S.O.A.P.

Scripture

1 Kings 4:5

“Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king’s friend;”

Observation

What a fascinating detail to include in this list! Amid the names of King Solomon’s officers, leaders, and administrators, comes the name of Zabud: A priest…and the friend of the king.

Solomon’s father, King David, also had a friend: Hushai, the Archite.

These men were not just passing mentions in the historic record–they were the known and trusted inside circle. They were the one that the king could be open and transparent with, the one that the king could bounce ideas off of, before making a public decision. They were the one that the king could count on to be loyal, when the tide of public opinion turned.

Application

If the king of Israel needed a specific and intentional friend to rely on, how much more do I need to be intentional in the circle that I place around me! Our world places a high value on social interaction–but the king placed value on friendship.

There’s a difference! My social circle may be large, but it is not always stable or worthy of deep trust. My social circle plays an important role–but my friends are those that I can truly count on.

It’s amazing to me that out of an entire kingdom (…and all the surrounding kingdoms of allies!), King Solomon lists one friend. He undoubtedly had healthy interaction each day with many people who played a vital role–but he had one friend.

Friendship doesn’t happen by chance. It takes wisdom, courage, boldness, risk, commitment, and a long-term investment of time. The cost is high–but the payoff is incalculable!

This week, I choose to invest in specific and intentional friendships. They are not many in number, but they are priceless in value.

Prayer

God, thank you for friendship! Give me wisdom in navigating the friendships I hold dear–to take the risk of letting those into my inner circle who belong there, and discernment to allow those into my larger social circle to remain in the right role for them. You created me to live in relationship, and in community!

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Scripture

1 Chronicles 22:9-10, 19

9 Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’

19 Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the LORD.”

Observation

David and his son could not be more different! David was the giant-slayer, Solomon was the wise scholar. David was a man of decisive action, Solomon was a man to stop and consider. David’s kingdom was defined by conflict and conquest, Solomon’s kingdom would be defined by rest and peace throughout the land.

But David doesn’t use these differences as an excuse to disrespect his son, or to try to force Solomon to be more like him. He calls out the differences and names them, then sets up Solomon to thrive as the next king, uniquely as God created him to be. In fact–David exerts his own influence while still on the throne to lend extra momentum that he knows Solomon will need, by stockpiling wealth and resources for the temple that Solomon will someday build.

Yet David also sees the accompanying weaknesses in Solomon. He sees the tendency toward inaction, and the necessity of Solomon not using his God-given personality as an excuse in life. David tells him “Arise! Build! Set your mind and heart to seek God!”

Application

It can be hard to relate to people who thing very differently from me, and who are built very differently than me. I see places where my own personality and strengths have led to good outcomes in my own life–so therefore, everyone else should do the same things…right?

But my natural strengths also define my natural weaknesses–and like David, I must be intentional to appreciate those who are strong in areas where I am not. They may not be called to fill the same role as me–just as I am probably not called to fill the same role as them. But the question is, do I value them enough to help set them up for success? Do I invest myself, and lend my own influence to give them the momentum they need in order to succeed?

…and when the moment is right, do I call them out in areas where they need to grow?

I’m grateful that God saw value in me, despite my own issues. I choose to see value in others today.

Prayer

God, thank you for seeing value in me! Help me to see the value that you have instilled in those around me, instead of merely wishing they were more like me. What a boring and ineffective world that would be! Help me today to speak encouragement when needed, and corrective inspiration when necessary. Help me today, to lend momentum to the success of someone around me.

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

Matthew 24:10-12

10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Observation

Jesus says that in the end times a few specific things will happen, which will be signs and confirmations of what is about to take place. One of the primary signs is that those who profess to follow Christ will turn on each other and hate one another. It’s not just a matter of them turning generically away from God: Jesus says that ‘their LOVE will grow cold’, because of an increase in lawlessness.

Application

This sounds so much like the world today! Lawlessness abounds, at every level. And the reaction to lawlessness, has been an increase in hate and betrayal. Those who claim to serve the same King, are at each other’s throats! What’s the solution?

Jesus says that those ‘who endure to the end will be saved.’ Those who ‘endure’ to the end: not those who ‘fight’ to the end. The result is that the Gospel of Christ will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all nations.

When I’m frustrated or anxious, it’s easy to take out my discomfort on those around me. The person I’m interacting with isn’t the problem…they’ve just gotten caught in my crosshairs! How can I not fall prey to the destructive behavior that Jesus describes? By enduring. By proclaiming the gospel. By choosing to love, even when I can’t agree. By pointing back to that which is eternal and perfect, instead of focusing on that which is temporary and flawed.

Today I choose to value the family of God, instead of participating in division. I choose to speak the truth of the gospel, instead of speaking the frustration with which the enemy would try to fill me. I choose to value God’s law, instead of making excuses because of the lawlessness around me.

Prayer

God, this world feels pretty lawless right now! Those who should be upholding righteousness instead seem to be perpetuating more chaos. And it’s easy for me to make excuses about the way that I treat people! Help me instead to love as you love: Not with compromise of truth, nor by moving the goalposts for convenience or to avoid conflict. Rather–with an unapologetic stand on the truth of your Gospel which welcomes sinners to repentance. Don’t let my love grow cold!

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Scripture

1 Chronicles 13:9-10

9 And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God.

Observation

The ark of God was returning to Jerusalem! What an awesome day! But on the way, the oxen stumbled and the ark began to tip over. Uzzah tried as hard as he could…and died there on the spot for his trouble.

The problem was, Uzzah tried his hardest…instead of obeying. God has already told them how to transport the ark of the covenant…and God’s plan didn’t include an unstable cart pulled by animals! God’s plan would have worked, if Uzzah had followed it. Instead, Uzzah decided to ‘try’ as hard as he could.

Application

‘Trying’ is a funny concept. “You’ll never know until you try!” That’s true…but you can ‘try’, without putting in any preparation or sincere effort. You can ‘try’, without educating yourself or investing time into obtaining the right outcome.

God wants me to try. But more than that, He wants me to follow His instructions and obey His voice. If I’m not paying attention to His instructions, then all the trying in the world will not accomplish a good outcome in my life–in fact, that’s the whole reason why Christ came! My own trying is simply inadequate.

Today, I choose to take the time to listen to God’s voice so I can follow His instructions. Then I can put my full effort into following as He leads, instead of trying my hardest without His blessing.

Prayer

God, thank you for this reminder of what you truly require! You’ve not called me to fail, nor have you called me to try my hardest at an impossible task. Instead you’ve called me to follow you, to obey you, and to rely on you. Help me today to do that, and show me when I begin to ‘try harder’ instead of staying in step with you.

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

Matthew 10:12-13, 17, 42

12 As you enter the house, give it your greeting. 13 If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues;

42 And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

Observation

Jesus told his disciples to expect persecution and suffering on the journey. He told them not to be surprised when it happens–after all, Jesus himself suffered the same things! He told them to ‘beware of men’, and to expect trouble.

But the point of all this, was not to cause them to become hard and uncaring toward the society which would mistreat and abuse them–rather, Jesus called them to a deeper level of caring for broken humanity. He told them to move on down the road when their message was rejected…but he reminded them that their calling was not merely the pursuit of self-preservation: Their calling was to offer a glass of living water to those who were thirsty.

Though trouble would come, Jesus challenged them to keep their sights higher than the suffering–and choose to love broken people anyway.

Application

Suffering causes a reaction. When I stub my toe, I don’t feel like speaking kindly to the person who left a chair in my path. When I’m mistreated and falsely accused, I don’t feel like being compassionate to those responsible. But if I’m not careful, I can begin to take out my hurt and frustration on those who didn’t cause my pain!

The challenge of Kingdom living, is maintaining a Christ-honoring love for the world…even as the world does its best to discourage and wound me.

Today I need to refocus my heart on the mission: Trouble is going to come–but the reward is worth the suffering!

Prayer

God, thank you for loving me even when I’ve grieved your heart! Help me to have that kind of love for the world–not to stay in places of unnecessary suffering, but rather to keep on moving forward in the mission even when I’ve been wounded. Help me to see those who are ready to receive a glass of living water this week!

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

1 Samuel 24:4

“Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.'”

Observation

David had an incredible opportunity to remove his main enemy and clear the way for his own destiny all in one fell swoop. And according to his men, this was God clearly telling him “Go for it! Do what you want to do, to the man who hates you!”

The problem was, God had not actually said this. God had anointed David to be the next king, but He never gave David the authority to remove Saul from the throne.

Although God’s name was invoked, God was being mis-quoted.

Application

I’ve had moments when I desperately wanted God to agree with me and confirm the course of action that I wanted to take. I’ve had people quote His name to me, certain that they were speaking on God’s behalf.

But if I’m honest, often the voice that I wish was God’s…is merely my own preferences and desires making themselves known!

How can I know the difference?! First and foremost–I need to know what the written Word of God says. His voice will never contradict His Word! Second–I need to seek the voice of God for myself, rather than merely listening to the voices around me which affirm and support my own preferences. God is less worried about me getting what I want…and more worried about whether I’m aligning with what He wants.

Like David, I need to take a step back from time to time to listen for the quiet and unchanging voice of truth. God wants me to hear what He has to say–and He does speak, when I take the time to listen.

Prayer

God, the noise around me can become overwhelming! Indeed–my own mind and my heart can shout so loudly that it’s hard to hear you. Help me today, to do whatever is necessary to quiet the noise and hear the voice of my Shepherd. Your voice is the only one that I want to follow!

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

Joshua 22:26-27

26 Therefore we said, `Let us build an altar, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice;  27 rather it shall be a witness between us and you and between our generations after us, that we are to perform the service of the LORD before Him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices and with our peace offerings, so that your sons will not say to our sons in time to come, You have no portion in the LORD.”‘

Observation

Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had great intentions, but terrible communication. They had built a replica altar in order to confirm their commitment to the one true God, but their lack of communication about the project nearly caused a civil war!

Good intentions are fine: Good communication is even better!

Application

I can empathize with these tribes! In marriage, in ministry, and in friendship–I can think back on incidents when I had good intentions, but caused hurt or frustration through my lack of communication. When others harshly judge my actions, it’s easy to react defensively–but often the first thing I need to do is to honestly consider whether my own communication was adequate.

God loves me–and so He tells me so. If God Himself finds it necessary to communicate with intentionality, then how much more must I do the same!

Prayer

God, help me to communicate well today! Help me not to make assumptions about what others know or think, but instead value them enough to remove the assumptions and communicate clearly!

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

Deuteronomy 20:1

“When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.

Observation

WHEN, not IF. “When” you go out to battle. “When” you see your enemies. “When” they are armed and dangerous. “When” they outnumber you…don’t be afraid of them.

The things that mankind views as worst-case possibilities to fear, God says “It’s not IF…it’s WHEN. And don’t be afraid, because I am with you!”

Application

Fear is nothing more than the anticipation of what ‘might’ happen, but hasn’t happened yet. People fear the dark, because of what ‘might’ be hiding in it. People fear heights, because they ‘might’ fall off the edge of the cliff.

Facing an enemy that is better armed than me, and that outnumbers me, is a fearful situation! There are so many terrible things that might happen…and yet, God says “don’t be afraid!”

He knows every enemy that I will face, and every challenge. He knows my limits and my capacity, and he knows the strength of my enemy…and He says “don’t be afraid!”

He has promised to be faithful, and His strength is greater than any enemy I could face–and so He can confidently tell me not to fear.

It’s not a question of IF I face the enemy, but WHEN. It’s not a question of IF they’ll be stronger than me, but WHEN.  And it’s not a question of IF He will sustain and protect me and bring me victory…but WHEN.

Prayer

God, thank you for this reminder of your faithfulness and your strength! Thank you that you are greater than any enemy I could face, and that my future in you is never uncertain.

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/