Perceive: Seeing the massive number of enemy troops arrive for battle, Saul is terrified. Although he has failed to seek God on an ongoing basis, he asks the Lord what to do in this situation, but the Lord does not answer him. In a desperate attempt to determine God’s will, Saul sinks deeper in sin by dressing like a common man and seeking some occultist support from a witch in Endor. This particular witch was a necromancer; a person who speaks to the dead to predict the future. During her occult session, she realizes her séance seeker is king Saul and the man to conjure up is the dead prophet, Samuel. She is alarmed and afraid for her life. Saul in his desperate mindset bows to Samuel.
 
Practice: God strictly forbids us to have anything to do with divination, sorcery, witchcraft, mediums, or anyone who consults with the dead. People who practice the occult are the pawns of Satan and his demons. They (Satan and his demons) are the source of their prophetic information. As a Christian, our obedience must flow from an ongoing relationship, not on hopes of control or contrived blessings.  Today God speaks through His methods, the Bible, His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the peace of God, and the circumstances surrounding the individual believer and the local church.
 
Pray:  Father, help me to seek You in all the aspects of my life especially at times when You are silent and at times when I am screaming for help. Be with me and fill me with Your presence. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: The battle with the Amalekites results in a stunning victory. After returning to the men who were too exhausted to follow him into battle, the wicked and worthless soldiers in his army acted in a selfish and greedy manner. They were angry and demanded that those who were in the rescue battle should share the plunder and those who stayed with the baggage could only have his family members returned. David makes a great statement about sharing the load in any organization. Those on the front line must share with those who stay and support from the rear. David then shares the plunder with his friends in Judah. Most likely these were the citizens who he would later rule over as king.
 
Practice:  This principle of sharing was so important to David that he made a law that those who stayed with the supplies were to be treated equally with those who served on the front lines. Today’s military concept of the tooth to tail is about one to three. In other words, it takes three people in the rear working support logistics to support one combatant fighting on the front line. All of us who name the name of Christ are in His army. In some situations, we are on the front lines, and in others, we are supporting from the rear. His army needs healthy warriors in the tooth and the tail. No matter where you serve, you should be a soldier of the cross!
 
Pray: O Lord, thank You for the saints of Your army. Help me to be supportive and honoring to all who serve You. 

​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: In the hot pursuit of finding the Amalekites who have kidnapped his family and plundered his camp, David finds an Egyptian left to die of his illness or starve to death. David and his men provide food and immediate medical care. Consequently, the Egyptian is glad to receive their kindness and willingly helps them locate the Raiders camp. In God’s perfect timing, David and his men find the Amalekites reveling in the spoils they plundered. It was picture-perfect time to strike them down, rescue their families, and take back the stolen articles. David and his men recover everything they lost and gain some new plunder in the process. God is continuing to bless David in some unique ways. Through his faith in Yahweh and his resolve to avenge his and his men’s losses, David turns a hopeless situation into a great victory.
 
Practice:  The Amalekites thought they were lightening their burdens when they cruelly left a slave to die on his own, but God used him to help David and his men find where the enemy camped. As Christians, we should treat everyone we meet with respect and human dignity, no matter how unimportant they may seem. You never know how God will use them to help you. You never know how God may use you to help them!
 
Pray:  All mighty God let me see the value of everyone I meet the way you see them. Help me to be courteous and respectful to those who seem insignificant and to those who seem important. 

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: In this section of Scripture, we see two new groups of mighty warriors joining David and his band-of-brothers. From Gad comes a group of men ready for battle with spears and shields. From Benjamin and Judah come additional warriors who David approaches with caution since they were part of Saul’s tribe. After seeing the Holy Spirit come upon Amasai, he welcomes them and makes these seasoned combatants captains in his army. David’s walk with God, influence, and army continue to grow and expand. Again and again, Israel is reaffirming David as the legitimate ruler.
 
Practice:  There are some subtle differences between the way the Holy Spirit worked in the Old Testament (OT) and then in the New Testament (NT). In the OT when God had something critical to happen or to say, He chose a person to do it or to say it. The Holy Spirit would come upon a person and thereby give them the power and ability to accomplish whatever God intended. Here the Spirit comes upon Amasai, a mighty warrior, and he spoke God’s word. In the New Testament the Spirit comes upon all true believers, not only to do God’s will, but to convict us of our sin, and dwell within us day-by-day. Some people have stronger manifestations than others. If you have felt convicted of sin, then you have had a manifestation.
 
Pray:  O mighty God, thank You for the Holy Spirit. Please continue to manifest Your presence in my life in any way that brings glory to You.

Perceive: Once again the Amalekites have ruthlessly attacked and plundered David’s current home city, and taken alive all the women and children of his men. Having lost their families and fortunes, his men look to blame someone. His men become upset and they consider killing David. But David went to the one source he could always count on and found strength in the Lord his God. Using the ephod and the high priest, David seeks the word of the Lord before he takes action. Over the course of his rise to kingship, David’s character reflects the importance he attaches to seeking guidance from God. God gives him an affirmation in a rescue mission, and David immediately acts in faith.
 
Practice:  David combines personal involvement in mustering his strength with an emphasis on Yahweh as the means by which he grows stronger in the Lord. He demonstrates total reliance on God through his inquiry. After receiving the word of the Lord and His promise of deliverance, he acts in strong faith. His current difficulties such as locating the camp, having exhausted men, or being outnumbered, do not deter his movement forward. He reflects the strength he received from God with actions that are decisive, assured, tactful, and firm. As Christian men, we should seek God’s strength through the written Word, and then act boldly with confidence and hope.
 
Pray:  Thank you, Lord, for always being available in good times and the bad. Help me always to seek Your face first.  to edit.

​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David’s band-of-brothers continues to grow with the addition of seven key defectors from the tribe of Manasseh. Most likely these men joined David just before the battle of Mount Gilboa. Once part of David’s team, they help him get the families back from the Philistine raiders. They are considered mighty men of valor. Day by day new warriors arrive and fill up the ranks. His growing collection of warriors is like the camp of God.
 
Practice:  David’s army was growing at a rapid rate. David’s great leadership, charismatic appeal, the reputation of his mighty men, and seasoned combatants drew new members. Word was spreading of their victories and their desire to see God’s will done in making David the rightful king. Most people are drawn to consider joining a cause much bigger than themselves. As true believers involved in a growing local church (band-of-brothers), we have a greater cause – the salvation of mankind, the discipleship of believers, and the raising of godly families. If we are brave, determined, and faithful, others will be drawn to work with us.
 
Pray:  O Lord, help me be a man of valor who seeks daily opportunities to share Christ with those who do not know You, and to help all those who do grow closer to You. 
​
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: King Achish comes to a place where he trusts David and his men. As the Philistines ready to battle Israel, they are accompanying King Achish in the rear. The commanders of the Philistines are clearly upset and angry with Achish for adding Hebrews to the battle arrangement. In previous battles, some Hebrews who were part of the Philistine army turned against their hosts in the heat of combat and started killing them. The chaos and confusion resulted in the Philistines killing their men (1 Samuel 14:20-21). Using the commander’s fear and anger, once again God intervenes on David’s behalf. He and his men depart early the next morning.
 
Practice:  David does not appear to be reflecting on his situations but rather reacting to them. In this circumstance, David was almost forced to fight against his people, yet he made a strong defense for staying in the fight. God, however, intervenes. It is easier to reflect on important decisions after they are made rather than before. Making timely decisions and making the right decision can make us feel helpless and confused. In other situations, the need to be right may even cause us to justify our sinful decisions. It never hurts to take a few extra minutes and seek the mind of God.
 
Pray: O Lord, help me to see You in my life daily. Lead me in the way of truth and rightful living. 
​
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David appears to be operating on his own while he, his family members, and six-hundred loyal soldiers are all living in enemy territory. He is making decisions without his counselor Samuel, his friend Jonathan, or apparently his priest Abiathar. Although he is helping the future of Israel by destroying certain desert tribes, he must lie and deceive to complete these raiding missions. Furthermore, his raiding missions include killing entire villages and every inhabitant. Some people feel David is compromising his faith and endangering those around him. Others feel he is endearing himself politically to the Philistine king as well as to the inhabitants of Judah. Regardless of your view, David is living a dangerous life amidst the sworn enemies of Israel and God.
 
Practice:  Repeated trials can bring out the best in us or bring out the worst. One of the worst is to compromise God’s standards, which leads a man to more carnal living. God’s men are not to pretend to live peacefully in the enemy’s camp. When we lean on the arm of the flesh, we always end up in some trouble. Whenever we move into the enemy’s camp, we can expect all sorts of enemy activity and none of it is good.
 
Pray:  O mighty God, help me to stay out of the enemy camp as I live my daily life.  

​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: As David continues to mature and Saul continues to decline morally, more and more warriors are joining him in his band of combatants. The new additions arrive at Ziklag, a town on the southwestern side of Judah. No doubt David’s men are learning more and more how to fight as a unit. These new combatants are experts with bows and slings, which they knew how to use with either hand. Most of them were from the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s tribe.
 
Practice:  One reason action movies are so popular with men is that they meet their need to be a part of a team that does something great. Every year in movies men save the world, destroy evil empires, rescue captives, or win championships. All the men on the team bring something unique to the plot. Today’s reading is missing the exact reasons for these warriors to be defecting from Saul, but chances are they recognized David as the appointed king. They wanted their skills as combatants to count in their service to God and country. How are you using your skills to further God’s kingdom? Who are you serving within the battles of life?
 
Pray: O Lord, help me to serve You by joining the men of my local church to further Your kingdom.
​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David starts to rationalize the situation, and without seeking direction from God he moves into the land of his enemies. There David seeks and receives permission to live under the protection of Achish, king of Gath. Previously, David feigned insanity in front of him. Achish either forgot about it or overlooked it in light of David’s current situation. Also, David had six-hundred warriors who could provide military support. Achish gave David and his men Ziklag. This section ends with a summary of how long he and his men lived in enemy territory. David stayed there until Saul’s death.
 
Practice:  Repeated trials can bring out the best in us or bring out the worst. One of the worst is a compromise from God's standards, which leads to carnal living. Sometimes we can feel forced to plan without the obvious assurance from God. In what seems best to David, he moves to Gath and then approaches Achish using logic and diplomacy. Sometimes using them will work well for us, at other times they don’t. God's men are not to pretend they live peacefully in the enemy's world. Any major decision should begin with an extended time alone with God and in His word.
 
Pray:  O Lord, help me stay in tune with Your Word and Your will. Enable me to see You at work and to know when to make common sense decisions and to seek Your face for others. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com