Recent Blog Entries

  • 53 minutes ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you." The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not yo...
  • Thu at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Yahweh said to Joshua, "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face like that?" Joshua 7:10 WEB.Joshua lay prostrate before the ark of the Lord all that evening. Yesterday, he had been a mighty warrior. Now Israel had lost the battle at Ai, all because one of the men with him had become greedy and brok...
  • Wed at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Don't fight with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel." When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshap...
View All
  • March 25, 2022 - led by Lynn Brown
    This is a group for RHM sponsored events like corporate fasts. Everyone is welcome to join and participate in things currently going on in the ministry. We love you and thank you for being a part of Refreshing Hope!
View All

The Commander

  • The Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, 'You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees. 2 Samuel 5:22'23 WEB.

    The Philistine army invaded the Valley of Rephaim, and David asked the Lord what to do. The last time David had faced the Philistines, he met them straight on in the battle, but this time, the Lord told him to flank them, and He would help. The Philistines had dominated parts of Israel since the battle of Mount Gilboa when King Saul and his sons were killed in 1 Samuel 31. In David's battle with the Philistines, the Lord was the Commander in charge. David prayed, got his orders, and followed them to the letter. The mission was successful. They pushed the Philistines entirely out of their land, and it was a great victory.

    This is an excellent example of how we are supposed to work with God today. When we face a problem, we pray and then give God a chance to provide insight. James said that if we lack wisdom, "let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5) and also "we have not, because we ask not" (James 4:2). We have to be willing to be wrong and put His plan before our own.

    In the very next chapter, David decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This was the Ark that God had commanded Moses to build more than 400 years before David's time. It was a wooden box overlaid with gold, the Holiest artifact in Israel. The Ark had been captured by the Philistines, but they all came down with hemorrhoids and made haste to return it (1 Samuel 5:12).

    The Ark was taken by the men of Kiriath-jearim and placed in "the house of Abinadab" who put his son Eleazar in charge of it (1 Samuel 7:1). The Ark had sat there forgotten for seventy years, and after Saul died, it became trapped behind enemy lines. Kiriath-jearim was located about nine miles west of Jerusalem, roughly halfway between Geba and Gezer, the area that David had just reclaimed from the Philistines. It was time to return "the glory" to Israel (1 Samuel 4:22). David was sure this was what God wanted, so he didn't bother to ask Him the details.

    David assembled the largest group of elite troops that he ever had before. He took over 30,000 armed men with him to get the Ark. Though the Ark was designed to be carried by four Levites (Exodus 25:12), David had a new cart built for it pulled by oxen. While David and everyone were celebrating with songs and harps and cymbals, the cart hit a bump in the road. A soldier named Uzza reached out his hand to steady it, and he was instantly struck dead. The situation was a mess. After God "divided" Uzza, David became afraid of Him that day and abandoned the project until later.

    I want to clarify that we have to align with God and not expect Him to align with us. Yes, there is grace to cover mistakes, but they waste valuable time and resources. It cost Uzza his life. Take the time to ask first before you make a big decision, or you may regret it later.

    We are not automatically acting "in His will" because we are on a mission that we believe is from God any more than David and the ox cart. We are to pray and get His advice, then try and follow it. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice" (John 10:27). If you pray and pray about something, and He will not talk to you about it, then change the subject for a while. Find out what He does want to talk about today, and listen. It may be more important than what you have in mind.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, please guide me today. I am sorry for not involving You in my decisions. I want what You want. May Your Kingdom come, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: Happy Sunday :)! For those who would like to join us, we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! Here is the link to join: RHM Live


    > You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <



Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.

 

Social Sharing

19 comments
  • 0
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Yes Lord , Help me to follow and obey for I need only you! Thank you..... in Jesus’s name I pray..... Amen ❤️
October 11, 2020
  • 2
Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez

Amen

October 11, 2020
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen.  Speak to me Lord, hear my prayers. I will follow your direction for Your plan is better than mine. Amen

October 11, 2020
  • 2
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen 

October 11, 2020
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywineedited: October 11, 2020

Speak to me Jesus and I will follow.We love and worship you. Amen Thank you Pastor Dion for so many wonderful daily devotionals.

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Jesus name I ask,Amen. 

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen Father I ask of Your will only, I will follow.

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Amen! Thank You Lord!

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Amen 

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Yes! Jesus said it so simply: Hear and follow! Find me willing and obedient, Lord! Amen

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father I humbly pray that You give us the wisdom to understand and follow Your instructions while we hear Your voice. We need You always, to do what You are asking us and follow Your command. In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen. Delight in the Lord for He is good. 

We thank you Pastor for this wonderful reminder, God bless you and Sylvia. 

 

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Heavenly Father Please Guide Me Amen

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Heavenly Father guide me today and everyday.  I can do nothing without you.  In Jesus Name I ask, Amen 

October 11, 2020
  • 2
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

God please help me unravel things. In the name of Jesus Amen 

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Yada (Wendy)
Yada (Wendy)

1 Samuel 15 & 16 talks about them finding His fishes and manna towards compassion and proclaims Christ coming. 

 

Follow The Lamb wherever He goes 

Not bread alone, but by every word from His mouth 

Rightly divide the bread which is His body (The Gospel) ♡

The judgment is in here with these things for anyone refusing to believe in Him Truly. 

 

Live by the sword

Die by the sword 

 

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Amen Lord 

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Bella Colliander
Bella Colliander

I have been praying about my voting position in the upcoming election.  This wonderful devotion has directed me to God for my answers.  Thank you Pastor Dion.  You are such a true blesing.

October 11, 2020
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

October 12, 2020