For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
2 Cor. 11
What tempts you away from “sincere and pure devotion to Christ?” I can’t help but notice the similarities in what Paul was admonishing the Corinthian church for in this chapter and what the Israelites of Samuel’s day did when they requested a king. Paul told the Corinthians, “you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face.” (2 Cor. 11:20). Isn’t that essentially what Samuel told the Israelites that a king would do for them?
Why does our human nature have such a hard time accepting that God is enough? We are drawn to what looks and sounds good to us and fail to see beyond the surface. Satan knows this about us and uses it against us. He always has a servant ready to step in and twist God’s word, making us think there is something more. So we shift our allegiances to get what we think we are missing out on. But Satan and his servants deceive! Because the truth is, God is not only enough, He is abundantly more than anything we can imagine.
1 Sam. 9-10
Contrast Saul’s physical appearance (9:2) with his sense of self-worth and security (9:21, 10:22). Compare with 1 Samuel 16:7. One minute Saul was looking for his father’s donkeys and the next, Samuel was telling him, “all the desire of Israel” was turned toward Saul and his family. Talk about a big thing falling on you out of the blue!! I think I would have felt pretty overwhelmed standing in his shoes at that moment.
God was gracious to give him signs, however, so that he would know God’s word to him was true. And, true to nature, God gave more than just signs. Samuel told him, “The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you…and you will be changed into a different person.” (1 Sam. 10:6). Indeed, even as Saul turned to leave Samuel, “God changed Saul’s heart” (1 Sam. 10:9a). God gives us what we need to do what He asks us to do.
Samuel went on to tell Saul, “Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” (1 Sam. 10:7). How’s that for some affirmation!? Why, then, when Samuel selected Saul by lot before all Israel did Saul feel the need to hide? And how often does God give me everything I need to confidently walk the path He lays before me and I, like Saul, fail to embrace it?
Ps. 53
Summarize the condition of human beings in v. 1-3. How does Paul use these verses in Romans 3? We all need God’s salvation. Every single one of us. This is an uncomfortable thought for many, but it is the hard truth. God is holy, we are not. The two conditions do not mix, and there is no life apart from God. This is why David said, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Ps. 53:1a). Conversely, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Pr. 9:10, Ps. 111:10). Though we are unworthy, God offers us life. All we need to do is drop our pride and acknowledge our need. We would be fools not to.