The halfbaked Bard

Samuel left Gilgal, but the rest went with Saul - 1Sam:13:15 Not even a single one followed Samuel. This is after Samuel pointed out that what Saul did was wrong. Even then none wanted to follow the ways of Samuel.  Matt:7:13 Broad is the road that leads to destruction And many enter through it. Very few take the narrow road. Its not easy to follow the steps of a righteous holy God, especially when the majority goes behind the marred ways of the world. And you cannot place your feet on two boats. 1John:2:15 Do not love the world nor the things it offers you for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world. Yes you cannot serve two masters, Jesus says. Like Joshua let us choose to follow God rather than the unending cravings this world has to offer. Eterna...

King Saul was asked to wait for seven days, till Samuel comes, to offer sacrifice which Samuel would do. King Saul couldn't wait, impatient as he is, thinking time is running out, he offers the sacrifice by himself. "Had you kept it" Samuel griefs. Had you not waited. Had you not been impatient and not solved your own problem. Impatience or not able to wait is the opposite result of trust. It says if not now, then when? Will I lose? But trust says, come what may, the Lord being in control, it is worthy to obey, it is worthy to wait. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Waiting is better than overdoing things. Trusting better than solving on your own. What's it that you want to satisfy? Your logic, your reasoning and your plan? Or God and His heart? In returning and resting will you be saved. In quietness and trust will you strength be, says the Word. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. When I am confused, I will just learn to wait and see His deliverance...

Samuel's warning to Israel carries much significance even now - do not go back to worshipping worthless idols, they are totally useless. You might not have placed idols in your home, to which you pray to - they are totally useless, they are worthless and helpless to save you, to help you in times of trouble as they don't even have life. What about the idols that you have placed in your hearts, things which you run into when in trouble; people you find security in, when you have questions - money, job, people, fame popularity. All are absolutely worthless. All are totally useless. All are utterly helpless. There is only one living God whom you can trust always. Phil:2:10 - that at the name of Jesus every knee should b ow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. He alone is worthy. Rest all is worthless He alone is trustworthy. Rest all is totally useless.

1Sam:12:22 For it has pleased the Lord to make you His very own people. Not by works, nor by our goodness. But because it pleased the Lord. This has to sink deep down into our hearts. That it was God's will to bring us into His fold, and it pleased Him, just like it pleased Him everyday on the week of creation (when everything was perfect). Eph:1:4 Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ Jer:1:5 Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you. 2Tim:1:9 Who saved us and called us to a holy calling not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace. And the fact that it pleased Him to make me His very own. That I am His prized possession, His very own. Isa:43:1 You are mine Zech:13:9 They are my people. Psalm:100:3 We are His Ah! So beautiful is this truth to bask upon. This is more than enough for us.

Among the hustles of life These tie ups and all strings attached I can only think or behave the way The world expects me to do or think The system which I am in, this world Is all marred and corrupted and distorted. It prompts me to think the way it wants Like a puppet attached to it's strings A world with its predesigned mold. It tries to squeeze me into And with my rebellious marred nature I too try to fit in, easily moldable, malleable My sinfulness and its influence from the world Both contribute to the molding Both contribute to what I am right now The ruckus, the pandemonium I'm in. There is so much noise around So much of commotion All I can do is to continue in that rut In that predetermined route, I can trod Even if I try to halt, it pulls me It drags me and squeezes me into that mold It tries to haul me, so I yield Going along the current, since the time I remember And then lo! I hear a still small voice In the midst of confusion, I hear something differen...

Israel demands a king to rule over them God says they have rejected Him as King He finally agrees to their desire. To hoard over them, to exploit them Eventually God had thought of a King David But they, adamant, asks for King Saul David was a depiction of an ideal king But Saul a personification of a selfish tyrant Do you want to settle for the suboptimal When God has planned ahead the finest He might eventually agree to give what you desire If you're adamant, if you're resolute But Israel refused to listen to the warnings They were persistent to have a king "Like other nations around us", they demanded And they did get one, a despotic one. Ask and you shall receive Knock and the door shall be opened But is it what God wants in my life? He is the authour, the creator, the one with the big picture Yes ask in accordance with His will Like Jesus, not my will but yours If it's not your will, let it pass That should be what we desire! He knows the plans He...

"But soon" is a very integral part of any story or any fairy tale a child wants to hear. It is as important as "Once upon a time" and "happily ever after" It marks the transition from the good part of the story to the bad part. It often introduces the villian (perhaps a character already known), bringing in the real nature of the character. It relates with complacency and laziness of our hero who took things for granted, whom we thought was picture perfect. Whatever said and done, it being an integral part of the story, the story cannot go forward without it. A smooth ride, no change in course, without which it is no stroy at all. Without the introduction of the villian or the bad situation how whould we prove that good wins over bad? How could a hero or a heroine come forward and save and ultimately live happily ever after? It would look like the bedtime story I would tell my boys, when  I am terribly tired and sleepy. As I slip into oblivion ...

As a final address that Samuel gives Israel, he proclaims. 1Sam:12:5 The Lord and His anointed one are my witnesses today, that my hands are clean. Is your conscience clean? Things which you alone know, which only God has seen. Can you stand before the throne and say my hands are clean, before a God who says, if you have looked lustfully at a woman, you have committed adultery and if you have called your brother "fool" you would stand before judgement? He also says, If you have faltered in one, you have broken all. Psalm:7:9 For you look deep within the mind and heart,O righteous God A God who knows the intent and motive and purpose of our actions. We wouldn't be able to stand before Him. Yes all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all will stand with heads bowed and faces down before the all knowing God. It's easy to point fingers at the man, whose wife committed suicide, because of issues related to dowry. It's easy to point fingers ...

1Sam:11 describes about the first battle Saul undertakes against the Ammonites. Though he was hiding among the baggages in the previous chapter, here he (when the Spirit of God came powerfully on him) was motivated and brings Israel and Judah together for his brothers in Jabesh-gilead. Though he was motivated to do things proactively and aggressively for God, there is arrogance in his words. Our ministry - is there pride involved? Is it our ministry at all? Pride brings in arrogance and rude words. Our work, our vocation, is it our pride? Saying I am so & so, itself ebbs a lot of self love and pride. 1Pet:5:6 Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God Pro:18:12 Humility precedes honour. What is actually there to be proud of? Will I be able to stand with all my crowns before the Almighty Holy God with all that I hold dear? All our righteous deeds are like filthy rags Isa:64:6 The example we have before us is our Lord Jesus Christ Phil:2:5-8 You must have the same attit...

Saul was anointed king by Samuel God gave him a new heart The Spirit of the Lord came upon him He saw the signs of Samuel to prove it all Still he was hiding among the baggages Do you still lack confidence dear one Do you still doubt His provisions He has chosen you, He has selected you As an envoy, as a representative Still do you hide among the baggages? Forget about all the responsibilities and calling Forget whether you reflect Christ or not Focus on God's unending love Love that picked you up from the miry clay Do you still hide among the baggages? Love that loved you when no one else chose to Love that hugged you, when none else wanted to "You are my special possession" He declares "My own signet ring" Don't still be hiding among the baggages.

Immediately after being anointed by Samuel, as Saul turns to leave, God gave him a new heart. 1Sam:10:9 Heart transplant is one of the complex surgeries in medical fraternity, a lot of expertise required, lot of risk involved, transferring the function of heart to an artificial machine in the mean time and having a long post op period with a prolonged time of recovery and adjusting to the new life. But not for God. When He wills, He changes our heart over a split second. Eze:36:26 I will give you a new heart and I will give you a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony stubborn heart and give you a tender responsive heart. It is the Lord's initiative. The rebellious stony hard heart towards God has not been repaired and replenished, but replaced by a heart that has been inclined to respond to God. It's not our good deeds, either in the past or present or the future that has motivated God to do this wondrous act in our life. But out of his mere grace. Once and ...

Psalm:28:9 Save your people Bless Israel your special possession Israel was always considered by God as His special possession. After anointing Saul as the first king of Israel, Samuel declares to Saul, that he has been chosen to rule Israel, God's special possession. Such was His love to this set of people. No country has been benefitted and blessed from God as much as Israel has. No set of people have been forgiven and reinstated back as much as they have. Thtas because of His unending unconditional love. Just like a Father loves his child, without any presets. We as children of God are much more than special possession. 1 Pet:2:9 Chosen people, royal priests, holy nation and God's very own possession. What an amazing love, once you had no identity, now you are God's people. Adopted into His sonship, rebellious as I am, sinner as I am, enemy as I am, not only has He loved me, but He has made me His very own. I am my beloved's  Song:2:16 You are mine  Isa:4...

1Sam:9 Finally Samuel meets Saul - the future first king of Israel. He was the most handsome man in Israel, head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land. When Samuel confronts him with his future and the future of Israel, it is interesting to note that Saul says that he is from the smallest of the tribes and the least of all families.  A man so handsome and tall, but very low in confidence. So insecure. I'm not saying he should have grabbed it with two hands and that he was humble and not proud of his physicality. Yes that's all true. But a golden opportunity of a lifetime comes knocking at your doorstep, the world would teach to just grab it. Insecurity is a common feeling, man often fails to acknowledge, but sure to have in mind. Starting from the king to the pauper. A lack of self confidence. But I would say it is something good to have if directed in the right way. When I am weak, You become stronger. "My strength is made perfect in your weakness....

We want to be like the nations around us. What a sad story? As far as God is concerned. The invitation was open for Israel to imitate God Himself, to reflect Him in front of other nations. To be His ambassador amongst them. They finally say, we want to be like the nations, outrightly rejecting God on His face. Samuel told them the consequences of demanding for a king, twice he tells them. They still persist. Disappointed, God replied, "Do as they say, and give them a king" Whom do you want to imitate?  Whom do you want to emulate? Whom do you want to reflect? Whom do you want to be like? The world with its apparent pompous glory or the actual richness of God, subliming with love? A world who is waiting to trample upon you when an opportunity comes, or God who has given up all of His privilieges for the sake of you, His very life to redeem you? The world with all its fleeting pleasures or God with His abundant and unending love? A world which is treacherous waiting...

For it is Me they are rejecting Ho! How painful a statement this is from God. All of His pains and hurts are ebbing at this juncture of time. When Israel goes to Samuel to get them a king, though Samuel was displeased, it was God's heart that they have hurt. "They don't want me to be their king anylonger. Eversince I brought them out of Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods." Everytime we give something else or someone else our priority, skipping our personal time with Him, or not relating to Him as our friend, not asking Him counsel - it hurts God, because we are rejecting Him. I have faced the burden of being rejected by people. I know how much it hurts. How much more when it comes from people whom we dearly love, that's when we realize that they don't love us as we do! That is in no comparison as to the pain of God Himself. No one has loved you as He did, even gave away all the privilieges in heaven and died for redeem...

Samuel does the same mistake as his predecessor Eli (1Sam:8:1-3). He fails to guide and direct his children. Without asking God's counsel, he appoints his sons as next judges. He had already seen with his own eyes, the punishment that fell on Eli's sons. But still...... I really like the Bible, for it contains characters who are stalwarts in faith at one point, but failed miserably at another point of time. Elijah, Peter, Paul, Abraham, Noah list continues and stops short at Jesus, the perfect man. It shows the futility and inconsistency of man, alongside the perfection of Jesus. I like this because I can identify myself with each of them. At peak of faith and later falling face down. And there is Jesus who is perfect in every way. Imperfect as we are, He invites us to be part of His plan. Just wowed by the thought of it..

Ebenezer Means the stone of help. Samuel placed a large stone between two cities, Mizpah and Jeshanah saying, "Upto this point the Lord has helped us"                                                1Sam:7:12 The Lord is our Ebenezer. Till now, till date, uptil now the Lord has helped us. And that stone is enough for us to look forward and believe, He will help us further. Unless we keep a memorial stone to remind us that the Lord has led us, how will we believe now that God will help us? How will we remind ourselves that God will lead us further? Joshua was asked to take stones from Jordan river bed, so that they would stand as memorials among Israel forever. We need to develop habits to retreat ourselves and look back everyday, every week, every month, every year. May the Lord help us to raise Ebenezers so that it will be a stepping stone to faith and hope...

It seems the Lord has abandoned When things go out of control It seems it cannot be fathomed Why He has left us, far from our call When situations look gloomy and bleak The Lord seems far away The circumstances all but black There somehow seems to be no way Your griefs, you have lost someone Your addictions, you can't keep aside Your habits, which you struggle with Strained relations, can't sort it out Your anger, your jealousy, your pride Your hatred, your lack of love You seem to struggle, though you prayed The Lord seems so far away No, it only seems, He is actually nigh Let your inner eyes be opened and see He is close by, by your side He is with you till the end of days He lets you go through the valley With a solid purpose to prosper you All things He work for good He lets you, be purified as gold He is nigh, He suffers with you He pains with you, He bleads with you He seems far away, yet really on your side Do not let the devil blind you He doesn't let yo...

1 Sam:6 The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Lord. Because of which the Lord punished them with tumours and rat infestation. Hence they plan to send back the Ark. They plan to build a new cart and find two cows that have just given birth to calves. Hitch the cows to the cart, place the Ark on the cart with guilt offerings of gold made in the shape of tumours and rats and set free the cows. They discuss, if the cows go to the land of Israel, they will know that it was the God of Israel  who brought the plagues. Otherwise if the cows go anywhere else, they would believe that the disaster came simply by chance. In v:12 we read " And sure enough, without veering off in other directions, the cows went straight along the road toward Beth-shemesh (ie Israel). The probability of the cows going in that one road than veering of in any other directions was very very low. The chance of putting the probability of chance was very high. But still the cows went by that road its...

Don't be stubborn and rebellious As Pharoah and Egyptians were The Lord desires to point to Himself Through the plagues and toils they went through Harden their hearts did they In rebuttal mood were they Adamant and persistent were they in their sin Determined not to succumb to His will Whereas Job, took the opportunity of suffering To look unto God, to sort out his pride To look into himself and repent Though he asked questions, He never questioned God. Malleable was he Teachable was he Humble enough to say he was wrong indeed When hardships and trouble come Be not stubborn and rebellious Be not proud enough to question God Search your heart's, dear one It might be a signpost to God To sin, in your innermost self For a heart hardened won't feel for God Nor would it beat according to His desire Do not Harden your heart, don't be stubborn Lord what do you want me to learn through this? What is it that you want me to rectify? "Why Lord?" should not b...

Who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. Psalms 28:3  Face is the mirror of heart. But not always. Quiet often we show a cordial face, with grudge and malice in our hearts. Why is it that we put up a smiling face, but have resentment in our hearts? It's not general resentment, but hatred towards that particular person and showing them a smily face that's being talked about in Psalm:28:3. Is it not being dishonest?  The issue to be dealt here is not putting up another face. Issue to be handled here is the malice proper. Malice comes out of jealousy and pride and self love, which in itself is wrong.  Love your neighbour as yourself is the command given to us by Christ Jesus. So if there is a hatred towards someone, harbouring malice, and you show up a smilie face to them, deal with your heart first and sort out the malice. Repent and come back.

Heal me, Lord , and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14 One of God's name is Jehovah Rapha which means God heals. Sickness and illness is a consequence of sin and sin is something which our Holy God abhors. So it's natural that sickness or disease is not something which God would entertain. So when His children fall sick, He feels the pain too. Be it physical, mental or emotional or spiritual. And He is Jehovah Rapha who wants to heal.  But many a times we see God not healing. And man asks the question why? Just like Job, God allows such things in our life so that our inner man would be healed. Job had a self righteousness to deal with. Paul had to learn that His grace is sufficient. And that's why he allows sicknesses. My mother was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, we believed God would heal. But she succumbed to the sickness after 15years of toil. But through it all she learnt to trust and grow more in ...

Phinehas' wife was pregnant with due date nearing, when Israel was defeated, her husband killed, the Ark taken away and hearing which Eli fell down and died. Hearing all these tragic news in one go, she went into labour and gave birth to a baby boy. She named him Ichabod which means "Where is the glory?", saying the glory has departed from Israel for the Ark of God has been captured. The pandemic creating havoc around the globe. So much of murder and rapes happening around. Cheat and fraud cases on the rise. Bribery and Havalah's running around. The questions that keep arising is the same. "Where is the glory?" Where is God? Why is God silent? Is there God at all? No my question back is, why do you want to point fingers at God for the issues of man. Man has for so long declared his rebellion and independence from God by disobeying Him. God, when He created, everything was well and good, till man fell. So whatever despoilation that we encounter, G...

Eli was waiting beside the road to hear the news of the battle, for his heart trembled for the safety of the Ark of God. 1Sam:4:13 Eli was waiting, not to hear of his sons who had gone to battle. He was concerned about the Ark of God, which was taken. Later in v:17 we see that the messenger mentions about Hophni and Phinehas being killed in the battle. He continues to say that the Ark has been captured. Hearing what had happened to the Ark of God, Eli, fell backwards and died. How can a man be so concerned about the things of God, than his own children? Here we are. Vice versa. God comes last on our list. Me, my family, our future, our career. Man's natural tendency is to think about his own circle. We need to shed that skin and rise up. Are we concerned about the church we are involved in, the fellowships we belong to, the people who are in it? Do we do this for the sake of our love for the Lord. Or just a mere satisfaction. The scripture says, loving your God and lovi...

 He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. Isa:50:4 It's the Lord who wakens us in the morning. It's the Lord who says our first good morning. He is so impatient to talk to us. All night we were sleeping no? But our Lord never sleeps nor slumbers. He is just waiting for us to wake up and continue His talking to us. How passionately He is in love with us. But we are so complacent and busy with our lives. We don't have time to listen. We rush through our quiet time and are busy to go back to our ruts. "Good morning my dear son, my dear daughter. I've been waiting all night to talk to you. I hope you had good rest. Wait and see what I have in stock for you today."

Israel was at war with the Philistines and at one time, Israel was defeated by them, killing around 4000 men. So they sat back and thought, what could be the reason. Then they said, 'Lets bring back the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, IT will save us from our enemies. Two things came to my mind when I read this today morning. 🔹The world thinks it is good to bring God to your plans and your things. That is why man keeps a picture of his god everywhere possible.  In his wallet, so that He would bless his finance.  In his vehicle so that he can see or touch him when he drives. In his office space so that he can pray to his god when things go tough. Students draw the symbol of their God in their books to receive unseen blessings in their studies. It is good to place God in the centre of your plans. But it is better to keep yourself in the centre of God's plans for you. The former is religiosity and piety and being devot...

What are your strongholds? What are your fortresses? Whom do you trust more? In a society that bashes up doctors, where medical fraternity has given up everything including their health, time with their family, their whole life for the society.  Society has its own reasons to vent their frustration, thinking their fortress has been shattered, may be their parents, may be their bread winner, may be their better half. O medical professional, has your profession failed you? Your attitude of self sacrifice has been doubted. You have given up your everything, for the better society. You always remember the Hippocratic oath you have taken. But the society has squandered all your expectations. Has your family failed you? Your talent? Your assets? All that you put your trust in this world is futile. Psalm:27:10 Even if my father and my mother abandon me The Lord will hold me close. Oh! What an assurance it is for me! Whatever happens in my life, apparent bad be it, the Lord wil...

Eli might have regretted the way he had brought up his sons, Hophni and Phineas. He might have named one of his sons, thinking he would fight against sin and rebellion, like the grandson of Aaron, who fought vehemently against the sin of Peor. Now that they have indulged themselves so much in sin and revelry, Eli might have felt he has squandered his opportunity, he has been a failure. Yet God gives him another opportunity. When God calls Samuel, small as he is, Samuel doesn't understand it is God who is speaking to him. He runs to Eli thinking it was the aged blind priest who asks for an aid in the night. Soon Eli realizes, it was the Lord who is trying to communicate to Samuel. He becomes instrumental in helping Samuel understand God's calling in his life. It's never too late. You might have squandered every single opportunity till date. But our God is a God of second chances. One more. Would you listen? Would you want to repair? Would you be intrumental in bu...

I will honour, those who honour me A word that God told Eli the priest I will despise those who think lightly of me A mutual blessing: a mutual punishment But isn't God's love unconditional My atheist friend asks me Then how can you say, His rewards are mutual He asks with a wry smile, an inner satisfaction Yes His love is unconditional, I reply He loves me, who love Him with all that I can He loves you too, who deny His presence The evidence is on the cross, if only you would accept But that doesn't negate, that He is just The wages of sin is death is His eternal rule If you accept Jesus' death is for you Or else, you are all by yourself You have to own up dear, I continue For your actions, words and thoughts Can't say God will overlook, even for arguing Sin is always sin in His eyes Jesus said if you are ashamed of me Amongst your allies or your friends I will also be ashamed of you In front of my Father He didn't want to reject you He didn't w...

Eli's sons lived a life sinning against the Lord. But Samuel grew in favour of the Lord. Sin was the difference. How do you grow? How do you live? The gracious hand is upon you? Or do you disappoint God living a carefree life, not giving serious thought about God? Psalm:14:1 A fool says in his heart There is no God. They are corrupt and their actions are evil Psalm:10:4 The wicked are too proud to seek God They seem to think that God is dead Psalm:10:6  They think nothing bad is ever going to happen to us We will be free of trouble forever Psalm:10:11 The wicked think, God isn't watching us He has closed His eyes and won't even see what we do. Psalm:10:13 They think God will never call us to account It is easy to live a carefree life. A life filled with 'I don't care' attitude. But the Lord is watching. The Lord will one day judge your thoughts, your actions, your words. Will you be able to stand before Him? Will you be able to counter? Only one thin...