Breaking Through Stubbornness | 1 Samuel 8:19-20
The Daily Devotional by Vince Miller
Release Date: 07/05/2024
The Daily Devotional by Vince Miller
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Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is . And the people of Israel departed from there at that time, every man to his tribe and family, and they went out from there every man to his inheritance. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. — We’ve reached the final words of the Book of Judges, and they sting with truth: “Everyone did what was right in his own...
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Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is . If the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then come out of the vineyards and snatch each man his wife from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin. And when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, we will say to them, ‘Grant them graciously to us, because we did not take for each man of them his wife in battle, neither did you...
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Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is . Then the elders of the congregation said, “What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?” And they said, “There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, that a tribe not be blotted out from Israel. Yet we cannot give them wives from our daughters.” For the people of Israel had sworn, “Cursed be he who...
info_outlineHave personal insecurities made you stubborn and unreceptive to God's plan?
Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.
This week, we are in 1 Samuel 8. I've titled this chapter "When Our Insecurities Define Us."
Today, our text is 1 Samuel 8:19-20, which reads:
But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” — 1 Samuel 8:19-20
This is a powerful example of human stubbornness. The Israelites, despite being warned, demanded a king. Samuel had clarified the consequences, but they refused to listen. They so desperately wanted to be like other nations that they ignored the wisdom of God’s messenger because their hearts were set on their desires.
How often do we find ourselves in similar situations?
We might not be desperate for a king, but we have all stubbornly pursued our plans. Like Clark Griswold, we have our ideas about our vacations and want them to go our way. Only when our way disappoints do we see the situation in another way.
Being less trivial, we have all been stubborn at some point. We have all ignored the truth of Scripture, the wisdom of godly counsel, and the nudge of the Holy Spirit. Then our hearts become hardened, and the truth will not seep in. Therefore, we miss and dismiss the warning that directs us to the path of truth.
This situation reminds us of how stubborn we can all be, and sometimes, we need to examine our hearts. Sometimes, we need to spade the hardened soil of our hearts and become receptive to God, wise men, wisdom, and truth.
Take a moment today to seek God’s wisdom in any area where you’ve been stubborn. Pray for the humility to listen and the courage to follow God's guidance. Share your reflections with a friend and invite them to walk with you in this new experience of faith.
#GodsPlan #Insecurities #SpiritualGrowth
Ask This:
How can identifying and addressing my personal insecurities help me become more receptive to God's guidance in my life?
Reflecting on a recent situation where I've been stubborn, what steps can I take to cultivate a spirit of humility and openness to God's plan moving forward?
Do This:
Share an insecurity and get wisdom from a godly friend.
Pray This:
Father, help me to recognize and confront the insecurities that hinder my trust in Your perfect plan. Grant me humility and wisdom to surrender my stubbornness and follow Your guidance wholeheartedly. Amen.
Play This:
Come To The Table.