joins the other prophets and begins prophesying. Let's note that the word "prophesy" has two intended meanings: to foretell or forthtell. Most of the time, when someone prophesies in the Old Testament, they speak God's Word or repeat something declared by God's Word. In this case, that is what Saul is doing. He is not foretelling events like Samuel did for him. Instead, he is forthtelling God's Word. When we get to Chapter 19, this will happen again when Saul returns to Ramah (1 Samuel 19:23-24). In the New Testament, something similar happened at Pentecost. The Spirit fell upon believers after Jesus ascended, and the people experienced the Spirit of God. Onlookers were confused by this, thinking they were intoxicated, but they were simply experiencing the overwhelming power of God, evidenced by the way they communicated. Because the Spirit was now dwelling in them, their minds changed, and their mouths expressed this change. But let's get back to Saul. What happens next clarifies that this rushing of the Spirit upon him was not permanent (like New Testament believers) but momentary. What Saul Did Not Say Next, Saul is confronted by his uncle. His uncle must have been aware that Samuel was the great prophet and that more was up because of how long Saul was with the prophets, confirmed by the occurrence of the prophesying. What is surprising here is that Saul's response was honest but deceptively incomplete: he told him about the message of the lost donkeys but failed to tell him he would be the first king. This is strange, and scripture is silent about why this is. Even so, we witness two distinct men in this text: one who is strikingly open and bold about God's Word and the other who is silent and ashamed about God's Word. These two distinct men will show up again and again in Saul's story, and it will be his undoing. This is a challenge for many believers. We act one way when we are with believers and another way when we are with the world. We are outspoken when we are with believers but deceptively silent when we interact with the world. This representative hypocrisy is exactly what prevents the advancement of the Gospel. We are deceptively concealing the whole truth of the Word of God. Given our time, it is interesting that this is exactly what the world wants us to do. They want us to keep silent about our faith in the institutions of the world, but we shouldn't be. Our time and the people in these places need the Word of God. Those who speak up and break the threshold of these concerns will usher in a new season, breakthrough representative hypocrisy, and become whole men and women of God. So, break through your spiritual reluctance today. Speak God's Word to someone you know to whom you've not spoken God's Word. Break the threshold of deceptive silence and start telling the whole truth about God. #BoldFaith, #SpeakGodsTruth, #BreakTheSilence Ask This: In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to speak openly about your faith, and what steps can you take to overcome this reluctance? Reflect on a recent situation where you chose to remain silent about your faith. How might the outcome have been different if you had spoken up and shared God's truth? Do This: Breakthrough the silence with one person today. Pray This: Lord, give me the courage to speak Your truth boldly and without hesitation. Help me to overcome my fears and be a faithful witness of Your love and grace in every situation. Amen. Play This: Speak Life.

Do you know your leadership boundaries? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 10. I've titled this chapter "The Appointed But Reluctant Leader." Today, we continue the story where Samuel anoints Saul in a significant moment and foretells a series of events that will shape his leadership journey. He also issues instructions for the upcoming week until Saul reaches Gilgal. Let's read verses 7-9: Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do." When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. — 1 Samuel 10:7-9 What Samuel is doing here is telling Saul that he is chosen to be Israel's king, but it comes with limitations. He is given the role of leadership, but his leadership is given boundaries. In other words, he can do what his "hand finds to do," but not anything and everything his "hand finds to do." This is an outstanding leadership and discipleship lesson in the relationship between God and his people. The structure of Israel's national leadership is God is King. Next, Samuel functions as the judge and communicates as the go-between. Then the prince, that is Saul, comes in a distant third. The structure of this monarchy was different from that of the surrounding nations, whose kings thought themselves to be gods and even worshiped themselves as gods. This leadership tension is an enduring struggle in any company, church, or country. We have all seen how catastrophic a company, church, or country can be with a narcissistic authoritarian leader at the top. However, this issue with the leader is not controlled by legislation, constitutions, amendments, or competing systems of government. It is something that a leader must submit to within their heart. Only a believer indwelled by the Holy Spirit who has submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ can moderate the selfish inclinations that rebel against God's order. Today, submit again to the pecking order of God. Surrender those selfish inclinations to do what "you want to do." Let the Spirit prompt you to surrender to God as King and stop trying to be the king. You are not. You are no match for the king. #LeadershipLessons, #BiblicalGuidance, #FaithJourney Ask This: How can you apply the principle of submitting to God's order in your current leadership roles, whether at work, at home or in your community? In what areas of your life do you struggle with the desire to be in control, and how can you surrender these to God and trust His plan? Do This: Submit to the Spirit and the King. Pray This: Lord, help me to recognize and submit to Your divine order in my life, embracing the boundaries You have set for my leadership. Grant me the humility to surrender my desires and follow Your will wholeheartedly. Amen. Play This: Only King Forever.