Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! 
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 
2    From your presence let my vindication come! 
Let your eyes behold the right! 
3    You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, 
you have tested me, and you will find nothing; 
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. 
4    With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips 
I have avoided the ways of the violent. 
5    My steps have held fast to your paths; 
my feet have not slipped. 
6    I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 
incline your ear to me; hear my words. 
7    Wondrously show your steadfast love, 
O Savior of those who seek refuge 
from their adversaries at your right hand. 
8    Keep me as the apple of your eye; 
hide me in the shadow of your wings, 
9    from the wicked who do me violence, 
my deadly enemies who surround me. 
10    They close their hearts to pity; 
with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 
11    They have now surrounded our steps; 
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. 
12    He is like a lion eager to tear, 
as a young lion lurking in ambush. 
13    Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! 
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, 
14    from men by your hand, O Lord, 
from men of the world whose portion is in this life. 
       You fill their womb with treasure; 
they are satisfied with children, 
and they leave their abundance to their infants. 
15    As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; 
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. 
 
 
Meditation
God wondrously shows His steadfast love as the Savior of those who seek refuge in Him. Jesus is our protection  and our vindication. 
 
Anointed king David found “The Rock of escape” in the wilderness of Maon when Saul was seeking to kill him (1 Samuel 23:24-28), total trust in God’s steadfast love. David looked to the Lord for both vindication and protection. 
 
David seeks vindication in this Psalm by desiring for God to hear and defend his innocence (1-5), understandable for someone wrongfully pursued by the authority of their country. David desired to be vindicated by his enemies being punished (13) and the righteous being in rich relationship with the Lord (14-15). This vindication is possible when the Lord is our protection (6-12). God alone hears us, saves us, and shelters us because God alone has covenant love for all whose trust is in Him.
 
We identify with David’s desire to be vindicated (or righteous) beyond rescue to behold God’s righteous face (15), and resurrected Jesus fulfills this yearning. Consider the disciples hiding from their enemies in the upper room when Jesus appeared to reveal His hands and side. Beyond rescue, resurrected Jesus redeems righteous relationship. When the Lord is our refuge, fear is replaced with faith, panic is stilled, and gladness from God’s love fills hearts (John 20:19-29).
 
God desires to “wondrously show His steadfast love” as the “Savior of those who seek refuge (in Him)” (7) through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our vindication and Jesus alone is our true protection.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from David’s multiple pleas for vindication and protection?
 
-Where do you identify with David who was on the run from enemies pursuing him in a wilderness?
 
-Do you trust God’s steadfast love to protect and provide for you? Why or why not? How does the finished work of Jesus restore your faith and invite you into deeper trust of Him?
 
Key Verse
6    I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 
incline your ear to me; hear my words. 
7    Wondrously show your steadfast love, 
O Savior of those who seek refuge 
from their adversaries at your right hand. 

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 
 
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” 
​
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 

17    “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, 
       that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, 
       and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, 
and your young men shall see visions, 
and your old men shall dream dreams; 
18    even on my male servants and female servants 
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 
19    And I will show wonders in the heavens above 
and signs on the earth below, 
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 
20    the sun shall be turned to darkness 
and the moon to blood, 
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 

21    And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, 

       “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, 
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 
26    therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; 
my flesh also will dwell in hope. 
27    For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, 
or let your Holy One see corruption. 
28    You have made known to me the paths of life; 
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, 

       “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, 
       “Sit at my right hand, 
35        until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ 
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 

The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 
 
 
Meditation
The gift of God’s Spirit is evidence of God’s forever faithfulness to keep His promises, empowerment for both intimate relationship with Him, and participation in His work of redemptive restoration.
 
After Jesus ascended into Heaven (1:22), the day of Pentecost arrived (1). Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-21), found fullness in God’s faithfulness to send His Spirit. Fire fell from Heaven and the Spirit filled the disciples. People who came from “every nation under Heaven” (5) to celebrate the feast heard “the mighty works of God” in their own languages (10). The “amazed and astonished” people asked, “What does this mean?” Peter answered the perplexed people through preaching God’s word.
 
The miracle of Pentecost points to a momentous day in redemptive history: Babel was reversed (Genesis 11). The promised Spirit of the New Covenant had come (Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 31:33; Joel 2:28-32). The “last days” (17; Joel 2:28) were beginning. The life, death, resurrection, and ascension of King Jesus was the outworking of the Father’s plan that ushered in an intimate invitation of participation with God’s Spirit for all who received God’s word (41).
 
The Spirit of God shared the mighty works of God through disciples of Jesus (11), empowered the Word of God to transform all who believed Peter’s sermon (14-41), and enriched the fellowship of the people of God.  The teaching of Scripture, fellowship with believers, and fervent prayer led to generosity and gladness in God (42-47), a new community in Jesus, resurrected by the Spirit of Jesus, to live for the glory of Jesus.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the dawning of a new day in redemptive History, especially the emphasis on God remaining faithful to His promises?
 
-The Spirit of God works through the witness of the people of God, word of God, fellowship of God's people, and prayer to God. How can you be more actively engaged in these means of grace?
 
-Evidence of Spirit filled community is generosity and gladness of heart, sharing so no one has need. Is your heart marked with gladness and generosity? Why or why not?
 
Key Verse
16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:     17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams…
 
 
 

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 
 
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” 
 
15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba. 
 
20 Now after these things it was told to Abraham, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: 21 Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” 23 (Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. 24 Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah. 
 
 
Meditation
“Satan cannot steal this heart cheering promise- The Lord will provide.” These lyrics written by John Newton in his 1775 hymn, “The Lord will provide” are true for all whose trust is in Jesus. 
 
The Lord provides as Shepherd, in the valley of death and presence of enemies (Psalm 23), in times of trouble (Psalm 27), and He will provide protection for His people as we endure the pain and problems of the world (Psalm 94). God provides daily bread as He provides for flowers and birds- beauty and basic needs of life (Matthew 6). Christian- you need not be anxious (Philippians 4). The Lord promises to provide and when this truth sinks into our hearts it moves our feet with the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Together we trust God’s revelation, the regular rhythm of Scripture reinforcing a basic truth of the Lord: He promises to provide.
 
God tested Abraham. God told Abraham to sacrifice the son he loved, his only son from Sarah, the promised one. God refines the hearts of His people as a goldsmith refines gold (Proverbs 17:3), for the glory and praise of Jesus (1 Peter 1:7).  Grace gives faith, eyes to see with certainty that God will provide. God is Jehovah Jireh.
 
Abraham believed God could (and if necessary, would) raise Isaac from the grave (Hebrews 11:9). But God provided a sacrifice. For Abraham, God provided a ram. God’s ultimate provision is the sacrifice of his own Son, Jesus Christ, so all who call upon His name are provided salvation.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the provision of the Lord in today’s reading, and how this points to the greater provision of Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for all who believe?
 
-How does Satan steal this “heart cheering promise” from you, tempting you to live by what you see rather than what God promises?
 
-Where do you need to double down on trusting God to provide in times of refining? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

​In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 
The Ascension
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, 
       “ ‘May his camp become desolate, 
and let there be no one to dwell in it’; 
and 
       “ ‘Let another take his office.’ 
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 
 
Meditation
Resurrected Jesus gives Divine direction to disciples. Empowered by the Person and promises of God, Disciples are commissioned for participation in God’s mission, advancing His kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.
 
After resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with His disciples teaching about the Kingdom (3). The disciples were eager to see the restoration of God’s kingdom in Israel (6). Jesus directed them to wait for God’s Spirit (4-5), the fullness of God’s promise and the fuel for God’s plan- the rule of His Kingdom to the ends of the earth  (8).
 
The Father fixed His kingdom plan (7) since before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-5). God’s timing is good for those He loves (Matthew 10:29-31), and disciples of Jesus wait for the timing of God to experience the promises of God (Joel 2:28-32), sent to seal God’s people and fuel participation in God’s purpose of bearing witness to the gospel of God in neighborhoods and among the nations.
 
Jesus ascended to Heaven, one day to return in authority as the Son of Man to consecrate His Kingdom (9-10; Daniel 7:13-14). Until that day, disciples wait and follow Divine direction. These disciples waited in Jerusalem. Disciples today wait in faith by believing God’s promise, trusting God’s power, and participating in God’s purposes. 
 
Every disciple of Jesus receives both God's promised Spirit and His Divine direction for faithful participation in God’s work of redemptive restoration in our neighborhoods and among the nations. We are gospel witnesses filled with God’s Spirit- May we be found faithful until Jesus returns! And He will come again.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially in regards to the Kingdom of God and the mission of God?
 
-Where are you off mission in your discipleship, focusing more on yourself, your own kingdom, and people like you, rather than bearing witness to Jesus in your neighborhood and among the nations?
 
-How does the empowerment of God by His Spirit, the commissioning of God through Jesus, and the plan of God established by the Father motivate you to participate in the mission of God? What specific step do you need to take to make this a reality?
 
Key Verse
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
 

Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. 3 And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 4 And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him. 8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 
 
12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. 13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.
 
17 And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. 18 Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.” 
 
19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22 And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. 
 
24 All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” 26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.” 
 
28 Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” 29 And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” 30 And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before. 
 
31 When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 And David said, “TheLord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” 
 
38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. 
 
41 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.” 
 
48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. 
 
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron. 53 And the people of Israel came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. 54 And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent. 
 
55 As soon as Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.” 56 And the king said, “Inquire whose son the boy is.” 57 And as soon as David returned from the striking down of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58 And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.” 
 
Meditation
Jesus is the Champion of all whose faith is in Him for salvation (Hebrews 2). Jesus is the One who represents us against the greatest enemies, death and the devil- emerging victoriously.
 
King Saul and the army of Israel needed a champion against the Philistines. Goliath came to defy Israel (10), intimidating with his power and prowess. The king of Israel and his army were paralyzed by fear, but the shepherd David would not tolerate the Philistine champion defying the Lord (26, 36). David knew the battle was the Lord’s and stepped out to represent Israel “in the name of the Lord of hosts” (45-47). David’s improbable victory over the champion of the enemy fueled an Israelite advance and plundering of the enemy camp (50-54).
 
You and I need a champion against the devil and death. After being anointed as king of Israel (1 Samuel 16), David’s historic victory over Goliath points to the true champion, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the champion of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2; using the same word as Hebrews 2:10) who represents believers in victory (1 Corinthians 15).Jesus’ improbable victory over death and the devil fuel the advance of His Kingdom through His disciples who know the gates of hell will not prevail (Matthew 16:17-19).
 
Actively engaged in spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-24), Christians live from Christ’s victory knowing the champion of the enemy has been defeated. The cross of Christ has disarmed the power and authority of the devil and death (Colossians 2:15) so Christians can advance Christ’s Kingdom in confidence and without fear.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Where do you identify with the fearful king Saul and Israelite army who needed a champion to represent them against Goliath?
 
-How does seeing David as a precursor to the true champion, Jesus Christ, fuel faith and strengthen your security- knowing Jesus has emerged victoriously? The battle belongs to the Lord!
 
-Where do you need to live more freely in Christ’s victory? The spiritual battle is real, but so is the victory accomplished by the person and work of Jesus.
 
Key Verse
45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
 

The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” 
God Protects Hagar and Ishmael
8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 
 
15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. 
A Treaty with Abimelech
22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” 24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.” 
 
25 When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized, 26 Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.” 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” 30 He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath. 32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines. 
 
Meditation
God’s covenant faithfulness transforms troubles we want “cast out” into glory for Himself.
 
In the space of the first two verses there are three references to God preserving His promise for barren Sarah to birth a son (1-2). Sarah’s sin struggle is highlighted when she demanded Hagar and Ismael be, “Cast out!” (10) Abraham complied because he knew God’s covenant promise would go through Isaac (12), but he had no idea God’s care for Hagar and Ismael (15-21) would be a vehicle to redeem Sarah’s heartlessness and grow glory for Himself. God uses struggles we want cast out to gain greater glory for Himself.
 
Muslims around the world include Ismael in the ancestry of Muhammad, the great prophet of Islam. God gains glory through harvesting the hearts of Muslims in salvation, the last two decades drawing more Muslims to salvation in Jesus than in the previous 1,400 years combined. God promises He will receive worship from every tribe, tongue, and nation. God’s sovereignty is presently transforming Sarah’s struggle into a powerful story of glory.
 
Sarah cast out Hagar and Ismael. God is drawing their offspring to Himself. The weeping in the wilderness is being transformed to joy through the person and work of Jesus Christ. God’s sovereignty works all our struggles for His glory.
 
God’s grace offers the freedom of God’s promise to all who believe (Galatians 3:26-28), even children of Hagar who are decedents in slavery (Galatians 4:21-31). God is gaining glory by drawing people to Himself in salvation, even Muslim descendants of Ismael.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about Sarah’s response to God’s faithfulness, sending Hagar and Ismael into the wilderness?
 
-Why is it surprising God cared for Hagar and Ismael? And how does this fuel faith when considering how God is harvesting hearts from Muslim people groups from around the world?
 
-What does today’s mediation teach you about the power of the gospel and the heart of God? How can you grow in not only trusting Him to redeem struggles you want cast out but also moving towards His heart to share the good news of salvation with those who do not know Him personally? Be specific. 
 
Key Verse
17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”