   Each time David saw Goliath's armour hanging in his tent, it was a sacred reminder of God's faithfulness to him and of God's power that was available to him. The word remember recurs almost 250 times in Scripture. And there is a reason why. We tend to remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember. That's why God tells us to build altars or make memorials. Jacob built an altar at Bethel, where God gave him a life-changing dream (see Genesis 28:18-22). The Israelites took twelve stones from the river Jordan and used them to build a miracle altar in Gilgal, reminding them of how God miraculously parted the waters for them (see Joshua 4:20-24). Samuel built a victory altar at Mizpah called 'Ebenezer' after God answered his prayer and marshalled the forces of nature to supernaturally defeat the Philistines (see 1 Samuel 7:12). 

   Without sacred reminders, we could forget the spiritual lessons we have learned along the way. The Bible records the literal weight of Goliath's armour: 5,000 shekels of brass or 56.7 kilograms. Every time David took down his tent and pitched it somewhere else, the armour went with him. Why? Because it was a daily reminder of God's faithfulness to him. It was also a great confidence builder. Whatever the future held, David knew that with God's help he could handle it. 

   There are two lessons here: first, if God did it for David, he will do it for you; second, if God did it before, he can do it again.





— SCRIPTURE —

    'David...kept Goliath's armour in his tent.' 1 Samuel 17:54 GWT
— SOULFOOD —

    2 Ki 4:18-6:33, Luke 13:18-35, Ps 136:1-12, Pro 6:30-31
    

Each time David saw Goliath's armour hanging in his tent, it was a sacred reminder of God's faithfulness to him and of God's power that was available to him. The word remember recurs almost 250 times in Scripture. And there is a reason why. We tend to remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember. That's why God tells us to build altars or make memorials. Jacob built an altar at Bethel, where God gave him a life-changing dream (see Genesis 28:18-22). The Israelites took twelve stones from the river Jordan and used them to build a miracle altar in Gilgal, reminding them of how God miraculously parted the waters for them (see Joshua 4:20-24). Samuel built a victory altar at Mizpah called 'Ebenezer' after God answered his prayer and marshalled the forces of nature to supernaturally defeat the Philistines (see 1 Samuel 7:12). Without sacred reminders, we could forget the spiritual lessons we have learned along the way. The Bible records the literal weight of Goliath's armour: 5,000 shekels of brass or 56.7 kilograms. Every time David took down his tent and pitched it somewhere else, the armour went with him. Why? Because it was a daily reminder of God's faithfulness to him. It was also a great confidence builder. Whatever the future held, David knew that with God's help he could handle it. There are two lessons here: first, if God did it for David, he will do it for you; second, if God did it before, he can do it again.
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'David...kept Goliath's armour in his tent.' 1 Samuel 17:54 GWT 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 2 Ki 4:18-6:33, Luke 13:18-35, Ps 136:1-12, Pro 6:30-31

The Word For Today is a daily devotional by authors Bob and Debby Gass. Every day, tens of thousands of people across New Zealand are encouraged and uplifted by its relevant insights.

The daily readings resonate with people as they often speak into their current circumstances. Often readers express wonder at how a particular day’s devotion appeared to be ‘written just for me’

The Word For Today is a daily devotional by authors Bob and Debby Gass. Every day, tens of thousands of people across New Zealand are encouraged and uplifted by its relevant insights.
The daily readings resonate with people as they often speak into their current circumstances. Often readers express wonder at how a particular day&rsquo;s devotion appeared to be &lsquo;written just for me&rsquo;

The Word For Today

Sacred reminders

   Paul writes, 'By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God' (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV). Why did Paul say we are saved through grace alone? Because trying to obtain salvation by keeping the law sets you up for failure. 'If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all' (James 2:10 CEV). You say, 'That's an impossible standard!' You're right! The law is like an X-ray machine; it can reveal what's under the surface and identify the problem, but it can't fix it. The law is also like a mirror. It can tell you that you need to apply make-up, or shave or comb your hair, but it can't do these things for you. In other words, the law can show you your problem but can't solve it. 

   But what the law could not do, Jesus did on the cross (see Romans 8:3). When Jesus said, 'It is finished' (John 19:30 NIV), all your sins from the cradle to the grave were atoned for. And when you put your trust in him, you are saved for time and eternity. 

   Some people acknowledge that we are made right with God by grace, through putting our trust in Jesus. But, they believe we maintain our salvation by keeping the works of the law. The problem is, even on our best day, we cannot live up to all the demands of a perfect God. The hymnist wrote, 'Trusting as the moments fly, trusting as the days go by; trusting him whate'er befall, trusting Jesus, that is all!'





— SCRIPTURE —

    'You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God.' Ephesians 2:8 NCV
— SOULFOOD —

    2 Ki 7-9, Luke 14:1-14, Ps 136:13-26, Pro 6:32-35
    

Paul writes, 'By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God' (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV). Why did Paul say we are saved through grace alone? Because trying to obtain salvation by keeping the law sets you up for failure. 'If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all' (James 2:10 CEV). You say, 'That's an impossible standard!' You're right! The law is like an X-ray machine; it can reveal what's under the surface and identify the problem, but it can't fix it. The law is also like a mirror. It can tell you that you need to apply make-up, or shave or comb your hair, but it can't do these things for you. In other words, the law can show you your problem but can't solve it. But what the law could not do, Jesus did on the cross (see Romans 8:3). When Jesus said, 'It is finished' (John 19:30 NIV), all your sins from the cradle to the grave were atoned for. And when you put your trust in him, you are saved for time and eternity. Some people acknowledge that we are made right with God by grace, through putting our trust in Jesus. But, they believe we maintain our salvation by keeping the works of the law. The problem is, even on our best day, we cannot live up to all the demands of a perfect God. The hymnist wrote, 'Trusting as the moments fly, trusting as the days go by; trusting him whate'er befall, trusting Jesus, that is all!'
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God.' Ephesians 2:8 NCV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 2 Ki 7-9, Luke 14:1-14, Ps 136:13-26, Pro 6:32-35

Trust in Jesus alone!

   The Bible says: 'Then Saul gave David his own armour... "I can't go in these," he protested to Saul. "I'm not used to them." So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd's bag. Then...he started across the valley to fight the Philistine' (1 Samuel 17:38-40 NLT). David had to make a choice; one that would determine his destiny. He could go into battle as Saul - wearing Saul's armour, flaunting Saul's sword, clutching Saul's shield. Or he could engage in battle as David - a shepherd with a slingshot. David chose not to wear Saul's armour or wield Saul's sword for one excellent reason: he wasn't Saul. David decided to be himself - the David God called, anointed and equipped for the task. 

   There comes a time in all our lives when we need to be brave enough to remove Saul's armour. And it takes the most uncommon form of courage, the courage to be ourselves. We all begin as originals, but too many of us finish up as imitators of someone else. Instead of honouring our uniqueness, and the uniqueness of others, we are too frequently intimidated by it. We abandon our uniqueness because we want to fit in. 

   In one of his best-known essays, 'Self-Reliance', Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, 'There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that...imitation is suicide. He must take himself for better, for worse.' That is what David did, and God gave him great victory. And that is what God wants you to do. 





— SCRIPTURE —

    'I can't go in these...I'm not used to them.' 1 Samuel 17:39 NLT
— SOULFOOD —

    2 Ki 1:1-4:17, Luke 13:1-17, Ps 77, Pro 6:29
    

The Bible says: 'Then Saul gave David his own armour... "I can't go in these," he protested to Saul. "I'm not used to them." So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd's bag. Then...he started across the valley to fight the Philistine' (1 Samuel 17:38-40 NLT). David had to make a choice; one that would determine his destiny. He could go into battle as Saul - wearing Saul's armour, flaunting Saul's sword, clutching Saul's shield. Or he could engage in battle as David - a shepherd with a slingshot. David chose not to wear Saul's armour or wield Saul's sword for one excellent reason: he wasn't Saul. David decided to be himself - the David God called, anointed and equipped for the task. There comes a time in all our lives when we need to be brave enough to remove Saul's armour. And it takes the most uncommon form of courage, the courage to be ourselves. We all begin as originals, but too many of us finish up as imitators of someone else. Instead of honouring our uniqueness, and the uniqueness of others, we are too frequently intimidated by it. We abandon our uniqueness because we want to fit in. In one of his best-known essays, 'Self-Reliance', Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, 'There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that...imitation is suicide. He must take himself for better, for worse.' That is what David did, and God gave him great victory. And that is what God wants you to do. 
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'I can't go in these...I'm not used to them.' 1 Samuel 17:39 NLT 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 2 Ki 1:1-4:17, Luke 13:1-17, Ps 77, Pro 6:29

Courage to be you

   After his indiscretion with Bathsheba, King David was finally honest and confessed his sin to Nathan the prophet. 'Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However...by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme"' (2 Samuel 12:13-14 NKJV). Later, David would write in the Psalm 39:8 NCV: 'Save me from all my sins. Don't let wicked fools make fun of me.' 

   Let's consider the repercussions of immorality when it's found out: (1) A partner experiences shame, rejection, betrayal and heartache. No amount of repentance or asking forgiveness can soften the blow. Suspicion replaces trust. (2) The innocence and trust of children are dealt a devastating blow. Their healthy outlook on life is likely to be severely damaged. (3) The heartache experienced by parents, family and peers is indescribable. And the guilty person is likely to be embarrassed in facing other Christians, especially those who've openly appreciated, respected and trusted them. (4) The fall may be perceived by others as a licence for them to do the same. (5) Their inner peace will be gone. (6) Their confidence before God will be forfeited. (7) Their enemies will have further reason to jeer and sneer, and any cause represented will suffer harm. What a high price to pay. 

   What's the answer? Be filled and stay filled with the Holy Spirit. Here's why: 'The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control' (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV).





— SCRIPTURE —

    'The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control.' Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —

    1 Ki 18:16-20:43, Luke 12:35-48, Ps 66:13-20, Pro 6:23-25
    

After his indiscretion with Bathsheba, King David was finally honest and confessed his sin to Nathan the prophet. 'Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However...by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme"' (2 Samuel 12:13-14 NKJV). Later, David would write in the Psalm 39:8 NCV: 'Save me from all my sins. Don't let wicked fools make fun of me.' Let's consider the repercussions of immorality when it's found out: (1) A partner experiences shame, rejection, betrayal and heartache. No amount of repentance or asking forgiveness can soften the blow. Suspicion replaces trust. (2) The innocence and trust of children are dealt a devastating blow. Their healthy outlook on life is likely to be severely damaged. (3) The heartache experienced by parents, family and peers is indescribable. And the guilty person is likely to be embarrassed in facing other Christians, especially those who've openly appreciated, respected and trusted them. (4) The fall may be perceived by others as a licence for them to do the same. (5) Their inner peace will be gone. (6) Their confidence before God will be forfeited. (7) Their enemies will have further reason to jeer and sneer, and any cause represented will suffer harm. What a high price to pay. What's the answer? Be filled and stay filled with the Holy Spirit. Here's why: 'The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control' (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV).
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control.' Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 1 Ki 18:16-20:43, Luke 12:35-48, Ps 66:13-20, Pro 6:23-25

Sacred reminders

In 1 playlist(s)

The Word For Today

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips