Shepherdess Rise Up Week 1 Summary

A note in my devotion's journal, from my daughter :)

Greetings! As promised, here is the summary for last week's reading. It also involves today's. This format seems to work really well, and I hope if you're following along, some of the questions and prayers are relevant in your life. I believe they will be and this is why some time was taken to re-calibrate how the devotions were being done. Individually, we have the time to read and pray over the verses outlined for the day. Following the week, we can collectively see if God had each of us on the same page, or if there were things that stuck out in addition to our own key points. Prayers and blessings to you!

1 Samuel 17

• David fights Goliath and brings him down with one smooth stone
• David was prepared in the fields with the sheep, by protecting them from lions and bears. He trusted the Lord!
• The Lord Who rescued from both lion and bear WILL rescue from the Philistines! (17:37)
  • NOTHING stands against the NAME OF THE LORD!

♥ Questions to ask:

• Where do I need to trust the Name of the Lord, to overcome in MY life?

Prayer: Lord, help us to trust in Your Name. Help us to overcome that which hopes to rise against us, causing us to conquer, with Your strength!

1 Samuel 18

• David was successful in everything he did. Overnight he went from looking after the flock in the field, to leading men in battle.
• He was successful, faithful, Spirit led, and loved (18:5, 12, 13, 14)
• Saul was so jealous of David, he wanted David dead
• David conquered TWICE the Philistines Saul asked him to

♥ Questions to ask:

• Am I confident God is ALWAYS with me?
• Do I allow Him to make me “successful”, according to His will, plans and purpose?
• Am I doing my best to be faithful in doing what He has asked of me?

Prayer: I am grateful I too am loved by the Lord and others! I pray God would help me to see ways where my confidence in Him needs to grow. I pray to not grow envious of others appearing to have a closer relationship with the Lord.

1 Samuel 19

• David had people in his life who protected him. They looked out for his well-being, regardless of their connection to the king.
• Jonathan interceded on David’s behalf, helping Saul to see David had done nothing wrong.
• Michal (David’s wife) helped David to flee death, by urging him to leave

♥ Questions to ask:

• Who in my life has my best interest at heart and is looking out for me? Thank you!
• Who in my life NEEDS ME to look out FOR THEM?
• Who in my life, needs help walking away from things that may be attempting to steal their joy, life and livelihood?

Prayer: Lord thank you for those who have my best interest at heart, both known and unknown, and are willingly interceding on my behalf! Lord, show me those who need me to look out for them. Empower me to be who those individuals need me to be, in order to have life IN YOU. Thank you!

1 Samuel 20

• It appears David’s closeness with God blessed him with wisdom and discernment to know Saul’s intentions, when Jonathan did not.
• David had become popular with the people, nearly overnight. He went from what some may perceive as a “nobody” in the field (remember, Jesse didn’t even bring him to Samuel), to a conqueror of ten thousands and the king’s arm bearer, rather quickly. He had a wife who loved him and a devoted friend. Yet he knew he needed to leave it all behind. Perhaps because he knew it was necessary in order for God’s promises to be fulfilled, including his kingship over Israel, and ultimately the birth of Christ?

♥ Questions to ask:

• Is my communion with the Lord so effective, I sense His leading away from things holding the potential to harm me?
• Is His leading so strong I know when to steer clear of certain situations and circumstances?
• Do I know when it is time to move on, due to the Spirit’s leading?
• Am I currently nestled in a place of comfort, appearing to be “good”, but is not God’s best?
• Do I allow acceptance, popularity, success or anything else to keep in from moving to a place where God can better protect me, His promises, and His promises to those I am responsible for looking after?

Prayer: Lord deepen my connection to and communion with You! I pray Your Holy Spirit in my life becomes so prominent, decisions are seamlessly made to ensure Your promises in my life, and the lives of others, are confidently becoming more realistic in this life You have given us! Thank You Lord.
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Psalm 59

• David says “unfailing love” in three times in the New Living Translation
  • In His UNFAILING LOVE God stands with him {v 10}
  • David sings of God’s UNFAILING LOVE in the morning {v 16}
  • God shows His UNFAILING LOVE {v 17}
• If this Psalm falls somewhere between the time David realized Saul wanted him dead and when he fled, David’s resolve to see God’s love amidst it all appears strong
• David held on to the truth of God’s unfailing love, rather than:
  • The trial of being chased, although he was innocent
  • The trial of being shot at, despite his adherence to authority
  • The trial of being removed from the comfort and safety of his sheep field, into battle (both personally and nationally)
• David continued to experience God’s love, or he seemingly would be unable to say the Lord SHOWS His unfailing love

♥ Questions to ask:

• Do I remind myself of God’s unfailing love amidst my trials?
• Do I believe and live as though God always stands with me?
• Where does God show (makes evident) His unfailing love in my life?
• **Am I helping my spouse, children, family, friends, community, etc. to see, know, trust and experience God’s unfailing love in THEIR LIVES?**

Prayer: Lord cause me to see your UNFAILING LOVE amidst all my trials. Help me to see that YOU stand with me, I am ever a lone! Open the eyes of my heart and mind to SEE where You have shown me Your love. Cause me, by Your Spirit, to help others to know your unfailing love in their lives. Thank You Lord!