DEVOTIONS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2025 

"FAMILY PAIN"

He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah.  Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.  1 Samuel 1:2 

If you’re the member of a family, you will experience pain. It’s a given. Families are the testing ground for learning—or not learning—to deal with hurts, angers, jealousies, provocations, and the disappointments of life. The closer we are to people, the more we’re affected by their sin. And there’s no place closer than the family unit: those we care about the most can hurt us the most. 

Hannah and Peninnah are caught in a family where each of them lack something of huge value. Peninnah has children, but lacks the love of her husband Elkanah. Hannah has his love, but is barren. Both women are deeply hurt, but deal with it differently. Peninnah finds relief by tormenting her barren rival while Hannah suffers in a silence that turns into sickness and tears. 

This week we are challenged to consider how God works in our lives through emotional pain. We can choose “relief” by destroying ourselves and others, or we can choose to give our pain to God and wait in faith for his solution. When Hannah finally cries out to God, his plan unfolds in her life. 

This week identify a situation in your family (or extended family) which could provide you with an opportunity to trust God more deeply. Pray as Hannah did, on how you should react through the process. 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2025 

LAMENT 

“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me” (Psalm 13.1)?   

Because the silence of God can intensify our pain, it’s easy to wonder why a loving God allows us to suffer. But Hannah shows us what can come from intense, deep pain when we cry out to God—built-up pain can intensify our prayers, drawing us closer to him through our deepest longings. 

Hannah reaches the brink of what she can endure and falls into the waiting arms of God through her prayer of lament. When God seems distant, it’s not that he left, but he’s allowing our pain to draw us closer to him on a deeper level of faith. 

A heart of lament is a heart God can shape. Today, write your own prayer of lament to God concerning a painful situation you’re suffering through right now. Don’t be afraid to pour out your true feelings, but make sure to end with the hope you have in God. For help, read Psalm 13 and see how David pours out his lament to God and then glorifies him at the end. 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2025 

BELIEVE IN GOD 

“I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman” (1 Samuel 1.15-16).” 

Up until the day she became completely undone, Hannah acted out her sorrow and stress over being childless by crying and not eating. Elkanah, her husband, thinks his love should be enough. But his love is not enough to take away the shame and hurt a woman in that culture felt about being a childless failure. 

Yet, after she poured out her heart to God, she explained to Eli (the priest who thought she was drunk), “I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman” (1 Samuel 1.15-16).” She goes away at peace with God, no longer sad.  True peace only comes from bringing our whole self to God; giving it all to him and holding back nothing. 

As Jesus says in Matthew 11.28-30, when you are ashamed, and weary from the pains of this world and come to him, “. . . you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2025 

MERCY & MOVEMENT

Peter tells us, “There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while…these trials are only to test your faith…”1 Peter 1:6-7 

God lets us endure pain because he has a plan—he wants us to learn and grow through the pain as we await his mercy. As we trust him we can say, “Here I am what’s left of me, where Glory meets my suffering, I’m alive” (MercyMe, “The Hurt and the Healer”). 

Listen to the song “The Hurt and the Healer,” by Mercy Me. As you welcome God into your day, reflect on how he has grown you through the pain in your life. 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER, 12TH 2025 

GIVING BACK 

When Hannah cries out to God for a child, she makes a sacrificial promise to give the child back to God. God gives her a son, Samuel, and when he is weaned she does just that—she releases him to God. In our culture it’s difficult to understand why she’d be willing to give up the child she so deeply and desperately wanted. 

The answer is in her attitude toward God. When she gets up from her prayer of lament, Hannah is no longer troubled. She’s at peace, showing she totally and completely trusts God. She truly believes if he gives her a child, this child already belongs to him and will be safe and secure as his dedicated servant. 

By dedicating Samuel to God, Hannah gives Israel one of its strongest and godliest leaders. By taking him to the temple at such a young age, he’s raised in an atmosphere that teaches him what he needs to know and believe to serve God and his people well. 

If you’ve been given children, consider dedicating them (and you as a parent!) to God. If you haven’t done so already, plan to dedicate your children at Relevant Church. Reach out for more information.  

MONDAY, SEPT 15TH  

FAITHFULNESS 

This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD’s sight,   for they were treating the LORD’S offering with contemp.  1 Samuel 2:17 

On Sunday we described the culture of temple life during the adolescent years of Samuel. Two priests, Hophni and Phineas, were living in open rebellion to God and treated God’s sacrifices with “contempt” (1 Samuel 2.17). Even though their father was Eli, the head priest, they still walked in open opposition to God, abusing the sacrifices and violating the women who served in the temple courts. This was the example that was being set for young Samuel. 

Despite this, Samuel “continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people” (1 Samuel 2.26). Amazingly, Samuel was able to thrive in an environment that was anything but conducive to growth. Samuel is fully devoted to God, living a life of integrity in the middle of an institution marked by serious corruption. 

Many of us face similar challenges every day: the environments in which we work or live can be challenging to live with integrity, purity, and mission. Yet, as people transformed by walking with Jesus, we have the potential to grow and shine just as Samuel did. 

The One Big Question for you to consider this week is. . . In what environment do you find it incredibly difficult to live as a fully-devoted follower of Jesus?  

  TUESDAY, SEPT 16TH, 2025 

TIME’S UP 

"The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age. . .”  1 Samuel 2:31    

For years Eli, the head priest, allowed his priest sons to live in open contempt of God’s worship. Their behavior was abominable as they used their position and authority to fleece God’s people and take advantage of women serving at the temple gates. 

It may have seemed like God was not paying attention to these atrocities, but he was fully aware and eventually his patience ran out. Eli and his family had ample opportunity to repent and return to God, but God had waited long enough. God’s response: “Time’s up!” 

Eli received a troubling message from the Lord, “The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age. . .” (1 Samuel 2.31). God was going to end Eli’s lineage. 

This passage serves as a warning to all of us. God regularly presents himself to us in Scripture as a gracious, loving Father (which he is!), but he also takes sin and rebellion very seriously. If you’re living in open rebellion to God, know for sure God is aware and cares deeply. He wants you to turn around, let go of your habit or rebellion, and step into the light. 

Today, spend some time journaling a prayer of disclosure to God. If the Holy Spirit is prying at something in your heart, confess it to God in prayer and consider confessing to a fellow Christian. King David’s prayer in Psalm 139.23-24 is a great model of inviting God to search our hearts. Use his words to guide your own prayer. 

  WEDNESDAY, SEPT 17TH 2025 

LISTENING  

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  1 Samuel 3:10 

At Relevant Church we talk often about having a “relationship with God.” That’s a tricky statement for the simple fact that God is invisible—we don’t actually see him. This reality was also difficult for Samuel. As a young boy, in the service of the temple priests, God spoke to Samuel while he was sleeping. 

While not being able to see God made his relationship a little more complicated, Samuel eventually learned to listen to God and became a great spokesman for God to the people of Israel. 

In our relationship with God we, too, need to learn how to listen to the invisible creator God—a God who wants to have intimate and regular conversation with us. A primary way God speaks to us is the Bible; hence the Bible is often referred to as “God’s Word.”  One way of listening to God from the Bible is the practice of contemplative prayer: intervals of prayer revolving around one specific passage of Scripture. 

Today, spend some time praying over Psalm 1. Try reading the passage, asking God to teach you from it, and then simply meditate on the text. Repeat the process focusing on different portions of the passage. Try reading it in different translations of the Bible. The goal of this exercise is to quiet all the other voices competing for your attention and just listen to God speaking through his Word. 

THURSDAY, SEPT 18TH 2025 

SPEAK TRUTH  

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15 

The Apostle Paul teaches that the Church, the Body of Christ, exists to help people become mature in their faith and walk with Christ (Ephesians 4.11-13). One of the chief ways we accomplish this is by speaking the truth to one another in love (Ephesians 4.15). In relation to our study in 1 Samuel 3, the boy Samuel had the incredibly difficult task of speaking the tough truth to his mentor Eli (1 Samuel 3.11-21).  

Some people pride themselves in “speaking the truth,” which is really just a defense for being nasty towards others. This is not what Paul is talking about. The aim of our truth-speaking is to build others up. When we have others’ best interests in mind, we love them with the truth. 

The reverse is also true. We can say we love someone, but if we withhold the truth from them in fear they may be offended, we’re not really loving them at all. We’re just coddling their insecurity.

Truth in an atmosphere of grace is the medicine we all need. The message of the cross is the perfect example: none of us likes to hear we’re separated from God for eternity because of our sin, but without grasping that reality we’d never understand and accept Christ’s gracious work on the cross.

As you welcome God into your day, consider how you can “speak the truth” as you ask God to give you the courage and compassion you need.

FRIDAY, SEPT 19TH 2025 

STAND OUT 

“the light of the world, a city set on a hill”  Matthew 5:14 

Because Samuel began his ministry in a dark season of Israel’s history (1 Samuel 2-3), he could’ve just blended in: follow the crowd, blame his surroundings, and worship just like everyone else. But he didn’t! Samuel decided to stand out. In the same way, we can point to a host of cultural pitfalls that might cause us to blend in–but we shouldn’t. In fact, God desires for us to shine bright in the darkest environments.  Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, declares his disciples are “the light of the world, a city set on a hill” (Matthew 5.14). As transformed followers of Jesus, we actually become beacons of truth and hope to a searching world. As I said on Sunday, we can either “blend in or stand out.” 

In places of constant bickering, we can offer a kind word. In places of deceit, we can offer truth wrapped in love. In places of immorality, we can offer a life lived with integrity and purity as unto the Lord. Though you may not see the results immediately, God is using you as a beacon to draw others to himself. 

Today, consider again the environments that offer you the greatest opportunity to stand out. Then, take out a piece of paper and list the individuals you know who present significant challenges in those places. Finally, ask God to give you a soft heart towards these people as you demonstrate kindness, truth, and integrity. 

MONDAY, SEPT 22ND 2025 

SPIRITUAL CRISIS 

So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods … and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 1 Samuel 7:3 

The temple of God seems an unlikely place to experience crisis, but spiritual crisis was running rampant throughout Samuel’s ministry: the priests cared more about their stomachs and women than honoring the Lord, the Ark of the Covenant had been captured, and Israel was greatly influenced by the surrounding nations which worshipped statues in place of God. 

Twenty years pass and Samuel reenters this story after a period when God no longer pacifies the people’s offenses. Instead, the Lord reveals his established consequences for sin. 

Wherever the Ark of the Covenant went, people cowered and panicked knowing the presence of the Almighty God was near. But not Samuel! He refused to shy away in fear, back down in the face of major spiritual crisis, or push the issues of sin under the rug. 

Samuel courageously moves toward the spiritual crisis with truth, reminding the people of God’s instructions and his compassion and graciousness toward all who turn from their sin. 

Just as Samuel guided the nation of Israel through their spiritual crisis, we can move forward spiritually without fear. 

As you begin your week, consider the areas where something spiritually is holding you back or weighing you down. Whatever it is, don’t delay in asking for help: call a trusted friend or your small group leader to help you walk in truth and remember, as Samuel reminded the Israelites, if you choose to return to God, then God will deliver you. 

TUESDAY, SEPT 23RD 2025 

ONLY 

So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods … and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 1 Samuel 7:3 

Samuel addresses Israel’s idolatry when he declares, “. . .rid yourselves of the foreign gods… and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only . . .”. In one word Samuel communicates that God is not one of many, but the one and only God. 

“Only” is a word of priority, simplicity, and exclusivity. While the importance of prioritizing and need for simplicity is easily admitted and admired, the idea of exclusivity is not often praised. Rather, uneasiness seems to accompany the concept of “only” in our culture, especially in terms of love, sexuality, religion, and even salvation. Perhaps this perspective resonated in Israel as they worshipped a multiplicity of other gods. 

If we’re honest we, too, have idols. We often look to people and things around us to fill an inner void for security and significance. Even good things creep in and we fail to see them as vying for our love—and competing for the place of God—in our hearts. 

In fact, our hearts are idol factories.  Rather than ridding ourselves of idols, we give up one and quickly turn to another. But God desires the priority and exclusivity of our hearts even as we battle with competing desires. 

This week’s One Big Question is … What in your life is competing for total devotion to God?    Take time to humbly encourage and pray for one another to serve God only. 

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 24TH 2025 

CONFESSION  

On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.”  1 Samuel 7:6b 

This past Sunday we pointed out the brevity of Israel’s statement, “We have sinned against the Lord” (1 Samuel 7:6). Israel’s confession is simple but profound. They not only admitted their need for God’s help, but they agreed with God about their sin: they confessed their actions as a direct offense against God himself. 

Sadly, when we find ourselves in a spiritual predicament where we need God, we’re often unwilling to admit our wrongdoing in the matter. We struggle to let God reveal where our thoughts, words, or actions missed the mark as we refuse to see sin as it truly is—an offense against God himself. We may attempt to ignore the situation or try to muscle through, but God is neither oblivious nor obligated to bless us. 

Israel experienced consequences for embracing other gods: they couldn’t live under the favor with God unless they confessed their sin. This warning for Israel is also huge for us! If we run from God—if we defy him—and ignore all of the warnings he sends, we can’t think he’ll obligate himself to bless us. 

However, “if we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Stand firm on that promise and begin a regular practice of confessing sin by writing out a prayer specifying ways you have offended God today. 

THURSDAY, SEPT 25TH 2025 

EXPECTATIONS 

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12 

Although Israel recognized their sin and admitted their offense against God, their confession didn’t change their circumstances: the religious culture didn’t change, the racial tensions didn’t disappear, and the attacks kept coming. When the Philistines prepared their next assault, Israel quickly embraced fear resulting in panic. Even though they cried out to Samuel for spiritual intervention, they still had to go into battle. 

Sometimes we expect God to intervene by removing a difficult situation. But like Israel, God may cause us to walk into our fears (by faith) as we trust he is with us. Without conquering the Philistines, Israel would never have said, “Thus far the Lord has helped us”. God strengthened Israel’s faith that day when he sent them into battle again. 

Perhaps you have set up false expectations of God, believing he should remove a struggle when in reality he may want to strengthen you in that struggle. The attacks may keep coming, but cry out to God as he promises to be with you. 

Today, praise God for a time when you cried out to him, he helped you in your struggle, and you were able to say, “Thus far the Lord has helped me.” 

FRIDAY, SEPT 26TH 2025 

DELIVERANCE 

“Thanks be to God who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 7:25 

Over twenty years pass for Israel without experiencing the favor of God or deliverance from oppression. When the Ark returns, Samuel steps up and God shows up. But Israel’s long-anticipated deliverance won’t truly come until God raises up a long-awaited son, who would be set apart for God, be found in the temple as a boy (Luke 2:46), grow up in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), and become a faithful prophet bringing deliverance to the people of God. 

Samuel’s life and Israel’s deliverance foreshadows an even greater deliverance to come—the deliverance from sin. Hundreds of years later, God sends his own Son, Jesus, to grow up as a faithful prophet and become the sacrificial payment for sin: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Now, because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, each of us can experience eternal deliverance from sin. 

When you humble yourself to receive God’s gracious gift, you can praise God as Paul did, “Thanks be to God who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:25). Just as the Israelites agreed with God about their sin and called on Samuel to find God’s deliverance, call on the name of Jesus Christ today for your deliverance from sin. Then share your story by emailing pastormark@RELEVANTchurchMD.com   

MONDAY, SEPT 29TH 2025 

FAITHFULNESS 

15 Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. 16 From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. 17 But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD.  1 Samuel 7:15-17 

Much of our life, on a day-to-day basis, could properly be described as “mundane”: common and ordinary. But it’s in this “ordinariness” of life we learn faithfulness, a “slow and steady” type of faithfulness we demonstrate by showing up again and again. It’s the same type of faithfulness Samuel exhibited as he served as an itinerant judge in Israel. 

Operating in a four-town circuit, Samuel served as a judge and preacher, meting out justice as cases (perhaps the toughest ones) were presented to him. “Year to year” he made his circuit, faithfully hearing the testimony and examining the evidence. He was persistent, dedicated, and unwavering. 

It’s this faithfulness to God, as he called people back to obedience to God, which qualified Samuel for spiritual leadership and resulted in God’s blessing for Israel. God used his faithfulness in the “small,” day-to-day things to prepare him for larger tasks. 

But it’s in the “ordinariness” of life where we’re most likely to quit: a dead-end job presenting no challenge, caring for aging parents, never-ending school, ministry with minimal—or no—results. It’s exactly here where God calls us to faithfulness, to follow him as he prepares us for larger tasks ahead. 

Today, listen to the song “I Will Follow” by Vertical Church Band as you commit to following God in the ordinariness of life. 

TUESDAY, SEPT 30TH 2025 

SECURITY 

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”  21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”  Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”  1 Samuel 8:19-22 

With Samuel now very old, and having experienced the dishonesty of Samuel’s sons, Israel’s leaders use this pretext to request a king. But their real reason is security—they want someone to lead them to victory in battle. Rather than trust their security to God, who had led them successfully to the Promised Land by providing food and water during their journey from Egypt, they wanted to trust it to a human leader.  Their security was misplaced. 

We, too, have a tendency to misplace our security. Instead of placing our security in God, we place it in our bank accounts, retirement portfolios, a spouse (or spouse-to-be), or abilities (including athletic). We mistakenly believe these can “win” our “battles.” Battles with insecurity, fear, frustration, and inadequacy. 

This leads to the One Big Question. . .Where do you tend to look for a sense of security? When you identify it, confess it before God. Then remind yourself security is to be placed in God alone, “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings” (Psalm 61:3-4). 

  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1ST, 2025 

REJECTION 

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  1 Samuel 15:58 

Israel’s request for a king hit Samuel hard. He took it as an “in your face” rejection of his godly, faithful, leadership over many years. Year after year he faithfully administered justice and proclaimed God’s truth as he continually called Israel to obedience. Only to hear, as he neared the end of life, “Give us a king” (1 Samuel 8:6). 

It’s at this point Samuel hears directly from God (even in the Bible this is very rare), “. . . it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king” (1Samuel 8:7). It’s as though God wanted Samuel to know his work had not gone unnoticed. God noticed and he knew Samuel needed to hear it. 

We need to hear it as well. As you “labor” today (and for you it may truly be labor!), allow these words to sink deep into your soul: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain”. 

As you welcome God into your day, be reminded he notices as you labor for an audience of One. 

  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2ND, 2025 

INTEGRITY 

Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”  4 “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.”  5 Samuel said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.”    1 Samuel 12:1-5 

As the transition is made from Samuel to Saul—Israel’s first king—Samuel has the opportunity to address the nation. It must have been a powerfully emotional moment as he asks if there is anyone who can accuse him of taking a bribe or perverting justice (remember, he served for years as an itinerant judge). 

Recognizing he had lived with total integrity, the people respond, “You have not cheated or oppressed us. . . You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand”. What a satisfying moment this must have been for Samuel, especially in light of his previous rejection by the nation! 

We can imagine Samuel, looking back on a lifetime of faithful service, knowing he lived a life of integrity before both God and the nation. While opportunities to pervert justice were certainly present, he didn’t succumb. He needed no courage to ask the nation if he had wronged anyone—he knew he hadn’t. 

Living a life of integrity allows us to stand with a clean conscience “in the presence of the Lord and his anointed”. Today, memorize 1 Samuel 12:24 and call it to mind when you’re tempted to think, say, or do something which doesn’t meet God’s standard of integrity. 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3RD  

  IDENTITY  

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1:9-14 

We spend much of our lives defining who we are: the neighborhoods in which we live, the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, our friends, and our accomplishments can all be used to give us identity. We use all of these—and more—to form our identity and security. But as Jesus followers, our identity and security is to be found only in him.  The apostle Paul, a first-century church planter who wrote much of the New Testament, details part of this identity in Colossians 1: “…bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…giving joyful thanks to the Father…sharing in the inheritance of his holy people…brought into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”. As a Jesus follower, this is who you are! 

The reality is: we’ll move in and out of neighborhoods, trade in old cars, outgrow our clothes, see friends come and go, and dust old trophies. But our identity and security in Christ is sure and never changing. 

Today, meditate on Colossians 1:9-14 (try reading it in a different translation) and thank God for your identity in Christ. 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6TH 2025  

FEAR VS FAITH 

When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed,   they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. …Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. 1 Samuel 13:6-10 

King Saul has problems. . .big ones! He has a massive and well-armed Philistine army preparing to wipe out him and his ragtag band of soldiers. His problems only get more complicated when his soldiers start deserting and hiding in “caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns” — not really a picture of bravery and courage. 

Samuel told Saul to wait for him seven days at Gilgal so Samuel could properly offer sacrifices. But when Saul saw his men running and hiding, he acted out of fear and offered the sacrifices on his own, without Samuel. 

While Saul needed to trust God’s plan and promises in the midst of his trials, his fear-based decision-making ultimately ruined him. God had promised Israel if they would obey and follow him, he [the God of all creation] would fight for them. Saul needed only to remember the Israelites’ history to realize God makes it a priority to come through on his promises. 

We, too, can be easily paralyzed by the enormity of the conflicts around us. But our response should be grounded in faith, not fear. We can embrace each circumstance with the conviction God’s going to treat us according to his promises and character. 

Take a moment to list the circumstances you regularly face that cause you to react with fear. Then take a moment to pray over your list, releasing those fears to God and asking him to help you trust his promises. 

 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH 2025  

HEART 

But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.  1 Samuel 15:22 

King Saul was given the task of taking care of some unfinished business: completely annihilating the Amalekites. Early in Israel’s history the Amalekites had cruelly slaughtered many of Israel’s weak and unarmed, so God vowed to “blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven” (Deut. 25:17-19). 

Samuel’s instructions to “totally destroy all that belongs to them” (1 Samuel 15.3) may seem harsh, but this was God’s fulfillment of justice on a people who inflicted incredible injustice on his people. Saul’s job was simple and clear: don’t leave anything or anyone behind. 

Saul successfully began his mission by defeating the Amalekites. But somewhere in the course of his conquest he suffered a change of heart—he thought it might be a good idea to spare the best of the livestock and the Amalekite King, Agag. His excuse for this change of heart: he wanted to use the livestock for sacrifices (1 Samuel 15.15).  Samuel’s rebuke is powerful: “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15.22b). In other words: God wants your obedient heart more than he wants religious activity. 

Living for God [religious activity] without having a relationship with God is a dangerous reality we can easily fall prey to. Attending church services, giving gifts of gratitude, and serving are all good things, but God doesn’t need our sacrifices. God really wants our hearts! In fact, other passages in Scripture point to the fact that God disdains our religious activity when our hearts are far from him (Hosea 6.6; Matthew 9.13). True worship starts in the heart. 

Reflect on the song “The Heart of Worship,” performed by Sonic Flood, and consider ways you may have elevated your religious activity above simply giving God your whole heart. Ask God to strip away any pretenses of a religious activity and to help you grow in real relationship with him. 

  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH 2025  

FEAR 

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.” 1 Samuel 15:24 

After Samuel confronts Saul for bringing back livestock he was supposed to destroy, Saul responds with a simple confession revealing his true motive: “I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them”. Saul’s fear of his own men caused him to disregard God’s clear commands in his life. 

Fear prevents us from accomplishing our most significant tasks in our most important roles. This was utterly true for Saul—fear crippled him from leading God’s people in an hour when they desperately needed him—and it rings equally true for each of us. We live in various roles: parent, spouse, child, employee, friend and fear can easily cripple us in those areas if we give way to it. 

But this isn’t God’s plan for your life. Throughout Scripture God reminds us over and over he’s the bringer and establisher of peace. 

God tells Joshua, an Old Testament leader over God’s people, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1.9). Jesus tells his disciples on the eve of his arrest, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14.27). 

God’s plan for each of us is to live in peace and confidence, not fear and doubt.  This week’s One Big Question is…In what area of your life are you tempted to live in fear?  

Take time to discuss this with close friend. As you identify those areas, encourage one another to invite God into those moments and ask him to deliver you. God is with you and he is not afraid; he is your peace and your hope today. 

  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9TH 2025  

PATTERNS 

Take time to read  1 Samuel 15:24-35 

We can choose our sin, but we can’t choose our consequences. King Saul made two monumental mistakes: offering an unlawful sacrifice and not fulfilling his mission to wipe out the Amalekites and all their possessions (1 Samuel 13:8-14;15:1-9) 

I’m sure Saul did not anticipate his consequences being so harsh. God rejected Saul as king and ripped the kingdom from his hands (1 Samuel 15:6-28). Not only did Saul lose the kingdom, but he also learned if he had obeyed, God would have established his kingdom over Israel forever—a reality Saul forfeited by his rebellious activity (1 Samuel 13:13-14).  

Our habits and patterns eventually reap either rich blessing or devastating consequences, outcomes over which we have no control—that task is God’s alone. Patterns of arrogance and self-reliance can utterly ruin us, whereas humility and selflessness spanning a lifetime can reap the richest blessings. 

We may think we’re getting away with a deviant habit today, but we’re actually building a case against our own character and ensuring heavy consequences. 

As you welcome God into your day, complete this exercise: jot down on a piece of paper the top three or four qualities you hope to be remembered for; such as faithful, joyful, patient, loving, or generous. 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10TH 2025

REPENTANCE

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.   Psalm 51:17 

Repentance, by definition, is to simply “turn around.” But when it comes to sinful habits, it’s significantly easier to say than it is to do—especially those habits and patterns we’ve developed over the years. 

When we realize we’re walking down a path contrary to God’s desire for our lives, he wants us to “turn around” and starting walking after him. King David, in Psalm 51, gives us an excellent example of what repentance looks like. David had just committed some major moral mistakes and his prayer of repentance gives us insight on what real repentance involves. 

Repentance can be broken down into three C’s: contrition, confession, and change. True repentance starts with contrition—a broken heart over sinning against God. Then we must confess to God our error. The truth is, he already knows; but there’s power in verbalizing and owning our fault before God. It frees us from the power of secrecy. Finally, we must change our actions and begin to obey. 

Repentance comes full circle when we’re actually obeying God from our hearts: obeying him because we want to. 

Today, memorize Psalm 51:17 which talks about the beginning of repentance: having a broken and contrite heart. Ask God to break your heart for the things that break his as you daily turn back to him and away from sin. 

  MONDAY, OCTOBER 13TH 2025 

BEYOND GRIEF 

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel?   Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 1 Samuel 16:1 

Grief knocks the wind out of you. Devastated by Saul’s failure to obey God’s instructions, (whose failure was evidence of a heart that didn’t love God and resulted in God rejecting Saul as king) Samuel spiraled into a deep period of mourning. So much so God eventually asks him, “How long will you mourn for Saul. . . ? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way…”. God was calling Samuel to a hope beyond his grief. 

God created us to grieve. It’s important for our emotional health. There should be a period of mourning when we experience the loss of a family member, career, or even a dream. But there will come a day when we need to say “enough,” put the Kleenex box aside, and move forward. 

God doesn’t just want us to move on, but forward. God wants us to give him our broken heart in such a way that we’re drawn deeper and closer into his presence as he uses our grief for his good. Imagine the good God can bring from your grief (remember Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:1-20. 

There may be something you are grieving. As you welcome God into your week and day, listen to “Oceans” by Hillsong United and soak in these words: “Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior.” As you do, trust God for the hope that comes from him through your grief. 

  TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH 2025 

HEART MATTERS 

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b 

God removed Saul as King of Israel because “he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions” (1 Samuel 15:11). By rejecting the word of the Lord, Saul revealed a heart of fear and a lack of love and obedience for the God who made him king. 

So, God sends Samuel to anoint a new king from one of Jesse’s seven sons. When Samuel sees the oldest son he assumes, based on his appearance, he is the new king. But after seeing this son and six more, God lets Samuel know, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (16:7b). 

We often tend to be like Samuel: evaluating by physical appearance, skills, and intelligence. We tend to look at the immediate and external and are so easily fooled we can even fool ourselves! But God sees our heart. The impressions we leave may be an unreliable criteria of our spiritual health. 

While we may exhibit pure motives, devotion to him, and a humility of spirit, God may actually be seeing resentment, competition, envy, pride, and a heart turned inward toward “self.” 

Today, take some time to consider this week’s One Big Question. . .What areas of growth or change would move you closer to reflecting the heart of God? Then read Psalm 139 and pray for God to “search me and know my heart….and lead me in the way everlasting”. 

  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15TH 2025 

DAILY CLEANSING 

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9     Sadly, King Saul has become an example to us of a man who took action motivated by fear rather than faith in God’s Word. Full of self-deception, lies, and excuses, he blatantly disobeyed God and said, “I have carried out the Lord’s instructions” (1 Samuel 15:13).  

But when God looked into his heart, he saw fear that led to disobedience. God tells Samuel he is looking for “a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14); a man who has a heart that beats with God’s heart. 

In reality we’re no different than Saul. We have thoughts and fears that stray far from the heart of God. If we aren’t careful we, too, can become self-deceived and full of excuses. Keeping a short account with God opens us to experience the cleansing forgiveness offered to us by the blood of Jesus shed for our sins. 

We can experience the inner growth that comes from the power of the Holy Spirit working within us (Ephesians 3:16-19). 

Today, begin the habit of daily cleansing, called “confession.” Ask God to show you even the sins you may not be aware of (Psalm 139:23-24), and then trust him to cleanse you as you sincerely confess them. Doing this is an act of obedience that shows God how much you love him and releases his power into your life. 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16TH 2025 

YOUR LEGACY  

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-5 

Once David is anointed as king, Samuel takes more of a “back seat” in the remainder of 1 Samuel. But in 1 Samuel 28:3 some important information is slipped in, “Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah.” Samuel left behind an amazing legacy of service and faithfulness. 

From the day he was dedicated to the temple by his mother, until the day he died, he modeled consistent and steadfast faith toward the call of God’s purpose in his life. He lived in such a way that the whole country mourned his passing and felt his absence. 

As believers and followers of Christ we also have a calling and purpose. Consider the calling and purpose God has given you. Consider how your absence would be received if you were removed from your family, job, and church.  

Take some time to write your own legacy, how you want to be remembered. Then consider how you need to live in order to fulfill what you’ve written. 

  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17TH 2025 

FINISH WELL 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   Hebrews 12:1-2     

As we look back over the life of Samuel, we see a man who finished well. He lived his life with integrity, continuity, and faithfulness (1 Samuel 12:1-5). When those around him faltered, he stayed the course. 

In fact, as we look at many of the leaders in the Bible, few stayed the course through the beginning, middle, and end as Samuel did. David started and ended well, but had a period of faithlessness in the middle. Solomon started well, but ended poorly. Paul started poorly but ended well. 

“Holy redundancy” is the phrase that can be used to describe Samuel’s life. He went through the circuit of his responsibilities day after day, year after year. His pattern of faithfulness not only served others well, but served him well. When he faced countless crises as the last “judge” of Israel, he knew how to trust God out of habit.  May it one day be said that we lived a life of “holy redundancy.” 

May we all, like Paul as he faced execution, be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).