Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — April 2010
1 Samuel 24 -- Opportunity Is Not Always Permission
This is one Bible story that has always captured the attention of the boys I teach. It's one that's easy for them to jump into and become a part of for one reason, and then they can learn something from the twist the story takes.
This is one Bible story that has always captured the attention of the boys I teach. It's one that's easy for them to jump into and become a part of for one reason, and then they can learn something from the twist the story takes.
Here's what draws them in: David and his men have fled Saul's advances, and have holed up far back in a cave near the Dead Sea. Their plan was to wait there until Saul and his army left. As they waited, suddenly there is movement near the mouth of the cave. One man entered alone - Saul. He's sought out a nonpublic spot because nature was calling.
David's men are ecstatic, believing that God has delivered Saul into their hands, and they are ready to end his life while he was most vulnerable.
The part that captures boys' attention comes next. While Saul is taking care of business, David works his way closer and closer. Saul has evidently removed his robe and laid it aside for the task, and he's otherwise occupied when David draws near. Stifled laughter and anticipation by the boys matches that of David's men at the thought of someone happily going about this process and totally unaware that he has an audience, and the tension is palpable. David manages somehow to ignore his immediate environment and sneaks up and silently cuts off a corner of Saul's robe, then just as silently removes himself from the scene, returning to his men.
I'm sure his men were greatly disappointed that Saul, oblivious to the danger, redressed and left the cave. Had David squandered an opportunity to take the kingship? David told his men: "May the Lord keep me from doing such a thing to my master! Saul is the Lord's appointed king. I should not do anything against him, because he is the Lord's appointed king." David even felt bad about ruining Saul's robe.
David watched as Saul returned to his army and began to move on. Then he appeared at the mouth of the cave, called out to Saul, bowed face down on the ground, and told Saul to check his robe. David had the opportunity but not the permission from God to take Saul's life. He waited on God. The men with him were probably waiting for the attack to begin, but Saul recognized that David was honorable and more so than himself, so Saul ordered his army to return home.
"In David's words to Saul, he twice called on the Lord to act as Judge. He was content to leave his case in the hands of God rather than do what might seem right to the natural man," my commentary added.
Father, help me to remember that, just because an opportunity presents itself, I cannot automatically assume that it comes from You. Help me to ask for confirmation from You, and short of getting it, let me not proceed unless and until I've heard from You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Here's what draws them in: David and his men have fled Saul's advances, and have holed up far back in a cave near the Dead Sea. Their plan was to wait there until Saul and his army left. As they waited, suddenly there is movement near the mouth of the cave. One man entered alone - Saul. He's sought out a nonpublic spot because nature was calling.
David's men are ecstatic, believing that God has delivered Saul into their hands, and they are ready to end his life while he was most vulnerable.
The part that captures boys' attention comes next. While Saul is taking care of business, David works his way closer and closer. Saul has evidently removed his robe and laid it aside for the task, and he's otherwise occupied when David draws near. Stifled laughter and anticipation by the boys matches that of David's men at the thought of someone happily going about this process and totally unaware that he has an audience, and the tension is palpable. David manages somehow to ignore his immediate environment and sneaks up and silently cuts off a corner of Saul's robe, then just as silently removes himself from the scene, returning to his men.
I'm sure his men were greatly disappointed that Saul, oblivious to the danger, redressed and left the cave. Had David squandered an opportunity to take the kingship? David told his men: "May the Lord keep me from doing such a thing to my master! Saul is the Lord's appointed king. I should not do anything against him, because he is the Lord's appointed king." David even felt bad about ruining Saul's robe.
David watched as Saul returned to his army and began to move on. Then he appeared at the mouth of the cave, called out to Saul, bowed face down on the ground, and told Saul to check his robe. David had the opportunity but not the permission from God to take Saul's life. He waited on God. The men with him were probably waiting for the attack to begin, but Saul recognized that David was honorable and more so than himself, so Saul ordered his army to return home.
"In David's words to Saul, he twice called on the Lord to act as Judge. He was content to leave his case in the hands of God rather than do what might seem right to the natural man," my commentary added.
Father, help me to remember that, just because an opportunity presents itself, I cannot automatically assume that it comes from You. Help me to ask for confirmation from You, and short of getting it, let me not proceed unless and until I've heard from You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 25 -- We Never Know Who God Is Sending Into Our Life To Bless Us
A wealthy man named Nabal lived near where David and his men were camping. David's men watched out for his shepherds who were on the neighboring hillsides tending Nabal's 3000 sheep and 1000 goats. Apparently David had advised the
A wealthy man named Nabal lived near where David and his men were camping. David's men watched out for his shepherds who were on the neighboring hillsides tending Nabal's 3000 sheep and 1000 goats. Apparently David had advised them to show kindness to these shepherds without asking for favor, assuming that someday the favor might be returned. They weren't running a "protection racket".
When the wool harvest later came into full swing, David was in need of food supplies, and sent 10 young men to Nabal to ask for assistance. His message was both diplomatic and humble, pronouncing a blessing on Nabal and his family, assuring them that they came in peace, and asking for the favor.
Nabal's reply showed that he was full of himself: "Who is David? ... Many slaves are running away from their masters today! ... I have meat that I killed for my servants who cut the wool. But I won't give it to men I don't know."
When David's men reported back to him, David despised Nabal for insulting him so and prepared to battle him. It was the custom of the day, my commentary said, to assist those who willingly looked after one's assets with no thought of reward.
Nabal's own servant was astounded by his master's reply and told Nabal's wife, Abigail, about it. Knowing her husband's disposition, she quickly put together a large supply of food and headed toward David's camp. She even took the blame for Nabal, saying, "I, your servant, didn't see the men you sent ... Please forgive my wrong." She also rightly noted, "The Lord has kept you from killing and punishing anyone ... The Lord will certainly let your family have many kings, because you fight His battles."
Her quick response saved the day. She returned to find her husband drunk and waited until morning to tell him what she'd done. "His heart stopped, and he became like stone," and ten days later he died. David then sent word to her, asking her to become his wife. In great humility, she agreed and went to join David at his camp.
My commentary said, "The Lord knows how to bring the right people into our lives to direct us and warn us. We should be thankful that He does," and "In this story, we see afresh that whoever exalts himself will be humbled (Nabal was killed by God), and she who humbles herself will be exalted (Abigail became the wife of the king)."
Father, remind me to be kind to everyone I meet, not knowing who you may be sending into my life specifically to bless me. Help me never to exalt myself, but instead to exalt You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
When the wool harvest later came into full swing, David was in need of food supplies, and sent 10 young men to Nabal to ask for assistance. His message was both diplomatic and humble, pronouncing a blessing on Nabal and his family, assuring them that they came in peace, and asking for the favor.
Nabal's reply showed that he was full of himself: "Who is David? ... Many slaves are running away from their masters today! ... I have meat that I killed for my servants who cut the wool. But I won't give it to men I don't know."
When David's men reported back to him, David despised Nabal for insulting him so and prepared to battle him. It was the custom of the day, my commentary said, to assist those who willingly looked after one's assets with no thought of reward.
Nabal's own servant was astounded by his master's reply and told Nabal's wife, Abigail, about it. Knowing her husband's disposition, she quickly put together a large supply of food and headed toward David's camp. She even took the blame for Nabal, saying, "I, your servant, didn't see the men you sent ... Please forgive my wrong." She also rightly noted, "The Lord has kept you from killing and punishing anyone ... The Lord will certainly let your family have many kings, because you fight His battles."
Her quick response saved the day. She returned to find her husband drunk and waited until morning to tell him what she'd done. "His heart stopped, and he became like stone," and ten days later he died. David then sent word to her, asking her to become his wife. In great humility, she agreed and went to join David at his camp.
My commentary said, "The Lord knows how to bring the right people into our lives to direct us and warn us. We should be thankful that He does," and "In this story, we see afresh that whoever exalts himself will be humbled (Nabal was killed by God), and she who humbles herself will be exalted (Abigail became the wife of the king)."
Father, remind me to be kind to everyone I meet, not knowing who you may be sending into my life specifically to bless me. Help me never to exalt myself, but instead to exalt You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
No comments:
Post a Comment