Remain Faithrul to Commitments 04.07.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Monday April 7, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of I Samuel. Please read chapters 19-21 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Samuel%2019%20--%2021&version=9

In today's study we will read and learn about Saul's attempts to kill David; Jonathan's covenant with David; David's flight to Nob; and David fleeing for his life to Gath in Philistine territory. Today's message focuses on the importance of remaining faithful to our commitment to God and to always do what is right regardless of opposition from others.

David became a national hero and, as time passed, King Saul became increasingly jealous of his popularity. Prince Jonathan, a prominent warrior and the oldest son of Saul, seemed destined to be Israel's next king. In every respect, Jonathan demonstrated his leadership and ability to be a great king. Being the second king to rule Israel would have been a great honor. But Jonathan recognized that David, not himself was the man whom God had chosen to rule Israel. "And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee." (I Samuel 19:1-3).

Jonathan voluntarily surrendered to David all his rights as king. He took off his rob a symbol of his authority as Israel's prince and gave it, as well as his sword, bow, and belt, to David. "And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?" (19:4-5). Jonathan is a precious example of self-denial and willingness to accept the will of God in promoting someone else above himself.

No joy or personal ambition can compare with the importance of remaining faithful to our commitment to God. We should ask ourselves: "Have I fully surrendered to Christ the things that I enjoy most in order to fulfill the will of God in my life?" Am I willing to be stripped of my "rights" in order that someone else is honored instead of me. It could mean that in doing these things, unknown to us, someone may come to know Christ as their Savior and Lord.

Saul had become violent with an uncontrolled temper. He considered any opposition as treason. Jonathan revealed remarkable spiritual insight and courage when he confronted his father the king in defense of David. The risk was very real for, in a fit of rage, Saul denounced his son and, on one occasion, he even attempted to kill him. "Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David." (20:30-33). Jonathan could have avoided any risk to himself if he had decided not to get involved in defending David. However, his defense to keep an innocent person from slander or harm's way, whatever it cost, showed that he remained faithful to the biblical principles and did what was morally right.

We too may find ourselves in situations where people are being threatened, accused, maligned, intimidated, or taken advantage of. We are then faced with the decision of whether or not to get involved. We should not be an accomplice to evil by remaining silent but should respond as Jonathan did. There is a direct connection between what we truly believe and how we behave. The Apostle James urged believers, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:22-25)

God's greatness can only be shown through the person that is willing to be submissive to His authority. Jesus declared, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:44-45).

In today's study Jesus Christ is revealed through David, who, as a servant of Saul, suffered at the hands of the one whom he chose to serve (I Samuel 19:1,10-11). Jesus suffered at the hands of the ones He came to serve and to save. "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." (Matthew 16:21).

Today's Psalm is a being replaced by a Proverb today: 25:21-23
"If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We are confronted with deception on many fronts every day, so much so, that we can be deceived without even realizing it. Would You help us, Lord, to watch out and be on our guard so that we are not deceived by man’s words, no matter how convincing they are, how charming their personality is, or how cunning their craft. Help us not to fall for Satan’s deceptive tactics that have brought down believers. Lord, give us the strength and courage to endure all things, walk with us and abide in us and enable us to fight the endless tricks that Satan plays on our emotions which cause us to fall into temptation and away from You. We ask this in Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a wonderful Monday and week, and I apoligize for the delay in messages over the last few days. All things are back to normal and will resume at their normal scheduled time.

God Bless,
Christina

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