Thursday Devo
Scripture:
John 14:15
“If you love me, obey my commandments."
1 Samuel 17:26
David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”
2 Kings 23:25
Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.
“If you love me, obey my commandments."
1 Samuel 17:26
David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”
2 Kings 23:25
Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.
Commentary:
14:15 Jesus’ words echo the demands of the Deuteronomic covenant (cf. Deut. 5:10; 6:5–6; 7:9; 10:12–13; 11:13, 22) and reflect his unique authority. True love manifests itself in willing obedience.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2053.
What shall be done? By faith, David grasps Goliath’s challenge as directed toward the armies of the living God, hence toward the unseen God himself. To David, this battle is fundamentally spiritual in nature (see vv. 45–47; cf. Eph. 6:12). His father’s house refers to a person’s extended family, smaller than a tribe or clan, with 50 to 100 persons. Free means exempt from taxes and other obligations to the palace.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 520.
23:25 In spite of several generations of idolatry and rebellion against the Lord, somehow Josiah arose as a righteous king who not only appeared outwardly to be righteous but turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 691.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2053.
What shall be done? By faith, David grasps Goliath’s challenge as directed toward the armies of the living God, hence toward the unseen God himself. To David, this battle is fundamentally spiritual in nature (see vv. 45–47; cf. Eph. 6:12). His father’s house refers to a person’s extended family, smaller than a tribe or clan, with 50 to 100 persons. Free means exempt from taxes and other obligations to the palace.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 520.
23:25 In spite of several generations of idolatry and rebellion against the Lord, somehow Josiah arose as a righteous king who not only appeared outwardly to be righteous but turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 691.
Questions:
True love isn't defined by words alone; it is proven through willing, active obedience. Because of our sin nature, our default tendency is to go our own way instead of God's way. Yet the Bible is filled with examples of young people who made a tremendous impact because they chose to trust and obey the Lord. David faced a giant while still a youth, and Josiah helped lead an entire nation back to God while he was still a boy. Their lives remind us that God is not limited by our age, abilities, or experience. He delights in using ordinary people who are willing to follow Him. You are never too young or too ordinary for God to use.
- Jesus said that love for Him is shown through obedience, not just words. Are there any areas of your life where you know what God wants you to do, but you're struggling to follow through?
- Sometimes it's easy to believe that God can't use us until we're older, more mature, or have everything figured out. What excuses do people often make for why they can't serve God right now? How do the stories of David and Josiah challenge those excuses?
- What is the difference between obeying God because you love and trust Him versus obeying God because you're trying to earn His approval? How does genuine faith naturally lead to a changed life?
Prayer Topics:
- Ask God to give you a heart that delights in following Him and obeying His Word.
- Pray that you would stop focusing on your limitations and instead trust that God can use you right where you are.
- Thank God that He often works through ordinary people and that His power is greater than your weaknesses.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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