May Devotional Journal by Covenant EFC

MAY 2021 DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” 1 SAMUEL 7:12 (ESV)

MAY 2021

DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” 1 SAMUEL 7:12 (ESV)

Also available at www.cefc.org.sg and “Covenant EFC” mobile app.

Memory Verses January

2021

And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.” 1 Samuel 2:1 (ESV)

February And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV)

March Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?” 1 Samuel 6:20 (ESV)

April And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:3 (ESV)

May Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12 (ESV)

June Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 1 Samuel 12:23 (ESV)

July But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

August Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13 (ESV)

September 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. 1 Samuel 17:45 (ESV)

October And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. 1 Samuel 18:14 (ESV)

November The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness, for the LORD gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. 1 Samuel 26:23 (ESV)

December And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (ESV)

Foreword BY SENIOR PASTORS

DISCIPLING

THE REMNANT In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, God has laid upon our hearts that He will preserve a remnant and that the church must take care to faithfully disciple the remnant.

2021

“Then the remnant of Jacob

shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass which delay not for a man, nor wait for the children of man. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among t he nations in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver.” – Micah 5:7-8 The remnant people do not consist only of today’s strong and successful Christians. It also includes weak and downtrodden believers who are experiencing much brokenness and need for purification. Their lives may currently be in a mess, but they are willing to let God

discipline, mould, shape and restore them for a future that will see them glorify God in all kinds of ways. By God’s grace, they will come through the testing and training process shining as God’s people who trust and obey Him more and more. “In that day, declares the Lord. I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted; and the lame I will make the remnant...” – Micah 4:6-7a

who will do His bidding and carry out His work whatever the cost in these last days. Let us be committed to be disciples who make disciples! To be a church that is growing deep in God’s Word and Spirit, members must grow spiritually through self-feeding on God’s Word and not depend only on Sunday feeding. Every day from Monday to Saturday, let us

Every day from Monday to Saturday, let us individually seek the Lord by opening up the Scriptures and drinking from Him who is the fountain of living water." “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love.”– Micah 7:18 God’s call for His people remains certain and unchanged. We are not just to be disciples but to make disciples of all nations! In 1 Samuel, God called a simple shepherd boy named David who had faith in Him. And just as God raised up His servant David, God will also raise up a faithful remnant — people

individually seek the Lord by opening up the Scriptures and drinking from Him who is the fountain of living water. This Devotional Journal is designed to help you do just that. In 2021, may we all from the young to the old, the single to the married, the struggling to the successful, and the fearful to the faith-filled, be discipled as the remnant for the future and for God’s glory! In Christ, Rev Tan Kay Kiong and Rev Tony Yeo

Guide to Using THIS DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Step 1 PREPARE YOUR HEART IN GOD’S PRESENCE • Select a fixed time (preferably in the morning before you begin your day) and a quiet place where you can be alone and undisturbed. • Observe a moment of silence as you acknowledge God’s presence. Centre down. • Begin with a song of worship. Meditate on the lyrics even if you are unfamiliar with the tune. (Refer to the list of worship songs provided.) • Ask God to open your heart to hear Him.

+ SOMETHING TO PONDER The English Standard Version (ESV) is the default Bible version translation unless otherwise specified.

Examining your life is essential in your faith journey. Your redeemed life as a disciple of Christ deserves careful examining. May you take root and bear fruit in Him!

Step 2 ALLOW GOD TO S.O.A.P. YOU WITH HIS WORD AND SPIRIT • Scripture – Take your time to meditate on the Scripture passage for the day. Pause and mull over words and phrases that stand out to you. • Observation – Jot down significant insights and reflections from the passage you have read. You may use the guiding questions provided. The “Deeper Reflection” section is to aid your contemplation of the Scripture. It is not to replace your own observation, for the Holy Spirit illuminates the Scripture to you as you seek Him earnestly. • Application – Note down a specific and practical commitment to God’s Word for you. Is there a command to obey, a sin to avoid, an example to follow, or a principle to live out? Where appropriate, share your devotional entry with someone. • Prayer – Bring your heartfelt response to God in prayer.

+ PRAYER POINTERS FOR 2021

We have provided prayer pointers for Pastors and Staff every Tuesday and for the Generations every Wednesday. Every Thursday, a prayer pointer is included for Outreach/ Missions/New Life Leaders. On each Friday, there is a prayer pointer for SGI Leaders (e.g. Zone Mentors, CG Leaders and Assistant CG Leaders). A prayer pointer for Church Board Members is included every Saturday. Please pray for each group as well as any specific individuals whom God may bring to your mind.

Prayer for

the Urban Poor in Asian Cities A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” ISAIAH 40:3-5 (ESV)

URBAN MISSIONS focuses on reaching out to the urban poor in cities via healthcare, literacy, disaster relief and orphanages. The COVID-19 global pandemic is a major disrupter and has created havoc in the global economy, international travel and between the different strata of society. The communities of the urban poor are the most badly impacted in the current situation. Many governments are doing their best to contain the spread of the infection, roll out their vaccination programmes and restart their struggling economies. The Gospel message remains the message of true hope in the darkest times. It is not locked down. The outreach efforts do not cease.

The Gospel message remains the message of true hope in the darkest times. It is not locked down. The outreach efforts do not cease. As Isaiah 40:4 declares, “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level and the rough places a plain”, let us pray that all obstacles to the Gospel be removed from our neighbouring Asian nations, communities, families and individuals. Let us join our hearts to pray, especially for the urban poor in Asian cities who are the least resourced to cope with the effects of the pandemic.

Pray • For outreach efforts to continue despite the challenges. For the Gospel to be preached and shared in various creative ways despite COVID-19 hampering people movement and gatherings. • For the urban poor to receive proper and adequate food, shelter and healthcare. For the local churches to lead their congregation members to meet such needs. • For the COVID-19 vaccination programmes to be implemented quickly and fairly, so that the vaccines will reach the urban poor communities speedily. • For livelihood projects to be supported and implemented by the local communities and governments. • For the Steady Readers Missions leaders to be strengthened and resourced to launch the digital “Train the Trainer” package. • For financial assistance and other necessary aid to reach and be sustained for the orphanage community in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Notes

MAY-JUNE FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE Verse My Saviour, Redeemer Lifted me from the miry clay Almighty, forever I’ll never be the same Pre-Chorus ‘Cause You came near from the everlasting To the world we live, the Father’s only Son Chorus You lived, You died You rose again on high You opened the way For the world to live again Hallelujah, for all You’ve done Reuben Morgan © 2004 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI Song # 4254689 CCLI Licence # 324618

HOSANNA Verse 1 Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You We turn to You Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You We long for You ‘Cause when we see You We find strength to face the day In Your presence all our fears are washed away Washed away Chorus Hosanna, hosanna You are the God who saves us Worthy of all our praises Hosanna, hosanna Come have Your way among us We welcome You here, Lord Jesus Verse 2 Hear the sound of hearts returning to You We turn to You In Your Kingdom broken lives are made new You make us new ‘Cause when we see You We find strength to face the day In Your presence all our fears are washed away Washed away Brenton Brown | Paul Baloche © 2005, 2006 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI Song # 4662491 CCLI License # 324618

TIMES OF REFRESHING Chorus Times of refreshing Here in Your presence No greater blessing Than being with You My soul is restored My mind is renewed There’s no greater joy, Lord Than being with You Don Harris | Martin Nystrom © 1993 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 1175177 CCLI License # 324618

GOODNESS OF GOD Verse 1 I love You, Lord Oh Your mercy never fails me All my days I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head I will sing of the goodness of God Chorus All my life You have been faithful All my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able I will sing of the goodness of God Verse 2 I love Your voice You have led me through the fire In darkest night You are close like no other I've known You as a father I've known You as a friend I have lived in the goodness of God Bridge Your goodness is running after It’s running after me Your goodness is running after It’s running after me With my life laid down I’m surrendered now I give You everything Your goodness is running after It's running after me Ben Fielding | Brian Johnson | Ed Cash | Jason Ingram | Jenn Johnson © 2018 Alletrop Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Fellow Ships Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7117726 CCLI Licence # 324618

SOVEREIGN OVER US Verse 1 There is strength within the sorrow There is beauty in our tears And You meet us in our mourning With a love that casts out fear Verse 2 You are working in our waiting You’re sanctifying us When beyond our understanding You’re teaching us to trust Chorus Your plans are still to prosper You’ve not forgotten us You’re with us in the fire and the flood You’re faithful forever, perfect in love You are sovereign over us Verse 3 You are wisdom unimagined Who could understand Your ways Reigning high above the heavens Reaching down in endless grace Verse 4 You’re the lifter of the lowly Compassionate and kind You surround and You uphold me And Your promises are my delight Bridge Even what the enemy means for evil You turn it for our good You turn it for our good And for Your glory

Even in the valley, You are faithful You’re working for our good You’re working for our good And for Your glory (Repeat) Ending You’re faithful forever, perfect in love You are sovereign over us Aaron Keyes | Bryan Brown | Jack Mooring © 2011 Jack Mooring Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Meaux Jeaux Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Thankyou Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 6011370 CCLI Licence No. 324618

AT THE CROSS (LOVE RAN RED) Chorus At the cross, at the cross I surrender my life I’m in awe of You, I’m in awe of You Where Your love ran red and my sin washed white I owe all to You, I owe all to You Interlude Jesus Verse 1 There’s a place Where mercy reigns and never dies There’s a place Where streams of grace flow deep and wide Where all the love I’ve ever found Comes like a flood, comes flowing down Verse 2 There’s a place Where sin and shame are powerless Where my heart Has peace with God and forgiveness Where all the love I’ve ever found Comes like a flood, comes flowing down Bridge Here my hope is found Here on holy ground Here I bow down, here I bow down Here arms open wide Here You saved my life Here I bow down, here I bow (down) Ending Jesus Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jonas Myrin | Matt Armstrong | Matt Redman © Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7017786 CCLI License # 324618

FOREVER Verse 1 Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King His love endures forever For He is good, He is above all things His love endures forever Sing praise, sing praise Verse 2 With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm His love endures forever For a life that’s been reborn, His love endures forever Pre-Chorus Sing praise, sing praise Sing praise, sing praise Chorus Forever, God is faithful Forever, God is strong Forever, God is with us Forever and ever Verse 3 From the rising to the setting sun His love endures forever And by the grace of God, we will carry on His love endures forever Sing praise, sing praise Sing praise, sing praise Bridge His love endures forever His love endures forever His love endures forever Forever Chris Tomlin © 2001 sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI Song # 3148428 CCLI Licence # 324618

WE PRAISE YOU Verse 1 Let praise be a weapon that silences the enemy Let praise be a weapon that conquers all anxiety Let it rise, let praise arise Verse 2 We sing Your name in the dark And it changes everything We sing with all we are and we claim Your victory Let it rise, let praise arise Chorus We’ll see you break down every wall We’ll watch the giants fall For fear cannot survive when we praise You The God of breakthrough’s on our side Forever lift (Him) (You) high With all creation cry, God we praise You Interlude Oh, we praise You, oh Verse 3 Let faith be the song That overcomes the raging sea Let faith be the song That calms the storm inside of me Let it rise, let faith arise Interlude Oh, we praise You, oh, we praise You Oh, we praise You, oh, we praise You Bridge This is what living looks like This is what freedom feels like This is what heaven sounds like We praise You We praise You (Repeat)

Ending Oh, we praise You, oh, we praise You Oh, we praise You, oh, with all Your praise Brandon Lake | Brian Johnson | Matt Redman | Phil Wickham © 2019 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) Said And Done Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) Maverick City Publishing Worldwide (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7130961 CCLI Licence # 324618

THERE’S NOTHING THAT OUR GOD CAN’T DO Verse 1 Just one word You calm the storm that surrounds me Just one word The darkness has to retreat Just one touch I feel the presence of heaven Just one touch My eyes were opened to see My heart can’t help but believe Chorus 1 There’s nothing that our God can’t do There’s not a mountain that He can’t move Oh, praise the name that makes a way There’s nothing that our God can’t do Verse 2 Just one word You heal what’s broken inside me Just one word And you revive every dream Just one touch I feel the power of heaven Just one touch My eyes were opened to see My heart can’t help but believe Chorus 2 There’s nothing that our God can’t do There’s not a mountain that He can’t move Oh, praise the name that makes a way There’s nothing that our God can’t do There’s nothing that our God can’t do There’s not a prison wall He can’t break through Oh, praise the name that makes a way There’s nothing that our God can’t do

Bridge 1 I will believe for greater things There’s no power like the power of Jesus Let faith arise, let all agree There’s no power like the power of Jesus Bridge 2 I will believe for greater things There’s no power like the power of Jesus Let faith arise, let all agree There’s no power like His power Ending Oh sing oh, oh, oh There’s nothing, there’s nothing There’s nothing, there’s nothing Oh, oh, oh (There’s nothing that our God can’t do) Brandon Lake | Jonathan Smith | Kristian Stanfill © Kristian Stanfill Publishing Designee (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Cashagamble Jet Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) Maverick City Publishing Worldwide (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7141227 CCLI Licence # 324618

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 8:7-10, 18-22

SATURDAY

1 May

Dangerous Self-Centred Insistence Before God OBSERVATION What is the significance of the thrice repeated divine response, “Listen to their voice” (vv.7, 9, 22) and Israel’s response, “refused to listen to the voice of Samuel” (v.19)?

Deeper Reflection

AT THE HEART of sin is self-centredness. It is turning away from God to our own way (Isa 53:6). It is essentially us wanting to be king – to be in control. God had spoken to Israel that their wanting to have a king was in reality rejecting Him as their king and it was idolatrous (vv.7-8). But God knew their hearts, that they would not back off, as reflected in His twice repeated “Listen to their voice” (vv.7, 9). So, God solemnly warned Israel of two grave consequences for their insistence. Their lives would be miserable when their king takes the best things and people from them (1 Sam 8:11-17). And it will be so miserable that they will “cry out” to God, but God “will not answer” them (v.18). Double misery! Despite God’s solemn warning out of His loving care for them, “the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel” (v.19a). They insisted persistently: “No, but there shall be a king over us” (v.19b). The divine response was His third “Listen to their voice” (v.22). How could God be listening to the voice of His people when they should be listening to His voice? Ironically, God listened to the voice of Israel when they “refused to listen” to His voice. Our loving Heavenly Father gives only what is good for us (Matt 7:11). However, if we insist on having own way, God will not resist. But it will be to our peril. Such selfcentred insistence is self-destructive.

APPLICATION

In2020 what ways am I insisting on having my own way instead of God’s and what will I do about it?

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for church board: To seek to walk in God’s way always Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SUNDAY 2 May

Sunday Journal SCRIPTURE OBSERVATION

APPLICATION

PRAYER

The Past Week REVIEW What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

The Past Week REFLECT What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

RESPOND What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

WEEK ONE / FAMILY DEVOTIONAL / MAY 2021

OVER AND OVER

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Training to win the prize.

* ACTIVITY BITE

Place a feather (or something equivalent) at the edge of the table and hand out straws to your family members. Get everyone to take turns using their straws to blow the feather to the other end of the table. Go a few rounds and see who can complete it in the shortest time. Discuss the strategies and discipline needed to keep improving your skills.

* CHAT TIME

Q1: What does discipline look like to you? Give an example of it. Q2: What prize can we look forward to at the end of our Christian race? Q3: How do we keep ourselves focused on the prize that God has prepared for us?

* LEARNING POINT

To be a faithful follower of Jesus, we need regular spiritual training and discipline. In Corinthians 9:24-27, Apostle Paul tells us to stay focused on the prize at the end of our Christian race – Eternal Life! God wants us to finish the race well by staying true to His commandments. When we prepare for an important examination, we do the best we can. We practise hard and spend our time on useful things, such as reading, while spending less time on TV or games. We keep our eyes on the goal. As Christians, we equip ourselves with the Word and love of God, so that when things get tough, we will not become quitters. God disciplines us to become His true disciples.

* ACTION POINT

Discuss one area that your family needs to focus on and be disciplined in their walk with God. Brainstorm what your family can do to improve on it and commit it to the Lord in prayer.

* FAMILY PRAYER POINTS

Pray for perseverance and discipline to follow God. Ask for God’s guidance to keep your family strong and united to finish the race well.

3 - 8 MAY 2021

WEEK

Throughout the undulating path of motherhood, the Lord trains the Christian mother in steady steps and tutors her heart in a deeper trust and surrender.

In this week’s devotions leading up to Mother’s Day, we will focus on the themes of love and joy in the journey of motherhood.

That journey is not a smooth one by any measure. A mother goes through many heartaches and anxieties along the way in raising her children. But through the experience of pain and fear, God does a deep work in the Christian mother’s heart. Each one is a precious child of God, redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The heavenly Father holds His child in His arms and comforts her. In her time of need, she realises that God is always present with her. He sees her tears and hears her cries. Every plea and prayer reaches His ears. He gently speaks His words to calm her fears. He reminds her of His goodness and power. He reassures her of His loyal love and covenant faithfulness. Time and again, God supplies His grace to strengthen the discouraged mother weighed down by heavy burdens, so that she can get up and continue running the race with her eyes fixed on Jesus Christ alone. Throughout the undulating path of motherhood, the Lord trains the Christian mother in steady steps and tutors her heart in a deeper trust and surrender. As a result, she matures in her ability to offer loving worship to God her Saviour and to joyfully surrender her life to His sovereignty and wisdom. There is love and joy in the journey, because the Lord is God and He is good.

SCRIPTURE

MONDAY

1 John 4:7-19

3 May

Love with the End in Mind OBSERVATION Why should Christ’s disciples persevere in loving one another?

Deeper Reflection

I SHARE FROM EXPERIENCE. There seems to be no end to the demands of family life on a mother of young children. Among many other things, she has to help the kids with their schoolwork, ensure that the fridge is stocked and the family fed with nutritious food, and plan quality time with her husband. All these activities happen regularly and continually. The heavy demands often wear down mothers and sometimes cause us to question the point of it all. I have learned that I need to view my work from God’s perspective. Verse 16 tells us that “God is love”. Love is not only a noun, but also a verb: “We love because He first loved us” (v.19). Love is action. God’s purpose for His people is to reflect His love in the way we relate to others. We embody and express God’s love to those around us through acts of service and words of encouragement. In this way, we “abide in love” and abide in God, and He abides in us (v.16). There is a greater purpose in all this: through the process of learning to love, we grow in Christlikeness and are being prepared by God for the day of judgment (v.17). At the return of Jesus Christ, we will be perfected in love and therefore fully confident that we belong to Him, and we will have no fear of condemnation or punishment (vv.17-18). Keeping the end in mind will help us to respond to God’s divine initiative of love with a Spirit-empowered perseverance to love our family members even when we are weary or tired.

APPLICATION

How can I persevere in loving my family members even when the going gets tough? 2020

PRAYER Those lf

in nee

Significant people

Leaders

Lord Jesus, please fill me with Your Spirit, so that my heart will reflect Your gentle and humble heart. Help me not to be angry when I suffer wrongs or bear insults. May the anger that I do express be righteous anger at seeing others being Giv e th ank unjustly treated or intentionally sa nd pra hurt. Enable me to be empathetic and ise willing to waive my “rights” in order to love my family members, because You first loved me. Amen.

SCRIPTURE

1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 John 4:7-19

TUESDAY 4 May

Authentic Love OBSERVATION Why is it so important to have love in our hearts?

Deeper Reflection

TO LOVE IS A HIGH CALLING. There is always room for us to grow in loving people. As a mother, I started on my parenting journey eagerly absorbing good parenting ideas out there, because I felt responsible for the new life entrusted into my hands. I dug deep into parenting, hoping to reach the “sweet water” of bringing up children who would turn out just as I would like them to be. Along the way, when I faced resistance because of their free will, I struggled with a bag of emotions such as anger, guilt and denial. I learned the hard and humbling lesson that I was pursuing my perceived best for my children without loving them! We may have great gifts and marvellous abilities to serve and give to others, but from God’s perspective we have no real substance and no true gain without love (vv.1-3). Without open-hearted relationships of love and trust, we operate in the fear that we and our children will fall short of our own ideals. God’s relationship with His people is premised upon His love for them. He came down and rescued us from our sins, so that we can live in a love relationship with Him without fear of the present or the future (1 Jn 4:9-10, 16-18). When we embrace the truth that God has covered all our sins and gravest mistakes (Psa 32:1; Isa 61:10), we experience the blessings of the forgiveness of our sins and the freedom from the weight of our self-dependency and tightly held expectations. We are set free to serve others with God’s love in our hearts.

APPLICATION

What area(s) of my life and ministry am I at serious risk of doing things without love in 2020 my heart?

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for pastors and staff: To do their work and serve people with love in their hearts and greater dependence upon God Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 2:1-10; Mark 12:28-30

WEDNESDAY 5 May

Above All, Love God OBSERVATION What truths about God can you glean from Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving?

Deeper Reflection

BEING A MOTHER challenges me to keep relevant to the context that my children are growing up in. For example, the abbreviations they use in messaging, the music they listen to, the influencers they follow and the games they play. The world in which we live is constantly changing and I find myself trying hard to catch up. Over time I have learnt that, if I know who my God is, I do not have to worry about being in the know all the time. Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving to God reminds me that joy comes from knowing Him and experiencing His salvation (v.1). God delivers me from my fears for my children and the enemies of my soul. His power to save is beyond comparison (v.2). Nothing can be hidden from our allknowing God (v.3). He has absolute power and total sovereignty over all of life (vv.4-8). Indeed, I can entrust my daily cares and deepest desires to God who is working for my good and for His own glory. When I stay close to Him, He protects me in my journey and keeps me from wandering away from His righteous paths (v.9). God is also the supreme Judge (v.10). He will test my work in the end with His holy fire. It is assuring to know that God empowers His servants to do His will (v.10). As disciples of Christ, we can confidently participate with God in His mission in the world. We may have different vocations, roles and responsibilities. Nonetheless, may we do all things out of love for God and to glorify Him.

APPLICATION

What are the implications of these truths about God for my vocation, roles and 2020 responsibilities?

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for singles: To do all things pertaining to their vocations with love for God and for His glory alone Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SCRIPTURE

THURSDAY

Psalm 16

6 May

The Joy of a Secure Identity OBSERVATION How did the Psalmist develop a deep sense of stability and security in life?

Deeper Reflection

WHO AM I? This deep question expresses our constant search for inner significance and security. The world loudly tells us that our identity is found in what we do and what we possess. Its values measure a person’s worth based on one’s appearance and outward success. Years ago when I had my first child, I quit my job to become a stay-home mum, because my husband and I sensed God’s calling to invest in the lives of our precious children. Becoming a single-income household meant giving up some material comforts and financial security. During this major transition, I also experienced an identity crisis. It seemed like I lost my identity overnight! Everything about my life looked so different. My big wardrobe became a small one. My big conversation topics became small talk. I often got into emotional trouble thinking too much about myself. Later, by God’s grace, I learned from the Psalmist to keep the Lord – not myself – always before me (v.8). I kept in mind who God is, what God has done and what He has promised to do. With this right perspective, I realised that I did not lose my worth when my kitchen replaced the meeting room as my centre of operations. My identity is not determined by having a well-paying job, a big title or a marketplace role. My identity is in Christ Jesus! Through Him, I have a love relationship with the eternal God. He is my heavenly Father and I am His beloved daughter. Therefore, I am secure in God no matter how small my role may seem in the eyes of the world.

APPLICATION

What will I do to develop a stronger sense of stability and security in my life? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To know God as their ultimate and only true security in life Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 32; Romans 5:6-11

FRIDAY 7 May

The Joy of Being Forgiven OBSERVATION How did the Psalmist live a blessed and joyful life despite personal sin and failure?

Deeper Reflection

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED times of disappointment, discouragement, distress, anguish, anger or bitterness when you felt that your feet were slipping and you have lost control? Those of us who are mothers would invariably have experienced many occasions when we felt very frustrated by the attitudes and behaviour of our children, our husbands and ourselves; for example, the deep anguish over a rebellious child or an area in which we lacked self-control again. I am reminded of some incidents in my life when I felt bitterness towards my husband. While I harboured that bitterness in my heart, I found myself irritable and impatient towards my children. It did not help that my children were in the middle of particularly difficult developmental seasons. At times, I unthinkingly lashed out at my children with unkind and hurtful words. There was no valid excuse for such reactions. I had to go before the Lord to confess my sins and repent of my wrongdoings. Thereafter, I apologised to my husband and children, and asked them for their forgiveness. It was terribly humbling. However, I learned that our sins need to be confessed and forgiveness received before our relationships can be healed – both our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationships with others. Such occasions can be precious lessons for our children to understand that we are all sinners in need of a Saviour. Parents should take the opportunity to show by authentic example how we repent of our sins and to emphasise that grace and forgiveness are available to us through Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross for all our sins.

APPLICATION

What will I commit to do to seek reconciliation in situations of relational conflict? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for SGI leaders: To be enabled by God for the ministry of reconciliation within the family, and within and outside the local church Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SCRIPTURE

SATURDAY

Psalm 42

8 May

The Restoration of Joy OBSERVATION According to the Psalmist, what is the key to restoring joy to his downcast soul?

Deeper Reflection

ONE AFTERNOON, my daughter came home with severe abrasions and cuts on her knees and elbows. While sprinting, she had hit a curb and crash-landed on the pavement. So I quickly applied first aid to cleanse her wounds and stop the bleeding. I was very concerned that there would be deep and unsightly scars on her hands, arms and legs. Physical wounds and scars are an inevitable part of our lives. For mothers, we are invariably marred by some emotional scars from wounds suffered in the journey of raising our children. Sometimes, in the face of disappointments and failures, our only response before the Lord is tears. Through our tears, God draws us to Himself and into His heart. We remember God’s faithfulness in the past (v.4). We remember Him and pray to Him who is the God of our lives, indeed, God our rock (vv.6, 8-9). We continually put our hope in God (vv.5, 11). We can trust our heavenly Father to redeem our pain by bringing about our inner life growth in faith, hope and love, and a fuller surrender and obedience to Him. Through walking daily with God, we can learn to completely depend on Him to heal our wounds and make all things beautiful in His time. As we experience the joy of communion with God, we can then joyfully bring up our children to the best of our ability. A deep joy in the Lord is not based on external circumstances, but on the expectant confidence in a faithful God who will supply all the resources that we need to fulfil our God-given calling.

APPLICATION

How can I be an encouragement to a mother whose soul is currently downcast? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for church board: To be held and healed by God when they experience pain and disappointments in life and ministry Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SUNDAY 9 May

Sunday Journal SCRIPTURE OBSERVATION

APPLICATION

PRAYER

The Past Week REVIEW What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

The Past Week REFLECT What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

RESPOND What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

WEEK TWO / FAMILY DEVOTIONAL / MAY 2021

PUTTING INTO PRACTICE Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29, Psalm 18:1-2 The wise and foolish builders.

* ACTIVITY BITE

Get your family members to take turns telling different parts of the story, The Three Little Pigs. Discuss what makes the third little pig different from his brothers. Relate this story to God’s desires for us: What kind of house does God want us to build?

* CHAT TIME

Q1: What does “God is my rock” mean? Q2: What does Jesus want us to learn from these verses? Q3: What are we to do with the things that we know and learn from the Bible?

* LEARNING POINT

To be stronger in faith, we need to put into practice what we have learned from the Bible. Jesus told a story of two men who built their houses on two different types of terrain. The wise man built his house on a rock, while the foolish man built his house on the sand. A storm came and blew the foolish man’s house away. The wise man’s house stood strong. As Christians, we get to know more about Jesus through the Bible. Knowing what the Bible says is not enough. We are to practise what is taught in the Bible every day, so that when we face a problem we will not fall like the house that was built on sand. Jesus is our rock. We can put our trust in Him with all our hearts.

* ACTION POINT

Get each of your family members to find an encouraging Bible verse. Then ask them to share it with a friend or family member who may need encouragement.

* FAMILY PRAYER POINTS

Thank God for the Bible that allows us to get to know more about Him. Pray for a willing heart that will do what the Bible says every day.

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 9:1-6, 19-20; 10:1-2, 14-16

MONDAY 10 May

The Theology of the “Donkeys” OBSERVATION What is the significance of the eight occurrences of “donkeys” in the story of Saul being appointed as king of Israel?

Deeper Reflection

1 SAMUEL 9:1-10:16 is about Saul being appointed by God to be the first king of Israel. The narrator uses a key word, “donkeys” – which occurs eight times − to tell the story. The story begins with “Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost” (v.3a). As we connect the “donkeys” in the story, a theology surfaces: Divine Providence – how God orchestrates circumstances to accomplish His purposes. In this story, the “donkeys” is about how God providentially brought Saul to Samuel to be anointed as king. Saul’s father asked him to “go search for the donkeys” (v.3b). But having made an extensive search by crisscrossing the borderlands between Benjamin and Ephraim,1 Saul “did not find” the donkeys (v.4). Saul wanted to call off the search “when they came to the land of Zuph” (v.5). But it happened that Samuel “the seer” was in a nearby town and Saul’s servant proposed that they seek Samuel’s help for their search (v.6). The irony is: Saul “did not find” the donkeys, but he “find[s]” Samuel (1 Sam 9:13-14), who then anoints him as king (1 Sam 10:1). The donkeys were eventually found, but not by Saul (1 Sam 10:2, 14-16). Saul was unaware that divine providence was at work in his search for the donkeys. And he did not suspect anything significant in that task. Frequently, God guides us through His providence. And providence of the infinitely creative only wise sovereign God (Rom 16:27) works in manifold and surprising ways.

APPLICATION

In2020 what ways do I sense that divine providence is at work presently in my life?

PRAYER God, You are God in the heavens, the only wise God, who does whatever You please in Your sovereign freedom and sovereign wisdom, working in my life in manifold and surprising ways according to Your good purposes to the glory of Your name. When I walk in darkness and have no light, I trust in You, my heavenly Father who gives only what is good, to lead and guide me.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for leaders

Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Ronald F. Youngblood, 1, 2 Samuel, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 3 (Zondervan, 1992), 619

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 9:1-14

TUESDAY 11 May

The “Donkeys” Revealed Saul’s Character OBSERVATION What contrasts can you observe between Saul and his servant in verses 5 to 10?

Deeper Reflection

THE STORY OF SAUL’S SEARCH for his father’s lost donkeys serves a dual function: a positive one and a negative one.2 Positively, it shows God’s providence working towards Saul being appointed as king. Negatively, it shows Saul as incompetent and thus unfit to serve as the shepherd of God’s flock.3 Outwardly, Saul was very impressive: “a choice and handsome man” with no one like him in Israel and he was “taller than any of the people” (v.2). But inwardly, he was found wanting. The first words from Saul’s mouth in 1 Samuel reveals him as one who was ready to quit without accomplishing the task his father had assigned him (v.5).4 He lacked single-mindedness and tenacity. Then in response, his servant said: “There is a man of God in this city…all that he says surely comes true. Let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey…” (v.6). The servant proposed to seek for divine guidance and help. But that did not cross Saul’s mind. Saul was “spiritually insensitive”5. The servant knew that nearby was a respected and reliable prophet, for “all that he says surely comes true” (v.6). But Samuel was unknown to Saul, while “all Israel” knew him (1 Sam 3:20). Saul’s value system was warped. He viewed divine guidance through a prophet as something to be purchased: “If we go, what shall we bring the man?” (v.7). Circumstances reveal what we are and we ought to be alert and attentive to that.

APPLICATION

What do certain present circumstances in my life reveal about what I am? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for pastors and staff: To grow in discernment of their own hearts Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 1 & 2 Samuel, Teach the Text Commentary Series (Baker, 2013), 57 Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, The New American Commentary (B & H, 1996), 121 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 57 5 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 57 2 3

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 9:14-17

WEDNESDAY 12 May

Grace in a Situation Below God’s Desire OBSERVATION What do you learn about God in verse 16 in the context of God appointing Saul to be king over Israel as Israel wanted?

Deeper Reflection

THE BACKGROUND OF GOD APPOINTING SAUL as king over Israel in 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16 is: “Listen to their voice and appoint them a king” (1 Sam 8:22) – Israel’s rejection of God as their king (1 Sam 8:7). God’s appointment of Saul was below what God desired. Furthermore, right from the start, Saul had shown himself to be unfit to shepherd God’s flock (1 Sam 9:1-10). Nevertheless, it was God’s grace towards Israel, but in a situation below God’s desire. Saul’s unsuccessful search for his father’s lost donkeys that led to his contact with Samuel (1 Sam 9:1-14) is summed up as “I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin” (v.16a). God was behind it all. In fact, God “had revealed this to Samuel” “a day before Saul’s coming” to Samuel (v.15). God would “anoint” Saul to be “prince/ruler/leader (nagid)” over Israel (v.16). But the word for “king” – melek – used nine times in 1 Samuel 8, is totally absent in this story. The word nagid is used of leaders in other contexts for tribal leaders, military officers, religious officials and palace officials.6 The sudden appearance of nagid here indicates that God was not giving Israel what they wanted after all, despite His apparent decision to do so (1 Sam 8:22).7 But God still listened to Israel’s cry for deliverance from the Philistines (v.16b), for He recognised their need for national security as legitimate.8 To God, Israel was still “My people” (repeated four times in vv.16-17). Israel rejected God as king, but God in His grace and mercy did not abandon them to their foolishness.

APPLICATION

What is my response to the grace of God in my life? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for singles: To be careful not to receive God’s grace in vain Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

6 7 8

Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 58 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 58 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 58

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 9:18-24

THURSDAY 13 May

Being Exalted by God’s Grace OBSERVATION What observations can you make about exaltation in the passage?

Deeper Reflection

WHEN SAUL APPROACHED SAMUEL and asked him where the seer’s house was, little did he expect that this man was the seer whom he was looking for (vv.18-19a). Then Saul was met by three surprises. He was invited to eat with Samuel (v.19). Samuel informed him, without him asking, that the donkeys had been found (v.20). And the greatest surprise was that he would be given the highest honour – to be king over Israel: “Who does all Israel desire but you and all your father’s family?” (v.20, NIV). Saul felt unqualified for such an honour, since he belonged to “the smallest” tribe of Israel – Benjamin − and his family was “the least” of all the Benjamite families (v.21). Without responding to what Saul said about himself, Samuel made Saul “seated at the head of those who were invited” (v.22, NIV) and was served with “the finest cut of the meat, the piece that had been set aside for the guest of honour” (v.23, NLT). True exaltation comes from God and it is a gift of God’s grace. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (Jas 4:6); and so, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (Jas 4:10) – in God’s way, in God’s time. Jesus teaches us that when we are invited to a banquet, we are to go and sit “at the last place” (Lk 14:7-11). But, if Jesus were to be at that banquet, we will realise that He has already occupied “the last place”.

APPLICATION

What does to be humble and being exalted mean for me? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To walk in humility in God’s presence Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 9:25-10:8

FRIDAY 14 May

Divine Signs in Our Discipleship OBSERVATION What is the significance of the three signs that God would give to Saul after he was anointed as king over Israel (1 Sam 10:2-6)?

Deeper Reflection

AFTER SAUL HAD LEFT the place of worship with Samuel (vv.25-26), Samuel anointed him as “a ruler over God’s inheritance” (1 Sam 10:1) and proclaimed to him “the word of God” (v.27) concerning three signs that would follow “to verify the authenticity of his election as Israel’s anointed leader”9 (1 Sam 10:2-8). Saul would meet “two men” who would inform him that his father’s donkeys were found (1 Sam 10:2) and then “three men” carrying “three young goats…three loaves of bread…a jug of wine” who would “greet” him and “give” him “two loaves of bread” (1 Sam 10:3-4). These two signs with very specific details “will demonstrate God’s providential control of events”10. Then Saul would meet “a group of prophets” and he would prophesy with them when “the Spirit of the LORD will come upon” him “mightily” (1 Sam 10:5-6). This third sign would demonstrate that Saul, as God’s chosen special instrument, was empowered by the divine Spirit for the task at hand.11 We are to walk by faith and not by sight in our discipleship journey (2 Cor 5:7). However, God does graciously from time to time give us signs – in whatever forms and ways that He in His wisdom deems best – as tokens of assurance, reassurance and encouragement. And these signs are usually clear and specific enough for us to know – by faith nonetheless – that they are from God, assuring us of His guiding presence.

APPLICATION

What are God’s purposes in certain clear and specific signs in my discipleship journey 2020 that I sense are from Him?

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for SGI leaders: To trust and rest in God’s guiding presence Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

9 10 11

Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 59 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 59 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 59

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 10:6-16

SATURDAY

15 May

The Primacy of Life Transformation OBSERVATION What is the narrator’s emphasis in writing about the Spirit of God coming upon Saul (vv.6-10)?

Deeper Reflection

OF THE THREE SIGNS that God gave to Saul (1 Sam 10:2-7) the narrator only writes about the fulfilment of the third sign – the Spirit of God coming upon Saul mightily (vv.6, 10), while the fulfilment of the first two signs is assumed. Why? The narrator’s primary focus is: Saul “will be changed into another man” (v.6)12 – transformation. To emphasise that this is primary, the narrator places “God changed his heart” (v.9) before the sign of the divine Spirit coming upon Saul (v.10).13 The fulfilment of the signs is followed by “do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you” (v.7, NIV). Saul was not given a blank cheque here. The “whatever” must be subject to the prophetic word – the Word of God − as indicated by “You must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do” (v.8, NIV). God’s presence is contingent on following God’s Word. The Spirit of God dwells in us because we belong to Christ (Rom 8:9). And we “are being transformed” into the image of Christ – a transformation that “comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18). We cannot transform our lives. Transformation is purely a divine work. Our part is to, daily and continually, renew our minds through growing in and living by the Word of God (Rom 12:1-2), be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18 – parallels Col 3:16) and pray for the Spirit’s empowerment (Eph 3:16; Lk 11:13).

APPLICATION

In2020 what specific ways has my life been transformed over the past one year?

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for church board: To be renewed spiritually daily for transformation of their lives Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

12 13

David G. Firth, 1 & 2 Samuel, Apollos Old Testament Commentary (Apollos, 2009), 126 David G. Firth, 126

SUNDAY 16 May

Sunday Journal SCRIPTURE OBSERVATION

APPLICATION

PRAYER

The Past Week REVIEW What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

The Past Week REFLECT What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

RESPOND What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

WEEK THREE / FAMILY DEVOTIONAL / MAY 2021

LIVING ON A PRAYER Scripture: Luke 11:1-4

Prayer connects us to God.

* ACTIVITY BITE

Get your family members to memorise and recite the Lord’s Prayer word for word in the shortest time possible. The person who does so correctly and in the fastest time wins a small reward.

* CHAT TIME

Q1: Why do Christians pray? Q2: What power does prayer have on us? Q3: How often should we pray? What or who will you pray for?

* LEARNING POINT

Prayer keeps us connected to God. In Luke 11:1-4, Jesus taught His disciples the way to pray. When we pray, we begin by acknowledging God as the one and only true God in our lives (v.2). We recognise God as the Provider of all things in our lives (v.3). We confess and ask for God’s forgiveness for the sins that we have committed. Likewise, God can help us to forgive others who are unkind to us (v.4). We can ask God for His help to keep us away from temptations and build our trust in Him (v.4). We communicate with God through prayer. We can talk to God about anything. We have a God who loves to listen to us and answers our prayers. How awesome! Let’s keep our prayers going!

* ACTION POINT

Ask your family members to explain the meaning of each verse of the Lord’s Prayer in their own way (e.g. by drawing) or using their own words.

* FAMILY PRAYER POINTS

Thank God for listening and answering our prayers. Ask God to teach us to pray and help us learn to be more like Jesus through our conversations with Him.

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 10:17-19; 8:7-8

MONDAY 17 May

What Incredible Divine Patient Grace! OBSERVATION What is the significance of God repeating to Israel what He said to them earlier on (vv.17-19 with 1 Sam 8:7-8)?

Deeper Reflection

AFTER THE ANOINTING OF SAUL to be king over Israel and the three signs that confirmed the divine appointment (10:1-16), Samuel called Israel “together to the LORD at Mizpah” (v.17). The background to this call to assembly is shown by this thematic sandwich structure: “They have rejected Me from being king over them” (1 Sam 8:7) / Appointment of Saul to be king (1 Sam 9:1-10:16) / “You have today rejected your God” (v.19). And in this call, God repeated to Israel what He said to them earlier on (vv.18-19 with 1 Sam 8:7-8). A solemn divine reminder of Israel’s rejection of God, but accompanied by the incredible patient grace of God (1 Sam 9:1-10:16). And this incredible divine patient grace is magnified when God pointed to Israel His deliverance of them in the past and present, and how Israel responded to His deliverance. In the past: “I delivered you” from the Egyptian bondage and “all the kingdoms that were oppressing you” in the days of Judges (v.18) – “But you have today rejected your God” (v.19a). In the present: God “who delivers you from all your calamities and your distresses” – “yet you have said, ‘No, but set a king over us!’” (v.19). How wicked was Israel’s ingratitude to God! We dare not judge Israel, for this can happen to us too. When we fail God, God’s incredible patient grace gives us hope. We humbly ask God for His grace. But we dare not take it for granted or presumptuously assume it.

APPLICATION

How does God’s incredible patient grace affect the way I live my life? 2020

PRAYER God, You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. You do not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your steadfast love towards those who fear You, and as far as the east is from the west, so far do You remove our transgressions from us.14

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for leaders

Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Psalm 103:8-12

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 10:1, 17, 20-24

TUESDAY 18 May

God’s Will Can Be Complex OBSERVATION What is the significance of Samuel casting lots to choose the person to be king before all the tribes of Israel (vv.20-24)?

Deeper Reflection

THE MATTER of the will of God can be complex, as 1 Samuel 8 to 10 shows. When Israel wanted to have a human king, God viewed it as rejecting Him as king (1 Sam 8:4-7). It is right to say that it was not God’s will for Israel to have a human king, at least not now, and all the more so when Israel rejected God. But God asked Samuel to accede to Israel’s wish (1 Sam 8:7, 9, 22). Divine accommodation or divine compromise? Then, God in His providence worked out for Saul to be appointed as king (1 Sam 9:1-10:16). It seems that what was not God’s will now became God’s will. Or, has God bent His will to the will of His people? Samuel had anointed Saul to be king (v.1), but not in public. So, when “all the tribes of Israel” gathered at Mizpah (v.17), Samuel cast a “lot” to choose the person to be king. The “tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot” (v.20) and then narrowing down to “the Matrite family was taken” and to “Saul was taken” (v.21). What “was taken by lot” was not by chance. Behind the lot was the Lord. God was present and in control over the lot casting, to show to Israel publicly that “the LORD has chosen” Saul (v.24). There are life situations where the question, “Is it God’s will?” cannot be answered simply. That God is sovereign is certain. But what is clear is that we walk with God according to His Word and be assured that we are secure in God’s will (Rom 12:1-2).

APPLICATION

How will I live my life in situations where the will of God does not seem to be clear? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for pastors and staff: To know God’s will with spiritual wisdom and understanding Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 9:1-2; 10:20-24; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

WEDNESDAY 19 May

A Tale of Two Sauls OBSERVATION What does what Paul say in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 tell us about Paul himself and the Corinthians?

Deeper Reflection

“A TALE OF TWO SAULS” is about Saul of Gibeah and Israel, and Saul of Tarsus – the Apostle Paul − and the Corinthians. Incidentally, both were Benjamites (vv.1-2; Phil 3:5). Listening to the voice of His people in demanding for a king (1 Sam 8:7, 9, 22), God chose Saul using the people’s standard instead of His own standard:15 “a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel” (v.2a). The narrator also emphasises Israel’s human standard by repeating “from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people” in his introduction of Saul at two critical points of his narrative (v.2b; 1 Sam 10:23). Saul of Tarsus – Paul − was “in weakness and in fear and in much trembling” when he ministered to the Corinthians with the Gospel (1 Cor 2:3). Why? The Corinthians had an “almost obsessive concern…about status, recognition and selfpromotion” that “went hand-in-hand with a high regard for a certain kind of rhetoric”16. Paul did not come with high-sounding rhetoric or a display of cleverness (1 Cor 2:1, 4); but the Corinthians’ “consumeroriented culture wanted precisely what Paul refused to give”17. For Paul, in his life there was only the Crucified Christ (1 Cor 2:2), and in his ministry and message, only the “foolish” “word of the cross” (1 Cor 1:18). Perhaps, “Paul wouldn’t have stood a chance in most of our churches” today, which want to hear brilliant, engaging, thrilling, relevant and entertaining messages.18

APPLICATION

In2020 what ways am I living my life according to human standards instead of God’s and what changes do I need to make?

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for singles: To look at life and live by God’s standard Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 63 Anthony C. Thiselton, 1 Corinthians: A Shorter Exegetical & Pastoral Commentary (Eerdmans, 2006), 14 Anthony C. Thiselton, 8 18 Rodney Reeves, Spirituality According to Paul: Imitating the Apostle of Christ (IVP Academic, 2011), 43-44 15

16 17

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 10:20-27; Deuteronomy 17:14-20

THURSDAY 20 May

The Character of God’s Kingdom OBSERVATION What significant observations can you make about God’s choosing of Saul to be king over Israel in verses 23 to 25?

Deeper Reflection

FOLLOWING THE STIPULATIONS set forth in the Law of Moses, Samuel made available to the new king “the regulations of kingship” (v.25, NIV19) – “a copy of this law” − for him to “read all the days of his life” and live and rule by it (Deut 17:18-19).20 This was the most crucial divine requirement. God ruled through human kings in Israel and the kingdom of Israel was fundamentally the kingdom of God. God is not absolutely disinclined to choose people with good or exceptional external qualities and qualifications, albeit humans have the great propensity to be drawn to these. God chose Saul, nonetheless (v.24), and supplied him “with the vital resources needed to fulfil his responsibilities”21 – “valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him” (v.26). Being chosen by God, for whatever purposes, isn’t anything unless it is accompanied by the character of God’s kingdom – as presented by Jesus, the only true king. The way of God’s kingdom which leads to life is narrow and small, and those who find it are few (Matt 7:13-14). The King makes the most stringent demand: “Be perfect, as Your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48). Those who do great and spectacular things in Jesus’ name may discover to their horror that they end up with the King saying, “I never knew you” (Matt 7:21-23). Yet, God’s kingdom belongs to those who have nothing of themselves to make it: “the poor in spirit” (Matt 5:3) – who humbly and utterly rely on and live by the King’s empowering grace.

APPLICATION

In2020 what ways do I think the character of the kingdom of God is found in my life?

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To grow in the character of God’s kingdom Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

NIV 1984 Robert D. Bergen, 133 21 Robert D. Bergen, 133 19

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 11:1-8; 10:25-27

FRIDAY 21 May

The Finest Hour of Saul (1) OBSERVATION What is the significance of the events as described in 1 Samuel 10:25-11:8?

Deeper Reflection

SAUL BEING WITNESSED by Israel as God’s chosen king in 1 Samuel 10 ended with questions about his qualifications and ability: “How can this one deliver us?” (1 Sam 10:27). The answer to this question begins with Nahash’s besieging of Jabesh-gilead (v.1a). Jabesh-gilead was willing to submit to Nahash’s rule by agreeing to a treaty (v.1b). But Nahash wanted to humiliate Israel by incapacitating their warriors through depriving each man his right eye (v.2).22 Jabesh-gilead asked Nahash for a seven-day grace period, and they would yield to his demand “if there is no one to deliver us” from among their fellow Israelites (v.3). When the Israelites in “Gibeah of Saul” heard about the crisis in Jabesh-gilead, “all the people” in their helplessness “lifted up their voices and wept” (v.4). And it happened that Saul returned from ploughing a field with his oxen, and he asked, “What’s the matter? Why is everyone crying?” (v.5, NLT). When Saul heard about what was happening, “the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily” and “he became very angry” (v.6). Then, in his Spirit-inspired anger, Saul cut two oxen into pieces and sent them throughout Israel as a solemn warning sign to rally the whole nation to fight the Ammonites for Jabesh-gilead (v.7a). And Saul succeeded in mobilising 330,000 warriors “as one man” (v.7b-8). This became Saul’s finest hour. And it happened at the moment when he just began to be king over Israel. The circumstances and timing were no coincidence.

APPLICATION

What is the finest hour in my life and what is its significance to me? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for SGI leaders: To be humble in the finest hours of their lives Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 68

SCRIPTURE

SATURDAY

1 Samuel 11:1-15

22 May

The Finest Hour of Saul (2) OBSERVATION What is the significance of the recurring idea of deliverance in 1 Samuel 11 (vv.3, 9, 13, along with 1 Sam 10:27)?

Deeper Reflection

THE STORY OF SAUL’S FINEST HOUR in 1 Samuel 11 is narrated with a key word: “deliverance”. The sceptical question “How can this one deliver us?” (1 Sam 10:27) is progressively followed by Jabesh-gilead’s helpless “Then, if there is no one to deliver us…” (v.3), the confidence of Saul’s 330,000-strong army – “Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have deliverance” (v.9) − and “today the LORD has accomplished deliverance in Israel” (v.13). The question “How can this one deliver us?” (1 Sam 10:27) is answered by “the LORD has accomplished deliverance in Israel” (v.13) – through Saul − which became his finest hour. What formed Saul’s finest hour? It was “the Spirit of God” that came mightily upon Saul that enabled him to rise in leadership to mobilise an army to deliver Jabesh-gilead (vv.6-7). It was “the dread of the LORD” that mobilised Israel “as one man” (vv.7-8). This initial success of Saul as king – his finest hour – would be short-lived, as the rest of his story from 1 Samuel 13 onwards tells us. We do have our finest hours. But what we are, what we have and what we do, except for our sins, are the gift of God’s grace. We can celebrate our finest hours, but in the Lord. But as we celebrate, recognise that we do not know what the rest of our life story will be like. Will it be tragic like Saul’s? We don’t know. We only need to walk with God faithfully day by day by His renewing redemptive grace.

APPLICATION

How do I respond to the finest hours of my life? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

For church board: To persevere in faithfulness to God Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SUNDAY 23 May

Sunday Journal SCRIPTURE OBSERVATION

APPLICATION

PRAYER

The Past Week REVIEW What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

The Past Week REFLECT What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

RESPOND What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

WEEK FOUR / FAMILY DEVOTIONAL / MAY 2021

SAY WHAT?

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20 Peter says that Jesus is the Messiah.

* ACTIVITY BITE

Ask your family members to create an acrostic poem using the word Jesus, where each of the five letters is used to form a word that describes Him. For example, “J” for joy, “E” for empathy, and so on.

* CHAT TIME

Q1: Who is Jesus to you? Q2: What do you do to show that you have Jesus in your life? Q3: If Jesus is so good, why do people reject Him? What can we do to share the good news with others?

* LEARNING POINT

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and declare it boldly. When Jesus was on earth, people often got confused about who He was. In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was. Peter answered boldly and confidently, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus is the King of all kings. Believing Jesus as our Saviour is the way to eternal life, and God wants us to share the good news with others who have yet to hear about Jesus!

* ACTION POINT

Discuss as a family and write a passion statement for Jesus. Put it at a prominent place in the house to encourage everyone to put their trust in Jesus.

* FAMILY PRAYER POINTS

Thank God for sending His beloved Son to earth to wash away our sins and be closer to Him. Ask God for wisdom and opportunities to share the good news with others.

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 12:1-5

MONDAY 24 May

Character Marks a True Leader OBSERVATION What characterised Samuel as a leader (vv.2-5)?

Deeper Reflection

THIS WAS ISRAEL’S current spiritual condition: In asking for a king, they were “simply thinking according to the cultural norm of the surrounding nations” (1 Sam 8:4-5) and had yet to realise that it was rebellion against God’s authority.23 1 Samuel 12 is about Samuel confronting Israel on this. But before doing that, Samuel spoke before Israel about his integrity as Israel’s outgoing leader, that he had not stolen, defrauded, nor was he oppressive and corrupt in anything towards anyone (v.3). Samuel’s character was marked by consistency and longevity: “I have walked before you from my youth even to this day” when he was “old and gray” (v.2). He lived his life with transparency: “Here I am; bear witness against me before the LORD” (vv.3a, 4). In church leadership, we tend to focus more on leadership – the performance − than on the leader – the person. In all the three key New Testament texts on church leadership, the emphasis is on character, rather than competence (1 Tim 3:1-13; Tit 1:5-9; 1 Pet 5:1-4). And where competence is mentioned, it is in the ministry of the Word of God: “holding fast the faithful word” and “able to teach” “in sound doctrine” (Tit 1:9 with 1 Tim 3:2). For Paul, spiritual leadership is fundamentally “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Spiritual leadership is founded and built on how the leader lives his or her life and how people look at his or her life.

APPLICATION

What changes do I need in my life as a leader, in whatever setting that I am in? 2020

PRAYER Lord, it is You who build Your Church through leaders appointed by You, the Chief Shepherd. We pray for our church leaders, that they are shepherds after Your own heart, who feed Your people out of their knowledge and understanding of God to manifest Your name to them that they may know You.24 Strengthen and sustain them to walk with You faithfully and closely.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for leaders

Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

23 24

Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 74 Jeremiah 3:15; John 17:6

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 12:1; 8:7-10, 19-22

TUESDAY 25 May

Remembering Our Past Spiritual Setbacks OBSERVATION What is the significance of Samuel repeating what God had said to Israel earlier in 1 Samuel 8:7-10, 19-22, “Behold, I have listened to your voice” (v.1), after God had anointed Saul as king over Israel (1 Sam 9-11)?

Deeper Reflection

GOD’S CHOICE and anointing of Saul as king over Israel (1 Sam 9-11) concludes with “the LORD has accomplished deliverance in Israel” from the Ammonites (1 Sam 11:13) and all Israel “rejoiced greatly” over Saul’s coronation (1 Sam 11:15). But what follows immediately are these words of Samuel: “Behold, I have listened to your voice…” (v.1) – which seems to be an anti-climax to the prior triumphant and celebrative climax. And note the broad sandwich structure in the larger context of the narrative: “Listen to the voice of the people” (1 Sam 8:7-10, 19-22) / Saul chosen and anointed by God as king (1 Sam 9-11) / “Behold, I have listened to your voice” (v.1). The point is: God wanted to remind Israel of them rejecting Him as King (1 Sam 8:7). But it is not as though God was sore over being rejected by His people. God was moving on with Israel in spite of their great sin in rejecting Him as their King, and yet God wanted Israel to look back at their sinful past. What is God’s purpose for us to remember our past failures towards Him, even when we have repented and He has forgiven? It is certainly not to make us keep feeling guilty. When God has forgiven our sins, He will “remember no more” our sins (Jer 31:34). This kind of reminder of our past is not over the past, but for the future. That we may, in our humble brokenness, remember God’s grace and faithfulness, and seek to continually follow Him faithfully.

APPLICATION

What are some past spiritual setbacks in my life that can make positive contributions 2020 to my discipleship journey?

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for pastors and staff: To walk in humble brokenness, remembering God’s faithfulness and grace Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SCRIPTURE

WEDNESDAY

1 Samuel 12:6-11

26 May

The Righteous Acts of God OBSERVATION What significant observations can you make about the “righteous acts of the LORD” in the passage?

Deeper Reflection

SAMUEL CONFRONTED Israel’s rebellion against God in wanting a human king by presenting to them a panorama of God’s “righteous acts” towards Israel since the exodus until now (v.7). How does God act righteously? When Israel was oppressed under the Egyptian bondage, they “cried out to the LORD” (v.8a). God heard and answered them: “the LORD sent” Moses and Aaron to bring them out of Egypt and “settled them in this place” – the Promised Land (v.8b). God had forewarned Israel of the great danger of forgetting God after they “have eaten and are satisfied” with God’s abundant blessings in the Land (Deut 8:11-14). Sadly, it happened: “But they forgot the LORD their God” (v.9a) and forsook Him and served other gods (v.10). In righteous judgment God “sold them into the hand” of foreign nations (v.9). Being harshly oppressed by these foreign powers, Israel “cried out to the LORD” to “deliver” them, as they acknowledged their sin against God and committed themselves to “serve” Him (v.10). Should the righteous God answer them? Would He? He did: “the LORD sent” judges to deliver them, “so that you lived in security” in the Land (v.11). God acted righteously and faithfully, in keeping His covenant with His fickle people. Even when God judges us for our sins (cf. 1 Cor 11:32), He is “faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins” when we acknowledge our sins (1 Jn 1:9), for Christ is “the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 Jn 2:1-2, NIV).

APPLICATION

What are the righteous acts of God that I see in my discipleship journey? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for singles: To live life in knowing the righteous God Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 12:12-15

THURSDAY 27 May

Go Back to the Fundamentals OBSERVATION What significant observations can you make about God and Israel in these words of Samuel?

Deeper Reflection

SAMUEL’S THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION on God’s “righteous acts” in Israel’s salvation history concludes with “you lived in security” (1 Sam 12:6-11). But what happened when Israel “lived in security” – a gracious gift of God? In rebellion, Israel insistently wanted a human king, although God was their king (v.12). But graciously, God “set a king” over Israel (v.13). Observe how the narrator describes Saul being chosen to be king: “your king whom you have chosen for yourselves” (1 Sam 8:18), “the king whom you have chosen” (v.13) and “him whom the LORD has chosen” (1 Sam 10:24). So, who actually chose Saul? “There is something foreboding about this.”25 Saul as God’s choice was to rule under the “limitations on kingship” intended by God Himself (1 Sam 10:25 – “the regulations of the kingdom”; cf. Deut 17:14-20).26 And yet in Saul, God gave Israel “the impressive-looking king who fits” the kind of king that Israel wanted (1 Sam 9:1; 10:23-24).27 In this way, Saul was the king Israel had “chosen” and “asked for” (v.13). The result would be: “despite the Lord’s restraints [1 Sam 10:25], kingship will eventually evolve into” one that is self-serving and oppressive, which God warned Israel about (1 Sam 8:11-18).28 We might have done wrong and faced the consequences. However, all is not lost if we go back to the fundamentals: If Israel and their chosen king “follow the LORD”, they will be fine (v.14); but if otherwise, “the hand of the LORD will be against you” (v.15).

APPLICATION

What does it mean for me to go back to the fundamentals in my discipleship journey? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To always fall back to following Jesus Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 76 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 76 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 76 28 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 76 25

26 27

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 12:12-19

FRIDAY

28 May

Divine Redemptive Confrontation of Sin OBSERVATION What is the significance of God sending thunder and rain before Israel during the wheat harvest (vv.16-19)?

Deeper Reflection

WHEN GOD CONFRONTS US for our sins, His intent is not to condemn us; for it is always redemptive. Just as He did to Israel in confronting their rebellion, God will leave us with two ways with consequences to choose with regard to His Word: “If you listen…” (v.14) and “If you will not listen…” (v.15). God’s gracious and grave word to Israel was followed by a great work to bring about conviction in their hearts: “Know and see that your wickedness is great” (vv.16-17). God sent “thunder and rain” during the “wheat harvest” (v.17). The timing and nature of the event was striking.29 It was such a rare occurrence that Israel was forced to recognise it as an ominous sign, for the storm could ruin the crop, especially if accompanied by hail (cf. Prov 26:1).30 The effect was: Israel “greatly feared the LORD and Samuel” (v.18). But the crop was not destroyed. Through this God revealed Himself to His people that He is the gracious sovereign King whom they had rejected. Conviction of sin leads to honest confession of sin out of humble contriteness of the heart: “we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king” (v.19b, NIV). Israel asked Samuel to pray for them so that they would not die under God’s judgment (v.19a). This act of brokenness of Israel implies their consecration to God that they “will fear the LORD and serve Him, and…follow the LORD” (v.14).

APPLICATION

What will I do when God confronts or convicts me of my sins? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for SGI leaders: To walk in spiritual brokenness before God Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

29 30

Robert D. Bergen, 144 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 74-75

SCRIPTURE

SATURDAY

1 Samuel 12:20-25

29 May

Iron Grip of God’s Love OBSERVATION What do you learn about God and His people in these words of Samuel?

Deeper Reflection

TWO KEY IDEAS stand out in the words of Samuel in verses 20 to 25: “Do not turn aside from following the LORD” (v.20) and “The LORD will not abandon His people” (v.22). Note that it is not “Do not turn aside from following the LORD” so that – but rather, because – “the LORD will not abandon His people”. Our commitment to God – “following the LORD” – does not begin with our commitment to God, but God’s commitment to us. And God’s commitment to us has everything to do with God Himself. It is “for the sake of His great name” – not that we are worthy of God’s commitment to us − and “because the LORD is pleased to make you His own people” (v.22) – and when our lives were displeasing to Him. The context of “The LORD will not abandon His people” is “You have committed all this evil” (v.20). What “the LORD will not abandon His people” means is: Israel’s “failures would not send God away. Israel was inextricably held in the iron grip of God’s love”31. God’s commitment to us is His grace; hence, our commitment to God is also God’s grace. Our commitment to God is: “fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart” (vv.20, 24). However, noncommitment to God is turning aside from following God, which will inescapably be replaced by going “after useless things which cannot profit or deliver” (v.21). There is no sitting on the fence.

APPLICATION

What does the iron grip of God’s love mean to me? 2020

PRAYER Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

For church board: To know and live in God’s everlasting love Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Robert D. Bergen, 144

SUNDAY

30 May

Sunday Journal SCRIPTURE OBSERVATION

APPLICATION

PRAYER

The Past Week REVIEW What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

The Past Week REFLECT What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

RESPOND What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

WEEK FIVE / FAMILY DEVOTIONAL / MAY 2021

GOT TO LIVE

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44 The widow’s mite.

* ACTIVITY BITE

Ask your family members to list down on a piece of paper the things and help that God has given your family over the years. Get everyone to share their thoughts about the character and goodness of God. Reflect on what your family has given to God in return.

* CHAT TIME

Q1: Is there anything that you would like to give to God freely? Q2: What is more important: the attitude of our hearts or the things we do for the church, in school and at home? Q3: What is stopping us from giving our all to God? What change will you make today to honour God?

* LEARNING POINT

God looks at the heart of giving more than the amount given. Jesus was observing the way people offer their money to the temple treasury. The rich people put in lots of money. A poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Jesus told His disciples that the widow had given more than the rich people. The widow did not have much, but she was willing to give all to God. God is not concerned about the amount of money we have or the grades we achieve in school. God wants us to worship and trust Him from our hearts.

* ACTION POINT

Brainstorm about something your family can do for God in the upcoming month apart from giving an offering. Commit to do it together.

* FAMILY PRAYER POINTS

Acknowledge God as the Provider of all. Thank God for the things He has given us. Ask for God’s guidance to use His resources wisely to bring glory to His name.

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 13:1-4; 11:5-13

MONDAY 31 May

Guard Against Quick Spiritual Decline OBSERVATION What observations can you make about Saul in verses 1 to 4 and 1 Samuel 11:5-13?

Deeper Reflection

1 SAMUEL 13 MARKS the beginning of Saul’s spiritual decline (1 Sam 13-15). Saul was leading Israel in war with the Philistines (vv.1-4). He “chose for himself 3,000 men of Israel”: 2,000 with him and 1,000 with Jonathan (v.2). And he sent back the rest of the people to their homes (v.2), “apparently feeling confident in the size of the two military units.”32 Jonathan and his 1,000 troops were stationed at Gibeah/Geba, where the “garrison of the Philistines” was (vv.2, 3) – in a position more dangerous than Saul’s.33 But Jonathan “smote the garrison of the Philistines” (v.3). However, Saul allowed himself to be given the credit for the victory (v.4a).34 The victory made Israel “odious to the Philistines” (v.4b), which means the Philistines would muster their troops to fight Israel.35 Having second thoughts about his own troop strength, Saul “blew the trumpet throughout the land” to summon additional men (v.3).36 Only recently God delivered Israel from the Ammonites through Saul, having empowered him by His Spirit (1 Sam 11 – note verses 6-7, 13). But now, Saul’s point of reference was military force.37 God was not mentioned at all. Having started well (1 Sam 11), Saul began to decline quickly. Growing deep spiritual roots through continual nourishment by “streams of water” is critically necessary (Psa 1:2-3; Jer 17:7-8), so that our discipleship will not be superficial and short-lived.

APPLICATION

What can possibly cause my discipleship to be superficial and short-lived? 2020

PRAYER O Lord, Shepherd of my life, I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments. I am laid low in the dust; revive me according to Your Word. My flesh and my heart may fail, but Lord, be the strength of my heart. Direct my heart towards You, and grant me a whole heart to listen to and live by Your Word.38

Prayer Pointers Give thanks and praise:

Pray for leaders

Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Ronald F. Youngblood, 654 David G. Firth, 154 David G. Firth, 154 Ronald F. Youngblood, 654 Ronald F. Youngblood, 654 David G. Firth, 153 Psalms 119:25, 176; 73:26; 1 Chronicles 29:18-19

100

Notes

103

104