Does your situation need your solution, or is it a call to recall?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not."

Today, we turn to the key verse of this chapter, which happens to be verse 24. It reads.

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. — 1 Samuel 12:24

We will explore this statement in more depth as we read to the end of the chapter, but for now, I want you to notice the challenge Samuel presents to the people of Israel.

It's a call to recall.

Samuel is not a stupid man. He knows that the people are prone to drifting from God.

I have done a lot of boating in my life, and I know if your anchor is not set and secure, then you are going to be susceptible to drift. When winds and currents change, they are going to tug at that boat and pull and drag your anchor. At first, the movement is subtle and unnoticeable. You'll think you're still in the same spot, anchored firmly. But bit by bit, the anchor begins to loosen, and the boat begins to drift.

If you survey the history of the people of Israel, this is how they acted in their relationship with God. They have defining moments that anchor them to God and his faithfulness. But over time, the currents of life and fear of man result in drift and this pattern repeats again and again.

As Samuel nears the end of his life and as the time of the judges gives way to the time of the kings, he knows that the people are going to be susceptible to spiritual drift. He also knows that legislation and leadership are not the solution to this drift. The problem is more personal and specific. It's an issue of the heart. These problems keep arising because the heart of the nation is not anchored to God. They want other things, like a king, instead of God, who was, is, and always will be their King. And his desire is for them to anchor into Him again.

As I think about this today, I am compelled to evaluate myself. Am I drifting from God in any way? Is there a situation subtly and unnoticeably pulling on my anchor?

And, of course, I did think of one. One situation that has troubled me has been pulling on my anchor of trust. It has caused a subtle drift.

But the Good News of this text is that Samuel presents me with the solution for my spiritual drift. Let me read it again with a little emphasis:

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.

First, I must acknowledge the winds and currents of my fears and return to fearing the Lord. Second, I need to give my whole attention to serving God rather than serving myself and my ideas. Third, I need to realize that the currents of the situation may be trying to divide my heart, but God wants my undivided heart in every wind and against every wave.

But it's the closing of this text that really captures me. It's a simple life hack for spiritual drift. It's a call to recall. Samuel says, "Consider what great things [the Lord] has done for you."

Today, if you are evaluating your life and sense a subtle or significant spiritual drift, heed Samuel's call to recall. Simply recall a few of the great things the Lord has done for you. Write them down or share them with someone else. Doing this will help reset that anchor in fearing and faithfully serving God with all your heart.

#FaithfulLiving, #HeartCheck, #GodsFaithfulness

Ask This:
In what areas of your life are you relying on your solutions instead of seeking God's guidance and faithfulness?
How can you practice recalling and sharing the great things God has done for you to strengthen your faith and encourage others?
Do This:

Heed Samuel's call and recall God's faithfulness.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to shift my fears and anxieties to a deeper trust in You and to serve You with all my heart. Remind me daily of Your great deeds so my faith remains strong and unwavering. Amen.

Play This:

Evidence.

Have you gone back lately to the location where God's work began in you?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 11. I've titled this chapter "The First Test of Saul’s Leadership."

In this chapter we have seen Saul's first test of leadership. He has left family farming behind for a profession of fighting. He has defeated the Ammonites across the river in Jabesh-Gilead.

Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. — 1 Samuel 11:14-15

Gilgal is important for five reasons. First, it was the site of the first encampment on the west side of the Jordan River. Second, it was the location of the twelve stones gathered from the basin of the Jordan River that served as a reminder of God's deliverance. Third, it was the first place the Passover was celebrated in Israel. Fourth, it was the location of the mass circumcision of the men in keeping with the covenant. Fifth, it was the location of the first Tabernacle.

Gilgal was a place of great significance, and Samuel will lead the people back here to mark another moment of remembrance. Here, they will renew the covenant, and Saul will be commemorated as king.

Just a month ago, I drove past the home where I spent most of my youth—my grandfather's home. I had not been back in more than 20 years. As I stopped in front of this house, I recalled several events that occurred there—but one moment stood out more than any other. It was the moment I repented of my sin on the threshold of the doorway of that home to God and my grandfather. For me, this was a sweet moment to remember.

Recalling and recounting your story and even returning to the places where these events occurred can be powerful. We each have places where God did incredible spiritual things in our lives. Returning to your "Gilgal" helps you to see back and see forward.

Today, recall a "Gilgal" in your spiritual journey. Recount the place and remember what God did for you here. Then, if you have the opportunity, share this moment with a friend, family member, or fellow believer, and take the time to remember all the great things that God has done.

#SpiritualJourney, #RememberingGilgal, #FaithMilestones

1. What specific event or place in your past has been a significant "Gilgal" where you experienced God's transformative work, and how has reflecting on it impacted your faith today?
2. How can revisiting and sharing your personal "Gilgal" moments with others help strengthen your spiritual growth and encourage those around you?

Return or recall your Gilgal.

Lord, I thank You for the significant moments in my life where You have worked powerfully and shaped my faith. Help me to revisit these milestones with gratitude and share their impact with others, so Your glory may be evident in all I do. Amen.

God In Every Moment.

Are you a leader who can claim victory with restraint?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 11. I've titled this chapter "The First Test of Saul’s Leadership."

At this point in the story, Saul has defeated his first enemy. Nahash and the Ammonite army. But now he has to deal with a battle within. Here is the text in verses 12-13:

Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.” — 1 Samuel 11:12-13

So what happens here is a truism about leadership: One test of leadership leads to another. For the leader, the tests never end. If you lead, you will encounter challenges from outside and inside opposition that will test you continually. They will test not only your abilities, skills, and talents but also your character, integrity, and in whom you trust.

At this moment, Saul could have used this momentum to put down his dissenters, but he didn't. He regulated his desire and restrained himself because he understood something that some of the people failed to see—it was not his strategy, strength, or skill that worked salvation in Israel—it was the Lord. This is a remarkably humble statement from Saul. He did not always make declarations like this, but here, Saul's understanding of humility and trust in leadership is inspiring.

Believers who lead must have an undivided understanding that God is the ultimate leader. God is the King. If we truly submit to this belief, then when we encounter his salvation, it's his salvation. But this is where many spiritual leaders get it wrong. They conflate the salvation gained with something provided by their abilities, skills, and talents. As soon as a leader does this, they become king in their mind, and they will do anything to protect and preserve this, including putting down dissenters.

Today, if you sense you have made too much of yourself in a current situation or recent win, take another look at that situation. Review how you responded and what you thought of yourself. Instead of thinking so much of yourself, think about what God did and what he did that you could not do. Then if you failed to give glory to God, do that now. Thank him and celebrate him and the King. Maybe the next time you win, see the win as God's win, not yours, and lead faithfully through the daily tests that all leaders encounter.

#LeadershipLessons, #HumbleLeadership, #TrustInGod

1. In what areas of your life or leadership have you taken credit for a victory that truly belonged to God, and how can you redirect that credit to Him today?
2. How can you cultivate humility and trust in God’s guidance in your daily leadership, especially when faced with internal and external challenges?

Believe God is King, and you are not.

Lord, help me to recognize and celebrate Your hand in every victory, remembering that it is Your strength and not my own. Grant me the humility to lead with integrity and to trust in Your ultimate leadership. Amen.

King of Kings.