1st Samuel chapter 23.
There was a lot that jumped out at me in this chapter, but I'll focus on just one thing.
1. Despite the fact that David and his men are being chased in order to be killed, they help a city in Judah! This was a risk on their part. Judah could have called on Saul in order to turn David over to him in hopes of getting on Saul's good side. It was also a risk because it let Saul know where they were which means Saul could come and chase them. The people of Judah were more than welcome to have David come and help save them from the Philistines. Yet, out of fear of Saul they would be quick to hand David over to Saul if Saul came looking for David.
This is a reminder to me, if we are going to do something nice for someone, expect nothing in return! David saved the city in Judah because it was the right thing to do. We are called to love one another. Not love one another if they do something nice in return.
This has been a challenge for me as I pray for a lot of different people. I reach outward and I get a lot of positive reactions. Once in a while I get some not so pleasant responses. My immediate reaction is okay, don't expect anything from me again! But God reminds me 1. Love expecting nothing in return. 2. God keeps loving me even when I respond negatively to him. I need to do the same for others.
Have a good day!!
David inquired of the Lord about whether or not to go to Keilah. God told him to go, but the people were afraid so he asked God again.
This made me think. How many times do we seek the Lord, but when His answer doesn’t seem easy for us or it doesn’t match up with what the world is telling us, we ask again? Sometimes I find myself leaning on my own understanding instead of trusting God with all my heart. Anyone else guilty of ever doing that?
This reminded me today of one of my favorite Bible passages. It’s Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
Hey Jim, thanks for your comments! Often times I feel led to do something and it faces criticism. Then I second guess myself.
I have pursued things and felt the constructive criticism was from God, but there have been times when I only felt the peace of God as I pursued the very thing that was unpopular by human standards.
Hi Bible study friends! Please forgive me as I have let teaching, grad school classes, and the chaos of life keep me from posting. I hope to be back consistently and not make excuses for carving out time to be in the Word and comment.
When I read through these verses they stuck out to me:
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.”
David had already heard from God what he was to do, yet when his men told they were afraid, David needed to ask God again because he needed reassurance. I wonder have often God puts something on our hearts, but the people around us or even ourselves, second guess what He is asking of us. Do we stand firm in what God is calling us to do, or do we give into what those around us think?
A second part of this chapter that stood out to me was this,
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.
Who in our lives helps us to find strength in God when we are scared, or stressed, or sinful? Who are the people in our lives that come to hold us accountable to find our strength from God? Not from TV or food or relationships or alcohol… but from God. I know personally my husband helps me to remember to pray and that God has perfect timing. I also have a best friend who lives far away that will remind me to pray and go to God with it, and say that she will pray for me. Aside from those two, I do not have a lot of people who remind me to hold onto my faith in times of trial. They support me, but don’t always bring faith into it. I think having faith friends that hold you accountable is so important.
Similar sections stood out with me too. David asks God’s guidance before he took action. He listened and obeyed in confidence. God gave him victory. In verse 7, Saul assumes God has delivered David into his hand but Saul never went to God like David did. It’s so easy to want something so badly that we assume an opportunity to get it is from God when it’s not. Oh yes, I’ve had to double-check my motives a time or two and make sure I’m following God’s will and not mine.
Sarah, I love that verse (v16) where Jonathan strengthened David’s hand in God. Some of the greatest blessings from God have been the Christian brothers and sisters He has placed in my life. Lots of people will commiserate with me and offer sympathy but it’s a wonderful, true friend that reminds me to trust in the Lord, to put away my fears and sorrow – that God is here and will see me through. As you meet them, keep adding to your group of Christian friends, God didn’t mean for us to walk alone in this world.