Vince Miller Podcast

Get ready to be inspired and transformed with Vince Miller, a renowned author and speaker who has dedicated his life to helping men become the best versions of themselves. With over 36 books under his belt, Vince has become a leading voice in the field of manhood, masculinity, fatherhood, mentorship, and leadership. He has been featured on major video and radio platforms such as RightNow Media, Faithlife TV, FaithRadio, and YouVersion, reaching men all over the world. Vince's Men's Daily Devo has touched the lives of thousands of men, providing them with a daily dose of inspiration and guidance. With over 28 years of experience in ministry, Vince is the founder of Resolute, a platform that aims to build better men through its bible studies. If you're looking for a way to improve your life and become a better man, then look no further than Vince Miller and his inspiring work at www.vincemiller.com

A Wake Up Call From Saul's Fall | 1 Samuel 28:20-25 11/23/2024

A Wake Up Call From Saul's Fall | 1 Samuel 28:20-25 Have you ever fallen flat on your face? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In this chapter, King Saul is at rock bottom. He’s been abandoned by God, tormented by fear, and reduced to consulting a witch. His desperation is matched only by his hopelessness when Samuel’s spirit tells him the worst: there’s no escape. Tomorrow’s battle will end in his death. Here is how he responds to the news in : Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night. — Saul crumples under the weight of the news, lying face down on the ground, paralyzed by fear and weakened from fasting. But what happens next is unexpected. The very woman he turned to in disobedience—the Witch of En-Dor—steps in to care for him compassionately. She risks her life again by preparing a meal to sustain him. This is a strange scene. Saul, the chosen king of Israel, is reduced to eating a final meal prepared by a witch. It’s a sad and sobering reminder of what happens when we live without total dependence on God. Saul’s decisions led him to this moment. Step by step, he prioritized his pride over obedience, human approval over divine direction, and his desires over God’s will. Staring death in the face should shift life into focus. When we stare death in the face, life suddenly becomes crystal clear. We realize how brief our time is and how much our choices matter. Every funeral I’ve officiated has been a sobering reminder of this truth. We’re not thinking about our accomplishments, possessions, or accolades in those moments. Instead, we’re confronted with questions: What will be said of me, and where will I spend eternity? Saul’s story is tragic because he had so many chances to turn back to God, but he didn’t. His pride, fear, and sin led him to a desperate, empty end. And here’s the thing: Saul didn’t have to finish life by falling on his face. Neither do you. If you’re reading this today, it’s not too late. You still have the opportunity to surrender your life to Jesus and let Him rewrite your story. The brevity of life isn’t meant to paralyze us like it did Saul; it’s meant to wake us up. Jesus Christ came to give you new life—an eternal one filled with hope, forgiveness, and purpose. He gave His life on the cross for your sins, and He rose from the grave to conquer death for you. But here’s the key: you have to make a decision. You must trust Him, let go of your pride and sin, and follow Him wholeheartedly. Don’t wait until it’s too late, like Saul. If you feel God stirring in your heart today, I invite you to take that step. Pray this simple prayer: “Jesus, I need You. I believe You died for my sins and rose again to give me life. Forgive me for my sins and take control of my life. I choose to follow You today and every day. Amen.” If you prayed that prayer, you’ve just made the most important decision of your life. Let me know by leaving a comment below. #EternalPerspective, #ChooseJesus, #LifeAndLegacy Ask This: Are you living in a way that reflects dependence on God or reliance on yourself? What steps can you take today to prepare for eternity with Jesus? Do This: Don't fall on your face. Pray This: Lord, help me see the brevity of life and turn to You with all my heart. I surrender my pride and choose to follow You today. Amen. Play This: We Fall Down. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/34052616

Four Questions When God Doesn’t Answer | 1 Samuel 28:8-9 11/20/2024

Four Questions When God Doesn’t Answer | 1 Samuel 28:8-9 Is God not answering? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. King Saul is freaked out right now. God is not answering, and this is what he decides to do. : So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” — Saul is working very hard to ignore God’s silence! Saul’s issue wasn’t that God wouldn’t answer; it was that God's silence was the answer. Saul had spent years hardening his heart through disobedience. His life was a string of compromises, and now, in desperation, he wants God to come through on his terms and timeline. But God’s silence was God's answer to Saul’s unrepentant heart. Instead of addressing the core issue—his sin—Saul doubles down, disguises himself, disobeys God again, and seeks out a medium. He knew it was wrong; after all, he had banned necromancers from the land! But Saul wanted what he wanted, even if the means of a medium meant disobeying God again. Isn’t that how we can act sometimes? When we don’t get the answer we want—or no answer at all—we panic. We rush ahead, trying to make things happen our way. But sometimes, the silence is God’s way of pointing us to the core issue: our sin and disobedience. Often this is not the answer we want, but it is the one God wants. So, if you’re in a season where God seems silent, ask yourself these four questions: Am I open to hearing His solution, or do I only want a quick solution? Am I seeking His will for my life or help for my immediate circumstances? Am I asking God to fix my situation or to refine my soul? Am I ready to accept His plan, or do I want Him to approve my plans? #GodsTiming, #TrustInTheSilence, #ObedienceMatters Ask This: How do I typically respond when God seems silent? Do I seek His will or rush to my own solutions? Is there any unaddressed sin or disobedience in my life that could hinder my connection with God? Do This: Listen carefully in the silence. Pray This: Lord, help me to trust Your silence and seek Your will instead of rushing ahead with my own plans. Reveal any sin in my life that keeps me from hearing You clearly. Amen. Play This: Trust In God. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33946197

Consulting the Wrong Medium | 1 Samuel 28:6-7 11/19/2024

Consulting the Wrong Medium | 1 Samuel 28:6-7 Are you talking with the wrong people? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. King Saul is freaked out right now. He glared down at an inevitable war with his two great enemies, Achish and David. And in his despair, he will do exactly what he shouldn't. Let's read verses 6-7: And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” — Are you talking with the wrong people? In Desperation, We Make Devastating Choices Saul's fear drove him to desperation, and in that desperation, he made a devastating choice. This decision not only disobeyed God's orders () but also disobeyed his own order and reflected his unwillingness to listen to God in his anxiety and impatience. We often do the same, don’t we? When life presses in and we feel anxious, we can seek answers in all the wrong places. We might turn to: People: People who have opinions that are opposed to God. Friends: Friends who only tell us what we want to hear. Feelings: Your own feelings that lead you astray. Time To Evaluate So today, I want you to evaluate: Have you deafened your ears to God and turned to consulting the wrong people? Instead, try this: Talk with God in prayer about your issues. Dig into God's Word by reading Scripture. Seek counsel from God-fearing people. Just so you know, consulting mediums are not the right medium. #SeekGodFirst, #GodlyWisdom, #RightVoices Ask This: Who are you turning to for advice when you're anxious—God, His Word, or people who may lead you astray? How can you ensure you listen to God's voice rather than letting fear guide your decisions? Do This: Consult with God and his people. Pray This: Lord, help me to seek Your wisdom above all else and trust Your timing, even when I feel anxious or afraid. Guard my heart from turning to the wrong voices and guide me to listen to You alone. Amen. Play This: God Who Listens. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33946077

Grab Hold | 1 Samuel 28:3-5 11/18/2024

Grab Hold | 1 Samuel 28:3-5 Are you in a mess? Maybe it is time to reach out for help. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. At the beginning of Chapter 28, we got a snapshot of what was going on with Achish (the Philistine King) and David, who were planning to go to war with Israel. But for much of the rest of the chapter, we are going to jump to King Saul, and we are going to see a spiritual downward spiral that is demonic. This has been the trajectory of his life and legacy, so let's see what happens first in verses 3-5: Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. — The Weight of Opposition Saul realizes that powerful and longstanding opposition is coming after him—the Philistines and David. David had been merciful many times, but Achish would not be. Considering both were acting in tandem, it was emotionally overwhelming for Saul. In addition, the Judge and Prophet who once provided Saul direction in these moments, Samuel, is gone, and he had ordered the slaughter of all the other priests. Therefore, Saul is about to be attacked, emotionally distraught, and lacking a voice of wisdom, and now he is looking for something, anything, to grab hold of in the mess he has made. If you have been in this situation, you know nothing is more lonely. Like Saul, we all face challenges that seem insurmountable, whether they're personal struggles, leadership crises, or spiritual battles. The Missing Components But those of you who have been reading Saul's story with me know that Saul made this mess. His spiritual rejection, disobedience, resistance, and denial of community support led him to this outcome. My advice is not to do what Saul did. Instead, GRAB onto these principles and avoid the mess altogether: Guidance: Keep your connection with God strong. Repent: Acknowledge and correct your mistakes. Adhere: Follow God's guidance faithfully. Brotherhood: Foster a supportive faith community. Time To Grab Hold? Maybe today, as you hear this, you feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges. You’ve been trying to face the battles of life alone, and it’s left you anxious, uncertain, and maybe even hopeless. Or perhaps you’ve drifted from God as Saul did, and you sense it’s time to return to Him. Jesus came to meet you in the middle of your mess. He offers guidance when you are lost, grace when you’ve failed, and peace when you’re afraid. If you’ve never given your life to Him, today is the day to grab hold of His truth and surrender to His leadership. Or, if you’ve been distant, this is your moment to return to the One who never left you. Here’s How: Confess your mess, stop trying to be your own king and lord, and surrender to following the Only King and Lord, Jesus, from this day forward. If you’re ready to make that decision—whether for the first time or to come back to Him—let me know by writing “Jesus Is My Lord” in the comments below. I want to celebrate and pray for you as you take this life-changing step. When you reach out for the Lord, He grabs hold of you—and He never lets go. Don't wait; reach out to him today. #ReachOutForHelp, #TrustInGod, #FaithOverFear Ask This: What challenges in your life feel overwhelming, and how can you invite God into those moments for guidance and peace? Have you been trying to face life’s battles alone, and what step can you take today to reconnect with God? Do This: Grab a hold of Jesus. Pray This: Lord, I confess the mess I’ve made trying to do life on my own. Help me surrender to Your guidance and trust in Your unfailing love. Amen. Play This: Never Let Go. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33945947

Cornered by Deception | 1 Samuel 28:1-2 11/17/2024

Cornered by Deception | 1 Samuel 28:1-2 Are you cornered by a deception? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Today, we begin . This chapter is interesting, to say the least. For the most part this paints a final picture of the downward progression of Saul. But before we get to that we see one more glimpse of David and Achish as they prepare to go to war with Israel together! Here are verses 1-2: In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.” — Here, we learn that David might be too clever and cunning. His deepfake is so convincing to the enemy king that he is convinced David should be chief of his secret service detail for life. David has overplayed his hand and now backed himself into his own corner, as he is compelled to wage war against his own people. This is the problem with deception. The storyline must be developed; otherwise, the initial deception falls apart. This means one deception must be built on another and another. If a construction is too perfect, like David, you risk overplaying your hand and cornering yourself. Later in this chapter, David will find a way out of this situation, but in the meantime, we are left wondering, and so is David. When you are in a compromising position, the best thing to do is to be honest and not practice to deceive. Otherwise, the situation will become more complicated, and the deceptive storyline will become more challenging to maintain. Is it time to stop your deception and come out from hiding? #IntegrityMatters, #TruthOverDeception, #FaithfulLoyalty Ask This: When have you relied on deception to avoid conflict, and what consequences followed? How does choosing honesty, even when risky, shape your character? Do This: Stop being deceptive. Pray This: Lord, help me walk in truth, even when it’s hard or costly. Keep me from the traps of deception and make me trustworthy in all things. Amen. Play This: The Struggle. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33934897

Perceptions and Deceptions | 1 Samuel 27:12 11/16/2024

When Skill Becomes A Snare | 1 Samuel 27:10-11 11/15/2024

When Skill Becomes A Snare | 1 Samuel 27:10-11 What happens when skill becomes a snare? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. David is currently residing in Philistine territory under the shield of Achish, and he is battling enemies of Israel that Saul has left unaddressed. But listen to this interaction with David and Achish in : When Achish asked, “Where have you made a raid today?” David would say, “Against the Negeb of Judah,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Kenites.” And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, “lest they should tell about us and say, ‘So David has done.’” Such was his custom all the while he lived in the country of the Philistines. — So David was battling enemies of Israel, but according to this text, he was telling Achish he was battling territories in Israel. This was an outright lie. But as you can see, Achish never found out about it because David was wiping everyone and everything out, so there was no paper trail. This is quite a cunning deception by David. It is hard to endorse what David chose to do in this situation. Yes, it was a tenuous situation. Yes, it was cunning. But David is also starting to slip up, and rather than trust in God with a sense of abandonment like he had before, he is now beginning to use his skill and strategy to save himself. And in my humble opinion, the deception and strategy used here remarkably resemble the situation with Uriah and Bathsheba. He uses deception to hide the pregnancy, deception to lure Uriah home, deception to persuade Uriah to sleep with his wife, and deception to put Uriah in a situation that leads to his death. David is trying to hide the paper trail. But in this case, he is trying to hide the paper trail of his sins from God, not Achish. As Sir Walter Scott once wrote: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive" This is the problem with deception. If you practice it even one time, and it works, you will practice it again. Eventually, deception will become entangled with your skill, and you will try your hand at deceiving God, which will bring you to ruin. David’s skill once served him well, but that skill became a snare. My advice? Don’t follow his example. Don’t put yourself in situations that tempt you to deceive. Instead, stay reliant on God. Let Him be your shield, and practice obedience—not deception—in every situation! #TrustGodNotDeception, #LessonsFromDavid, #ObedienceOverStrategy Ask This: Where might you be tempted to rely on your own skill instead of trusting God’s guidance? How can you pursue transparency with God in challenging situations? Do This: Don't be deceptive, ever! Pray This: Lord, help me to trust in Your ways above my own skills or strategies. Keep my heart honest and my steps obedient to You. Amen. Play This: Clear the Stage. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33919018

Never Idle In The Land Between | 1 Samuel 27:8-9 11/14/2024

Never Idle In The Land Between | 1 Samuel 27:8-9 Waiting doesn’t mean wasting time. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. David is currently residing in Philistine territory and the enemy king Achish gave him and his army a city called Ziklag where they resided which was right on the border of Philistine and Israelite territory, and here is what happened in the 16 months they resided here: But for today, let's dive into : Now David and his men went up and made raids against the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, for these were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as far as Shur, to the land of Egypt. And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive, but would take away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the garments, and come back to Achish. — While David is in the "land between," we learn that he does not just sit idly. He is busy doing what he has always done — engaging his call and God's anointed. He is using his time and skill to fight the enemies of Israel. The Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites were all long-standing enemies of the nation of Isreal that God ordered Israel to devote to destruction, which Saul had not addressed () And there is some violence and gore that might be disturbing here, but you will see tomorrow more detail on why this is. If you are in a "land between," don't sit around idly. Act in obedience. Take the time to refine your God-given skills and talents and do what you see others are not doing that needs to be done. In the doing, God shapes you and reveals to you what you'll do next. #InBetweenSeasons, #ActInObedience, #FaithInAction Ask This: How can you use your current season to refine your God-given skills and purpose? What tasks or battles around you need action that others have left undone? Do This: Don't be idle. Be faithful. Pray This: Lord, help me to stay active and obedient, even in seasons of waiting. Strengthen my hands to do the work you've called me to today. Amen. Play This: Give Me Faith. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33918686

Life in the Land Between | 1 Samuel 27:5-7 11/13/2024

Life in the Land Between | 1 Samuel 27:5-7 Are you in the "land between"? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We want you to live all in and know, grow, and go with Jesus every day. Check out the show that dropped yesterday on . This might be a helpful video if you have been trying to figure out how to do this. Also, we are just a few chapters away from finishing 1 Samuel. So, I want to prepare you for our next book. We are moving to the New Testament and will start the new year with the ! So go to our website and get the for this book. There is a below the video or in the show notes. But for today, let's dive into : Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be given me in one of the country towns, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” So that day Achish gave him Ziklag. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day. And the number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months. — Achish allotted David a "land grant." In some ways, Achish believed that he was buying David's loyalty when, in reality, David was distancing himself from Achish. Ziklag was a border town between Philistine and Israelite territories. Allotted initially to the tribe of Judah () and later to Simeon (), it was lost and came under Philistine control, where it remained until David received it. It was situated in the Negev territory, close enough to Israelite lands for David to maintain connections with his people, but still under Philistine rule, keeping him out of Saul’s reach. This strategic positioning allowed David to gain resources and operate independently while avoiding complete alignment with either Israel or Philistia. It was the "land between." Are you living in the "land between"? If so, it's an uncomfortable, undefined space. David left the land of his people but had yet to step into his calling as king. For David, Ziklag was the land between. And sometimes, we find ourselves in similar places — in the middle of what was and what will be. Maybe you’re between jobs, between relationships, or in a season of waiting for something God promised but has not yet delivered. In this "land between," God often works in hidden and unexpected ways. In Ziklag, God provided for David through unusual means — through Achish, the Philistine king, who, likely unknowingly, became a part of God’s provision. It’s a reminder that God can use anyone or anything to sustain us in our “land between.” The people we least expect, the circumstances that seem out of our control — God is weaving all these elements together to prepare us for something greater. But this "between" season can stretch our faith, especially when we don’t know how long it will last. Like David, who lived in Ziklag for 16 months, we often want to know the timeline. But the “land between” doesn’t come with timelines and deadlines. God uses these spaces to prepare our hearts, refine our character, and strengthen our trust in Him. It’s a holding place but also a growing place. If you’re in that space today, trust that God is at work. He knows where you are and what you need. And just as David eventually left Ziklag to step fully into his calling, God will lead you out of your “land between” in His perfect timing. So, lean into this season. Grow. Trust. And have faith that God is shaping you for what’s next. I love you and pray that even today, God will provide you with resources, reasons, and resolutions to your "land between." #ZiklagSeason, #FaithInTheWaiting, #TrustGodsTiming Ask This: In what ways are you experiencing a “land between” season right now, and how is God calling you to trust Him in it? How might God use unexpected people or circumstances to sustain you during this season? Do This: Be faithful in the land between. Pray This: Lord, help me trust You in this season of waiting, even when I can’t see the full picture. Strengthen my faith and prepare me for what’s next. Amen. Play This: Make A Way. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33886552

The New Ideological Battle | 1 Samuel 27:3-4 11/12/2024

The New Ideological Battle | 1 Samuel 27:3-4 Don't let secular ideologies erode your faith. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We want you to live all in and know, grow, and go with Jesus every day. Check out the show that dropped yesterday on . This might be a helpful video if you have been trying to figure out how to do this. Also, we are just a few chapters away from finishing 1 Samuel. So, I want to prepare you for our next book. We are moving to the New Testament and will start the new year with the ! So go to our website and get the for this book. There is a below the video or in the show notes. But for today, let's dive into : And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow. And when it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought him. — I mentioned this yesterday, but this could have easily been 2000-3000 people. It's an overwhelming invasion of people in the Philistine city of Gath, and there is no way this did not create social, economic, and religious disruption for either Achish or David. Although David sought temporary refuge in Gath to escape Saul's pursuit, he definitely faced new challenges when he exposed his people to the vanity of spiritually "uncircumcised" individuals. Living among the Philistines for sixteen months subjected David and his followers to ideologies and practices that were contrary to God's ways. In their quest for safety, the people became vulnerable to secular beliefs. We are engaged in an ideological battle in our time, one that is particularly evident in corporate workplaces, educational institutions, and across various forms of social and traditional media. Unfortunately, many believers are unaware of these threats, and in their passivity, they are being actively indoctrinated with beliefs that contradict the truth found in God's Word. What makes this situation even more concerning is that if believers do not regularly engage with God's Word, they may unknowingly accept these opposing ideas as truth, ultimately undermining their faith in God. This is the battle we fight today. Dial up your spiritual awareness today. Spend more time in God's Word. Test ideologies against God's truth. Stop being passive to secular ideas that don't make any sense. Talk with other believers and vet out the ideas that don't seem to align with God's Word. You are always being discipled. It is either by the secular or the spiritual. If you don't engage, you might look up one day to realize that you or maybe your family don't believe in God because you have been too passive for too long. For those of you who have seen this happen in your family and feel responsible for being too passive, I want you to know—it is never too late. Choose to stop being passive and get engaged in the battle. Believe the Father can draw them back. Be active in faith. Pray persistently. Engage in conversation. Be a godly example. Challenge any and all forms of passivity within your heart. Active faith conquers all past passivity. Father, we come to you to seek forgiveness for our passivity. We also ask that you draw our families and friends back to you and the truth in Jesus' name. Amen. #FaithInAction, #TrustGod, #RestoreFaith Ask This: How am I relying on my own strength instead of trusting God in my current challenges? In what ways can I actively engage and disciple my loved ones today? Do This: Stop being passive and engage. Pray This: Heavenly Father, help me to trust in You rather than my own solutions and to actively engage in discipling my loved ones. Strengthen my faith and guide my actions to reflect Your love and truth. Amen. Play This: Lion. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33884762

Defining Your Rubicon | 1 Samuel 27:2 11/11/2024

The Subtle Seeds of Fear | 1 Samuel 27:1 11/10/2024

Seeing Beyond the Surface | 1 Samuel 26:22-25 11/09/2024

Seeing Beyond the Surface | 1 Samuel 26:22-25 Have you ever met someone whose words appeared genuine but felt unsettling? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Today, we. Here is what happens next in verses 22-25: And David answered and said, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. — 1 Samuel 26:22-25 There are people in this life who make proclamations and pledges that are less than promising. You have known these kind of people. Their motives seem inconsistent or appear to have some hidden underlying agenda. David experienced this firsthand with Saul—numerous times. Saul confesses his sin, professes this to all, calls David "his son,” and invites him to return. However, David knew Saul’s heart better than even Saul did and saw right through his empty confession. Still, David’s response was both gracious and wise. Instead of accepting Saul's invitation to return, he asked a young man to come and retrieve the king's spear. This was a profound statement about the nature of their relationship. David understood that genuine reconciliation between him and the king would require more than a show and spectacle; it would demand a change of heart and action. David’s final words to Saul highlight a vital spiritual principle: “The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness.” This is the law of sowing and reaping. What we sow in our hearts is reaped in our relationships. David’s refusal to engage with Saul was a verdict on the hidden seed sown in Saul's heart. Saul sowed unrighteousness in his heart, and therefore, he reaped it in his relationship with David (and many others). And David was not falling for his empty words and hallow promises. We should always be discerning in our relationships. Believers should practice forgiveness and grace, but we must also recognize when words do not align with actions so as not to subject ourselves to vengeful people. This week, take a moment to evaluate your relationships. If someone consistently speaks one way but acts another, consider how you can maintain healthy boundaries while still demonstrating Christ-like love. Either it’s time to have a candid conversation or, like David, extend grace while guarding yourself from ongoing harm. #Discernment, #HealthyBoundaries, #FaithfulRelationships Ask This: How can you discern genuine intentions in your relationships while still extending grace and forgiveness? Are there relationships in your life where words don’t match actions? How will you address them? Do This: Evaluate and proceed with caution. Pray This: Lord, help me discern the true intentions of those around me and give me the wisdom to set healthy boundaries. May I extend grace while protecting my heart from harm. Amen. Play This: Trust In God. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33853302

Words of Wisdom in Conflict | 1 Samuel 26:17-21 11/08/2024

Words of Wisdom in Conflict | 1 Samuel 26:17-21 Have you ever found yourself in a conflict where emotions ran high, and the path to resolution felt unclear? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Today, Saul is going to respond to David, who is standing on the hill holding his weapon and water jug. Here is what happens next in verses 17-21: Saul recognized David's voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the Lord who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.” Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” — 1 Samuel 26:17-21 David's statement to Saul includes curiosity about two items: The injustice: What David has done to deserve the justice of the Lord's army? The instigator: Who has stirred Saul to pursue him, God or man? Thus, David's reconnaissance mission was not about stealing Saul's weapon and water but about using them to gain intelligence into the injustice and instigator of the current inquisition. David understood that sometimes the battles we fight are not wars fought with weapons but wars fought off with careful questions and inquisitive words. In our own lives, we often find ourselves in similar situations. Maybe it's a conflict with a colleague or a misunderstanding with a friend or family member. The instinct is to react emotionally or defensively, but David shows us a different path. He chooses to address the issue head-on with wisdom. When you are in a verbal skirmish, pause and ask yourself the same questions David did. First, identify the injustice: What is the injustice in this situation? What have I done or not done that has led us to this point? Second, seek to understand the instigator: Who or what is instigating this conflict? Has a fear or misunderstanding ignited the flames of conflict? We can defuse situations by approaching conflicts with this wisdom before they escalate. Use thoughtful questions and words of mercy to seek clarity and understanding rather than allowing human emotions to guide your responses. David didn’t return anger for anger, and neither should you. Be inquisitive and let your words be infused with grace, aiming for reconciliation rather than division, vengeance, and war. God, forgive me when I act with a vengeance. May my words and curiosity be filled with wisdom and mercy in every interaction today. #ConflictResolution, #WisdomInAction, #GracefulCommunication Ask This: What steps can you take to approach conflicts with curiosity rather than defensiveness? How can identifying the true instigator in a situation change your response? Do This: Seek wisdom and mercy in conflicts with intriguing questions. Pray This: Lord, help me to approach conflicts with a heart full of curiosity and grace, seeking understanding rather than division. May my words reflect Your wisdom and mercy in every interaction today. Amen. Play This: Kindness. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33820962

Stop Drifting & Come Home | 1 Samuel 26:14-16 11/07/2024

Stop Drifting & Come Home | 1 Samuel 26:14-16 Stop Drifting & Come Home Do you feel like you are drifting spiritually? There is something and someone that could help. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. At this point, David and Abishai sneak into Saul's camp, swipe the spear and jar of water, and position themselves on a hill far from Saul. Here is what happens next in verses 14-16: And David called to the army, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?” And David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord. This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the Lord's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.” — Have you ever found yourself drifting? Difting from responsibilities that you know are yours alone? We all drift. We get tired, possibly lazy, and drop the ball. That's precisely what Abner has done. He has dropped the ball. The one thing he was responsible for doing was protecting the Lord's anointed, but in this story, he is found sleeping on the job rather than doing his job. This puts everyone at risk, but especially the "Lord's anointed"—Saul! So David literally calls Abner out in front of everyone, which I assume was rather embarrassing for Abner, and Saul, and the entire army of 3000 men. No one likes this experience, especially when it happens publicly. But the truth is sometimes we all need it. So maybe today, if you are drifting, it's time to be vulnerable instead of made vulnerable. Be vulnerable about your spiritual drift. Get honest with yourself about it. Find a believer to help who is through the same drift and who can point the way out. If you can be vulnerable and vigilant, it will save you shame and a lot of public embarrassment. If this hits home today and you have been drifting and feel it's time for a more profound change, you need to know that sometimes the drift we experience isn't just about everyday slip-ups. It's the slippery slide of sin that separates us from God. It reveals a more prominent and deeper longing that can only be satisfied by God. The good news is that no matter how far you’ve drifted, God has not moved. He’s right where he’s always been, ready to welcome you home, no matter the distance of your drift. God invites you into a relationship where you don’t just survive your spiritual drift—you thrive in a spiritual relationship with him. If you’re ready to stop drifting and begin new, you can make a choice today. Choose to surrender your ways, will, weariness, and wandering and accept His salvation and leadership in your life. Jesus's life, death, and resurrection are the only solution to your spiritual drift. If you are ready to do that, you can choose Jesus right now. If you are ready to do that right now, write "I choose Jesus" in the comments below. Let me pray for you: “Jesus, I know I’ve been drifting, and I want to come back to You. I’m done wandering, and I’m ready to surrender my life to You. Forgive me, guide me, and help me walk with You daily. Amen.” #SpiritualDrift, #ChooseJesus, #ComeHome Ask This: Where in your life do you sense a drift from God’s purpose, and what steps can you take to refocus? Who could you reach out to for accountability and support in restoring your spiritual walk? Do This: Stop Drifting and come home. Pray This: Lord, I admit I’ve been drifting and need Your guidance to return to You. Help me surrender my heart fully and walk closely with You each day. Amen. Play This: Broken Together. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33818542

Fighting the Right Battle | 1 Samuel 26:12-13 11/06/2024

Fighting the Right Battle | 1 Samuel 26:12-13 Are you fighting the right battles, or just charging into the chaos without a strategy? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. At this point, David and Abishai sneak into Saul's camp and steal the spear and jar of water from the head of his bed. Here is what happens next in verses 12-13: So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them. Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them. — So the obvious question is, why does David take the spear and jar? "The spear" is Saul's instrument of leadership and aggression. "The jar of water" is Saul's source of sustenance in the desert wasteland. Without any act of violence, David symbolically disarmed Saul and took his life. This is a fascinating and strategic move by David. Years ago, I remember my daughter, during her teen years, hitting a phase where she refused to keep her room clean. This was an ongoing battle between her and her mother and I. We would go back and forth about this for months until finally, she drew a line with us and declared her room "eminent domain." We thought this was a bold move because it was "our house" in which "her room" resided. So, one day, when she was gone, I decided to take her door off the frame, hoping that her lack of privacy would motivate her to clean her room. When she returned home, she came stomping upstairs to protest that I had taken her door off her room. To which I responded, "That may be 'your room' but it's 'my door' and I will put 'my door' back on when 'your room' is clean." She spent the next seven hours cleaning her room because her privacy was more valuable than "her room." There are a lot of ways to fight battles. David's move was strategic. He didn't kill Saul. Instead, he targeted the symbols of Saul's power and sustainability—the spear and the jar. This choice spoke louder than violence because it demonstrated his stealth skill and targeted objects of value to Saul to corner him into a change of heart. Too often, we charge headlong into battles, attacking only the surface issues. We fight for the "room"—the immediate felt need—without considering the real need. For example, when I removed my daughter's door, I wasn't just trying to get her to clean up; I was targeting what mattered most to her: privacy and what mattered most to me: respect. The lesson was more than a lesson in a clean room—it was about responsibility, respect, and meeting the real underlying needs. When you encounter a challenge today, take a moment to ask yourself, "Am I fighting the right battle?" Avoid getting caught up in superficial issues and overlook the deeper needs. If you do, your battles might have more positive and godly results. #StrategicWisdom, #FightSmart, #DeeperLessons Ask This: What symbols of power or value in your life might you need to address to create lasting change? Are you focusing on surface issues, or are you targeting the deeper needs in your battles? Do This: Fight the right battle. Pray This: Lord, help me to see beyond the surface of my challenges and recognize the deeper needs that require attention. Grant me the wisdom to fight battles with strategy and grace, reflecting Your guidance in all I do. Amen. Play This: Surrounded. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33784517

Great Battles Won in Silence | 1 Samuel 26:9-11 11/05/2024

Great Battles Won in Silence | 1 Samuel 26:9-11 Will you take the silent advantage or do what is right? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, Saul is on the hunt for David, determined to capture and kill him. David hears he is camped on the hill beyond him, so he and Abishai go on a reconisence mission. They sneak into the center of camp, where Saul and his commander are dead asleep, and Abishai suggests pinning Saul to the ground with his spear. Then here is how David responds in verses 9-11: But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?” And David said, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.” — How do you respond when faced with an opportunity that would give you a silent advantage? Are you spiritually centered or privately selfish? At this point, we know David is tired of Saul's games. It has been years of going around in circles with this man. God has presently given him the upper hand by allowing him to sneak into the center of camp. He is standing at the head of the Commander and the King. He could easily take matters into his own hands and selfishly take advantage. Even Abishai sees the advantage. This is like that moment when you are in line at the grocery store, and the cashier hands you too much money in return. Do you choose to be silently selfish and take the advantage, or do you do what is spiritually right and righteous? Yet David's situation is not simply a matter of incorrect counting by a counter cashier. The man sleeping on the ground before him has acted unfairly and unrighteously for years. Saul has broken promises, divided him from his friends, taken his wife, driven his family into exile, and tried to kill him numerous times. Still, David stands over him and makes a just judgment even when persuaded and presented with the opportunity. David fought many battles. However, it is these battles that capture my attention most in his story. David fights valiantly with the enemy that lies within his own heart—the silent and persuasive battle with his own selfishness. How are you fighting these battles today? When given the opportunity for an unfair advantage do you take it? Financial Gain: Benefiting from overpayments or errors. Workplace Politics: Taking credit for others's work or insider information. Relationships: Exploiting trust or vulnerabilities. Competitions: Cheating to gain a win. Academics: Using unauthorized help or copying. Reputation: Exaggerating achievements. Business: Cutting ethical corners or withholding information. Leadership: Using authority for personal benefit. Job Searching: Misrepresenting qualifications. Social Influence: Slandering to gain a status. Legal Loopholes: Avoiding consequences through technicalities. Consider this list and examine your response when opportunities arise to gain these silent advantages. Remember some of the greatest battles you will ever fight are fought in silence with the sin and selfishness that lie within your own heart. Isn’t it time to fight the silent battles and let God claim the victory? #IntegrityInAction, #UnseenBattles, #GodGetsTheGlory Ask This: When faced with silent opportunities for personal gain, do you pause to consider what choice honors God most? How do you respond when integrity challenges you to act righteously, even if no one else will ever know? Do This: Fight the battle with yourself! Pray This: Lord, help me to choose integrity over personal gain, even when no one is watching. Strengthen my heart to fight the silent battles that honor You alone. Amen. Play This: Great Are You, Lord. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33783937

Avoiding Impulse: The Art of Intelligent Action | 1 Samuel 26:5-8 11/04/2024

Avoiding Impulse: The Art of Intelligent Action | 1 Samuel 26:5-8 Do you act too impulsively, derailing the mission? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, Saul is once again on the hunt for David, determined to capture and kill him. With new knowledge of David's whereabouts, he has assembled a hardened army of 3,000 men. Under the cover of darkness, they lie in wait, encamped near the last known location of David's men As the evening draws near, the tension thickens—what will unfold next in ? Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying within the encampment, while the army was encamped around him. Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab's brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah, “Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him. Then Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice.” — David is fearless, isn't he? But don't forget, he knows Saul, the warriors of Israel, their tactics, and the opportune times to infiltrate their ranks. They are exhausted from a long trip and tired, and David knows gathering intelligence will aid him in understanding his next move. So David and Abishai go on a fast covert mission. What David does here is how every believer should attack sin in our lives. Like David, we should never rush headlong into battle without gathering a battle buddy and intelligence for the challenge. Abishai’s eagerness to take immediate action can be tempting, yet it serves as a warning for the eager who want to "throw the spear." When we act too quickly, driven by impulsive emotions or the allure of immediate victory, we risk losing sight of the bigger mission, thus winning a battle and losing a war. We may even find ourselves trapped and surrounded holding a spear of sin in our hand. David's mission is clear: gather intelligence, understand God's will, and then take action. One consistent lesson David has taught us in all his years of running from Saul is not to act impulsively; he gathers intelligence, understands God's will, and then takes action. Today, you should do the same before reacting or responding to any challenge. First, gather intelligence about the situation. Second, take a moment to pray and ask God for insight into the problem. If you have time, journal your thoughts, pray aloud with a battle buddy, write out the pros and cons, and consult God's Word. If you don't have this kind of time, shoot up one of those "silent shotgun" prayers. The ones you say quickly in your head, like: "God, I need your help right now!" Do your best in the heat of the moment to align your actions with God's Will. In the battlefield of life, don’t let impulse be your spear; gather wisdom and aim true before you strike. #WisdomInAction, #BattleReady, #FaithfulDecisionMaking Ask This: What strategies do you use to gather insight before responding to challenges in your life? How can prayer shape your decision-making process during moments of impulse? Do This: Gather wisdom, then strike. Pray This: Lord, help me to pause and seek Your wisdom before acting in haste. Grant me the clarity to align my decisions with Your will. Amen. Play This: The Battle Is Yours. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33755727

Restraint in the Face of Conflict | 1 Samuel 26:1-4 11/03/2024

Restraint in the Face of Conflict | 1 Samuel 26:1-4 Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of conflict, wondering if there’s a way out? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we will see a new encounter unfold between David and Saul. You thought Saul was done with David, but he is not. Let's dive into chapter 26, entitled "Restraint & Righteousness." Let's read : Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?” So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is beside the road on the east of Jeshimon. But David remained in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness, David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come. — So we learn David was right back in the same wilderness where he had previously been chased—a barren, rugged place called Jeshimon, a wilderness “wasteland.” This wasn’t just a wasteland; it was symbolic of David's life—cut off from his community and clan and constantly on the run. Though Saul had once admitted his wrongdoing outside the cave of Engedi, here he is back to his relentless pursuit with 3,000 of Israel's elite troops. Despite David's hope that Saul’s confession would result in a change, the spies' confirmation brought the cold reality: Saul was again back to his old tricks. David, however, did not react or run in despair when he heard Saul's troops were encamped on the hillside. Instead, he wisely gathered intelligence. This wasn't just tactical; it was David's steady, courageous faith at work. David understood that advantage often comes not from sheer strength or emotional responses but from seeking wisdom, practicing obedience, and taking action with faith, even in the wilderness moments of life. When you face repeated challenges or find yourself surrounded, don't let pressure push you into impulsive decisions. Pause for a moment seek wisdom, practice obedience, and take godly action. You will blessed if you do. The impulsive response often results in bloodshed and leaves you living with a lot of regret. #FaithUnderPressure, #WisdomInWilderness, #DavidAndSaul Ask This: How can you seek wisdom in your current challenges rather than reacting impulsively? What steps can you take to practice obedience during difficult times? Do This: Be wise under pressure. Pray This: Father, help me to remain steadfast in my faith during life's wilderness moments. Grant me wisdom and obedience to respond to challenges with courage and grace. Amen. Play This: God I Look To You. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33755632

The Divine Diagnosis: Interpreting Life’s Events | 1 Samuel 25:36-44 11/02/2024

The Divine Diagnosis: Interpreting Life’s Events | 1 Samuel 25:36-44 Was it a divine event or only natural? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In yesterday's devotional, we saw that Abigail's appeal to David works. But now she has to return home to the celebration and tell her husband what she did. Let's see how this plays out in 1 Samuel 25:36-44: And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And about ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died. When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The Lord has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head." Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife. When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, "David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife." And she rose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, "Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord." And Abigail hurried and rose and mounted a donkey, and her five young women attended her. She followed the messengers of David and became his wife. David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel, and both of them became his wives. Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim. — 1 Samuel 25:36-44 I think it is essential to see the comparison between Saul and Nabal today. They are comparable men—wealthy, entitled, and benefiting from David's protection equally. Both had their lives spared by David, both had females who married David, both women confided in David to help him avoid inevitable disasters, and both men died under God's judgment. The comparison is remarkable. But the result is Nabal dies. In contemporary medical terms, it sounds like Nabal had an initial stroke and then fell into a coma and died of starvation. However, we cannot avoid David's divine diagnosis. When David hears about Nabal, he perceives a double divine blessing in this event. First, a blessing of vengeance by God for Nabal's insult. Second, Abigail's blessing of protection for holding him back from doing wrongful harm to Nabal. This is intriguing because we often wonder about God's use of natural means to bring justice and blessing. God often uses natural events as instruments of justice. For example, in Genesis 6-9, He brought justice to a corrupt world through the flood. Also, in Exodus 7-12, God sent plagues involving natural elements—frogs, hail, and darkness—to confront Pharaoh's defiance. In the same way, God also uses natural events to grant blessings. For example, in Exodus 16, he provided manna to sustain his people in the wilderness. Then, in Deuteronomy 11, God promised rain for crops as a reward for obedience, using natural weather to nurture provisions for his people. So, the question remains: Should we interpret Nabal's death as natural or divine? Did God do this? Or was this merely a natural circumstance? And the answer to this question is "Yes!" Like Nabal, we will all die. Death is God's judgment for all creation. What bothers us is the connection of death with God's divine providence. Are they connected? Should we see them as one and the same? David's answer is "Yes!" Those of you who believe in Jesus see the connection here. This is because a spiritual reality is more real than the natural. Your redeemed mind sees the divine work in the natural, and there is great hope for you. While you face physical death, you escape eternal death to live forever with God. When you die, you will be raised into eternal life! This is because those who call on the Lord receive the promise of eternal life in heaven, thanks to Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death. And for those who do not know this, you can enjoy this blessing right now by acknowledging Jesus as your Savior and Lord and choosing to live under his grace and blessings. I invite you today to trust in Jesus and choose life. We all will die as God has determined. But you can live now and forever with God. Surrender your life to Jesus right now. Acknowledge your sins, call on his mercy, and accept his gift of salvation—live now and into eternity with Jesus. Don't be foolish like Nabal, living and dying only to yourself, thus dying here and spending eternity in Hell. Death comes to us all. Choose life in Jesus and receive his blessings. If you're ready to make this decision, you can acknowledge Jesus right now. Take this step by saying out loud, "I choose Jesus." And if you just declared that, pray this short prayer with me: "Lord, I choose life. I recognize my need for You. I surrender my life to Your will, trusting in Jesus as my Savior. I want to live under Your grace and blessings. Amen." If you made this decision today, write "I choose Jesus" below, and we will reach out to you with free resources to help you on your journey with Christ. #DivineProvidence, #FaithAndLife, #ChooseJesus Ask This: How do you see God's hand in the natural events of your life? What steps can you take to trust in God’s divine plan amidst difficult circumstances? Do This: Choose Jesus. Pray This: Lord, help me to recognize Your presence in both the natural and divine events of my life. Strengthen my faith as I choose to trust in Your perfect plan. Amen. Play This: I Choose Jesus. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33736702

Divine Interruptions: How God Uses Others to Redirect Us | 1 Samuel 25:32-35 11/01/2024

Divine Interruptions: How God Uses Others to Redirect Us | 1 Samuel 25:32-35 When God interrupts, do you listen? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In yesterday's devotional, we saw that Abigail interceded for Nabal's foolishness. Let's see if her charming approach works with David in : And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! For as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.” Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have obeyed your voice, and I have granted your petition.” — Have you ever felt the weight of a confrontation and felt tempted to take matters into your own hands? Heated moments cloud our judgment and make it hard to see what God wants to do because we are too focused on what we want to do. In this text, David is hot. He is about to make a grave mistake. He is about to slaughter all the men of Nabal's house at the celebration of the year. But Abigail intervenes. And instead of ignoring her intervention, David interprets it as God's intervention. If you have been reading the story with me, there is an about-face in his attitude and actions. He goes from proclaiming acts of vulgarity to proclaiming a threefold blessing: A blessing to the Lord. A blessing for her wise discretion. And a blessing on her. You need this type of intervention in your life sometimes, especially when you are hot. We all do. But when the intervention shows up, you must see it, receive it, and change. Since many of you have been following me for a while through 1 Samuel, this again is one of those instances in which we see God's wisdom in choosing David. David was willing to see God's intervention and adjust his intention. As you face the challenges of today, be open to God’s voice through the people he places in your path. When tempers flare and stress mounts, don’t hesitate to pray for God's intervention. Then, when God intervenes, be willing to accept the interventions that interrupt your intentions. Don't plow over people and miss a prophetic voice from God. If you ignore these prophetic whispers, you might miss God's redirect and do something you regret. #Intervention, #DivineWisdom, #ListeningToGod Ask This: How can you better recognize and respond to God’s interventions in your life during challenging moments? Who in your life embodies the wisdom of Abigail, guiding you toward God’s will? Do This: Pray for divine interruptions in anger and stress. Pray This: Lord, help me to recognize Your voice through the people You place in my life, especially in moments of anger or frustration. Grant me the humility to accept divine interventions that guide my actions and intentions. Amen. Play This: Interruptions (Comedy by Mark Lowry) /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33702077

The Charm of a Courageous Woman | 1 Samuel 25:23-31 10/31/2024

The Charm of a Courageous Woman | 1 Samuel 25:23-31 When God needs a voice of reason he sometimes sends a charming woman. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In this chapter, David sends some men to Nabal to seek generosity. Nabal refused and insulted David. David finds out about it and marches 400 men to confront David. But Abigail, Nabal's wife, will secretly try to intervene and appease David with an extensive goodwill offering. Let's see if this works in : When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. She fell at his feet and said, "On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant. Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent. Now then, my lord, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, because the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal. And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live. If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God. And the lives of your enemies he shall sling out as from the hollow of a sling. And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you and has appointed you prince over Israel, my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself. And when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant." — There are only a few female-initiated encounters between a man and a woman in the Bible: Adam and Eve (). Judah and Tamar (). Deborah and Barak (). Ruth and Boaz (). The woman who anointed Jesus (). Abigail and David (). Of all these, this one is by far one of the most remarkable and longest addresses by a woman in the Old Testament. Abigail accomplishes three goals in this encounter: She intervened for Nabal. She proclaimed David's destiny. She prevented David from sinning. What captures me is how remarkable she is in her approach. First, she comes alone to the dark of the forest to intervene before a powerful man with 400 strapped men. Second, she brings food, the language of active men, to attempt to butter them up. Third, she takes responsibility for her husband, explaining that she should have been more careful to protect him from himself. She feels to blame because she did encounter David's initial messengers and thus feels responsible. Fourth, she uses a prophetic word about David's future to persuade him to look beyond this foolish man and moment into the future and not do something now that would alter his future. Fifth, she constantly calls him "lord," a title repeated 14 times in her speech that women use for their husbands. (Spoiler Alert) Abigail is about to become David's wife. This moment is an incredible moment made so by a charming woman. Here are the C-H-A-R-M-I-N-G qualities we see in Abigail: Courage – She bravely approaches David despite the danger. Humility – She lowers herself, calling David "lord" and offering herself as a servant. Awareness – Abigail wisely understands the situation and David's heart. Respect – She honors David's role and God's future for him. Mindfulness – Her careful actions show respect and wisdom. Integrity – Abigail's words align with her faith in God's plan. Nurturing – She brings provisions, showing care and peace. Godliness – Abigail acts out of reverence for God. Application for Unmarried Men If you are an unmarried man, take note of Abigail's qualities. Look and pray for a woman like this. You might find her in the most unexpected place and encounter. Application for Husbands For those who are married, Abigail's qualities should inspire us to pray over our wives. Pray that God nurtures these charming qualities in her. Affirm your wife's beauty today, and don't be the fool Nabal was. Application for Women Be this woman: C-H-A-R-M-I-N-G. Abigail is a charming woman even though her husband is an entitled fool. But her obedience to God is about to change her life forever. #WisdomInAction, #CharmAndCourage, #BiblicalWomanhood Ask This: When facing conflict, how can you seek wisdom to bring peace rather than escalate tension? What steps can you take to grow in humility, courage, or discernment today? Do This: Pray for a charming woman. Pray This: Lord, give me the wisdom and courage to bring peace and honor into difficult situations. Help me to act with humility, strength, and faithfulness in every moment. Amen. Play This: O Praise The Name. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33688167

The Foolish Man: Lessons on Leadership and Feedback | 1 Samuel 25:14-22 10/30/2024

The Foolish Man: Lessons on Leadership and Feedback | 1 Samuel 25:14-22 Three lessons from a stupid man. You can learn from stupidity. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Yesterday, we discovered that David sent some men to Nabal to ask for some generosity, and Nabal rejected and insulted David and his men. Today David and 400 of his men are coming to confront Nabal. Let's see what happens in : But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them. Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them. They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.” Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. And she said to her young men, “Go on before me; behold, I come after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. And as she rode on the donkey and came down under cover of the mountain, behold, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them. Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I guarded all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. God do so to the enemies of David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him.” — There is a lot here, so let me make three observations and points today. First, one of Nabal's servants clarifies that David is a shepherd of shepherds. The young man makes numerous flattering comments that David's men were "very good" to them, they "suffered no harm," they "did not miss a thing," they were "a wall" to us. We learn that his first career as a shepherd had a principled impact on his second career as a leader of men. Never take for granted what God might be preparing you for in one part of your life for the next part of your life. David was the youngest in the family, and while shepherding might have seemed like a meaningless job in the hills of Bethlehem, God used it to prepare David for a career of leadership and protection over the hills of Israel. Sometimes, what appears to be drudgery at the moment might be divine preparation for later. So, if you feel like your present job is drudgery, pay less attention to the drudgery and more attention to the divine lessons. Second, it's evident that everyone in Nabal's family and on his staff knows he is worthless and resistant to feedback. The picture painted of Nabal is complete. He is more than a fool. He is rich and resistant to feedback, which makes him an "entitled fool." Nobody is more stubborn than a leader, husband, or father who is relatively skilled, rich, and resistant to feedback. But resisting all feedback from people, especially godly people, is foolish. Resistance stunts our growth, damages our relationships, and stalls spiritual maturity. When we go too far, it might lead to isolation, getting us fired, or, in Nabal's case, getting him killed. Don't be an entitled fool. Pay attention to feedback from a friend, family member, or colleague today. It might just be feedback from the Father. Third, a savior is inserted into the story—a noble wife and brave woman—Abigail. There is a lot to love about this woman, but notice the similarity between Saul and Jonathan and now Nabal and Abigail to David. David is about to find another ally in the house of an adversary. Like Jonathan had been to David, Abigail is about to be to David. You need allies in this life, godly men and women, to give you direction. Sometimes, you stumble upon them; other times, you must work and find them. Regardless, build alliances with godly believers in this life. They are a source of substance and sanity when stupid people do stupid things, and they might steer you away from becoming stupid yourself. #LeadershipLessons, #FoolishnessToWisdom, #FaithfulAllies Ask This: How can you identify areas in your life where feedback might help you grow spiritually and relationally? Who are the godly allies in your life, and how can you strengthen those relationships? Do This: Have godly allies, and don't be stupid. Pray This: Lord, help me recognize the valuable lessons hidden in my daily experiences and remain open to feedback that fosters my growth. May I build strong alliances with godly people who guide me through life's challenges. Amen. Play This: Christ Our Wisdom. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33671702

The Cost of a Foolish Mouth | 1 Samuel 25:9-13 10/29/2024

The Cost of a Foolish Mouth | 1 Samuel 25:9-13 Have you ever said something foolish because you were thinking something foolish? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Yesterday, we discovered that David traveled south and learned that Nabal, a wealthy man, was holding his annual sheep-shearing event and celebration. David was seeking a bit of generosity from his fellow countrymen because his men were hungry, and he had provided generous protection to Nabal's shepherds. To make his request, David sent ten young warriors to ask Nabal for help. Here is what happens in 1 Samuel 25:9-13: When David's young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. And Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?" So David's young men turned away and came back and told him all this. And David said to his men, "Every man strap on his sword!" And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage. — 1 Samuel 25:9-13 Here are a few observations: Nabal pretends not to know David, but he knows who David is. Everyone knows who David is. Even Nabal's shepherds know because David has been protecting them. But Nabal's resistance becomes apparent when he refers to David as "the son of Jesse." This was Saul's derogatory name for David, which tells us he is aligned with Saul. Like the party division we witness in our country, Nabal has a political sign in his front yard, and it doesn't say, "Make Israel Great Again." (Probably too soon.) Second, to add insult to injury, Nabal compares David to a common slave and servant. He says, "There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters." Third, Nabal displays his selfishness in his response: "Shall I take my bread, my water, my meat, for my shearers?" My, my, my, my. Nabal's response is more selfish and sinister than simply saying no. He is treating his fellow countrymen who have treated him with respect and charity and returning it with rejection and contempt. David is insulted by this and arms 400 men to confront this foolish man. Compared to Saul, Nabal has no unique anointing and appointment by God. Thus, Nabal (whose name means "Fool") is living up to the definition of his name. Nabal is a fool not because of the political sign he has in his yard but because he lacks relational tack, godly wisdom, and awareness that God has blessed him with wealth to be a blessing. Nabal is a selfish and self-centered fool whose mouth spouts foolishness, and it's going to get him killed. Your mouth exposes your heart. You might be able to fake it till you make it for a while. But if you feel cornered, threatened, or attacked, your mouth will expose what your heart holds and your brain believes. Sometimes, what is stirring around in your heart and mind is not right or righteous. So before you say something foolish today, address the foolishness within your heart and mind. Otherwise, when you are cornered, threatened, or attacked, you might express foolishness and start a war you will not win. #GuardYourHeart, #SpeakWisely, #BiblicalWisdom Ask This: What foolish thoughts are lingering in your heart that could lead to harmful words? How can you speak with greater wisdom today? Do This: Address the foolishness in your heart and mind. Pray This: Lord, help me to guard my heart and mind so that my words reflect Your wisdom. Give me the strength to speak with grace and truth today. Amen. Play This: I Need You/Change My Heart, O God. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33644187

Giving Without Expectation | 1 Samuel 25:4-8 10/28/2024

Giving Without Expectation | 1 Samuel 25:4-8 Do you ever give without expectation? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. So Samuel dies, and after the event, David returns south and here is what happens in 1 Samuel 25:4-8: David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.’” — 1 Samuel 25:4-8 Here is the situation: After returning through the wilderness of Paran, David rejoins his men. We assume they are still about 600 men strong. Right about this time, he learns that Nabal is shearing his sheep, which would have been a significant event given the size of his flock. Given that his men are hungry and need a reprieve, David sends some men to greet Nabal, hoping for reciprocity in preserving and protecting them rather than plundering them, which would have been expected given the size of their army. David's request is simple: he hopes they can join the upcoming feast, celebrating Nabal’s growing wealth. After all, David understands the life of a shepherd, having been one himself. He merely seeks a little goodwill in return for his already-established protection. In the coming verses, we will see Nabal’s harsh and ungrateful response. It’s disheartening when you do something good and it's met with a sour-hearted and selfish person. But our frustration is not just an issue of the other person. It sometimes stems from our unspoken and unmet expectations. When we give with the expectancy of receiving something in return—e.g., a simple thank you—and that doesn’t happen, it stings. You may not be able to change the heart of a sour-hearted and selfish person, but you can change your heart and expectations. Practice giving without expectation. Buy a friend a meal, give a compliment, offer a gift, and work out the silent force of your expectations. Train your heart to give without expectation, and learn the heart of Jesus, who gave everything to humankind that could offer nothing in return. #GivingWithoutExpectation, #SelflessGenerosity, #HeartOfJesus Ask This: How can you practice giving without expectations in your daily life? What unspoken expectations do you need to let go of to foster a more generous heart? Do This: Give without expectation. Pray This: Lord, help me to give freely and generously without the weight of expectation, reflecting Your heart in my actions. Teach me to find joy in selfless giving, just as You did for us. Amen. Play This: Generous Giver. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33600542

Fools and Wisdom: Who's Driving Your Life? | 1 Samuel 25:1-3 10/27/2024

Fools and Wisdom: Who's Driving Your Life? | 1 Samuel 25:1-3 Is your life dominated by fools or driven by wisdom? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Today, we begin a new chapter—. This one involves three characters: David, Nabal, and his wife, Abigail. You will see a warrior's anger, a fool's reckless pride, and a woman's humble wisdom. It will be easy to discern who is who in the story. Let’s read verses 1-3: Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite. — Samuel’s death marks the end of an era, signaling a shift in Israel’s leadership. This transition invites us to focus more tightly on David's leadership, which is still shaped by a lot of conflict on his way to becoming king. And in this chapter, we will see how David has to navigate a fool on his way to greater wisdom. As we dive deeper into this chapter, we will see a sharp contrast between Nabal and Abigail. Nabal, a wealthy man, embodies foolishness—his very name means "Fool." In stark contrast, Abigail, his wife is a woman of wisdom and discernment. This story of David's encounter of this couple reveals profound truths about the nature of our human relationships. So let me ask: Who are the Nabals and Abigails in your life? Think about your own experiences. Who embodies the "Nabal" in your life? Perhaps it's a colleague whose arrogance frustrates you, a family member whose pride blinds them, or even a friend who dismisses your input. This week, consider how you typically react to these individuals. Are you quick to anger, or can you step back and respond differently? Now, recall the "Abigail" in your life. Their discernment is rooted in humility and grace. Is there someone who approaches conflict with wisdom, patience, and understanding? This week, consider their wisdom and aim to embody their approach in your interactions. Here's your three-part challenge today: Identify: Take a moment to identify the names of the "Nabals" and "Abigails" in your life. Acknowledgment who they are. Reflect: For each "Nabal," ask yourself two questions: What drives their behavior? How can I respond differently? Act: This week, practice Abigail's humility and wisdom. When faced with a foolish act or a difficult conversation, pause, pray for wisdom, and respond with grace. You might be surprised by how your approach changes the dynamics of the relationships in your life. Remember, you can choose wisdom over folly. Make it a week where you don’t just avoid fools and acting like a fool but actively fool the world with wisdom instead! #WisdomOverFolly, #AbigailAndNabal, #DailyDevo Ask This: How can I respond with wisdom when confronted by a “Nabal” in my life? What qualities of “Abigail” can I embody in my daily interactions? Do This: Act with wisdom not as a fool. Pray This: Lord, help me recognize my life's "Nabals" and "Abigails" and guide my responses with wisdom and grace. May I embody the humility of Abigail and reflect Your love in all my interactions. Amen. Play This: Christ Our Wisdom. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33589092

Faith In God Results In Saving Grace | 1 Samuel 24:20-22 10/26/2024

Faith In God Results In Saving Grace | 1 Samuel 24:20-22 Do you take control or trust God? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In today's reading, we will be concluding Chapter 24. This chapter begins with David seeking refuge in Engedi while Saul learns of his whereabouts and pursues him with 3000 soldiers. Upon reaching the location, Saul unknowingly entered a cave where David hid. Despite having the opportunity to take Saul's life, David chose to spare him and instead risked his own safety by leaving the cave. The text takes an unexpected turn when Saul responds to David in a surprising manner, and this interaction is further elaborated in today's text . And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house." And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. — Saul publicly acknowledges something everyone else has already acknowledged for years — David would be the next king. But Saul, in a sober moment, asks David to grant him two requests. First, he asked that David "not cut off my offspring" or that David not follow the ancient Near Eastern custom of killing all descendants of his dynastic predecessor. Second, he asked that David "not destroy my name out of my father's house," a request closely related to the first but underscoring the preservation of his name. Without hesitation, David pledged his oath to Saul, reaffirming the solemn promise he had previously made with Jonathan. David's unwavering commitment would later manifest in his benevolent act of providing sanctuary, bestowing a position of honor, and granting a generous inheritance to Mephibosheth (). David's decision to spare Saul's life in that cave, even when it seemed like the perfect opportunity to eliminate his enemy, speaks volumes about the kind of man and leader David aspired to be—one ruled by faith in God. He saw beyond his need to control the situation, understanding that God controlled all things, including his future. We are called to live lives marked by faith that expresses the same qualities: mercy and grace, not vengeance. In this story, we catch a small glimpse of the Gospel. David's faith in God resulted in the salvation of himself, his 600 men, Saul, and his 3000 men. Not one man's life was lost in this moment. Not only that, it resulted in a double oath that extended Saul's family and name to future generations. In the same way, Jesus's faith in God extends salvation to all future generations. Like Saul, we who were delusional sinners blatantly rebellious to God in every way and deserving of God's vengeance were redeemed by a sinless man who offered us saving grace and mercy through sacrifice so that we might know God's grace to all future generations. Today, consider the capacity of faith in God to extend life rather than take it. Don't take matters into your own hands; trust in God's hand, and see the power of God's saving grace in every moment of your day. Extend grace because you've received the ultimate grace through Him. #FaithInAction, #ExtendGrace, #DavidAndSaul Ask This: How can you practice extending grace in your relationships, even when it’s difficult? In what situations do you struggle to trust God's plan over your own? Do This: Have faith in God's grace. Pray This: Lord, help me to trust in Your plan and extend grace to others, just as David did with Saul. May my actions reflect Your mercy and love in every situation I face. Amen. Play This: Stand In Faith. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33571167

God’s Promises Are Better Than The Odds | 1 Samuel 24:16-19 10/25/2024

God’s Promises Are Better Than The Odds | 1 Samuel 24:16-19 Are you playing the odds or trusting in the promises of God? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We have listened to David's speech after coming out of the cave to address Saul for the last couple of days. Today, we finally listen to how Saul responds in . As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. — A Bipolar King After all that has happened, Saul’s reaction is strange—almost bipolar. He shifts from being David's sworn enemy to calling him "son," a reminder that David is his son-in-law, despite his earlier rants where he referred to him only as “the son of Jesse.” But here, Saul confesses his wrongdoing and David's righteousness. It’s a moment of clarity, brief as it may be, where Saul recognizes David’s honor and even asks God to reward him. Who would’ve predicted this outcome? David has been hunted like an animal by Saul, yet this moment reveals something profound—God's promise to David stands firm. Despite the odds, despite Saul’s anger and jealousy, David’s future as king remains secure because God declared it. When we face tough times and feel the odds stacked against us, it’s easy to think that God’s promises won’t hold up. But this passage reminds us that no enemy, no circumstance, no obstacle can thwart God's plans for us. Like David, we can trust God to be faithful to His word. So, what promise from God do you need to hang onto today? Pick one below, read it, recall it, and rely on it. 7 Promises To Remember Here are seven promises you can cling to today as a believer in the Lord: 1 | God’s Presence in Trials – “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 2 | Strength in Weakness – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 3 | Peace Beyond Understanding – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 4 | Provision for Needs – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” 5 | Victory Over Temptation – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 6 | Rest for the Weary – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 7 | Love and Eternal Life – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come... will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” #GodsPromises, #FaithInTrials, #DavidAndSaul Ask This: How can you remind yourself of God’s promises during difficult times? What enemy or challenge are you currently facing that requires trust in God’s faithfulness Do This: Pick a promise above, read it, recall it, and rely on it. Pray This: Lord, I thank You for Your unwavering promises and faithfulness in my life. Help me to trust in You, especially when I face challenges that seem overwhelming. Amen. Play This: Promises. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33569482

Trust in God’s Hand, Not Man’s | 1 Samuel 24:12-15 10/24/2024

Trust in God’s Hand, Not Man’s | 1 Samuel 24:12-15 Are you trusting in your hand or the hand of the Lord? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Today, we continue our story with David, who revealed that he was in the cave with Saul. Bowed to the ground, with the corner of his robe in his hand, he finishes the speech of his life. Let's see how this concludes in . May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand." — This part of David's speech is surgical. Here is why. The proverb "Out of the wicked comes wickedness" could easily be interpreted as an indictment of Saul. He was the one who was acting wickedly and possessed by an evil spirit. Yet David, ever so carefully, does not apply this to Saul but to himself, who had done no wickedness in this situation. Yet we all know that Saul is possessed and delusional. Saul is not in his right mind, and when he walks out of the cave, David puts his life in the hands of a known wicked man. But while I state this, this is not entirely true. Again, as he did with Goliath, David understands that he is not putting himself in the hands of Saul but in the hands of God. Twice, he states in this section, "May the Lord judge." David's battle at this moment was a battle of words and not swords, yet all the same, the battle was the Lord's. There are moments in our lives when we have to trust the hand of the Lord. It may look like we are putting ourselves in someone else's hand—a boss, friend, spouse, or legal representative where we, as a believer, there is always another person in the room—The Lord. Stop letting your old life and mind control how you think about life situations. If you have surrendered your life to the Lord, you have another hand on your side—the hand of the Lord. #TrustInGod, #FaithLikeDavid, #SpiritualBattles Ask This: In what situations are you tempted to trust in your strength or others instead of entirely relying on God’s hand? How can you remind yourself to see God as the ultimate judge and defender during difficult or unfair circumstances? Do This: Trust in God's Hand, not your own. Pray This: Lord, help me embrace the power of my words in times of conflict, just as David did. Grant me the wisdom to choose truth and mercy over retaliation. May I prioritize relationships and maintain integrity in all my interactions, reflecting Your love and grace. Amen. Play This: Surrounded (Fight My Battles). /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33568962

The Power of Words: How David Confronted His Enemy | 1 Samuel 24:9-11 10/23/2024

The Power of Words: How David Confronted His Enemy | 1 Samuel 24:9-11 Sometimes, battles are fought with words and not swords. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In our story, David puts his men in a risky situation by not cutting down Saul in the cave while he has the chance. But he is left to deal with Saul, so he walks out of the cave to confront the situation and deal with Saul and the consequences. What we listen to in our devotional for the next two days is one of the great speeches of David's life. Let's see what he says in . And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Behold, David seeks your harm'? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.' See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. — This moment marks a pivotal point in David's life, where battles are not won with swords but with words. David stands before Saul, a man who has relentlessly pursued him, and instead of striking him down, he seeks to convince Saul that he is not his enemy but, in fact, an ally. This act of bravery unfolds in front of his 600 men and the 3,000 soldiers standing ready to capture him. Consider the risk involved! David steps into the open, armed with nothing but his words and the truth about his actions. David's response teaches us that sometimes, our battles are fought with words rather than weapons. How you confront difficult situations can determine the outcome. David skillfully wielded his words. You, too, must also learn to fight this way in your life. Here are a few practices David deployed that you can use as well: Proclaim the Truth: David didn't trust in his feelings or the misguided counsel of his allies. He took a hard stand and proclaimed the truth about his situation. You should express your truth honestly, rooted in the right tone in your conflicts. Pursue Mercy: David had reason to retaliate but not the right to retaliate, so he pursued mercy instead. In your confrontations, you can opt for reconciliation rather than revenge. Remember, mercy can be a powerful tool for peace. Prioritize Relationships: David called Saul "my father," reminding Saul of their connection. In your conflicts, you can prioritize the people and positions involved, helping soften hearts and opening doors for resolution. Practice Integrity: David emphasized that he was not the treasonous man Saul believed him to be. In your battles, maintain integrity in your words and actions. Let your character shine through, serving as a witness to the truth. As you go about your day, remember that you may encounter battles where words hold more power than weapons. Like David, may you confront your challenges with truth, mercy, and a commitment to integrity. Fight well, knowing your words can be mightier than the sword. #DavidAndSaul, #PowerOfWords, #FaithInConflict. Ask This: In what challenging situation have you found it difficult to choose words over actions, and how can David's example inspire you to respond differently? How can you actively prioritize relationships and practice mercy daily, especially when facing conflict? Do This: Fight with words, not swords. Pray This: Lord, help me to embrace the power of my words in times of conflict, just as David did, and grant me the wisdom to choose truth and mercy over retaliation. May I prioritize relationships and maintain integrity in all my interactions, reflecting Your love and grace. Amen. Play This: Words. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/33551667

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