In every aspect of a nation’s evolution, it took a leader, someone with a vision or at the very least accepted counsel of visionaries that were for the good of the whole country. We are in need of that leader. The world and the people of this great nation are waiting and watching. In the meantime, Don’t Lower the Flag!

January 11

Day 10

Focus: Don’t Lower the Flag!

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7 Amplified Bible

¹ Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God. 

²Therefore whoever ^[a]resists [governmental] authority resists the ordinance of God. And those who have resisted it will bring judgment (civil penalty) on themselves. 

³For [civil] authorities are not a source of fear for [people of] good behavior, but for [those who do] evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good and you will receive approval and commendation. 

⁴For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, [you should] be afraid; for he does not carry the [executioner’s] sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an avenger who brings punishment on the wrongdoer.

⁵Therefore one must be subject [to civil authorities], not only to escape the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a matter of principle [knowing what is right before God]. 

⁶ For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.

 ⁷ Pay to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.

The Ministry of Government

As indicated in Romans, leaders in government are called by God to do service. It is a divine calling.  Those who answer the call may not be of righteous character but the call to serve is a ministry ordained by God. Just as some serve in pulpits that shouldn’t because they desired the position rather than being called of God to do so.  You have the same in the ministry of government. Regardless whether called or self-appointed God’s Will will not be derailed.

Unite!

America is on the precipice of implosion. The decision to remain one nation united or continue down the path of division is like a runaway train speeding toward a fractured bridge. Can we stop it in time before the whole country derails?

Yes, we can. This devotion is dedicated to praying for our leaders in America, both political and religious, to stand up and speak out in support of a United States. We are praying for the people of America that we are not duped into self-destruction. Pray that the causes we stand for are noble and righteous according to God’s standards of nobility and righteousness.

Throughout history America has weathered many storms, many differences of opinions and positions. However, we have remained one of the most respected powers in the world. I pray that the events of this political climate propel us into a realization that if we are going to survive as a nation, we will have to make room for those that think differently than we do, look differently and believe differently. Live and let live. God is the judge of all.

Global Perspective

Leaders from all around the world are watching. Some hoping America will destroy herself while others relay confidence America will distance herself from these unprecedented divisive events. Both factions are on standby. One to rejoice in the aftermath as some did after 911, the other to offer assistance.

We, the people of this great nation stand watching for leadership to emerge that will bring decency, a sense of integrity and order back to this land and its people. For example, if there is a disagreement in a family, they still come together in times of stress to present a united front. Otherwise, the family is vulnerable. And so is America, she is vulnerable, as long as we are not open and respectful to each other’s views whether we agree with them or not. Let us lay down our arms and pull chairs to the table instead.

Song: God Bless the USA

Petition:

Pray for sitting President Donald Trump, for President-elect Joe Biden and administration, government officials in the Senate, Congress and armed services. Cloak all the nation’s ministers appointed to lead America with prayers of divine guidance and protection.

Intercede for yourself and the role you play in helping to promote peace and healing of this nation, community and family. 

Remember those who lost family and pray for healing.

Thanksgiving:

Lord, we thank you that we are here today. We thank you for this great nation. Thank you for intervening for America and her people. We thank you that above all else you will prevail regardless of how things appear for In God We Trust.

Meditation/Journal:

Take time to think on the events of this past week at the Capitol. Write your thoughts and pray again for the ministers of our government.

End Day 10:  Shofar

 

 

January 12

Day 11

Focus: On Assignment, Part 1

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17

Sometimes you’re on assignment and you don’t even know it. Are you spiritually astute enough to recognize it?

The example we’re going to look at today is David in 1 Samuel 17 where David defeats Goliath. But we’re going to put on different lenses as we review this story.

David, even as a youth was attuned to the Spirit which called him to a greater purpose than his initial job as a shepherd.

David’s Initial Assignment

What was David’s assignment? Jesse, David’s father told him to go down to the valley of Elah where the army of Israel set themselves in array against the army of the Philistines. He was to bring food to his three brothers and to see if they needed anything.

The Philistines were taunting the army of Israel, having them turn tail and retreat every time Goliath made his challenge. For 40 days, morning and evening Goliath challenged Israel to send a man, not an army, just send a single man and let that battle decide who would serve who.

⁸ And he [Goliath] stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

⁹ If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

¹⁶ And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

David finally arrives at Israel’s camp to deliver the goods to his brothers. It just so happens as David is there, Goliath steps out and makes the same challenge he’s made many days before but this was the first time David was hearing it.

I can imagine upon hearing the challenge David stretched his neck to catch a glimpse of the mighty Israelite warrior that was stepping out to accept the challenge. But no one moved. On seeing no Israelite warrior stepping out, David never raised his hand and said ‘I can do it! I can do it!’ Rather, he asked what the reward was for killing this Goliath person.

²⁶And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

 

Golden Nugget# 1

The wisdom in not declaring what you can do or what your past conquests were, is that you avoid the naysayers, the critics, those that cast doubt, those that don’t believe in your vision.

 

Pretentious David

However, there was one naysayer, David’s brother Eliab. He told David he was a naughty, curious boy. To add insult to injury he told him to go back and tend those few sheep. Eliab wouldn’t give him credit for a flock of sheep, those few sheep he said. ‘Why do you want to know about the reward?’ You just want to watch the battle…go home! You’re embarrassing us!

The answer David gave his brother probably went over his brother’s head for his brother was speaking in the flesh but David was acting in the Spirit. David replied,” Is there not a cause?” In other words, isn’t defending the honor of the God of Israel reason enough to accept the challenge? So, what does David do? He turns away from Eliab, this detractor, and entertains his speech no more.

Golden Nugget# 2

When you realize there is a greater assignment revealed than your own, engage, don’t entertain distractions. Don’t take on their fears and insecurities.

Worship Song: Battle Belongs

Petition:

Lord I pray that we have spiritual vision to see past natural circumstances into your purpose. I also pray that we have the fortitude to stand for righteousness even if we’re standing alone. Let us be able to discern truth from error that we may be light when darkness overwhelms the people. Let us speak life and victory to your cause!

Thanksgiving:

Lord, I thank you for being the God that goes before us in battle; the God that sends chariots of fire when we need it.  You said you will never leave us and this we have known to be true. Thank you Holy Spirit for being our Intercessor when we don’t know what to pray for or our prayers fall short of the need.

Praise Song: For Your Glory 

Meditation/Journal:

Write as you are inspired.

End Day 11:  Shofar

 

 

January 13

Day 12

Focus: On Assignment, Part 2

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17

Only a Youth

The word gets to King Saul that there is one that has stepped forward to accept Goliath’s challenge. Of course, he knew all the bravest men in his army and was wondering which one worked up the courage to step forward. When in walked David, a mere youth, he was surprised. Probably at any other time he would have thrown David out of his tent and the men who thought to bring such ridiculous news to him. However, King Saul was desperate and afraid. Desperate enough to entertain what the youth had to say.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where the enemy has ‘beat down’ on us constantly.  And the only reason we’re still standing is that if we succumb to the ‘beat down’ many others that look to us for strength will succumb as well. This was where King Saul was. Sometimes God will allow the circumstance to wear on us so our narrow-minded scripts as to how God speaks to and deals with us will self-destruct. God speaks to and deals with us any way and through whom He chooses.

“Okay Lord, if you want to speak to me through this boy, then let me get down on the floor at his level so I won’t miss anything you have to say to me.” This is where Saul was.

Questioning still, Saul said, but you are only a youth.

³² And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

³³ And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

What’s your “Only”?

How have people defined your limitations? A better question is how have YOU defined your limitations? There’s nothing wrong with being realistic. But there is something wrong with choosing the lies of the enemy over believing what God has promised you.

Golden Nugget# 3

Don’t allow limitations to become your excuse. They are merely work-arounds.

 

Golden Nugget# 4

Don’t let “impossible” be a reason not to try.

 

Maybe it wasn’t so much that King Saul believed the story about David slaying a bear and a lion.  Young people (and fishermen) tell tall tales you know. Purely upon David’s confidence and Saul’s utter desperation, he allowed David to confront Goliath.

Surely David’s brothers had followed David to the king’s tent and were listening outside. None of them stepped forward to vouch for his lion and bear story. They just heard King Saul trying to suit him up in his armor.

Can you imagine the brothers looking at each other and saying, ‘Ooooooo, we’re in trouble now. If that boy goes out there and gets himself killed, we’d better not show our faces to our father ever again.’ But David had been commissioned to fight by the king and dare they say anything against the king’s command.

Judgement Delayed

We already established that Goliath challenged King Saul for 40 days – 40 is a number signifying judgment or test.

It was Judgment for King Saul and a test for David.

Goliath’s armor was made of brass, another symbol of judgment

⁵ And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

⁶ And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.

Why was there judgment upon Israel?

In 1 Samuel 15 God instructs King Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites, all the people, men, women, children infants, sheep, and cattle. Leave nothing alive. But King Saul saved  King Agag of the Amalekites alive along with the best of the animals.

So, God takes the kingship from Saul because he did not obey.

The Real Assignment

Sometimes when you least expect it, God will point out your real assignment and your real giant. David’s assignment never was to bring bread to his brothers. That was merely a cloak for the real assignment. God’s assignment for David was to sit this giant down that had mocked his sovereignty for forty days. Jesus put up with Satan in the wilderness 40 days but then his time was up! Judgment had been placed on King Saul and he would not win this battle. His time was up! However, it was David’s time and this was a setup for David to be lifted above Saul as king.

Golden Nugget# 5

Disobedience never pays. Delayed obedience has no returns either.

1 Samuel 15

²²And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams.

²³For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Have you allowed others to talk you out of what God told you to do like King Saul?

Will the Real Goliath Stand Up?

What if David had gotten caught up in an argument with his brother like so many siblings do? He would not have heard God, turned on his heals, stormed off and went home. David, however, was spiritually astute enough to know Eliab was not the giant so he turned away from him. Eliab was a distraction.

Golden Nugget3 6

What are you spending your time on, exhausting yourself unnecessarily on something or someone that is not the real problem? It is a diversion strategically placed to distract you from the real target. Move on!

We know that David went on to use the tools God gave him, the slingshot and stones, and not the more technologically advanced weapon of the time, a sword. Especially one not fitted for him. He would not win trying to “impersonate” King Saul by wearing his armor and carrying his sword.. He must use the gift God gave him and go in the strength of the Spirit of God.

Golden Nugget# 7

Work your own ministry in your own style. God called you to use his gift in conjunction with your unique traits. He does not call impersonators.

We know the end of the story, David defeats Goliath but the end of this story is merely the beginning of the story for David. Although David had a glorious victory here, he spent a good part of his life struggling with King Saul, his own sons, his bad decisions…so this brings me to the last golden nugget I’ll leave with you:

Golden Nugget# 8

God doesn’t call the perfect, he perfects the Called and it takes a lifetime.

 

Worship Song: Your Spirit

Petition:

Not by our might but send your Spirit Lord! Breathe on your people Lord! You can do all things but fail! Help us to know the gifts you have given us and to walk in them giving you glory!

Thanksgiving:

Father, I thank you for my life is in your hands. I thank you for ears to hear your will for me and that my hands are your hands extended. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that leads me to comfort and peace found in your Word!

Praise Song: Never Lost

Meditation/Journal:

After you have meditated on the many thoughts you may have, stop and just LISTEN. You may feel uncomfortable about not filling the space with your words. It’s okay, get past that feeling and listen. Be patient and press through. Write what you feel now.

 

End Day 12:  Shofar