Helped a great friend pack up his moving truck yesterday as he prepares to move away. Wrapped up a week with one more application going in before the weekend and now have five applications active. Not sure which one God has been preparing yet. Not sure of the exact timing yet either. Just know that the month is coming to a close and so I am praying that He will open the right door soon and quick. My hope is in God who sent me the Holy Spirit to be my comforter and guide to have peace through the process. My trust is in God whose plans are for good and not for evil, to give me hope and a future and through Jesus is working all things together for good because I love Him. So leaning in harder as we head into the week in hopes of wisdom and discernment, direction and correction that will ensure the right referral, the right job, and the perfect timing of God to be fulfilled so that the will of God will be accomplished.
AI research into my introduction provides me with the following details and insight…
Trusting in God’s Perfect Timing
Proverbs 3:5-6 says,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
This passage reminds us to place our full trust in God, rather than relying on our limited human perspective.
Key Takeaway:
Trusting God means letting go of our own ideas and expectations about timing and outcomes. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Application:
As you face a week filled with uncertainties, commit to praying and seeking God’s direction each day. Trust that He will guide you to the right opportunities and give you peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). Start each morning with a prayer of surrender, asking God to lead you in His perfect timing and will.
Seeking God’s Wisdom and Guidance
James 1:5 assures us,
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
God promises to provide wisdom generously to those who seek it.
Key Takeaway:
God’s wisdom is available to all who ask. He desires to guide us through every decision and situation, providing clarity and direction.
Application:
In this crucial period, make it a point to ask God for wisdom daily. Spend time in His Word, where He reveals His wisdom and direction. Consider keeping a journal to write down insights and guidance you receive during your prayer and Bible study times. Trust that God will illuminate your path and help you discern the right steps to take.
Embracing God’s Provision and Peace
Philippians 4:19 states,
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
God’s provision is abundant and He knows our needs even before we ask.
Key Takeaway:
God’s provision encompasses more than just material needs; it includes peace, comfort, and assurance of His presence. He is our provider and sustainer.
Application:
Rest in the assurance that God will provide everything you need for the week ahead. Focus on maintaining a heart of gratitude, recognizing the ways God has already provided and trusting Him for the future. Share your concerns and needs with God, and then leave them in His capable hands, confident that He will take care of you.
Trusting God’s Sovereignty and Goodness
As you head into the weekend and anticipate the week ahead, anchor your hope in the unchanging character of God. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to trust in God’s perfect timing, James 1:5 encourages us to seek His wisdom, and Philippians 4:19 reminds us of His abundant provision. These scriptures collectively highlight the importance of relying on God’s sovereignty and goodness.
In your pursuit of the right job and the perfect timing, remember that God’s plans are for your good (Jeremiah 29:11). Embrace His peace, seek His wisdom, and trust His provision. By doing so, you align yourself with His will and open your heart to the wonderful things He can do, even in a shortened week. Keep your focus on God’s promises, and let Him guide you into the future He has lovingly prepared for you.
Today’s Reading:
My Notes:
Using God’s Word and digging deeper using AI I try to find relevant information from God’s Word that is active and alive and sharp enough to cut to the core of what’s taking place today. So I turn to God’s Word that never returns void from the reading plan I chose to kick off the year knowing He will be with me right where I need Him to be because His Word is good for teaching, rebuking, correction, and training to ensure you are thoroughly equipped. Don’t limit yourself to my notes and my circumstances! I recommend you do your own study and reading using the links above so that He can speak into your life circumstances and provide you with the teaching, rebuking, correction, and training to ensure you are thoroughly equipped.
1 Samuel 13
Waiting on God’s Timing
In 1 Samuel 13, Saul’s impatience leads him to offer the burnt offering himself instead of waiting for Samuel, as he had been instructed. Verses 8-14 highlight how Saul’s failure to wait on God’s timing resulted in a loss of his kingdom. Samuel tells Saul,
"You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever, but now your kingdom shall not continue" (1 Samuel 13:13-14).
Key Takeaway:
Impatience and acting outside of God’s timing can lead to unnecessary consequences and missed blessings. Trusting in God’s timing is crucial, even when it seems delayed.
Application:
In your job search and waiting period, resist the urge to take matters into your own hands out of impatience. Pray for patience and faith to wait on God’s perfect timing. Trust that His timing is always best, even if it requires waiting longer than you anticipated.
- Samuel Rebukes Saul
- ‘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. “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord ’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord ’s command.”’
— 1 Samuel 13:8-14
- ‘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. “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord ’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord ’s command.”’
- Israel Without Weapons
- Jonathan Attacks the Philistines
1 Samuel 14
Obedience Over Sacrifice
1 Samuel 14 tells the story of Jonathan’s brave attack on the Philistines, which contrasts sharply with Saul’s rash vow that leads to unnecessary distress for the people. Verses 6-14 emphasize Jonathan’s faith in God’s power to deliver, while Saul’s actions show a reliance on human strength and control. Jonathan says,
"Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6).
Key Takeaway:
Faith in God’s power and obedience to His will bring victory, while human efforts without divine direction often lead to complications and distress.
Application:
Trust in God’s ability to provide the right job at the right time. Focus on obedience to His guidance rather than trying to manipulate circumstances. Commit your efforts to Him, believing that He can open doors that no one can shut (Revelation 3:8).
- Jonathan’s Victory
- ‘Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.” So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.” So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.’
— 1 Samuel 14:6-14 - There are benefits to having an armor bearer who encourages and who will walk in the will of God with you.
- ‘Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.” So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.” So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.’
- Saul’s Foolish Order
- Constant Warfare
1 Samuel 15
The Cost of Disobedience
1 Samuel 15 recounts Saul’s disobedience in not completely destroying the Amalekites as God commanded. Samuel confronts Saul with the famous words,
"To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22).
Saul’s partial obedience leads to God’s rejection of him as king.
Key Takeaway:
Partial obedience is still disobedience in God’s eyes. Full compliance with God’s instructions is essential for His blessings and favor.
Application:
In your job search, ensure that your actions align with God’s principles and commands. This includes integrity in your applications, honesty in your interviews, and faithfulness in prayer. Trust that complete obedience will position you to receive God’s best.
- The Lord Rejects Saul as King
- ‘Why did you not obey the Lord ? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord ?” “But I did obey the Lord ,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” 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. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord , he has rejected you as king.”’
— 1 Samuel 15:19-23
- ‘Why did you not obey the Lord ? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord ?” “But I did obey the Lord ,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” 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. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord , he has rejected you as king.”’
Trusting God’s Sovereignty and Goodness
As you head into the weekend and anticipate the week ahead, anchor your hope in the unchanging character of God. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to trust in God’s perfect timing, James 1:5 encourages us to seek His wisdom, and Philippians 4:19 reminds us of His abundant provision. These scriptures collectively highlight the importance of relying on God’s sovereignty and goodness.
In your pursuit of the right job and the perfect timing, remember that God’s plans are for your good (Jeremiah 29:11). Embrace His peace, seek His wisdom, and trust His provision. By doing so, you align yourself with His will and open your heart to the wonderful things He can do, even in a shortened week. Keep your focus on God’s promises, and let Him guide you into the future He has lovingly prepared for you.
Today is a day that thanks to Jesus is filled with inspiration. So let us make sure we receive the gift of grace through Jesus by faith in Him and step up and out to accomplish all the good works He has prepared in advance for us to accomplish. If you haven’t received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not choose today to be the day your life is transformed and you become a new creation and start the journey of becoming everything God created, purposed, and planned for you to be?
Let’s pray:
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 