In our reading today from 1 Samuel 19-21 we read mainly about how Saul tries to repeatedly kill David. At first Saul vows to not kill David in 19:6
Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.”
But later we read how Saul tries four times to kill David, and David escapes each time a different way.
The first time Jonathan reminded his father all that David had done for him and how David had not sinned against his father.
The second time David used his athletism to avoid a spear the own at him by Saul.
The third time David's wife helped him escape by deceiving Saul.
The fourth time God used Samuel to protect David by taking him in when Saul was chasing him.
Each time God used a different way to protect David, for he had great future plans for him.
What are God's plans for us, and how is he protecting us and saving us for the fulfilment of these plans? These are questions that are difficult for us to know and answer, but if we look back on our lives we can see how God has worked to "protect" and "save" us many times. As an example, how many times has he allowed us to travel safely, or by chance meet certain people that have become good friends? These are things God has planned for us and has made happen not by coincidence or fluke. He is in charge and in control, with a plan for each of us, what a blessing!
In out New Testament reading we read about the coming day when the Lord will come. As we see how our world around us behaves we look forward to this day more and more. But we also need to remember that we need to be ready and living now the way God wants.
2 Peter 3:14
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
Lets pray that we finish strong.
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But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies[b] will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.[c]
We just had an election and this morning's newscasts, newspapers, Facebook status updates, and staff room chatter was all about the election results. Some happy. Some disappointed. This is big news today. A decade ago, there was a huge demand for change and now again Canada demanded a chenge. One day this will not matter as all our earthly gains and possessions will pass away. May we focus on the everlasting and not the fleeting.
Jesus affirmed that Ahimelech did the right thing by allowing David to eat the consecrated bread. It was custom for priests to eat it, but it was not forbidden for others to eat it. It was, however, not to be taken lightly or distributed casually, which is why Ahimelech asked David for a basic level of ceremonially cleanness. Jesus affirmed that human traditions are not more important than God's word. If God had said "only" the priests can eat this bread, it would have been a different story.
This 2 Peter verse stood out to me...
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Unfortunately, the world seems to have interpreted God's patience as lack of judgment and permission to live however we want. We have presumed upon God's grace, but this presumption is gravely mistaken, as judgment will come.
I find it interesting that even though Saul saw how successful David was and how God was blessing David with victories, that Saul would still try to kill him.
Also, having Jonathon in David's life proves to be critical. We all need that one good friend in our life, and someone may be needing us to be that one friend that they can count on. I pray that I can be there for the person who needs a friend like that.
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