Vince Miller Podcast

Are you trying to outrun your fears? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in Chapter 21 of 1 Samuel. I've titled this chapter "Man On The Run." Yesterday, David ran to Nob to Ahimelech, the priest. Today, he is going to run somewhere new. Let's read 1 Samuel 21:10-12: And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said to him, "Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances, 'Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?" And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. — 1 Samuel 21:10-12 If we go back to Chapter 5 in our study, we will remember that there were five main Philistine cities, and Gath was one of them. A Lord led each, and Achish led Gath. So David runs 23 miles southwest into Philistine territory, probably thinking that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." But don't forget Gath was the hometown of a great Philistine warrior named Goliath, and David had just acquired his sword. Even worse, once he gets there, his folk hero status precedes him as some of the servants of Achish quickly notice him and reference the folk song the Israelites sang about him. But David is aware of what is going on. He knows that running to Achish might provide temporary cover from Saul, but it might also put him in harm's way with Achish and the Philistines. Still, he runs the risk, and now his fears only increase, and he learns that a man can never outrun his fears. There have been a few times in my life as a man of God where adverse events keep happening to me that lead to waves of fear. When it is just one or two events, I am usually okay. But after a few similar events, questions began stirring in my mind. Eventually, I will fixate on one of two theories: either I have done something unrighteous to provoke these events, or my righteousness has provoked injustice that is hunting me down. Either way, this is a very lonely feeling; suspicions and fears begin to take hold in my mind, which is a direct attack on my faith in God. To this point, David has fought many great battles with great enemy warriors, but I think the battles within his mind are the most intriguing. So, let's back up a few days to our devotional on Sunday (see post here). If you remember, we said a couple of journal entries were made during this time. Songs that David wrote during his time in Gath. Psalm 56 is one. Listen to the song he secretly wrote during this very lonely time that tells us how he was fighting this battle in his mind: Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. — Psalm 56:1-13 Hopefully, you see that David realizes he may outrun Saul but he will never outrun his fears. He must fight his waves of fears in faith with the truth of God. This is what you have to do as well. When surrounded by fear, you cannot outrun your fears. You also cannot let the waves...

Do you need provisions today? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in Chapter 21 of 1 Samuel. I've titled this chapter "Man On The Run." Remember, David runs to Nob, where the Tabernacle is located, and speaks with Ahimelech, the priest. Today, he asks Ahimelech for something interesting. Listen to 1 Samuel 21:8-9: Then David said to Ahimelech, “Then have you not here a spear or a sword at hand? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.” And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is none but that here.” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.” — 1 Samuel 21:8-9 God's church is the place to find spiritual provision. David runs to the Tabernacle because he needs provisions. The Priest has no problem giving David this provision because he understands it was God's provision for David to begin with. God gave David the sword to slay Goliath, and Ahimelech understood this. This trophy was merely on loan, kept in the Lord's house for safekeeping. He understood that God was the owner and he was a mere steward of the things of God. The church should always be a place for us to find provision. Not just natural provisions (like bread and weapons) but a place for spiritual provisions. And why? Because they're God's provisions, to begin with. God is the provider of all provisions, both natural and spiritual. And we should freely give them because they were freely given to us. The church should be a place where humanity finds the spiritual provisions they need. The greatest of these needs is salvation. A provision you need that you cannot earn, for which God paid and freely gives to you. If you need his salvation, seek it; he provides it to all who call on his name and surrender to him. God, we surrender to you. We need your provision of your salvation. Amen. #GodsProvision, #SpiritualNeeds, #ChurchCommunity Ask This: Do This: God provides salvation. Run to his house. Pray This: Lord, I acknowledge that all I have comes from You, and I trust You to meet my every need. Help me to rely on Your provision and use what You've given me to bless others in Your name. Amen. Play This: God Is Able.

Are your friends really foes and, therefore, hard to trust? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in Chapter 21 of 1 Samuel. I've titled this chapter "Man On The Run." Remember, David is at Nob, at the Tabernacle, talking with Ahimelech. There is someone present this day, a spy of sorts. Listen to 1 Samuel 21:7: Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdsmen. — 1 Samuel 21:7 Doeg is a crucial figure in the next chapter, so note this occurrence and what we learn today. There are two details about Doeg worth noting. First, he is an Edomite, a people who have been enemies of God since the time of Moses. The big question is why King Saul allowed an Edomite a place of any authority in his kingdom. Second, we learn that he does not have a minor role. He is the "Chief Shepherd." If you recall, David was a shepherd, too, and we would assume he was one of the best. However, David can not be both a shepherd and a warrior, so Saul must choose someone else with this skill. But his choice is a captured opponent, illustrating again the deteriorating discernment of Saul, which will play into his evil hands in the next chapter because Doeg is not just a captured opponent and chief shepherd but a contracted spy. Sometimes, people who look like friends may actually be foes. This principle is so hard to teach young teens. During the impressionable teen years, when teens are desperate for acceptance, they sometimes surround themselves with compromising people, which leads to compromising decisions. This was a hard-learned lesson for each of my children. But adults fall for this, too. When building new relationships in new situations, we can assume that people have our best interests in mind, only to find out later that this is not entirely true. Thus, we learn time and time again that some people who look like friends might be foes. Once we get burned, we trust less, become less vulnerable, and become more suspicious of those who might be foes. Unfortunately, one application of this reality is within a church small group. Many men hesitate to join a small church group because they perceive members as foes rather than friends. This may seem like a copout, but in small to medium-sized churches, I think their concerns are legitimate. Opening up about our hurts and hangups is risky when we are concerned that someone might breach confidentiality and share that information with others. This was David's situation. All of David's present problems were within the church and his family. He did not know who he could trust or with whom he could be vulnerable. He was suspicious at every turn. He then turned to the men of God, Samuel and now Ahimelech, only to later discover that nearby Doeg was a spy who would sell them out. When we are in vulnerable situations, we need friends, not foes. But if we become vulnerable and get burned by a friend who was really a foe, it's hard to be vulnerable the next time. If this happens too often, we can become resistant to any form of vulnerability. But here is the rub: only by being vulnerable can we test a friendship and build lasting friends that stand the test of time. Vulnerability is difficult to learn, slowly gained, quickly lost, and risky to recover. This is why so many men have many issues with vulnerability. But you need to work through this. Past issues with foes are not present excuses for your lack of friends. You need at least one believing friend you can trust and be vulnerable with in this life. And it's not exclusively your spouse. It's someone of the same gender, with grounded biblical beliefs, who can speak the truth in love and give you the spiritual direction you need. So get a Jonathan, not a Doeg, and build a friendship that will last the test of time. #TrustWisely, #FriendshipMatters, #VulnerabilityInFaith Ask This: Do This: Be vulnerable and build a...

Do you prefer rightness or righteousness? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Yesterday, we released a new episode of The Vince Miller Show; check it out at the link or button below the video after you read the devotional. This week, we are in Chapter 21 of 1 Samuel. I've titled this chapter "Man On The Run." Remember, David came to Nob, the location of the Tabernacle, and talked with the priest, Ahimelech. Here is the interchange today in 1 Samuel 21:3-6: Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here.” And the priest answered David, “I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread—if the young men have kept themselves from women.” And David answered the priest, “Truly women have been kept from us as always when I go on an expedition. The vessels of the young men are holy even when it is an ordinary journey. How much more today will their vessels be holy?” So the priest gave him the holy bread, for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence, which is removed from before the Lord, to be replaced by hot bread on the day it is taken away. — 1 Samuel 21:3-6 So, let's back up and notice a critical detail in David's story. We notice that the first men that David runs as a man on the run are two holy men: Samuel, the prophet, and Ahimelech, the high priest. This is a natural impulse for any righteous man of God on the run. If you are being stalked by unrighteousness, the right thing to do is run to godly men who can provide you shelter, security, safety, and sustenance. If that is how you feel today, you need to stop trying to solve your problems on your own and run to a trusted believer, get relief, get understanding, and get prayer from them. Next, it is essential to note that it was customary for countrymen to help each other while traveling. Traveling in their time was much more challenging, and carrying food and supplies was a burden if you were moving fast. Travelers relied on people's hospitality when they came to a new town for things like shelter and food. So, David's request was not unusual. The problem is that Ahimelech only had some "Holy Bread," also known as "Shewbread." Twelve unleavened loaves were freshly baked every Sabbath and placed on a table before the Lord at the west end of the Holy Place in the Tabernacle. They were arranged in two stacks of six, like pancakes, on the table, symbolizing that God was the source of nourishment for each of Israel’s tribes. According to religious law, only a priest was allowed to consume this bread, but Ahimelech, after a short assessment of David's sexual cleanliness, decided to give him some. This was so unusual that it became a memorable moment, recounted even by Jesus in the New Testament. Today, I want to read the text in Matthew 12 so you can see the point Jesus is making and how he credits Ahimelech's decision. But keep in mind while I read this text that the religious lawyers (the Pharisees) are questioning the judgment of the Great High Priest, and Jesus offers an explanation using the example of Ahimelech. At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” — Matthew 12:1-8 Jesus is making a...

Do you feel you are being tested and find it hard to walk the razor's edge of righteousness? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Today, we released a new episode of The Vince Miller Show, "Beliefs That Hold You Back." Check it out at the link or button below the video. This week, we are in Chapter 21 of the Daily Devo. I've titled this chapter "Man On The Run." Here is the text for today in 1 Samuel 21:1-2: Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David, trembling, and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no one with you?" And David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has charged me with a matter and said to me, 'Let no one know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.' I have made an appointment with the young men for such and such a place. — 1 Samuel 21:1-2 So, by nature, we should ask again, "What is with all the lying?" In the last chapter, David devises a plan to lie to Saul, and Jonathan tells the lie to test Saul. Here we have another instance. Before I answer your question, let me provide a little background for this moment. David runs to Nob (his next hideout from Saul) about two miles south of Ramah. Ramah is the home of Samuel, but Nob is the location of the Tabernacle, which was the Lord's temporary dwelling until Solomon built the Temple. Naioth, which is in Ramah, is an educational facility for training prophets and priests. Think of Naioth as a seminary where Samuel trained priests in his later years. One of the priests Samuel brought up and appointed was Ahimelech, who is just a mere 2 miles away in Nob. So David shows up in Nob, and Ahimelech is a little surprised. You will notice he is "trembling," probably because he has heard about the recent events with the mercenaries sent to kill David at Naioth, and the spirit of the Lord came upon them. True to form, Ahimelech is concerned and curious. And then David gives him an answer, which appears to be a lie. But I don't think David is lying. I think David means "The King" or "The Lord" when he uses the title "king" because he is standing before a priest who knows The King and King Saul's present issues. So, if you allow me a little latitude today (and this is pure speculation), if we insert this inference into the text, we might read the situation differently. So, let's reread David's statement, assuming he means "The King." "The king has charged me with a matter and said to me, 'Let no one know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.' So, my guess, and it's only a guess, is that David is not lying. He stands alone before the priest, speaking of "The King," and I think Ahimelech is playing along. Based on the outcome of tomorrow's devotional and how Jesus refers to this instance in the New Testament, I think I am right. So, I think we encounter two men talking in code, trying to walk a careful socio-political and religious line while trying to keep themselves free from sin. But this is what it will be like for David for years. He is going to be challenged to walk on the razor's edge of so many matters, which we will see unfold in a variety of ways. This is one of many reasons why I think God chose David to be the second king of Israel. He was a man after God's heart, willing to be tested for years and walk the razor's edge between righteousness and unrighteousness every time. Are you being tested? Are you walking the razor's edge? If so, walk it carefully and cautiously because God might just be preparing you like he was preparing David. #TestedFaith, #WalkingInRighteousness, #FaithUnderFire Ask This: Do This: Submit to the test and let God prepare you. Pray This: Lord, when I feel tested and pressured to compromise, help me to walk faithfully in Your truth. Strengthen my heart to trust Your plan, even when the path feels difficult and unclear. Amen. Play This: Waiting.

Are you lonely, like David, a "man on the run"? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Remember, tomorrow, we will air a new episode of The Vince Miller Show entitled "Beliefs That Hold You Back." If you have Video Access on our website, this episode is already available; if not, wait until tomorrow. Be in prayer for this Show. We have invested a lot of time and money into this effort, and we hope this will reach out in a new way so others will be able to hear the Gospel. This week, here in the Daily Devo, we are in 1 Samuel 21. I've titled this chapter "Man On The Run." David will be on the run for a long time, approximately 12-15 years. In the last chapter, he ran to Naioth in Ramah to Samuel and then back to the rocks in Gibeah. In this chapter, he will run to Nob (the location of the Tabernacle) and then to Gath (the home of Goliath). There will be many more locations, 16 in all, that we will list in the coming chapters (i.e., the Cave of Adullam, the king of Moab at Mizpeh, "the stronghold" maybe Masada, the forest of Hereth, Keilah, the wilderness of Ziph, the wilderness of Maon, strongholds of Engedi, "the stronghold" maybe Masada again, the wilderness of Paran, and the finally back to Achish, the king of Gath.) So, I will not give you a key verse for this chapter this week. (If I did, I would pick 1 Samuel 21:4.) Instead, I will share a private excerpt from David's journal during this emotional time, which reveals a lot about what is going on in his mind. But first, I want you to imagine how lonely David felt in these moments. He has been separated from his family and will never speak to his biological father ever again. His father-in-law (King Saul) wants to kill him and has given a charge to the Israelite army to hunt him down. His wife (Michal) and best friend (Jonathan) cannot communicate with him. He cannot take refuge in Samuel in the Naioth at Ramah. David is a fugitive, a man on the run. At the end of this chapter, David hides in Gath, which is in Philistia, the enemy of Israel, and acts like a madman here to preserve his life from King Saul. There could be no more lonely moment for David. However, during this chapter, David made two journal entries, Psalms 34 and 56. And I want to read a portion of Psalm 34 for you today so you can see what David is thinking. The title of this Psalm in your Bible might say: "Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away." The name "Abimelech" is a title like "President" or "King," and the man this refers to is named Achish, or "Abimelech Achish" who is the focus of 1 Samuel 21:10-15. Here is what he writes. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! — Psalm 34:1-3 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. — Psalm 34:15-22 Even though David is alone and a man on the run, he knows he is never alone. And some of you need to hear this today. If God is with you, you are never alone. David preached, journaled, wrote, and sang this truth to his heart, mind, and soul. He put his hand to paper, his lip to song, his heart to prayer in those lonely moments in the enemy land, pretending to be a madman to stay alive as...

Are you a loyal friend to the end? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 20. I've titled this chapter "Friendship and Loyalty in Adversity." In yesterday's devotional, Jonathan worked on the plan, and now he has to communicate the bad news to David. Here's how it plays out in verses 35-42: In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him a little boy. And he said to his boy, "Run and find the arrows that I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. And when the boy came to the place of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?" And Jonathan called after the boy, "Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!" So Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master. But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, "Go and carry them to the city." And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, 'The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.'" And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city. — 1 Samuel 20:35-42 I assume that although David and Jonathan have made a vow, David is cautious. If Jonathan signals that the coast is clear, David would be a little suspicious that King Saul is up to something, using Jonathan as a pawn. But that is not the case. The signal Jonathan sends is that David needs to run. So, from this point forward, David would be on the run for the next 12-15 years of his life. But notice the affection between the two men. This is affectionate but not sexual and relatively normal for this time and in this culture. I have visited several other cultures worldwide where it is not unusual for men to hold hands while strolling down the street or to kiss on the cheeks (not on the lips) during a greeting or departure. But do not be distracted by this cultural nuance unusual for us in North America and miss the heartfelt emotion and appreciation these men genuinely have for each other. They are heartbroken at this moment because they are a great duo. David and Jonathan are two epic duos in the Old Testament, and if Saul had not come between them, they would have built a powerful Old Testament legacy. But now they know that, given the circumstances, this will never be possible, and this is heartbreaking for them. It's a death blow to their souls because they know this is the last time they will ever interact like this for the rest of their lives. They only have the covenant vows they have made between their houses forever. Reading this epilogue this week reminded me to cherish and invest in the relationships that God has given me while I have them. You should do the same. God has given you relationships that are present for only a season. During these times, you should invest in them, pour your soul into them, learn from them, make covenants together, and enjoy them. There will be a day when they will end, so make sure to make the most of them and be a loyal friend while you still have the time. #LoyaltyInAdversity, #FaithfulFriendship, #BiblicalBonds Ask This: Do This: Be a loyal friend. Pray This: Lord, help me to be a loyal and faithful friend, even when challenges threaten to separate us. May I cherish the relationships you've blessed me with and honor the commitments I’ve made, trusting you in every season. Amen. Play This: Loyal.

Are you finding peace in God's plan, or are you angry about what God is doing? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 20. I've titled this chapter "Friendship and Loyalty in Adversity." In yesterday's devotional, David and Jonathan built a battle-ready plan to test Saul's demeanor toward David. Today, we will see how Saul will respond and how Jonathan's plan is going to work out in verses 24-34: So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite, and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty. Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, "Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean." But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?" Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem. He said, 'Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table." Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die." Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had disgraced him. — 1 Samuel 20:18-23 (I share some vital commentary in today's video and audio; you may want to listen to my reading.) We could focus on various aspects of this passage, but I want to center this devotional on Saul's anger. Saul is furious because David poses a threat to his throne, which means he and his family could lose their royal legacy. In transitions like this, an entire lineage would often be wiped out because they threatened the new king and his family. Jonathan knew this, which is why he made that secret covenant with David in yesterday's text. Saul's anger has been slowly brewing against David for a long time. His jealousy is now so outraged that he can no longer see God's plan and it has clouded his vision. Jonathan can see God's plan; therefore, he is at peace with handing the throne to David, as seen yesterday. Saul can only see his own plan, and it is pretty evident here. He has planned to kill David at this meal and remove him as a future threat to "his" kingdom. Saul's anger has become so unjust and violent that it adversely affects his lineage. He rejects God's plan, acts in violence toward the innocent, name-calls, shames his lineage, and embarrasses himself before key leaders in his kingdom. And why? Saul refuses to accept God's plan and deal with his insecurities as a man, leader, husband, and father. Great men are courageous enough to deal with their personal insecurities. If you are angry today, even a tiny bit, stop and ask yourself why. Be courageous, ask the question of yourself, and accept the circumstances before you as God's plan. Then, address the deep insecurities underneath your anger before you end up acting unjustly and hurting the people around you that you love. Some of you need to stop being so irritated and angry all the time. Find peace in God's plan, as Jonathan did. #PeaceInGodsPlan, #ConfrontingAnger,...

Are you building battle-ready bonds? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 20. I've titled this chapter "Friendship and Loyalty in Adversity." In yesterday's devotional, David and Jonathan made a vow. Today, they will devise a way to communicate the intentions of Saul in verses 18-23: Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. On the third day go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand, and remain beside the stone heap. And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark. And behold, I will send the boy, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,' then you are to come, for, as the Lord lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. But if I say to the youth, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go, for the Lord has sent you away. And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the Lord is between you and me forever." — 1 Samuel 20:18-23 Entirely of his own accord, Jonathan devises a plan, promises to execute it, assesses it, and then communicates it. It's simple and systematic: plan, execute, assess, and communicate. If you have served in the military, you know this process well. Here is a simple explanation of the plan. Jonathan suggests that on the final day of the monthly meeting, David should hide in the same spot as before, near a pile of stones. Jonathan will come out for some target practice and shoot three arrows then send a servant to look for them. If Jonathan shouts out to the servant that the arrows are on David's side, David can return safely. But if he shouts out the arrows are beyond David, David needs to escape because Saul still wants to kill him. Building strong alliances in the faith isn't just a nice idea; it's essential. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we're called to engage actively in the battle for our faith. Too often, our spiritual friendships are shallow and superficial, and this is not helpful when we are in a spiritual war and feel hunted down and ensnared by an enemy. This needs to change in the church. Imagine what could happen if we committed to planning, executing, assessing, and communicating with one another about our spiritual lives, the battles we face, and the snares being set for us. Imagine the support and strength we would feel if we engaged in this kind of dialogue and process with a group of believers or merely one other man or woman in the faith. I tried it yesterday with another man, and I felt so much stronger after the conversation, and he was blessed as well. So, step up your game this week. Reach out to one friend, start the conversation, and build some battle-ready bonds. Plan, execute, assess, communicate, and see if God doesn't stir some growth in both of you. #BattleReadyBonds, #FriendshipInFaith, #LoyaltyInAdversity Ask This: Do This: Plan, execute, assess, and communicate. Pray This: Father, help me to build solid and battle-ready bonds with my brothers and sisters in Christ so we can support one another in our spiritual journeys. Grant us the wisdom to plan, communicate, and encourage each other as we face the challenges ahead. Amen. Play This: You Are Mighty.

Are you committed to someone in the Lord? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 20. I've titled this chapter "Friendship and Loyalty in Adversity." In yesterday's devotional, David let Jonathan know he believes his father is still in hot pursuit of his life. Today, they will make a vow to each other in verses 10-17: Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?” And Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So they both went out into the field. And Jonathan said to David, “The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? But should it please my father to do you harm, the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the Lord be with you, as he has been with my father. If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord take vengeance on David's enemies.” And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul. — 1 Samuel 20:10-17 This is a remarkable moment for six reasons: First, it is Jonathan's most extensive speaking role in all Scripture. Second, David, the most talked about man in all of Scripture, is remarkably silent in this text. Third, Jonathan takes responsibility for David's escape by devising a plan to lie to his father and king, which is treason. Fourth, Jonathan swears two oaths: that he will obtain information and pass it along, which is espionage. Fifth, Jonathan is aware this will put his life at risk. Sixth, David would swear an oath to save Jonathan's lineage, a promise he would keep much later. But the part I love the most about this text is how many times Jonathan invokes the name of the Lord. The Lord is preeminent in this meeting, mission, and moment. It made me ask the probing question: how often have I made plans with another believer in the name of the Lord? This week, reflect on the possibility of strengthening your relationship with another believer by expressing your desire to support them in their faith. Share your challenges, listen to theirs, and pray together to commit to supporting each other. Many believers have casual friends who are not committed. What David and Jonathan had was a commitment to each other in the Lord, which is what I bet you want and need. #FaithfulFriendship, #CovenantCommitment, #LoyaltyInChristunity Ask This: Do This: Be committed to someone in the Lord. Pray This: Lord, help me cultivate deep, committed, faith-based friendships, just as David and Jonathan did. Grant me the courage to support and uplift my brothers in Christ through every challenge we face together. Amen. Play This: God of All My Days.

Do you have a loyal friend who will defend you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Remember to check out the Vince Miller Show. I have included a link in the button above. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 20. I've titled this chapter "Friendship and Loyalty in Adversity." In yesterday's devotional, we found David seeking assurance from Jonathan amidst his fears of Saul's relentless pursuit. Today, David is going to put this to the test in verses 5-9: David said to Jonathan, "Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit at table with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening. If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.' If he says, 'Good!' it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him. Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?" And Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! If I knew that it was determined by my father that harm should come to you, would I not tell you?" — 1 Samuel 20:5-9 It seems that three-day meetings were regularly held in the king's house during the new moon cycles, and officials and warriors such as David were required to attend. However, David is still unsure about Saul, so he is uncertain if he wants to attend. The unresolved question is whether Saul experienced a permanent spiritual change in Naioth when he encountered the Spirit or if it was merely a temporary experience. Over the past months, David has experienced escalating threats from Saul. Now that royal orders have been given to kill David, David does not want to intentionally expose himself to the trap with the king. David devises a pretty good plan. He plans to test Jonathan's loyalty first and then Saul's. But the plan involves telling a pretty elaborate lie to test Saul's irritation with David's absence. Johnathan would tell his father that he permitted David to return to Bethlehem, the place where he was anointed king (1 Samuel 16:13), and the father to whom Saul would not allow him to return (1 Samuel 18:2). David is smart enough to know that if anything would awaken a spirit of aggression, it would be Jonathan permitting David to escape a secret snare of the throne. Even though the Bible does not justify lying, both David and Jonathan choose to tell Saul a lie. But notice the tone of the text. David accepts righteous justice but believes that Saul will not act righteously; Jonathan might, but Saul will not. So, instead of submitting his life to a death trap, they devise a way to stick at the snare. And their test works. There are extremely rare instances in life when lying is justified. However, when your life is threatened by unrighteous, evil people who have set snares for you, it is one of those instances. I would hope that if an invader broke into your home, you would lie about a hiding child. Or if you were a Jew being hunted down by a nazi regime, you would lie to hide your whereabouts because there are very rare times when the moral imperative to protect innocent lives against evil outweighs the ethical dilemma of lying. This will be "shown" further in the coming verses. Loyalty and support for believers are crucial during tough times. They have been for me. This week, reach out to a friend who is going through adversity. Send a text, email, make a call, or plan to meet for coffee. Encourage them and let them know they are not alone. Your presence will help them feel less isolated, and it might help them through the snares being set for them. #LoyaltyInAdversity, #FaithfulFriendship, #StrengthInCommunity Ask This: Do This: Reach out to a friend in adversity. Pray This: Father, thank You for the loyal friends You’ve placed...

Do you feel the weight of betrayal? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Don't forget to check out the Vince Miller Show. I have included a link to the Show below. There will be a new episode every week. The difference between what we do here in the Daily Devo and the Show is that here, we are going to continue to work through the Bible devotional one book at a time. Over in the Show, we will tackle topics and series relevant to your life in a biblical, thematic, and practical way. I am super excited about this new endeavor, and I need you to pray for us as we launch it. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 20. I've titled this chapter "Friendship and Loyalty in Adversity." Let's read verses 1-4: Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” And he said to him, “Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so.” But David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” — 1 Samuel 20:1-4 David was innocent of sin and guilt before Saul, a theme that continued until Saul's death. Yet Saul never relinquished his pursuit of David. David also knows that Saul has kept some information from his son, so David discloses this deception to Jonathan to test his loyalty to him and God's plan for his succession as king. This situation is a matter of life and death for David. He has enemies on every side: people outside of Israel who want to kill him, and now royalty within who want him dead. Other than Samuel, there is only Jonathan, who appears to be a loyal confidant in the house of Saul. Do you have a loyal and godly friend? If not, you should. The best way to begin is not by finding a loyal and godly friend. It's by being a loyal and godly friend. The way to start is simply by acting like a friend. Text, email, and call to check in on your brother occasionally. Ask him how life is going, hear his struggles, give guidance, and pray for him. After a few days, check back in again and revisit that issue. Offer to help. Make a connection. Invite him to an activity. Take him to lunch. Be a confidant and a trusted, loyal, and godly friend. Then, one day, you will probably look up to see that across from you sits a loyal and godly friend in your adversity who does the same for you. #GodlyFriendship #LoyaltyInFaith #BrotherhoodInChrist Ask This: Do This: Be a loyal friend and gain a loyal friend. Pray This: Father, I thank You for the gift of friendship and the loyal hearts that support us in our struggles. Help me to be a faithful friend and to seek out those who will walk alongside me in faith, especially during challenging times. Amen. Play This: Loyal.

Do you have a covenantal relationship with a loyal spiritual friend? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Shameless plug today. Don't forget to check out the Vince Miller Show. I put a link to the Show below. There will be a new episode every week. The difference between what we do here in the Daily Devo and the Show is that here, we are going to continue to work through the Bible devotional one book at a time. Over in the Show, we will tackle topics and series relevant to your life in a biblical, thematic, and practical way. I am super excited about this new endeavor, and I need you to pray for us as we launch it. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 20. I've titled this chapter "Friendship and Loyalty in Adversity." In the last chapter, we left off with David leaving Saul's house, never to return, leaving behind his good friend and wife. This chapter is a chronicle of David trying to figure out if there is a permanent change in Saul after Saul's experience with the Spirit in Naoith. So David will secretly consult with Jonathan to see if it is safe to return. Of course, it's not. But the final verse of this chapter punctuates a covenant that the two men make between each other. Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, 'The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.'" And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city. — 1 Samuel 20:42 If we survey David's whole life, we can divide the segments of David's life into four seasons: We are about to enter the "Struggling Season" or the "Hiding Years." Chapter 20 begins a 12-15-year stretch during which David runs from King Saul for his life. That's a long time! Long seasons of trials are trying. When we enter them, we often have no idea what we are getting into. David had no idea what was about to happen or how long it would take for him to move from being anointed king to his appointment as king. But he did have one thing. He had a friend, a confident, and a brother in Jonathan, and they were going to depart from each other, making a covenant agreement that would be fulfilled many years from now after Jonathan's death. Covenants between godly men are missing from the modern church. Believers have become too causal and transactional in their relationships. We enter into most relationships "to get" not "to give" and are unwilling to commit to the initiative and investment that covenantal relationships require. But every person encounters a Struggling Season. For some, this is short, and for others, it may be prolonged. But a covenant agreement with a loyal and godly friend makes the journey much easier. It's like an anchor. It anchors us to the Lord. It anchors us to a godly believer. It anchors us to an unchanging agreement. It anchors us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually when we question the future. Are you going through a struggling season? Then maybe it's time to make a covenant. Perhaps it's not exactly like the one Jonathan and David made, a lifelong covenantal promise that extended to future generations. But maybe you need to make a covenant agreement with a brother for a season. Who is that person, and what is that covenant? And if you cannot think of either, maybe it's time to take some initiative and make an investment to discover the spiritual blessings that await. It's time to bring back the covenant of relationship. #CovenantFriendship #LoyaltyInAdversity #SpiritualBrotherhood Ask This: "Struggling Season" Do This: Initiate a covenant. Pray This: Father, thank You for the gift of loyal friends and the strength of covenant relationships. Help me to be intentional in cultivating these bonds, especially during my challenging seasons, so that I may anchor myself and others in Your love and truth. Amen. Play This: Back to the Father.

When you are being pursued, do you watch your defense? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 19. I've titled this chapter "When Enemies Pursue God Will Protect." In this chapter, we have learned that two of King Saul's children, his son (Jonathan) and his daughter (Michal), advocate for David. Let's read what happens next in 1 Samuel 19:18-24. Now David fled and escaped, and he came to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and lived at Naioth. And it was told Saul, "Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah." Then Saul sent messengers to take David, and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. When it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. Then he himself went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Secu. And he asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" And one said, "Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah." And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" — 1 Samuel 19:18-24 So, a little heads up about this moment: David leaves Saul's house and never returns. David will never see Jonathan again because he dies in battle. He will also not see Michal until Saul and Jonathan's death (2 Samuel 3:13-16). During this time, David and Michal remarry other spouses, and once they are reunited, their marriage appears strained (2 Samuel 6:16). Here, we notice that David retreats to Samuel's village (about 3 miles away), but when Saul's assassins arrive, they are met by the overwhelming power of the Spirit of God. Remember, we must see this moment as the third of three defensives. First, he is defended by a friend who advocates for him. Next, he is defended by his wife, who conceals his escape. Last, he is defended by the Spirit of God, and nothing will protect him better than the Spirit of God. As a note: this is not a case of believers being "slain in the Spirit." These men have not come to Samuel and David with any type of spiritual intrigue. They are arresting agents who want to assassinate David. They come in three waves yet are so engrossed by the Spirit that they cannot continue their mission. They now work for the King of Glory instead of King Saul. If you are counting, over the last two chapters, there have been seven attempted assassinations on the life of David by Saul (three spears are thrown, three expeditions sent, and one additional attempt by Saul himself). But when Saul arrives at Naioth, something interesting happens. He uncontrollably casts off his royal attire, which is undoubtedly a divine stripping of his royal identity before the Spirit and will of God. In this symbolic moment, Saul is stripped, overpowered, and arrested by God. The man who has come to arrest and assassinate David has now been arrested and apprehended by God. Retreating is necessary and justified at times. David had attempted everything possible to keep peace with Saul in this situation. His only choice was to run, and he had no idea how things would pan out in Naioth or that this would carry on for 12 long years. However, he knew one thing—there was a man of God there who was on God's side. David exemplifies fighting with integrity and understanding when the fight will result in losses for everyone. Running from the problem was the only option, and during the retreat, the Spirit of God did all the fighting for him. Sometimes, David fought with the Spirit, and other times, the Spirit fought for him. In any case, we should do the same. Either fight with the Spirit or...

Are people setting snares for you today? Don't worry. God's got this; you'll see how. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 19. I've titled this chapter "When Enemies Pursue God Will Protect." In yesterday's devotional, we learned how David faced relentless opposition from King Saul despite his faithfulness and success. Saul hurled a spear into the wall, attempting to kill David, going back on the promise he had given to his son Jonathan not to harm David. We continue today with more drama in 1 Samuel 19:11-17, which reads: Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him, that he might kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, told him, "If you do not escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed." So Michal let David down through the window, and he fled away and escaped. Michal took an image and laid it on the bed and put a pillow of goats' hair at its head and covered it with the clothes. And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, "He is sick." Then Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, "Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him." And when the messengers came in, behold, the image was in the bed, with the pillow of goats' hair at its head. Saul said to Michal, "Why have you deceived me thus and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?" And Michal answered Saul, "He said to me, 'Let me go. Why should I kill you?'"— 1 Samuel 19:11-17 This situation must have been extremely irritating to Saul. If we return to the last chapter, Saul planned to use his daughter Michal as a snare for David (1 Samuel 18:21). But here, the snare King Saul set becomes the snare he stepped in. This adds insult to injury for the one who dares to scheme against the one blessed by God. The irony of manipulations is that they often become self-inflicted snares, which warn us that the best scheme is not to scheme or set a snare but to trust the salvation of the Savior. He is the one who saves us from all our enemies. This principle is woven throughout Scripture. Consider the scheme of Joseph's brothers, who sold him into slavery. Their plan was meant to harm him, but their scheme played into God's scheme to elevate Joseph to the second highest position in the most powerful empire at the time, where he could leverage his authority to save his entire lineage from famine (Genesis 50:20). God's can turn the tables on our adversaries and use their schemes for his good will at any point in history. He has done it before and will do it again. So, what's the takeaway? When we encounter opposition or snares set by others, we can find comfort in knowing God is aware of what the opposition is doing. He can use their evil schemes to accomplish a greater and glorious plan, turning what looks like a troubling trap into a tremendous triumph. #DivineProtection, #TrustGod, #OvercomingOpposition Ask This: Do This: Let God save you from the snare and live righteously. Pray This: Lord, I trust that You are in control even when others' schemes seem to surround me. Help me to see Your hand in every challenge and find peace in Your protection and purpose. Amen. Play This: Control.

Do you feel attacked by someone for doing what you thought was right? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 19. I've titled this chapter "When Enemies Pursue God Will Protect." Let's jump into our text in 1 Samuel 19:8-10, which reads: And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. Then a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. — 1 Samuel 19:8-10 David's success is irritating to Saul for four reasons: Jealousy: Saul is irritated because he is jealous of David's success and popularity.Divine Favor:Political Threat:Personal Insecurity: It's heartbreaking to see Saul in this state. He is so spiritually troubled and irrational, that he's sitting inside Israel's safest house with a spear in his hand, ready to harm one of the greatest warriors of Israel. Thus Saul is going to close out his life a very irritated and irrational man, husband, father, and leader. Godly success can occasionally provoke irrational opposition. When one lives according to God's will and encounters blessings and achievements, it can provoke negative reactions from opponents. Maybe not to the point where they are trying to shoot you, but they might sandbag you, gaslight you, or sideline you. But how should we respond? Here are two suggestions. First, it's important to acknowledge that opposition does not necessarily reflect on your character or abilities, but rather, it serves as a testament to the impact of God's work in your life. Second, you must understand at these moments that God’s protection is as real for you as it was for David. Here are a few practical steps to help you feel the weight of ungodly opposition today: Focus on God's mission:Seek God's protection:Maintain Godly integrity: Remember that all these points are based on the fact that you may encounter opposition because you have been faithful and obedient to God. When enemies come after you, rest assured that God will protect you. Stay firm and trust in God's provision. #DivineProtection, #TrustInGod, #OvercomingOpposition Ask This: Do This: Focus on the mission, seek God's protection, and maintain integrity. Pray This: Lord, I trust in Your protection when I face opposition and hostility, knowing that You are my shield and refuge. Help me to stay focused on Your mission and respond with grace, relying on Your wisdom and strength in every challenge. Amen. Play This: Every Giant Will Fall.

Do you have a family member who is super irritating right now? If not, that person is probably you. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in a new chapter, 1 Samuel 19. I've titled this chapter "When Enemies Pursue God Will Protect." Let's jump into our text in 1 Samuel 19:4-7, which reads: And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before. — 1 Samuel 19:4-7 We need different types of godly friends—not just good friends, but godly friends who will have our backs and risk something to stand in the gap between. That is what David has in Jonathan. He has an ally, as we discussed in the last chapter. Still, we see he is also willing to advocate for him as a new member of the family, a warrior, and the one through whom the Lord worked great salvation in Israel, underscoring the importance of godly friends. Jonathan is not oblivious to the situation in his family, and he is not going to sit around passively while this act of aggression and injustice takes place. He knows that his father's sinful progression toward David is ever-increasing. So he decides to step in to temper his father's spirit, advocate for his friend and brother-in-law, and bring peace to the men he cares about. Yet we all know this is hard to achieve in a family if the offended member cannot get beyond a past situation. As long as I have lived, I have seen that most families have one member who harbors bitterness from past situations. There is usually also one member with emotional or behavioral issues. When these two attributes combine, this person plays the role of the angry, bipolar, grudge-holder. The problem in David's instance is that King Saul retains all the power in the family system, which is oppressive because his authority and decisions trump everyone else. Therefore, Jonathan steps in to play his role: the peacemaker. If you have read ahead, you will know that this is a mere temporary fix and that the next decade of David's life was a living hell running from the bitterness, anger, and aggression of his father-in-law. Nonetheless, David and Jonathan worked to honor God and Saul, his role, and their relationship through it all. We all have difficult family members. My parents were challenging to love as a believer. But I also had to learn how to love and respect them even when our values did not align and remain faithful to biblical teaching to honor them as far as possible. Today, reflect on how you are doing with this in your family. Consider the person's role that irritates you, and then find a way to maintain peace and godly character as far as possible. We don't get to choose our family, but we are responsible for choosing to act in a God-honoring way.

When enemies pursue you need a godly friend. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in a new chapter, 1 Samuel 19. I've titled this chapter "When Enemies Pursue God Will Protect." Let's jump into our text in 1 Samuel 19:1-3, which reads: And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, "Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you." — 1 Samuel 19:1-3 This passage requires little explanation but contains a couple of crucial details. First, it marks the first time King Saul openly expresses his desire to kill David. Until this point, much of his scheming had been conducted in private, evidenced by his decision to give David command, put him in harm's way during battle, propose a dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins, and two previous spear attacks. Second, this also marks the first moment Jonathan walks a careful line between his friend and his father. This is a cautious matter for him because advocacy for a perceived enemy could be interpreted as treason. But this draws attention to an essential point for believers. When enemies attack us, we need good and godly friends to help us through the situation. We cannot do situations like these alone. Jonathan, an ally to David, knows his innocence, is willing to advocate for him, and still has some power of persuasion over his father. While this might be a cautious matter, Jonathan is willing to risk his relationship and reputation for his friend. You need friends like this—good and godly friends. But some of you are living this life without a single believing friend. Some of you have too many bar, boating, and betting friends but have no believing friends. What are you going to do when an enemy attacks? Who is going to advocate for you? Do you think those friends at the bar will advocate for you? I promise you they will not. They will bail on you, but they will never back you. Build an infantry of mighty men around you. That's what David does, so he never battles alone, whether the battle is within or without. You will discover in this chapter that David turns to three friends who become instruments of protection for him: Jonathan, Michal, and Samuel. Two of the three happen to be children of King Saul. #GodlyFriends, #FaithfulSupport, #ProtectionInPeril Ask This: Do This: Get believing, friends. Pray This: Lord, thank You for the godly friends You have placed in my life who support and protect me in times of trouble. Help me to be a faithful ally to others and to build strong, Christ-centered relationships that reflect Your love and grace. Amen. Play This: What A Friend.

Are you being pursued by an enemy? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in a new chapter, 1 Samuel 19. I've titled this chapter "When Enemies Pursue God Will Protect." The key verse of this chapter is 1 Samuel 19:10, which reads: And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. — 1 Samuel 19:10 Most assume that David's path to the throne after the defeat of Goliath was easy. It was not. It was well over 15 years from when Samuel anointed him to the time he was finally appointed King of Israel. During this time, he battled with enemies within and without the ranks. Perhaps the most challenging was understanding how to fight with Saul, who was still God's anointed and appointed over the people of Israel. Many believe leadership is an easy task. It is not. Leadership entails all kinds of battles. It's a firey test of battles fought within and without the ranks of leadership. But there is nothing like the moment when you experience the dual battle of enemies within and enemies without, which is what we will read in this chapter. David will fight battles with the Philistines only to come home and fight battles with his father-in-law. One truth in this chapter gives hope to those attacked by enemies: if we are faithful to God, he will always provide an escape. If you feel pursued or attacked by any enemy today, seek refuge in God. Don't take vengeance, battle alone, or take matters into your own hands. Let God fight the battle for you. He's a better warrior. He can see your battle. He knows the tactics of your enemy. He can find a just means of justice and deliverance when you cannot. Let him fight for you, and let him have the victory. #DivineProtection, #FaithInTheBattle, #GodsDeliverance Ask This: Do This: Let God fight every battle. Pray This: Lord, when I feel pursued and under attack, help me to trust in Your protection and seek refuge in Your strength. Guide me to rely on Your wisdom and let You fight my battles, knowing You will provide a way of escape. Amen. Play This: Belong To You.

Are people conspiring against you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we have read 1 Samuel 18. I've titled this chapter "Allies and Adversaries." In yesterday's devotional, we explored how David's unwavering faith enabled him to overcome Saul's impossible task and demonstrate his value to Michal and Israel. Today, we discover how all this worked out for Saul and David in verses 28-30: But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him, Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David's enemy continually. Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed. — 1 Samuel 18:28-30 This moment is insightful and inspiring for obedient believers. I hope you see the hope in this text. The hope is this: If you are with God, no one and no plan will ever be able to stand against you. God is frustrating Saul's plans, which is frustrating him. Not only that, Saul's wicked plans are turned against him, revealing God's plan, which is becoming David's path to the throne. Saul, out of jealousy, anger, and fear, unintentionally writes an unstoppable plan for David to be the next king of Israel. This is God. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. — Psalm 33:10 God, we pray today for our lives, family, and world. We pray that you will frustrate the plans of the wicked and that we will never walk in their way. When the wicked conspire against you and us, their wickedness will be turned against them and revealed as the path and plan for the obedient. Amen. #DivineVictory, #GodsPlan, #OvercomingAdversity Ask This: Do This: Let God frustrate them and reveal his plan for you. Pray This: Lord, thank you for turning my successes and challenges into opportunities for your greater purpose. Help me remain steadfast and faithful, trusting that you are using every situation to advance your plan and reveal your glory in my life. Amen. Play This: Belong to You.