Today's Reading: Psalm 7 & 27

Inoculated From Fear

We live in difficult times. People are traumatized. There is much fear and anxiety permeating our world. Fear is an instrument of the devil. Satan is the purveyor of fear and is doing a masterful job of infecting humanity with a “virus of fear.”  Using communication vessels such as TV news, radio, social media platforms, politicians, and governments, Satan has done a expert job of placing the fear and dread of sickness and death into the hearts and minds of billions of people around the world. This unprocessed fear cuts us off from our full aliveness and spirit, and it separates us from others. So, how do we, as followers of Christ, cope with such fear?  How do we keep our lives from being overcome by this satanic fear?

David was also facing fear. His life was in danger on a daily basis as he was hunted and hounded by king Saul who was certainly out to kill him. If he did not properly handle his fear, he could have easily been overcome and turned into a cowering scaredy-cat. But he kept his life from being overcome by the darkness of fear by “inoculating” himself with a spiritual “vaccine” of sorts. He insulated himself from fear by applying three truths of God to his life.  David’s threefold inoculation from fear is described for us here in Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my LIGHT. The Lord is my SALVATION. The Lord is my STRONGHOLD.  If we are to cope with the darkness of fear all around us, we too must vaccinate ourselves with these same three truths.

First Vaccine: THE LORD IS MY LIGHT. The Apostle John wrote, “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”  (1 John 1:5) When you look to Him (rather than listening to the messengers of Satan), your heart is enlightened with His truth. He becomes your counselor, comforter, companion, and deliverer in all your distresses. The way of God is bright.  As our light, he shows us the way in which we must walk, and gives us comfort in walking therein. Inoculate yourself from the darkness of fear with the light of God and His word.

Second Vaccine: THE LORD IS MY SALVATION. When all is said and done, your future is held in the masterful hands of your Creator. As a follower of Christ, there is no doubt about the ultimate end of your life.  When He is finished with you in this world (and not a moment sooner), you are promised eternal salvation in His glorious kingdom.  Knowing this truth keeps your heart wrapped in confidence and joy.  Inoculate yourself from fear with the joy of God’s salvation.

Booster Shot: THE LORD IS MY STRONGHOLD.  Psalm 18:2 says, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”  As Christians, we are uniquely blessed with protection from all of the difficulties and fears that this life tries to bring upon us.  Run to Him.  He is your hiding place.  Inoculate yourself from fear by finding your strength in the safe hands of your God!

With David the Psalmist, we should confidently say, “of whom (or what) shall I be afraid?”

 

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 24

When Conviction Trumps Opportunity

David had more than one opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Saul, kill him, and put an end to his own torture of being hunted and hounded by the king. But he did not act on those opportunities.  Instead, he chose to respect God’s chosen leader and keep him alive even though it meant his own torment and discomfort would continue.  Some would say that whenever God opens a door of opportunity, we must go through it and take hold of the situation that has presented itself.  But is that always true? Actually, no.  There are times when personal character matters more than seizing opportunity.

In this case, David had a personal conviction from God about laying a hand on God’s chosen leader. David’s logic (though it seemed illogical to some) was simply that one should never attack the Lord’s anointed – even though the opportunity to do so presented itself. 

What application does this have to Christians today? Who is, or are, the Lord’s anointed who should not be attacked? Does this mean we should never challenge or attack a Christian leader or Pastor? That we must recognize him as God’s anointed and not “lay a hand” on him?  In the New Testament, congregations are not led by kings or prophets. They are led by “pastors,” a word that means servant-shepherds. Yes, I know in many circles the pastor and his wife are treated like royalty. Some even refer to the pastor’s wife as first lady.  But this verse was never intended to place people above others or remove them from accountability for their actions. While we must hold our leaders accountable for issues to do with false doctrine, sin, and stewardship failures, we must be very careful not to “attack” or “oppose” or “dispute with” our pastor-shepherd for issues that are not critical or vital to the life of the church. He is God’s under-shepherd and has been chosen by God for his service to the church.  As such, we must be careful to support and defend him privately and publicly.

More importantly for us, we need to see the underlying principle here – Conviction Trumps Opportunity!  We must never yield to an apparent opportunity when doing so will compromise our convictions.  David chose not to lift a finger against Saul because in his heart he knew God would not be pleased.  In the same way, we must be careful not to go through “an open door” just because it is there.  We must seek God’s will and search our own hearts.  If seizing the opportunity compromises our convictions, we must decline.  Perhaps you’re competing for a promotion at work, but you know another employee is more deserving than you.  Be careful that you don’t “attack” that other employee just to better your situation.  Or, maybe you’ve just been in a minor traffic collision that was really your fault, but when the police report is made, you dishonestly claim the other person was at fault just so you can protect your driving record or insurance premiums. 

Remember – conviction always trumps opportunity.  Put God’s principles first, then if a door opens that doesn’t require compromise of your convictions, you can be confident in going through that door.

 

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 23 & Psalm 57

Saul Sought David. David Sought God.

Saul was a "seeker." Saul was seeking David.  He was determined to find David and execute him so he would no longer be a threat to his kingdom and dynasty. When Saul would hear a report about David’s whereabouts, he would immediately pursue him in that location. According to Saul’s son Jonathan, Saul was fully aware that God had chosen David to be the new king.  In verse 17, Jonathan says to David, “You [David] shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” Despite knowing in his heart that God had given the kingdom over to David, Saul still sought him.  Saul was a “seeker.” But he wasn’t seeking after the right thing(s).  He was seeking his own benefit and acclaim.

David, also, was a “seeker.” But he wasn’t seeking his own advancement or comfort.  He was a seeker after God. And, herein is the essential principle that sustained David and protected him from Saul’s relentless pursuit.  David was a man “after God’s own heart.”  He loved the Lord and sought to draw close to him continually.  We are told about four times in today’s chapter that David repeatedly “inquired of the LORD.” While Saul was seeking David, David was seeking God.  As a result, David always remained one step ahead of his pursuer.

In Psalm 57, David credited the LORD with answering his prayers and saving him from Saul’s pursuit. “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me.” (Psalm 57:2-3)

David knew that God had a purpose for his life. He knew that God would see to it that this purpose was fulfilled. So, David continually inquired of the Lord and committed his safekeeping to “God Most High.”

God also has a purpose for your life.  But your enemy (the devil) is seeking to thwart God’s purpose and drive you off course from God’s plan.  This is why it is so important to seek the LORD regularly and continually.  If you remain committed to seeking the LORD along life’s path, He will see to it that you are always one step ahead of your pursuer.  He will “put to shame him who tramples on” you.

Don’t turn aside to the right or the left. Be a “seeker” of God. Stay on His divine path. Inquire regularly and sincerely of Him. He has never lost one of His followers, and He will not lose you. No one can snatch you out of His hand. (John 10:29)

 

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 22

 

Distressed, In Debt, Discontented

From out of all the land, David (on the run from Saul) began to gather together a band of men, a motley crew to be sure. Everyone who was stressed, everyone who was in debt, everyone who was discontented. They gathered together with David down there at Adullam.

Everyone who was was bitter of soul gathered to him; about 400 of them.  Can you imagine that?  It’s hard enough to pastor a church full of contented people.  But what about a band of discontented people? Think about what David had to put up with, “Why is this cave so cold? Why is it so smoky in here?  Can’t you get him to move over some? He’s in my space.  David, are you ever going to quit playing that harp?  I’m trying to sleep here.”  Can you imagine?  Or, every day having 3-4 guys trying to borrow a shekel from you?  And all of them scared on top of it.  

Yet this was David’s army. This rag-tag bunch of men would go on to become “giant killers” like their commander.  They would fight off attacks from enemies, and conquer even the strongest foes.  God turned this motley crew into victors for His kingdom.

In the same way, the Church of Jesus Christ is comprised of a bunch of distressed, in debt, and discontented people.  People who had been walking in darkness and had become victims of bitterness in their soul.  Lost people with no leader, no direction, and no future. Until the day they met their Great Commander, Jesus Christ.

Jesus takes this rag tag bunch of lost people and turns them into the greatest “fighting machine” on earth.  Daily we hear reports of people formerly lost in darkness being used by God to shine His light on others lost as well. We hear of believers who have taken to their knees in spiritual warfare and have decisively defeated the prince of darkness in their relationships, their communities, their families, and their nations.  Jesus gathers the losers to make them winners.

These are the types of people Jesus gathers around Himself. In 1 Corinthians 1:26, the Apostle Paul reminds us to “think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.”  God deliberately chooses men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, and chooses these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies.” That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. 

Today's Reading - 1 Samuel 21

 

Humanity Above Legality

Under the Law of Moses, the "table of shewbread" (KJV), was an important piece of furniture inside the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. It was situated on the north side of the Holy Place, a private chamber where only priests were allowed to enter and perform daily rituals of worship as representatives for the people.

On top of the table, the priests placed the twelve loaves of shewbread, also called “the bread of the Presence.” The twelve loaves stood for the twelve tribes of Israel.  The loaves were a symbolic acknowledgment that God was the resource for Israel’s life and nourishment (i.e. “The Bread of Life”) and also served as Israel’s act of thanksgiving to God.  The loaves of bread were changed every sabbath, and the priests ate that which had been removed.  It was forbidden under the Law for anyone but the priests to eat the shewbread.

On this occasion, David and his small band of supporters were on the run from king Saul.  And they ran out of food. So. David went to Ahimelech the priest and requested some food.  And the priest answered David, “I have no common bread on hand, but there is 'the holy bread'.”  The priest then gave them the holy bread. It was the only bread he had, which had been removed from God’s presence and replaced by fresh bread at the same time.

Although this was technically a violation of the Law, the priest recognized that it was the right thing to do. The principle that this draws our attention to about the Law is that in cases of human necessity (such as in the case of David), acts of mercy are preferred to ritual services.  Human need takes precedence over legal technicalities. Humanity above legality.

Jesus would later refer back to this incident when His disciples were accused of doing that “which is not lawful” by picking wheat grain on the sabbath.  Jesus there reminded all of us that religion should never get in the way of our care and compassion for our fellow human beings.  Jesus summed up his lesson that day by saying, “I desire mercy not sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7), thus placing acts of mercy and grace above religious and ritual acts.

If your religion is so structured that you cannot feel the pain and need of others, it is time to let the Holy Spirit renew grace in your heart. God desires mercy, and mercy requires acts of compassion. Mercy requires that we see the humanity of others, and also recognize our own humanity. Mercy sees the true need and seeks restoration. And in order to give mercy, it must flow of our own awareness of how we have received mercy so abundantly.

Today's Reading: Psalms 11 & 59

 

What Can The Righteous Do?

David wrote these two Psalms (11 & 59) when king Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.  He was in deep distress over the situation and, in these Psalms, he pleads with God to protect him from those who rise up against him.

In Psalm 11:3, David asks a profound question, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”  The word translated “foundations” refers to the moral and spiritual underpinnings of any society. David was facing a time in his life when all that he believed about society and justice and truth seemed to be collapsing.  He was being chased down by a bitter and vindictive king whom he had served in loyalty and faithfulness all his life.  Everything seemed to be turning upside down.  You can sense in his words a feeling of despair and hopelessness.

We, too, live at a time in history when the foundations of society and truth and justice are collapsing all around us. Governments and their leaders are corrupt.  Righteousness among nations and people seems to be at an all time low.  Evil has become good, and good has become evil. When a nation celebrates what God condemns, judgment from on high must eventually come. And we can see it coming as our nation falls deeper and deeper into darkness. So, what are we, as followers of Christ to do?

First of all, we must not give in to these feelings of despair and hopelessness. This is exactly the opposite of what God wants us to do.  Instead, we must turn our eyes upon the Lord, now more than ever and keep our hope in Him and His promises strong.

Second, As David, we must take refuge in the Lord. Verse 1, says “I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me, ‘Escape to the mountain like a bird!’” These are times when we must not flee.  When David’s friends encouraged him to flee the country, he replied, “I have taken refuge in the Lord.” He reasoned that if God cannot protect him, then running away won’t keep him safe.  The only safe place is in God.

Third, we must pray and engage in spiritual warfare.  We must recognize that the root causes of our collapsing moral and spiritual foundation come from the prince of darkness, Satan himself.  We must put on the armor of God and pray fervently for his dark schemes to be defeated in the spiritual realm.

Finally, we must stand and fight.  As followers of Christ, what should we do when the foundation is crumbling?  Shine the light of Christ!  Never back down when confronting darkness.  Proclaim God’s truth and righteousness loudly in the public square and fight every attempt to degrade the foundations any further. So, dear follower of Christ. When the foundations are destroyed, don’t despair. Take refuge in the Lord. Pray without ceasing. And always stand and fight for God's truth and righteousness!

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 20

The Lord Between Us

Jonathan was king Saul’s son and next in line for the throne of Israel. At least, that’s how Saul viewed the matter. But God had other plans.  He planned to remove Saul from the throne and install David as the new king. Although Saul knew in his heart that this was God’s plan, he refused to yield to it.  He fought hard to keep control of the kingdom and to pass it down to his son and succeeding generations.

Jonathan and David were best friends. They had grown up together in the royal household and their hearts were knit together in a true bond of friendship.  But David was in trouble. Saul was trying to kill him to prevent him from taking over the kingdom. So, against his own best interest, Jonathan devises a plan to protect David from his vicious father.  To seal the agreement, Jonathan invoked the statement, “The LORD is between you and me forever.” By uttering those words, Jonathan was invoking the watchful eye of God to keep an eye on both of them and to make them true to their words.

This phrase was commonly used in the Bible by two parties who entered a covenant or agreement.  It really started in Genesis 31 when Laban and Jacob, two sneaky, conniving, and deceitful men entered into an agreement to establish a boundary between them.  Laban recognized that both he and Jacob were “slippery” characters so he invoked the Lord’s help in keeping an eye on them and catching either one of them in the act if they attempted to renege on their deal. Thus, this phrase became a way of swearing to keep an agreement under penalty of God’s watchful eye.

Jonathan and David were not sneaky, conniving men like Laban and Jacob.  They were good friends who cared deeply for one another.  When Jonathan entered the covenant with David and the house of David, he did so honestly and with every intention of keeping the deal.  There was no chance of either party reneging on the deal. Nevertheless, Jonathan still sealed his promise by invoking the watchful eye of the Lord.  In essence, he was saying, “With the Lord watching over us, we are certain that our covenant will be fulfilled. May He watch over us forever.”

It is so important for all of us that the LORD keep His watchful eye on our relationships with others and on our integrity to keep commitments.  Today, we don’t normally utter the phrase, “The Lord is between you and me” when entering into a relationship, or covenant, or agreement. Nevertheless, we should always seek God’s watchful eye over our hearts such that He “catches” us when our hearts begin to veer off course or we begin to falter in our commitments.  We must always keep the LORD “between” us and those He brings into our lives.