Personal Devotions
Notes from Mark's personal Bible reading and meditation
With a goal to apply one truth from each day's reading to my life that day
Feb 7, 2025, 7:24 AM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 29 - 2 Samuel 1
Meditation Verse: 1 Samuel 29:8
Thought
Was David planning to betray the Philistines who had sheltered him and his men? They could have done great damage if they turned against them in the battle.
Feb 6, 2025, 7:26 AM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 25-28
Meditation Verse: 25:39
Thought
David planned to kill Nabal and all his men because he wouldn't repay David's kindness with some meat. Instead, Nabal insulted him.
Feb 5, 2025, 7:28 AM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 21-24
Meditation Verses: 22:22-23
Thought
There are two amazing statements in David's response to Abiathar: one is that he takes responsibility for the death of Abiathar's father's whole family but he's not crippled by the weight of that.
Feb 4, 2025, 7:30 AM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 17-20
Meditation Verses: 20:32-34
Thought
If not for Jonathan, David likely would have been killed. He was a servant of God to protect David.
Feb 3, 2025, 7:32 AM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 13-16
Meditation Verses: 14:43-46
Thought
Saul had grown quite bold by this point. Too bold perhaps. But he was a mighty warrior and was inflicting punishment on all Israel's enemies.
Feb 2, 2025, 7:35 AM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 9-12
Meditation Verses: 12:12-15
Thought
What a way to start your kingdom, by hearing that you being made king is rebellion against the Lord. It'd make you question whether you really want to be king, the thing that is sin in God's eyes!
Jan 31, 2025, 6:17 PM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 5-8
Meditation Verses: 6:18-20
Thought
How often is this the response to God's holiness, to His righteous standard? Send Him somewhere else! Get away from Him, but not too far. The Philistines couldn't stand before Him, so they sent Him away.
Jan 30, 2025, 6:19 PM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 1-4
Meditation Verse: 3:18
Thought
Eli had given up on his sons and on his line. He had rebuked his sons, but they didn't listen, and that was it. He didn't remove them from their priesthood or do anything else to try to turn them from their sin.
Feb 2, 2024, 10:01 AM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 29 - 2 Samuel 1
Meditation Verses: 1 Samuel 30:1-6
Thought
This would be devastating, and was devastating to David and all his men. But there was also a shred of hope: no one had been killed, but all had been taken captive. They were able to pursue the raiders and recover all their families and all their possessions. The city was destroyed, but everything and everyone else was recovered.
Feb 1, 2024, 10:03 AM
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 25-28
Meditation Verse: 25:17
Thought
Nabal was impossible to deal with. He was known for being harsh and evil in his dealings. He knew exactly who David was and probably why he was fleeing from Saul. He was willing to feed his shearers, but not extend any kindness to David and his men, who had protected Nabal's shepherds and sheep in the wilderness. He was happy to receive benefit from strangers, but not to accept any responsibility for repaying the favor, especially since he didn't ask for the kindness.