And now the end is near And so I face the final curtain My friend I’ll say it clear I’ll state my case of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full I traveled each and every highway And more, much more than this I did it my way
Yes there were times I’m sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew But through it all when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all And I stood tall and did it my way…
For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught To say the things he truly feels And not the words of one who kneels The record shows I took the blows And did it my way…Yes, it was my way
“I did it my way” is a famous line from the song “My Way,” popularized by Frank Sinatra. It expresses a sentiment of self-reliance and living life on one’s own terms, facing challenges and making choices without compromise and kneels to no one. Our world still today sings this song as if it is the song of a hero. Mm.
This song could be the anthem of King Saul’s life. He not only was disobedient to God who made him king; Saul assumed himself to be God! Saul was rebellious; rejecting the God of his youth and Lord of his life. His heart was far from God as he reigned as King of Israel. His arrogance and obnoxious behavior toward God and His People caused extreme despair and eventual death for his family. King Saul was proud, so proud that he fell on his own sword—committing suicide before the enemy could murder him. He did it his way, for sure!
1 Samuel 31
Saul Takes His Life
31 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa. 2 The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. 3 The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically.
4 Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.”
But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 5 When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. 6 So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.
7 When the Israelites along the valley and those across the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them.
8 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and they sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.
11 When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. 13 Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Saul’s soldiers were no match for the Philistine army with its large divisions and its many chariots. The Philistines preferred to fight on level ground because they depended on their chariots, while Israel tried to lure them into the hill country around Mount Gilboa. Without Samuel’s prayers and David’s anointed leadership, the army of Israel was destined for defeat because King Saul was still operating with only his own strength and small mind. Even if Samuel was still alive to rely God’s direction to Saul; Saul no longer listened to God.
One of the first rules of ancient warfare was, “Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king” (see 1 Kings 22:31). The Philistines were notorious for abusing and humiliating victims, especially officers and kings. Fear is the reason Saul fell on his own sword—to avoid what he knew would happen to him in front of his men.
Cultures collide. For an Israelite not to receive proper burial was both humiliating and sacrilegious, and for the body to be mutilated and then exposed was even more scandalous. The Philistines were letting their people and their idols know that they had won a great victory over their chief enemy, the people of Israel. They wrongly concluded that Dagon had triumphed over Jehovah!
Some of Israel’s courageous men gathered to cross the Jordan River and go through enemy territory to retrieve what was left of Saul and his closest officers who had been burned. Saul hadn’t been a spiritual leader, but he was a courageous leader and the first king of Israel. Even if they didn’t respect the man, they were compelled to show respect for the office, just as David had done for God’s first chosen and anointed, Saul. Saul and his men’s bones were given an honorable burial.
What is our response to those we do not agree with culturally, politically, or spiritually? Who we believe, love, trust, and obey as truth and righteousness will certainly be reflected in our response.
In times of trouble, David turned to God for wisdom and help, while Saul consistently turned away from God, even at his death. David was given more than one opportunity to slay King Saul but he did not. He waited for God’s direction then trusted and obeyed. David, no matter how many times Saul attacked him, was not going to disrespect the anointed one of God.
Be a David, known for being one after the heart of God. David even wrote songs about this intimate relationship with God that fills the middle section of our Bibles! David was no perfect; but he knew God would remove his repented sins “as far as the east is from the west”.
In the coming days we will walk with David through 2 Samuel to learn even more as God’s Holy Spirit teaches us a few principles of godly leadership but also the sin of being distracted from God’s will and plan with accompanying consequences. Yes, we will see ourselves in the story of God through David. How will we respond?
Lord,
Thank you for the writings of 1 Samuel that took us through crucial, sometimes cruel human responses in a hostile land. A shepherd boy had an intimate, growing relationship with you, leaned on you and asked in faith your help, wisdom, insight and understanding. King Saul knew of you but didn’t know you. Indeed, doing life our way, full of pride does lead to a tremendous fall. I cannot and will not do life without you. You are everything to me! Forgive my own pride and DYI attitude at times and fill me with your wisdom. Thank you for love, mercy, and grace. You are one I trust with my life for you are Life!
When the enemy deals a blow so hard that it affects us and all we love around us; what is our first response? Is our first thought to fight back, seek revenge, take back what was taken from us? Some of that will happen in David’s time when dealing with evil culture groups who are vicious and unrelenting; but not without asking God first for His take on the situation with what to do next. What we learn today is one very important life principle of discipline that David practiced often. We see it clearly as we follow the adventures of David. The principle is a two-part disciplined response by God’s leader to devasting circumstances. First, David stopped to access the damage done, wept over the lives of those he loved, but in his distress— “David found strength in the Lord his God.” Secondly, while his soldiers mourned in the valley of bitterness, “David inquired of the Lord
This same two-part disciplined principle is demonstrated perfectly by Jesus, Son of God, who came down from heaven to walk and talk with humanity. This principle was most evident as Jesus preached and taught all who would listen. This principle came loaded with power from on high as He provided help and healing for those without hope. John and the other gospels as well wrote what Jesus said about this important principle of life that we all must pursue!
The statement “I do nothing except what the Father tells me” is just one of the many similar quotes of Jesus as recorded throughout the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Specifically, you will find this principle clearly stated in John 5:19. It signifies Jesus’s complete dependence on and obedience to God the Father, emphasizing that Jesus responds to God first and acts only in accordance with God’s will and direction. This life principle highlights Jesus’s role as the Son of God, who operates in perfect unity with the Father,God—not independently.
Perhaps now David’s well read, quoted often, and lovingly sung will have greater meaning for us now;
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23
1 Samuel 30
David Destroys the Amalekites
David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, 2 and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way.
3 When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?”
“Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.”
9 David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Valley, where some stayed behind.10 Two hundred of them were too exhausted to cross the valley, but David and the other four hundred continued the pursuit.
11 They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David. They gave him water to drink and food to eat— 12 part of a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights.
13 David asked him, “Who do you belong to? Where do you come from?”
He said, “I am an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me when I became ill three days ago. 14 We raided the Negev of the Kerethites, some territory belonging to Judah and the Negev of Caleb. And we burned Ziklag.”
15 David asked him, “Can you lead me down to this raiding party?”
He answered, “Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.”
16 He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. 17 David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day, and none of them got away, except four hundred young men who rode off on camels and fled. 18 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. 20 He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, “This is David’s plunder.”
21 Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Valley. They came out to meet David and the men with him. As David and his men approached, he asked them how they were. 22 But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.”
23 David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. 24 Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” 25 David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.
26 When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the Lord’s enemies.”
27 David sent it to those who were in Bethel, Ramoth Negev and Jattir; 28 to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa 29 and Rakal; to those in the towns of the Jerahmeelites and the Kenites; 30 to those in Hormah, Bor Ashan, Athak 31 and Hebron; and to those in all the other places where he and his men had roamed.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Without consulting God first; we assume the position of a fool. Consumed with bitterness we respond to our “feelings” in foolhardy ways.
So, prayerfully consider the examples of David and later Jesus! Who are we to think we are better than Jesus, Son of God, perfect and without sin, who asked the Father before doing anything of significance as one who does not need to consult God? This is GOD, our all-knowing, all powerful, and forever faithful God, who works diligently on the behalf of those who love Him and whose hearts are committed to Him. Seriously. We need to get a grip!
“So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body.
So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit?This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: ‘Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing’ and ‘God will judge his people.’ Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me.”—Hebrews 10:19-31, MSG
God’s Word. Truth.
Lord,
Thank you for the life principle to always see you first, inquire from you our next steps of life. Then fill us with your power and strength do what you tell us to do! I know you will. May our thoughts and feelings be replaced by your wisdom and knowledge. May we all seek you first in every detail of life for you are Life! YOU are God. We are not. Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my soul, and restore the joy of your salvation working from the inside out of me.
As believers of Jesus who reconciled us back to God in relationship with God; our senses are heightened with awareness of God’s interventions in our lives. We think we are going one way but then something or someone happens; and we are sent a completely different way. We think we have all the pieces in place to purchase a new home, then a roadblock in the process changes the plan. We plan to start a family but we are delayed for some reason. We have a career in mind that we prepared for in college; but a new calling sends us into a work that fulfills our greatest desires of serving. When we give all our hearts, minds, and souls to the One who created us in His own image, be prepared and willing to live a flexible life of bending to the will of our Father God. He always knows what is best and will intervene when we are headed in the wrong direction to obtain it. This way of living requires complete surrender to God.
Living on God’s terms is a matter of life or death. Do we live a dead life chained to self-will? Or do we choose to live life to the full with God’s guidance and expected intervention? The Apostle Paul explains this holy harmony with God—living on His terms;
“So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life.God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?”God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!” Romans 8:12-17, MSG
We love the phrase “What’s next, Papa?” as a confident, childlike expectation of God’s blessings and provision. This reflects a relationship with God where we as believers, are filled with God’s Holy Spirit with anticipation of the good things of God while we embrace the future with Him with joyful trust. We become flexible, teachable, moldable and more mobile by the will of God. This is the person I want to be, don’t you?
We all know and experience times when we really don’t understand what is going on. We ask why and wonder what we have done wrong that led to this current change of plans. I’m learning that it’s okay to ask why but we must continue to trust and obey God regardless of knowing the why. In fact, we must lose the need to know why. Our faith, knowing that God knows, is all the answer we need.
David and his men were suddenly sent back “home” by the Philistine commanders as the battle with Israel led by King Saul was about to begin. David asks why. David had proved his loyalty to Achish, but not to the rest of the Philistines so David and his men are not to be a part of this next battle. David obeys and it’s a good thing he did! As we close out 1 Samuel in chapters 29-31; we will understand God’s intervention in David’s life. God is preparing, protecting, and providing for the next King of Israel.
1 Samuel 29
Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag
The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.2 As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. 3 The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”
Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”
4 But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men? 5 Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances:
“‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
6 So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. 7 Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.”
8 “But what have I done?”asked David. “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
9 Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ 10 Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.”
11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
WHAT DO LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
When God intervenes and curtails plans and strategies we have in place are suddenly changed or even eliminated—how do we respond? Let us pause to remember, and prayerfully meditate on our past responses with repentance. Then may we consider a “makeover” of our future responses that more reflects our intimate relationship with God. I am doing that right now!
SPOILER ALERT: The Philistines feared David would turn traitor against them, and they refused his assistance. God helps us avoid situations that would divide our loyalties and break our hearts. This is the battle in which Saul and his sons were killed (31:1–6), and it was the providential hand of the Lord that kept David and his men from having to participate. The Lord was gracious to deliver David and his men from participating in this battle.
Stay tuned, for God’s intervention led David to another battle at home in Ziklag where his hometown for more than a year was burned to the ground. He and his men fought the enemy who captured their wives and children and brought them back home. He divided the spoils fairly which was a demonstration of his integrity.
Yes, God is prepping and grooming a new King who’s “after the heart of God”.
Lord,
We question when our plans need a change or a rearrangement of purpose and you intervene with a better plan. We know you know what is best. Forgive us when “why” first comes across our lips in desperation. Help us to live freely, as redeemed people who fully trust you with anticipation for what you know lies ahead. Good or bad, yet will I trust you. You are Life! Help me to live in harmony of your Good Will.
I ran over to a person I thought I knew at first glance. Her back was turned speaking to another attendee she knew in the crowded convention hall. As soon as I got close to her; I spoke her name in greeting. She turned around and responded, “Do I know you?” When I looked fully into her face, I realized she wasn’t the person I thought I knew well! Yes, those times are embarrassing. I even blush and laugh at myself when I wildly wave at someone on the road in another vehicle who turns out to be a total stranger, too! Sometimes, however, I make new friends by mistaking others for people I know!
“Do I know you? Depart from me, I never knew you.” Can we imagine Jesus saying this to one of us? Hard stuff. Lets go deeper. Jesus does know us. The verse “Depart from me, for I never knew you” is found in Matthew 7:23. It is part of a larger passage (Matthew 7:21-23) where Jesus speaks about false prophets and those who call him “Lord, Lord” but do not do the will of his Father. In this context, the phrase signifies Jesus’s rejection of individuals who claim to be his followers but whose actions demonstrate a lack of genuine faith and relationship with him, according to most religious interpretations.
I think of what Jesus said as we learn the predicament Saul is in. God removed His Spirit from King Saul when Saul arrogantly refused to obey God.The outcome of this broken relationship with God has resulted in leaving Saul with living with the consequences of his own rebellious actions. Saul is now left to his own devices in every part of his life. Earlier, Saul thought he didn’t need God. In fact, he declared himself a god! So, is it any wonder Saul no longer hears from the God?
Without a relationship with our Holy, Almighty, All-Knowing God, evil rushes in to overwhelm our thoughts with extreme fear, sickening anxieties, with constant worry—paralyzing us from doing anything! Who we say we believe will always be found true or false in our responses and behaviors. In fact, what we truly believe about God will be reflected in what we say and do when troubles come and overwhelm us.
Know this: God knows our hearts and will always respond to humble hearts fully committed to Him, ready to do His will, His Way. King Saul’s heart is not committed to God—only to self and self-survival. Saul only looks to God to clean up the mess he has made and put him back on the throne of success. The King is faced with the hard truth: God hears but is no longer listening to him because repentance is far from Saul’s mind.
1 Samuel 28
In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.”
2 David said, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.”
Achish replied, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
Saul and the Medium at Endor
3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.
4 The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. 6 He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. 7 Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”
“There is one in Endor,” they said.
8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”
9 But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?”
10 Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.”
11 Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”
“Bring up Samuel,” he said.
12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?”
The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth.”
14 “What does he look like?” he asked.
“An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said.
Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.
15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”
“I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”
16 Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. 18 Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. 19 The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”
20 Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.
21 When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, “Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do.22 Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”
23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.”
But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch.
24 The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. 25 Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
We learn from the life of King Saul and others who disobeyed God for self-pursuits to avoid hypocrisy at all costs! Be with God before we do anything. If we do not seek God first and get His direction; we will march to the beat of our drummer and fall to the religion of mere busyness! The passage in Matthew 7:21-23 addresses the issue of false disciples and the importance of genuine faith, not just outward displays of religious activity.
Let’s be clear; “I never knew you” doesn’t mean Jesus was unaware of our existence, but rather that He doesn’t recognize us as true followers or acknowledge us as his disciples, when we follow our own will. “Depart from me” is a declaration of separation, where Jesus rejects those who claim to know him but whose lives do not reflect his teachings. Yes, avoid hypocrisy, the sin of the religious leaders whom Jesus called out to repent first for they were confusing to His People.
No matter what means Saul tried, he received no answer from God. Not to hear from God is like death. In fact, David wrote a song about it—
“To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.” Psalm 28:1-2
We can’t help but feel sorry for Saul; yet at the same time, we must admit that he brought his plight on himself. Despite all the blessings God gave to Saul and all the opportunities to grow spiritually, Saul refused. So, Saul was unprepared to lead, unprepared to fight, and unprepared to die.
But, then again, who are we to judge? Are we ready?
Lord,
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptations of self that leads to overwhelming consequences but deliver us from evil. Come, Holy Spirit, for you are welcome. Remove all that is not holy and acceptable to You. Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and restore the unspeakable joy of your salvation at work within us to mold and shape us to be all you created us to be—Yours in relationship that is full of love, mercy, and grace!
My husband loves westerns so I watch with him because I love him! The theme is usually the same—defense of the land where the good family resides. The two main characters can be described as follows: the one wearing the white hat, has a gentle nature, always helping others, is good. The surly looking and cruel arrogant character dressed in black is obnoxious and bad. The bad one wants to have all that the good one has and will do anything to get it. For more clarification—the one who has the better horse is generally the good one. The bad one is the outlaw who takes and never gives. So, there you have it.
But wait, why are they calling David an outlaw? Because David is on the run from King Saul who wants to keep everything he currently has—including the throne. David has been chosen and anointed by God to be the next King of Israel. But until that happens, he is on the run from man who refusing to give up or give in to God. David in on the “outs” with Saul, therefore he is an outlaw to King Saul—even thought David is his son-in-law. Confused? Read on, there’s so much more! So, who says the Bible is not exciting?! God’s story is most exciting saga of the human condition you will ever read with powerful solutions for all who call on His Holy Name!
1 Samuel 27
David Among the Philistines
But David thought to himself,“One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”
2 So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath. 3 David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. 4 When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.
5 Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”
6 So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since. 7 David lived in Philistine territory a year and four months.
8 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) 9 Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish.
10 When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?”David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.” 11 He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’” And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. 12 Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.”
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
“Keep your friends close; your enemies closer.” David runs to where King Saul will not likely follow him—to enemy territory—where the Philistines reside and have possession of since the beginning. Gath is the place Goliath grew up taller than any other man. But David was able to have an alliance with Achish long enough to “hide out”, laying well below Saul’s radar. Why do this in this way?
David knew that his life was in jeopardy as long as Saul was alive. David’s relationship with Saul who wanted him dead drove him so far from his homeland and heritage that David resorted to an alliance with the Philistine king who allowed him to survive as an outlaw. Achish allows it for his own selfish reasons.
Troubles and conflicts sometimes entice us to make accommodations we normally would find unacceptable. We all are tempted to compromise and make concessions to the enemy when nothing else seems to work. But is our trust and faith in God slipping in these times of perplexity? I am reminded of Paul’s statement of faith and resolve, written to the church while in prison for preaching Jesus;
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Paul continues to declare what God is doing in us as we live by faith;
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. –Paul, 2 Corinthians 4:10-18
The statement “confused and perplexed, but not broken” is a powerful expression of resilience, often preached by Paul and others about overcoming adversity. Paul warns us often, in facing challenges and uncertainties, to hold on to our hope with a strong grip on God’s will for this is the way in Jesus Name to persevere in all circumstances. Paul and the other apostles, disciples, teachers and preachers had the power to overcome because they lived with the Overcomer deep inside them!
The problems and obstacles we encounter in life are meant to cultivate faith, wisdom, patience, and confidence. We can profit from facing such obstacles as we allow God to shape our character through them. (Read James 1)
God is shaping David’s character—even as an outlaw to Saul. God is shaping and molding David’s character, grooming David as the next King of Israel.
How is God shaping my life through my current circumstances? That is a question God loves to answer. May God’s glory be seen in us as we allow God to do what He does best—mold and shape us until we become all He created us to be.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5
Lord,
Thank you, Holy Spirit for leading us to all that is true and right. Thank you for leading us through the storms of life that perplex us. Thank you for reminding me that troubles we see are temporary and teach us how to live now as we prepare for life with you which is eternal. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Do you know what the letters T-A-G stand for in this game children play any time, any place where more than two or three are gathered? No one really knows. In 2018, the internet meme “How old were you when you found out ____” began circulating, which stated that the origin of the word tag was an acronym meaning ‘touch and go’. But investigation by snopes.com found this to be false. (And we all know who we can trust, right? Yes, I’m smiling.)Tag (also called chase, tig, it, tiggy, tips, tick, on-on and tip) is a playground game involving one or more players chasing other players in an attempt to “tag” and mark them out of play, typically by touching with a hand.
David continues to play TAG with King Saul just to let him know he can come close enough to touch him but will never take Saul’s life because of his loyalty to the anointed of God. David is obedient most of all to God who leads him. Oh, how it must rattle Saul’s mental and emotional being just knowing that David is able to come close enough to him without the notice of his “right-hand man”, Abner, or 3000 of Saul’s select service men! David will not to the one who will “mark King Saul out of play.” He will leave that to Almighty God.
1 Samuel 26
David Again Spares Saul’s Life
The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?”
2 So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand select Israelite troops, to search there for David. 3 Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had followed him there, 4 he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.
5 Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army encamped around him.
6 David then asked Ahimelek the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?”
“I’ll go with you,” said Abishai.
7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.
8 Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.”
9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”
12 So David took the spear and water jug near Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep.
13 Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them. 14 He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, “Aren’t you going to answer me, Abner?”
Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?”
15 David said, “You’re a man, aren’t you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. 16 What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men must die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed. Look around you. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were near his head?”
17 Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?”
David replied, “Yes it is, my lord the king.” 18 And he added, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?19 Now let my lord the king listen to his servant’s words. If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! They have driven me today from my share in the Lord’s inheritance and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20 Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.”
22 “Here is the king’s spear,”David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. 23 The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.”
25 Then Saul said to David,“May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.”
So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
As we read these exciting stories of who God is and how He works, which is our main concern; we must also look at how His people, whose hearts are fully committed to God, respond. Their response to God opens our eyes to see how we can find ourselves in God’s continuing story and respond to Him now! God’s Word is not to be worship—only God is to praised. Jesus was called the Word made flesh and dwelt among us by John the gospel writer; but we worship Jesus as King and Lord of our lives! Jesus demonstrated obedience to God to teach us obedience to God. I know it can be confusing but it is made more clear when we realize that God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is Three-in-One, a Trinity, One Person with three works.
Like God and His Love; His Word will never perish and will always be with us if we read it and hold His truth close to our hearts. We are less likely to sin when we know what God says with His given instructions of how to avoid sin that distracts, disappoints, with attempts by the enemy of God to deconstruct our faith. But God helps us. God gives the third part of Himself, His Holy Spirit, to live in us to enlighten His Words of Life for us as we read it. As we read God’s Word; we are reading HIM, gaining greater knowledge of Him!
One God’s psalmists explains the importance of the Word infused into our lives;
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 This key verse leaps from the page of the longest Psalm in the Bible. It says it all in a few words. (I suggest reading Psalm 119 in one sitting!) Read God’s Word, meditate on it, and allow His Word to saturate and fill our beings so that we can see God’s glory at work in and around us. Praises to God will be our instinctive response of this revelation of God at work!
We read God’s Word; we begin to see what does not belong in our lives that trip us or TAG us out of God’s best for us! It’s clear that the psalmist had deep love and reverence for God’s Word and we will develop that love, too. Psalm 119 elevates the Word of God over all other documents and statutes. No other book transforms, teaches, and guides like the Bible does. God’s Word lights our path, enlightens our mind with truth, and deepens both our love for God and our understanding of how He works in His ways.
The key to spiritual growth is not increased church attendance or involvement in spiritual activities. People don’t grow in Christ because they are busy at church. Attend a Bible teaching church that disciples more and judges less. Real people touched by God/Jesus/Holy Spirit being the church instead of doing church is the mission God has given to us. (Ephesians 4)
All of us grow in Christ as we read, memorize, trust, and obey God’s Word. This is the discipline of a true disciple of Jesus.
Yes, God’s Word was written by humans, but God told them what to write! God know we need Facetime with Him. God’s Word provides all we need to know God more.
Count on God! Like God’s Love; His Word never fails or contradicts itself. God’s Word leads us to truth. Jesus, the part of God, called by John as “The Word made flesh” came to earth, moved into the neighborhood of humanity, and not only fulfilled all that God’s Word predicted but also retaught God’s Word with simple stories that revealed who God was, is and always will be with who we are in response and relationship to and with God. Jesus explained, clarified, and gave witnessed demonstrations so that the world may know God more.
Worship God as Creator, Jesus as King Redeemer, and His Holy Spirit as our chief guide! His Word is the means to know Truth—who is God Himself.
David has a heart for God, described as “a man after the heart of God.” We see it as he relates to King Saul. He is loyal to Saul as the anointed of God even though he disagrees with Saul’s ways. God is the one David trusts and obeys.
We need a heart like David’s who seeks God; for if our heart is seeking God, our feet will less likely stray from God for we will be too busy in worship to God! Such a heart will see Him in all of life, learn more about Him, fellowship with Him, and glorify Him in all that is said and done. Again, the Holy Spirit enables us to do this as we surrender all to Him with focused attention. His Word is a treasure to be treasured deep in our hearts. It is not our promises to the Lord but His promises to us that will give us victory over sin.
Lord,
Thank you for bringing us into your story of David and Saul with direction and guidance for our lives right now. I love your story of truth that is relevant for me today. Cleanse my heart. Remove what does not belong. Renew my mind, refresh my soul. Restore the joy of your salvation at work within me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Long before Disney’s production, the original “Beauty and the Beast” was a fairy tale written by the French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740. Villeneuve’s lengthy version was abridged, rewritten, and published by French novelist Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756 to produce the most commonly retold version. Throughout the centuries variants of the tale are known across Europe. In France, for example, Zémire and Azor is an operatic version of the story, written by Jean-François Marmontel and composed by André Grétry in 1771, which had enormous success into the 19th century. According to researchers at universities in Durham and Lisbon, the story originated about 4,000 years ago.
THE ORIGINAL STORY: A widowed merchant lives in a mansion in a city with his twelve children: six sons and six daughters. All his daughters are very beautiful, but the youngest, Beauty, is the loveliest. Beauty is also kind and pure of heart; her elder sisters, in contrast, are cruel, selfish, and jealous of Beauty. The merchant and his children become poor when their house burns down, and his ships are lost. The family of thirteen is forced to move to a small cottage in the countryside and work for a living.
Two years later, the merchant hears that one of his trade ships has returned. Before leaving to retrieve it, and possibly their fortune, he asks his children if they wish for him to bring any gifts back for them. His oldest daughters ask for clothing, jewels, and the finest dresses possible as they think that his wealth has returned. Beauty asks for nothing but her father to return home safely, but when he insists on buying her a present, she is satisfied with the promise of a rose.
When he arrives to the port to see his ship the merchant is dismayed to learn that his colleagues have already sold the cargo, thus leaving him penniless and unable to buy his daughters’ presents. During his trip back home the merchant becomes lost in a vicious snowstorm. Seeking shelter, he comes upon a castle surrounded by lifelike statues. Seeing that no one is home, the merchant sneaks in and finds tables inside laden with food and drink, which seem to have been left for him by the castle’s invisible owner. The merchant accepts this gift and spends the night there.
he next morning, he is about to leave when he sees a rose garden and recalls that Beauty had desired a rose. The merchant quickly plucks the loveliest rose he can find. He is then confronted by a hideous “Beast” who tries to kill him for stealing his most precious possession even after accepting his hospitality. The merchant begs to be let go, revealing that he had only picked the rose as a gift for his youngest daughter. The Beast agrees to let him go, but only if he brings one of his daughters back to live with the Beast instead. He makes it clear that she must agree while under no illusions about her predicament.
The merchant is upset, but accepts this condition for the sake of his own life. The Beast sends him on his way with wealth, jewels, and fine clothes for his sons and daughters, and stresses that he must not lie to his daughters.
Upon arriving home, the merchant hands Beauty the rose she requested and informs her that it had a terrible price, before relaying what had happened during his absence. Her brothers say that they will go to the castle and fight the Beast, while his older daughters refuse to leave and place blame on Beauty, urging her to right her own wrong. The merchant forbids his children from ever going near the Beast. But Beauty willingly decides to go to the Beast’s castle, moving her father who remembers a Romani fortune-teller’s prophecy about his youngest daughter making his household lucky.
Once they arrive at the castle, the Beast receives Beauty with great ceremony. The merchant is sent home with a reward. The Beast gives Beauty lavish clothing, food and entertainment along with animal servants. He visits her each evening to ask her how she is doing. Although they converse at length, he seems unable to express himself well, leading her to assume he is not intelligent. Every night he asks Beauty to let him sleep with her: and she refuses. After each proposal Beauty dreams of a handsome stranger who is imprisoned in the castle, along with an apparition of a fairy who tells her not to be deceived by appearances.
For several months Beauty lives a life of luxury at the Beast’s castle. Her feelings for the man in her dreams and her gratitude toward the Beast come into conflict. When the Beast asks her what is wrong, she pleads homesickness and he sadly allows her to leave, warning her that if she does not return within two months he will die of a broken heart. The Beast gives her an enchanted ring allowing her to return home instantly.
Her sisters are jealous of her good wealth and her brothers demand that she stay home and not go back. But Beauty thinks of the Beast’s broken heart and returns to him. Once she is back in the castle, Beauty’s fears are confirmed as she finds the Beast near death in a cave on the grounds. Seeing this, Beauty is distraught, realizing that she loves him. She fetches water from a nearby spring, which she uses to resuscitate him.
The next night when the Beast proposes, Beauty agrees to marry him. The sky is lit up by a magical fireworks show. That night he goes to bed with her, falling into an enchanted sleep as soon as he lies down. When Beauty wakes up next to him the next morning she finds that the Beast has transformed into the unknown man from her dreams. AND there is a back story to complete that explains the chain of events that led to the marriage of Beauty and the Beast! You can read “the rest of the story” at Wikipedia Encyclopedia!
It only takes one with a pure heart to resolve conflict who wants the best for all concerned. In our story of God in the life of David, Abigal is that person, the intelligent, quick-thinking Beauty who is married to Nabal, a grumpy, cruel, Beast of a man.
1 Samuel 25
David, Nabal and Abigail
Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of Paran.
2 A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3 His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite.
4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. 6 Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!
7 “‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. 8 Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.’”
9 When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. Then they waited.
10 Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?”
12 David’s men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word. 13 David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.
14 One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. 16 Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. 17 Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.”
18 Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. 19 Then she told her servants, “Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
20 As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them. 21 David had just said, “It’s been useless—all my watching over this fellow’s property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. 22 May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!”
23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. 25 Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent. 26 And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal. 27 And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you.
28 “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. 29 Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.30 When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, 31 my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”
32 David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.33 May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.”
35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.”
36 When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until daybreak.37 Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone. 38 About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died.
39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.”
Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. 40 His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, “David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife.”
41 She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, “I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” 42 Abigail quickly got on a donkey and, attended by her five female servants, went with David’s messengers and became his wife. 43 David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel, and they both were his wives. 44 But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Gallim.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
There are so many lessons to learn in God’s story of David, Abigail and Nabal that teach us with reminders of better ways to respond to each other. Consider these opportunities of response:
We may work with “beasts” at work who are surly and mean who deliver consistent negative put downs. Do we deliver meaner comebacks with an effort to put them in their place?
We might have that one extended family member that we avoid like the plague because of their plague of comments served on a plate of steamy sarcasm. Do seethe with anger and hold grudges against them?
There might be that person at church who judges harshly and gossips unmercifully. Do we join in as a team sport?
Truth is, everyone has a backstory. This is not an excuse for cruel behavior but merely a fact of life that requires consideration when responding to the beasts in our lives. We can tame a lot of beasts by offering what they seek most—unconditional love with a listening ear. But how? I’m glad you asked…
Jesus gives us perfect examples of response:
Jesus taught his followers to respond to others with love, forgiveness, and compassion, even towards enemies and those who mistreat them. This includes turning the other cheek, blessing those who curse them, and praying for those who persecute them. Jesus emphasized serving others, showing mercy, and seeking reconciliation.
Jesus also warned us about judging others because we will be judged in the same manner. Don’t dish out what might be served up to you later in larger portions! Only Jesus is our High Priest, Advocate, and Judge. Jesus is God in the flesh who knows our hearts, our backstories, and our personalities with how we think and will respond. God forgives, forgets, and wants His very best for each one of His created. God is merciful, kind, compassionate, and full of love and grace. To be more like Jesus, we must learn to think and respond like Jesus demonstrated for us.
The gospels overflow with Jesus’ response to the lost, broken, unloved, poor, plagued outcasts of society, abused and hurt from the inside out. Jesus dealt with the “beasts” who were oppressive to others as He walked on earth with His followers. He reminded religious bullies compassionately of what God desired most—for their hearts to return to Him. He fulfilled all God’s saying through His prophets of how His people should respond to those who oppose them with examples of putting those words into action.
Peter, the Rock upon whom Jesus built His church, learned and applied Jesus’ lessons well. He writes;
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21–23 NIV)
Pause, reflect prayerfully, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts…
What is my first thought of response when I’m insulted? Especially when insulted for being a follower of Jesus? Our natural tendency is to insult back, right? And all too often, we give in to that desire, responding to an insult with an insult. But Peter, who learned from Jesus, tells us that there is a better way to respond.
Jesus suffered on our behalf. And He did; Jesus demonstrated the love of God in His response. When Jesus was insulted, He did not respond with insult or threaten those who beat Him and hung Him on a cross. There was no fault to be found in anything He said or did in response to insults and suffering. Instead, He entrusted himself to God, the one who judges justly. Jesus chose to allow the Father to respond for him. “May Your Will be done” were words of resolution to God before going to the cross. He trusted God completely.
Therefore, when someone insults us because of our faith in Jesus; we have a choice. We can insult them back and “beat them over the head” with the Scriptures we know. But when we take that approach; we are failing to follow Jesus’ example. Yes, He quoted scriptures when tempted by Satan our real Enemy in the spiritual rhelms. But when we demonstrate to the one insulting us that we are no different than they are with anger and resentment, we are justifying their rejection of the God we serve. In fact, Jesus showed us how not to retaliate. We can respond to insult with blessing (1 Peter 3:9). That will confuse the one insulting us while demonstrating to them that we are different because of Jesus living in us. We then show them that just maybe there is something to the God we claim to love and serve.
Jesus, who is Peace, taught us to be Peace. Matthew 5:44 says to “love your enemies,” and Matthew 5:9 says peacemakers will be blessed. Luke 6:28 even says, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Abigail demonstrated this truth.
Here are the extended words of Jesus with how to respond perfectly to each other;
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”—Jesus, Matthew 5:38-48.
Oh Lord,
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptations of revenge, grudge holding, or resentment but DELIVER us from all evil and evil’s schemes to divide us. Help us by your power working in us.
One of my husband’s favorite sayings to all, especially me and our kids who playfully harassed him while playing games, in the pool, or at a meal, was to say, “When you least expect it, expect it!” This promise of payback came right after an unexpectedly tickle fest or after playing a harmless, practical joke on him. In good nature, meaning what he said, we knew there would indeed be a payback when we least expected it—and we expected it! What goes around come around was my phrase when the kids got what they deserved while falling to the ground in laugher.
David has an opportunity to payback Saul for all the misery he has caused for David; but he doesn’t take it. David has a heart who seeks God and listens to what He has to say. David’s men are pushing him to murder Saul who is in a very vulnerable situation at the moment; but God stops David from doing it. David is loyal to the “anointed” maybe because he has also been anointed by God.
1 Samuel 24
David Spares Saul’s Life
After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.”7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.
14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”
16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.21 Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.”
22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
David knows God has chosen and ordained him to be the next King of Israel. King Saul knows that David will follow him as King of Israel but Saul cannot not let go of the power he holds tightly to with defiance to God. Samuel knows and grieves over Saul who arrogantly disobeyed God which resulted in God’s Spirit removed from Saul. But Samuel, prophet and priest of God, longs for the day when David becomes King. Even God’s people know and are seeing David as their hero and next king whose heart aligns with the heart of God. The people are weary of King Saul’s evil character that has produced bad decisions making life more difficult for them. And most of all God knows. God has orchestrated every detail even with Saul’s disobedient acts. David will become king in God’s time and place, possible when most will least expect it.
Consider this thought—
Jesus is coming back as God’s appointed from the beginning as King of kings and Lord of lords to claim His own and set up His new Kingdom. That Day is coming—when we least expect it.Are we ready?
David models how to give grace to the person who gives nothing but grief.
How do we respond to those who are hard to love, spew hate for all who get in their way and snarl at us at work, within our families, and at church? “You have heard it said,Love your neighbor and hate your enemy,” says Jesus to all gathered to listening to hear His words of life, “but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” –Jesus, Matthew 5:43-48
We become God’s children when we identify with Christas our Saviorand Lord. Jesus expects us to love like He loves us—with unmerited grace and undeserved mercy. Our response to life, people, and circumstances is to first come in holy reverence before our Holy, Perfect God and simply ask what He wants us to be and do; then do it! God will gladly tell us what to do and give us His powerful help to carry out His direction with loving acts of kindness. For it is His Kindness that leads to our repentance! To more like Him; we must listen to Him. “…do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? —Paul, Romans 2:4
“Be perfect” like God is perfect!? What does that mean? We know that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) God gave us Jesus as the solution to overcome sin’s consequences. We are not perfect but we are perfectly forgiven by our Holy God because of Jesus’ sacrifice to pay our debt of sin. Jesus is telling us to live like redeemed people who seek to perfect our words and actions as we respond to Him and to each other—like God responds to us!
It is Jesus who makes us holy while perfecting us as we seek to become more like Him as we live each day with joyful expectantly of His return! To become holy (perfect) like God who created us in His own image is to seek first our Holy God as a daily discipline—the only One who perfects us. We are all a “work in progress.”
Jesus IS coming back you know—when we least expect Him—expect Him!
Lord,
Thank you for these thoughts that teach us how to become more like You in every way.
We trust you to give us your help to overcome evil in an imperfect world of greed, arrogance, envy, gossip, jealousy, pride, which breed cruel acts of hate filled violence. You are God and we are not so we call on you first and always. I love you because you first loved me. I trust you with all my life because you are Life. Lead me. Fill me with the power of Your Holy Spirit who guides us to all that is true. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
In Jesus Name, Amen
“Because of your faith, it will happen.” Matthew 9:29, NLT
If we eat rich foods, stay up late watching intense shows of catching fugitives, we later dream in vivid color, weird episodes of people in hot pursuit of us! We run but get nowhere. We scream but nothing comes out. We plan for escape but are caught in traps set for us. Okay, maybe that’s just me, but others had told me the same things happen in their dreams!
Our hearts, minds, and bodies are “intricately and wonderfully made” by our Creator. (Psalm 139) It is up to us what we feed the inmost parts of our souls. What goes in comes out. So, it is important to consider our diets of inner being consumption for what we think affects how we talk then actively respond to people and circumstances of life.
Now, consider what is going on at this phase of God’s story—
In our continuing saga of King Saul, whose days are numbered because he rejected God with disobedience, we read of his hot pursuit of young David who God has chosen to take his place. King Saul knows the truth but is unwilling to face the truth. His desire is to rid his world of David, the next in line as King of Israel, so his reign will remain intact. He has the arrogance and audacity to ask God to help him for it has become his way of life to ask God to help him get what he wants! King Saul feeds his soul on self with huge platefuls of ego daily.
David, the one being pursued, still serves King Saul as a loyal soldier; but has been anointed by God through Samuel to be the next king. In humbled limbo between soldier servant and future king; David inquires of God, asking for what God thinks he should do. David’s habit is to ask God first before moving forward.
Who will God listen to and help? God knows both hearts and will respond to the heart committed to Him.
It might be good to pause and ask ourselves;
Are we asking God to help us get our way in a certain situation in our lives right now?Or are we humbly asking God, knowing He knows our hearts and our situation; “not my will, Lord, but your will be done”? Along with these words is the resolve to accept and walk in His will to be done with trust and obedience. God knows what we need and knows what is best for us.
1 Samuel 23
David Saves Keilah
When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,”2 he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
3 But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”
4 Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.”5 So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. 6 (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)
Saul Pursues David
7 Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” 8 And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.
9 When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”10 David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.”
And the Lord said, “He will.”
12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?”
And the Lord said, “They will.”
13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there.
14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.
15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 The two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.
19 The Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon? 20 Now, Your Majesty, come down whenever it pleases you to do so, and we will be responsible for giving him into your hands.”
21 Saul replied, “The Lord bless you for your concern for me. 22 Go and get more information. Find out where David usually goes and who has seen him there. They tell me he is very crafty. 23 Find out about all the hiding places he uses and come back to me with definite information. Then I will go with you; if he is in the area, I will track him down among all the clans of Judah.”
24 So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon. 25 Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the Desert of Maon in pursuit of David.
26 Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them, 27 a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.”28 Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth. 29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
“Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.” (verse 14) There’s the answer! God responds to hearts after His heart!
God works consistently and tirelessly to teach David the attributes and character of being a leader. Through trialsand sufferings of being relentlessly being pursued, God is building David’s faith and resolve in Him. David is not perfect, but God is not asking for perfection. God is after David’s pursuit of Him!
Our response? Our daily pursuit of God is exactly what God still wants from us! Daily feed on His Word that nourishes our souls. Listen to His Holy Spirit who lives deep inside us. This holy gift of His Spirit to us upon repentance with complete redemption made possible by Jesus should not to be taken lightly! THIS IS THE SECRET OF LIFE! The Apostle Paul explains the secret in this way;
“I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiminghis entire message to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us.” Colossians 1:24-28, NLT
Respond with being filled with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit daily. Feed on His Word. Ask for His will to be done in our lives. Then go and tell others—Speak Jesus. Live in constant pursuit of Jesus, God in the flesh, sent to pursue lost humanity with God’s redeeming love that led Him to sacrifice Himself to remove our sins once and for all. Yes, this is the secret to life abundant and free—the pursuit of Jesus! As David would when filled with God’s Spirit, let’s sing praise with grateful hearts to our God right now! This is my current favorite—
“I Speak Jesus” by Charity Gayle and Steven Musso
I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over every heart and every mind ‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence I speak Jesus
I just want to speak the name of Jesus ‘Til every dark addiction starts to break Declaring there is hope and there is freedom I speak Jesus
Your name is power Your name is healing Your name is life Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows Burn like a fire
I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over fear and all anxiety To every soul held captive by depression I speak Jesus
Your name is power Your name is healing Your name is life Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows Burn like a fire
Shout Jesus from the mountains, Jesus in the streets Jesus in the darkness over every enemy And Jesus for my family I speak the holy name, Jesus
Shout Jesus from the mountains, Jesus in the streets, Jesus in the darkness over every enemy. Jesus for my family, I speak the holy name, Jesus
Shout Jesus for my family Shout Jesus for our city I speak the holy name, Jesus…
Thank you, Lord.In Jesus Name, By Your power living us
Paranoia is synonymous with fear, mistrust, suspicion, and obsession.
When we fear the losses of affection, trust, and loyalty of those around us; we tend to first look at what is wrong with them instead of looking inside to see what has gone wrong with us. King Saul refuses to look inside himself and is obsessed with being god of his small world. He trusts no one, not even his own son, and feels he has the right to murder all those he thinks disagrees with him. King Saul throws spears in anger at those most loyal to him and then wonders why they run from him.
But at the heart of this king’s demise is God’s rejection of Saul’s his evil, disobedient behaviors toward the God of all. Without God’s Holy Spirit in Saul he is now paranoid, angry, and most arrogant. It is God who is sovereign and has all authority. God knows all hearts and knows that King Saul’s heart is full of deceit, resentment and bitterness. Because King Saul has rejected God; God is removing him from his position as King of Israel and replacing him with a man after God’s own heart—David. Deep inside, Saul knows that his days are ending, so his paranoia builds to heights beyond self-control. `
When God is no longer our focus in life; our life grows dim and dark with worry, frustration, and deep anxieties beyond our control. We do life at work and at home based on our own presumptions and assumptions without power. We love less and judge more. Hate becomes the force of our existence. We unfairly punish others quickly before they betray us driven by our own lack of discipline, loyalty, and faith in God. We live in rejection of all that is good and best for us. We operate with guilt deep inside our souls. We walk in darkness, succumbing to being and doing all things that are dark until we come back to God through Jesus who is Truth and Light. In the middle of all this is a waste of precious time.
1 Samuel 22
David at Adullam and Mizpah
David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.
3 From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?”4 So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.
5 But the prophet Gad said to David,“Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.
Saul Kills the Priests of Nob
6 Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul was seated, spear in hand, under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing at his side. 7 He said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 8 Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.”
9 But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek son of Ahitub at Nob.10 Ahimelek inquired of the Lord for him; he also gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
11 Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelek son of Ahitub and all the men of his family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. 12 Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.”
“Yes, my lord,” he answered.
13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?”
14 Ahimelek answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? 15 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”
16 But the king said,“You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.”
17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.”
But the king’s officials were unwilling to raise a hand to strike the priests of the Lord.
18 The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19 He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.
20 But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David.21 He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22 Then David said to Abiathar, “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. 23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.”
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
As Saul falls; David rises as the true leader. However, as David rises, his faith falters as he runs from Saul. His desperation and hunger becomes evident when he meets the priest Ahimelek and lies to him. Oh, David, you didn’t have to do that. Isn’t that what we might be thinking? Desperate, David resorts to two lies only to get fed. Ahimelek wants to help but only has the holy bread of Presence, the “show bread” from the altar to feed himself and his men. David is now forcing the priest to sin. This bread after being on the altar for a week, according to Law, meant for priests to eat.
This surprises us. So far David has been stellar, spotless, stainless but when speared to the wall and on the run from his enemy; fear takes over his thoughts and actions. Do we do that?
David’s first lie was to tell the priest he was on a mission for Saul. We all know that he was running from Saul! David’s second lie was in response to Ahimelek’s way of stretching the law by asking if his men were pure and responsible enough to eat the bread. David said, of course! The priest had no reason to doubt the one famous for slaying the giant in the Name of Yahweh! Our lies no only hurt ourselves but all those around us. Everyone suffers from the deeds of darkness.
What happened? Is David already losing his God-focus? Is the defeat of Goliath by Gd through David only a faint memory? Truly desperation has set in. When that happens, our real Enemy takes our desperation as his clue to dive in to distract our focus, discourage our being, disrupt our lives with lies, dismantle our belief system with attention on self. Satan’s ultimate goal is to destroy our faith in Almighty, All Powerful God. Turn back to God to avoid all these pitfalls; it is God who overcomes, prevails and never fails to defeat the enemy in victory. In the end—God wins!
OUR RESPONSE? Sometimes our desperation or fear causes us to act rashly and displease God. Such acts separate us from our eternal Father and strain our relationship with him. As soon as we are aware of what is happening in us—run to God, and confess in Jesus Name! Ask for His cleansing, renewing, refreshing, and restoration. Need help with the words? David the poet and a man after God’s own heart provides all we need to say—
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.” (Psalm 51)
Humbly praying this with a sincere heart gets God’s attention and brings our view of God back into clear focus. Pray in Jesus Name for HE provided the Way back to God. God answers prayers of humble repentance. Jesus said all of heaven stops to listen to our repentant prayers and then wildly rejoices in our redemption! “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”—Jesus, Luke 15:10
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 