E-pistle for June 17, 2016
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E-PISTLE
FreeWay Foundation June 17, 2016
share and share alike
(I Samuel 30:1-31)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the content of this chapter
1. While David and his men were away, the Amalekites attacked and burned
Ziklag; they took captive all the wives and children there, vv. 1-5.
2. The troops spoke of stoning David; in his distress, David called for the
priest, Abiathar, to ask for guidance from the Lord; at God's word, David
pursued the Amalekites, but only 400 of his 600 men were able to continue
the chase . . . 200 were overcome by weariness and stayed behind, vv. 6-10.
3. While pursuing the Amalekites, David found a sick Egyptian slave who had
been left behind by them; he told David the location of the Amalekite camp;
David and his men attacked, freed all the captives, and confiscated much
property from the defeated enemy, vv. 11-20.
4. Some "wicked and worthless" men of David's army wanted to give none of
spoils of war to the 200 troops who had been unable to fight, but David
made an ordinance: "As his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall
his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike;" David sent
some of the captured booty to the elders of Judah who were his friends
and supporters, vv. 21-31.
II. Meditation: on the 200 soldiers who were unable to continue
1. These men were not lazy or cowardly . . . just too weary to fight, v. 10.
2. These men had been ordered ("made" v. 21) to stay behind.
3. These men had been assigned to guard the supplies, v. 24.
4. These men were with the front-line soldiers in spirit . . . they went out to
meet the troops, and David "greeted" them, asking them concerning their
welfare, v. 21.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual lessons seen here
1. God rewards His spiritual warriors on the basis of their faithfulness, taking
into consideration their strength and ability.
2. God rewards on the basis of obedience to His commands.
3. God rewards those who watch out for the enemy, keeping guard on the
home front while others engage in the battle.
4. God rewards those who pray for those on the front lines, supporting them
in their hearts.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Give myself completely unto the Lord's service, faithfully following Him
as long as I have the strength and ability to do so.
2. Obey the orders of my Commander-in-Chief, even when it involves possible
danger and death.
3. Continually remain alert against the attacks of my spiritual enemy, Satan.
4. Pray for the spiritual warriors around me who are "fighting the good fight"
. . . realizing that intercession, itself, is spiritual warfare.
turn us back to you, o lord
(Lamentations 5:1-22)
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. This chapter begins with a prayer that the Lord will remember the pitiful
condition of the nation: in disgrace, property confiscated by foreigners,
only orphans and widows remaining, forced to pay for basic necessities,
enduring forced labor, subject to occupying armies, ruled by puppet
governors, in danger of marauding robbers, feverish and ill, vv. 1-10.
2. Everyone is suffering: women, girls, elders, young men, and boys . . .
all are enduring mistreatment and severe persecution, vv, 11-14.
3. All of the nation's joy, pride, glory, honor, and hope is gone, vv. 15-18.
4. This book closes with a final, desperate plea for restoration, based on
their belief that God was still on His throne, and with the faint hope that
perhaps the Lord had not utterly (completely, totally, and irrevocably)
rejected them, vv. 19-22.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on some key verses in this chapter
1. "Remember, O Lord, what has come upon us," v. 1.
The Lord will not forget His chosen and beloved people, nor will He
forget His covenant promises to them.
2. "Woe to us, for we have sinned!" v. 16.
The suffering they were enduring was a direct result of their disobeying
God's laws, because sin always brings it wage; however, God's discipline
is administered to His children in love, and it is indeed to being them
spiritual understanding and redemption.
3. "You, O Lord, remain forever: Your throne from generation to
generation," v. 19.
Almighty God is eternal, and He is in control of the universe and all
the events of history.
4. "Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; renew our
days as of old," v. 21.
The Lord God alone has the power to restore and renew His disobedient,
fallen people; He extends mercy and grace when persons repent and
confess their sins.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Remember that the Lord never forgets His people or His promises.
2. Realize that sin brings divine discipline, and that God's purposes in
chastening me is both instructive and redemptive.
3. Rejoice in the assurance that God is in control of all the circumstances
of my life and my ministry.
4. Repent immediately when the Holy Spirit convicts my heart of sin, receive
the Lord's forgiveness and renewal . . . minute by minute, hour by hour,
day by day.
"Sometimes the questions are COMPLICATED and the answers are SIMPLE!
--Dr. Seuss
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