Psalm 144 - 12.25.24
Scripture
“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle”. (Psalms 144:1, NIV)
Observation
David the King of Israel praises God, from whom all his skills and abilities come. As a king, the most important skill that he needed was to protect his nation from enemies, and to lead his army into war. He did not go to military school. He was a shepherd boy in his youth, before he was made the king. But God who called him to be the king, trained his hands for war and his fingers for battle, and made him excellent as a warrior. We see a similar verse in Psalms 18 which says “He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
Application
The ability to work and to provide for ourselves and our families is a gift from God. Each one of us is called to a specific vocation. Luke, who wrote the gospel of Luke and book of Acts, was a doctor (Colossians 4:14). Paul the apostle who wrote almost half of the New Testament, was a tent-maker by trade (Acts 18:3). Bezalel, was anointed by God “to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” (Exodus 31:4-5). Joseph (husband of Mary) was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). Daniel was a government official and bureaucrat, being the chief administrator and ruler of Babylon (Daniel 2:48). Joseph, the son of Jacob was a high-ranking Government official in Egypt, second to the Pharaoh (Genesis 41:40).
Whatever we do for work in our life, we are called to it and planted in our workplace by God. Wherever God has placed us, He gives us the ability to excel. Let us ask God to make us excellent in the vocation He has called us to. Our Heavenly Father who taught David how to be a warrior, and who made Daniel the wisest of Babylon, and who gave administrative skills to Joseph will give us all the skills and wisdom we need to be excellent.
Our God performs all things for us (Psalms 57:2). This includes excellence in all spheres of life. Are you called to be a father or mother? Are you called to be a home-maker? Ask God who gives wisdom, and He has promised to give wisdom generously without finding fault (James 1:5).
Prayer
Father, I thank you for calling me into the area of work that you have called me to. Thank you for my vocation, and the workplace you have planted me in. According to your word, I pray that you will make me excellent in my work, and make me stand before kings (Prov 22:29). I pray that you will give me the skills to do the work that you have called me to do, just as you trained David for battle (Psalms 144:1). Give me the wisdom to do my work, just as you gave knowledge, skill and wisdom to Daniel (Daniel 1:17). Help me to serve you and be your witness, wherever you have placed me. Let my work bring glory to your name. Thank you because you are able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
Psalm 143 - 12.24.24
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 143:8 “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You.”
OBSERVATION: David recognized his need for the Lord. He also remembered that he served a faithful, righteous, merciful, loving God, Who was attentive to his prayers. What kept David feeling so hopeful, even in the midst of the troubles that surrounded him was knowing that God was with Him!
APPLICATION: Christmas is suppose to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many it can have the opposite effect; a time that causes loneliness and sadness due to the loss of a loved one, health problems, the stress of finding the perfect gift, feeling unprepared, or sheer exhaustion due to all the planning, preparing, activities and busyness that comes with the season.
PRAYER:
I pray as we gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus that I will take the time to stop and remember that Jesus is the greatest gift, Who came wrapped in love so that all could receive salvation through Him.
I pray I will not allow the busyness of the season to take my focus off the real reason for the season.
I pray like David that I will remember all that God has done for me, along with the wonderful works of His hands, and for that reason, I want to be prayed up, and prepared to share the greatest gift that I have ever received for all who will take it.
- Robin Orefice
1 Samuel 25 - 12.23.24
Scripture
1 Samuel 25:23-24 NLT
“When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my Lord. Please listen to what I have to say.”
Observation
Abigail was the wife of a very wealthy man named Nabal. Now Nabal was a very crude and mean businessman. One day, David sent some of his men to talk to Nabal to ask a favor from him. So Nabal being the type of person he was, heard David’s request, and not only rejected David’s requests, but on top of that, he insulted David and his men calling them “a band of outlaws”. Once David hears this, he gets angry. After all, David and his men showed nothing but kindness to Nabal and his people while they were staying near them. David was so angry he vowed to kill every man from Nabal’s household!
Abigail gets word of David’s plan and quickly puts together a “care package” and rushes out to meet David and his men to apologize on behalf of her hot-headed husband. Abigail intercedes on behalf of Nabal, and is able to diffuse the situation, which could have left a bloody mess.
Application
We all need an Abigail in our life.
Imagine being Nabal for a second. You’re strong and wealthy. Your pride makes you feel like you don’t need anyone’s help, (even though you do) and now you basically just turned your back on some people who were nothing but nice and respectful towards you. You don’t even realize that you just made the wrong guy angry and now you have no clue the wrath that is coming your way. Enter your humble and beautiful wife Abigail. She intercedes on your behalf, saving you and your entire household from total destruction.
Does the story sound familiar? It should. I believe it can parallel the story of man and God. You see, like Nabal, we as humans can be prideful, not thinking we need help from anyone, and thinking our success is by our own doing. Little to our knowing, we’ve been getting help, and protection, (from God), all along. But in our arrogance, and sinful nature, we push God away, thinking that we know better. And because of this, we are separated from God, deserving His wrath, and deserving death. Enter our “Abigail”. Enter Jesus.
“All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.”-Ephesians 2:3
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”-Romans 6:23
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, He took upon God’s wrath for us. Jesus interceded on our behalf so that ANYONE who puts their faith and trust in Him, and turns away from their sinful ways, receive God’s grace, His forgiveness, mercy, and His free gift of salvation.
So, as we get ready to celebrate Christmas with our family and friends, let’s not forget the real reason why we celebrate this holiday. Let’s remember the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the One who interceded on our behalf; the One who gave us the best gift we could ever receive.
Prayer
Thank You Jesus for interceding on my behalf. Thank You for saving me from experiencing God’s wrath. Thank You for always showing me kindness, patience, and unconditional love. YOU, Lord Jesus, are the real reason for this season! May You be celebrated and honored not only this Christmas Season, but every day of our lives. In Your holy and precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi