Forgiveness?

¹ Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” ⁷ So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”- 2 Samuel 9:1, 7

     Wow! If only I could practice this type of forgiveness in my life. And then it hits me that this isn't even forgiveness. This man had done nothing wrong to David, he was merely associated with someone who had made David's life miserable for years. A humbling thought for me. How often do I hold a grudge against someone who has done me no wrong? How often do I shy away from someone merely because they are associated with someone I don't get along with? David had every right to avoid anyone in Saul's family who came begging for a handout, but David didn't avoid, he sought. He searched and found someone to bestow kindness upon, all because of Jonathan. This leads me to the idea of real friendship. Jonathan was the driving factor behind David's desire in this situation. How many friendships do I have that would overcome their father hunting me like an animal? How quickly would I associate them with their family and hate them all? David gives a shining example of friendship, love and kindness. Do I care about my friends as much as David? Am I willing to share the Gospel with people who may have reason to hate me? Do I love my enemies and their families enough to share God's blessings with them? Embarrassing questions to answer. Definitely an area to work on in my life.

The Stronghold

¹⁷ Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. - 2 Samuel 5:17

     Today's thought is quick, but it hit home really hard. The parallel between David's life and our Christian walk is sometimes uncanny. What jumped out at me today was the response of the Philistines, followed by David's own response. This verse tells us that when David became king, all the Philistines came after him. I believe that Satan is often a Philistine just waiting for someone to become a child of the King. He then sends out all of his minions in an attempt to destroy their new life. As brothers and sisters it is dangerous for us to forget this fact. We often lead others to Christ and then kind of leave them to the devil's wolves. I believe Satan follows this same procedure when a Christian moves into a position of power as well. They may not be a "king" but once they are in the spotlight they become clear targets. We must notice what David does. He immediately goes down to the stronghold. Our stronghold is in our Rock, Jesus Christ, and His Word. We must run there when the "Philistines" come, and we must make sure we teach the babes in Christ how to run there as well.

Grace is Enough

¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. - Titus 2:11-14

     A wonderful reminder passage to go over in church today. As we were studying, I think the most amazing revelation about this was the power of God's grace. Verse 11 states the obvious, that God's grace brought salvation to us. The amazing part comes in the following verses. Verse 12 tells us that this grace teaches us to deny ungodly things, live righteously and be zealous for good works as we await the appearing of our Savior. All of that from grace? Sounds absurd, yet makes so much sense. Why is it that I seem to need so much more to stay on track in my personal walk? God's grace is enough. When I am tempted to go back to the ways of the flesh if I just remember God's grace toward me it helps put me in focus. When I struggle to find a reason to live righteously I just need to remember God's grace. If I need a reason to be zealous for what is right, God's grace is enough. When I remember my sinful nature and a life without God, and then remember God's grace even in my sinful state, it is enough. What argument can I ever have against God's grace? I deserve punishment, hell, separation from God; yet I have none of these things. I instead have blessings, eternal life and a personal Redeemer. God can never ask too much of me when He has given everything. What sacrifice could I make that would even come close to His only Son? What hardship could I endure that could even come close to Christ's separation from His Father? Everything I need to live a daily life for Him is wrapped up in one single aspect; God's grace.

The Blessed Man

 ¹ Blessed is the man
         Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
         Nor stands in the path of sinners,
         Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
 ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates day and night.
 ³ He shall be like a tree
         Planted by the rivers of water,
         That brings forth its fruit in its season,
         Whose leaf also shall not wither;
         And whatever he does shall prosper. - Psalm 1:1-3

     Very well-known verses, but still great verses! A few things stood out as I read these today that I don't think I've really ever thought about. The first coming from verse 1. I always associate verse one with acting like an ungodly person, but today it stood out a little deeper. Not walking in the counsel of these people means that I don't look at life the same way a non-christian does. Their instruction and attitude and worldview and all of these things would be wrapped up in their counsel. If I am focusing on Christ alone and God's Word I will have no room for any other opinions. Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. The second thing that stood out was the word "stands". Why would I stand in someone's path? I can think of only two reasons: to block them or to wait for them to arrive. Neither of these options are good options. I must always be extremely careful not to block someone from God. I think Christians can often be the very reason why the unsaved don't want to be Christians. My life can often scream hypocrisy and sinfulness. My attitude can drive away the interested. I must not allow my failures to block someone's path or become a stumbling block. 1 Corinthians 8:9 - But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. I also should not wait around for a "sinner" to arrive. I must separate myself from temptations and bad influences. If I stand in the path where I know sin and trouble will arrive, I am bound to get involved.

     The last thing that grabbed me from Psalm 1 was the relationship between verses 2 and 3. I know the connection but often forget about it. I like to focus on verse 3 and God's promise of prosperity. However, this prosperity is linked to verse 2 and my personal behavior. If I want to be prosperous then I must delight in God's Word and meditate daily. My desires must be God's desires. When I am in tune with God my desires will match His. When my desires match God's desires there is nothing He would rather do than make these things real in my life. Psalm 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Ego

⁷ So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” ⁸ Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” - 1 Samuel 18:7-8

     Jealousy and pride are best friends. As a man, the pride issue is always present in my life. I understand exactly what Saul is feeling in this passage, but I also understand exactly how silly and childish this feeling really is. Number one, Saul is taking out his anger at himself on David. David has done nothing but what God wanted him to do which is exactly what Saul has not been doing. Saul's guilty conscience burns greater and greater as he witnesses David being the man that he should have been. Second, Saul is jealous of the people's love and respect for David rather than their current king. And third, Saul's pride is hurt by his "thousands" being less than David's "ten thousands". I must be cautious of these very same issues in my daily life. The godliness of those around me can either inspire me to do better or do bitter. If I don't see fellow Christians as an encouragement, Satan will use them as a discouragement. Second, I must not allow other people's popularity and lifestyles make me jealous of the life God has blessed me with. I know deep down that if I actually shared my jealousy with those people they would probably be shocked and tell me how they wanted my life or some other life that seems better. Satan always makes the grass look greener somewhere else. And third, I must rejoice in the fact that I have "thousands". A thousand is a lot, maybe not compared to ten thousand, but it's still a lot. We must learn to be content where we are. If I am unwilling to be aware of these three dangers I know I will soon find myself in Saul's shoes. A man quickly falling from the head of Israel to a bitter reject fighting against the family of God. May I always be aware of the pride and jealousy lurking within.

    

Abnormal

⁴⁸ So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

⁵⁵ When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” 

1 Samuel 17:48, 55

     Overall I would like to think that I am a decently brave person. I don't have too many phobias and I've done some things that terrify other people, but I can say with certainty that I am not as brave as David. Think about it. This guy was psycho-crazy brave. He shrugs off Goliath by talking about killing a lion and a bear. Not as a muscular, middle-aged master hunter, but as a scrawny teenage shepherd. He then volunteers to fight Goliath by himself. Think about that. Saul who is larger than anyone in Israel, and all of his greatest, bravest soldiers have refused to go out and fight Goliath. Then, to top it all off, David goes out to meet Goliath with no armor, no sword, no shield. The kid with just a sling starts RUNNING at the giant and topples him before Goliath can say, "Look, a rock." However, throughout all of his bravery, David never fails to give the credit to God. He recognizes that God has given him the strength and has delivered him in these times of trouble. So what do I get from all of this? It's verse 55 that stands out. After witnessing David's heroic achievement, the first thing Saul wants to know is the identity of David's dad. When I learn to trust God, I can certainly find some of the bravery and confidence that David had, but there are more important things at stake. The best part is not God's deliverance from my giant, but rather that my attitude during the battle can turn others to Him. When my heart is right and my trust is in God, I won't act "normal" in trying situations. This psycho-crazy, David-like behavior will make people desire to know how I can respond so differently. As others see God in me they will begin to see God for themselves. Like David, my behavior has the ability to make others ask, "Hey, who's his Father?"

Armor or No Armor?

³⁸ So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. ³⁹ David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. ⁴⁷ Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands. - 1 Samuel 17:38-39, 47

     Armor or no armor? Sounds like a stupid question, but is it? It is human nature and plain common sense to want to protect ourselves from danger in any way possible. The problem is that God does not work in humanly ways, nor do His ways always make sense to us. Saul offered David all of the worldly protection mankind could provide. A king's suit of armor and mail and a sword worthy of the ruler of Israel. But what good was that armor to David? God's plan for David did not include armor. Don't get me wrong, God doesn't want us to just blindly throw ourselves at danger and rely on Him to save us. But when I am consumed with decking myself out with "armor" I am focusing on myself and my ways. I am relying on my armor to protect me rather than trusting in God to do the saving. I create a sense of pride and self-achievement. Verse 47 reminds us that the goal was for everyone to know that God was in control, that God would win the battle and that God does not fight with man's weapons and ways. Humanly speaking, David had no chance against Goliath. Humanly speaking, I have no chance against Satan or even his least powerful minion. But praise God that He fought for David and He fights for me each day and He will fight for any of His children who call upon Him. The struggle lies in taking off my armor, exposing myself to danger, and trusting God to get me through. When I learn to do that my victory will be, humanly speaking, miraculous.