04/28 Thoughts & Comments By Dr. Daniel Daves

28-Apr 1 Sam. 11-12 2 Peter 1-2 Psalms 136-140 Proverbs 28

1 Samuel 11:1-8 NIV [1] Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.” [2] But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.” [3] The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.” [4] When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. [5] Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with everyone? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said. [6] When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. [7] He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. [8] When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

Those filthy ammonites came to destroy Israel once again. However, they really would be happy if they could just gouge out the right eye of every Israelite in order to disgrace Israel.  they really just came to disgrace Gods people.  When Saul heard this he was enraged, and mistered 300,000 fighting men to go wipe out Ammon.  He threatened every soldier with death if he failed to go and fight with Saul.  As a result, Saul destroyed the Ammonites in a day.

There was a huge upheaval in their society when the Ammonites appeared.  Some of Israel's brothers were in deep trouble, and would be subject to having eyes gouged out, becoming slaves to the enemy, or even death under enemy hands.  The people in other areas wept, but no one was moving to do anything about it.

Then Saul heard the news and was immediately enraged.  He knew that this enemy must be defeated immediately.  He also knew the lethargy of his own people. Therefore, he issued a warning of death and slaughter to any Israelite that didn't join him in battle against Ammon.  As a result, an overwhelming force of men arrived to take Ammon out in a single day.

Why did Saul need to issue a warning to the Israelites? Because they had become apathetic and lethargic. This is a symptom of disconnected and demoralized people who have lost their passion for God, brothers, and for their national dignity and freedom.

Many of the men didn't arise to the occasion for noble purposes, but they did arise for fear of death!  They might die on the battle field, but if they didnt fight, they would most certainly die in their own country by the sword of their own king.

We live in a day exactly like Israel's day. People are lethargic and disconnected, and have no will to fight for their neighbors, friends or even family members.  They have no passion for life. They can wake up a thousand mornings and not ever think of the 3,000 innocent children murdered that day through abortion. They can turn a blind eye to homelessness, helplessness, and hunger in their own neighborhoods, cities, and nation.  Though the enemy is demoralizing our brothers and gouging out their eyes, many have no passion to help.

When this state comes upon a people, God himself will send mustering leaders who will clarify the need to fight, and the threat of what will happen if we don't fight.  Its then that great unity comes, and mighty enemies are defeated in a day.

Do you want to rise to passionate leadership like Saul?  You MUST be in the Word of God every day, being baptized with Heavens FIRE and becoming one with it.  

Hebrews 1:7 NIV [7] In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”

WARNING!  Immersing yourself into the fire of God will fill you with passion.  It will change your life and direction forever. It will lead you to the land of promise!  It will cause you to strike down every opposing enemy force that stands against you. You shall never be ashamed, and your eyes will never be gouged out by an enemy force!  Commit to the Word of God every day, and your future will unfold before your very eyes.

Tomorrow's Reading:
29-Apr 1 Sam. 13-14 2 Peter 3 Psalms 141-145 Proverbs 29