How God comes to you through others.

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So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped (1 Samuel 19:12).

Read 1 Samuel 19:1–18

Our text tells the story of a man with a serious lifestyle problem. Saul was jealous and unable to control his emotions – to the point of intending to kill David … more than once. The more David served and brought benefit to the king, the more the king despised him. Sometimes, the consequences of our actions aren’t logical. We do what we think is right, only to suffer because of it. David needed help.

First, the king’s son, Jonathan, intervened with his father and tried to reason with the murderous king. For a moment, in 1 Samuel 19:6, Saul relented, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.’

Soon, another war called David to fight for his king. David performed so well in battle that Saul returned to his jealousy and tried to kill David (1 Samuel 19:10). So, David’s wife, Michal, intervened, and David escaped.

David was doing the right thing, but he was getting nowhere with the king. He needed help. God stepped in through Jonathan, then Michal and then through his own Spirit. Likewise, God steps in for us in the form of family, friends and others who care about us.

When you need help, who do you go to? Is there someone within your family like Michal, or do you have a friend like Jonathan?

One thing is certain – we all need help in times of need, and we should never forget that there is one who gave his life so that he would be our advocate before God.

Heavenly Father, I commend to your holy keeping: all who are far from home and family; all who are homeless and hungry; all who suffer pain; all

who are kept awake by anxiety or suspense. Give them all such a sense of your presence with them as may turn their loneliness into comfort

and their trouble into peace. Amen.

Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board and the General Church Board, currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She is passionate about new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.

Do you measure up?

by Faye Schmidt

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Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands (1 Samuel 18:7).

Read 1 Samuel 18:5–16

At first glance, jealousy may not seem like a major sin in our daily lives. We may get a little jealous of people from time to time, but that’s not dangerous, right?

In today’s text, Saul shows us that jealousy is actually one step short of murder.

Saul reacted in extreme jealousy against David. David was so successful in any mission Saul sent him on that the people started singing: ‘Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands’ (1 Samuel 18:7). That’s enough to make anyone angry and jealous. Saul was the king, yet his people were praising David instead of him.

Saul’s jealousy stemmed from fear and insecurity. Saul was afraid because David was closer to God than he was, and he was worried David would take over as king of the Israelites. Saul fed his own insecurities and let his jealousy grow, and in doing so, he gave Satan a foothold in his life. Saul’s jealousy grew so deep that he actually attempted to kill David on more than one occasion (1 Samuel 18:10,11).

We all experience jealousy. However, as we see with Saul, it is extremely dangerous to let jealousy fester and grow in our lives.

When we are confident in who God made us to be, we stop comparing ourselves with others and focus on what God is doing in our own lives. Instead of letting Satan use jealousy against us the way Saul did, let’s submit our anger and envy to the Lord and watch him take the burden from us.

You are special. You are unique. No-one else has your DNA. Through the saving grace of God in Jesus, who died to overcome the consequences of judgement for sins like jealousy, you can be confident that he loves and accepts you as you are.

O God, who in love created me and in love still preserves me, who loved me by sending your Son to suffer and die that I may live with you, give me patience in my hope, and make me more constant in my love for others. Amen.

Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board and the General Church Board, currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She is passionate about new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.

Persistence in prayer

by Faye Schmidt

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And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? (Luke 18:7a)

Read Luke 18:1–8

Luke 18:1–8 is a parable that the Lord uses to encourage his disciples to pray persistently. Prayer is a circular action – faith drives our prayer, and prayer gives steadfastness to our faith.

The parable tells of a judge who initially refuses the request of the poor widow; however, he eventually grants her justice only to stop her incessant demands.

If a corrupt, uncaring judge will grant justice out of weariness, a righteous and loving God in heaven will much more eagerly grant justice to his children who persistently ask him day and night.

Some aids can assist us in a persistent prayer life – a journal or prayer list can support consistency and focus. By keeping a record and praying until the Lord resolves the issue, one cannot help but notice God’s faithfulness in answering our prayers. Also, a record facilitates persistence. As we all understand, the Lord answers some petitions quickly. Others can take months or even years. Remember, we think of time from our own perspective. We pray to God not only with a petition but also with a timetable. God must answer my petition my way, according to my schedule.

The disciples pleaded with Jesus in Luke 11:1–4: ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’

What a comfort! Even the disciples needed help with prayer! Our Father in Heaven wants us to speak to him, and his Son pleads on our behalf so that, as his children, we may be in a relationship with him.

Give me grace, O God, to pray now with purity and sincerity for all around me. Let me remember now my friends with love and my enemies with forgiveness, entrusting them all to your protection, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board and the General Church Board, currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She is passionate about new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.