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Today is Thursday April 9, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of I Samuel. Please read chapters 22-24 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Samuel%2022-24&version=9

Today's Message: God's Timing
Our good intentions will often tempt us to take matters into our own hands, but it is always better to wait on the timing of God.

Although Samuel had anointed David to be the next king of Israel, David must have wondered if he would live long enough to assume his God appointed place of leadership as Saul was determined to kill him. Fearing for his life he was forced to take refuge in a cave in Adullam. "David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men." (I Samuel 22:1-2). Often when we are suffering we find ourselves being drawn to others who are suffering as well.

When we put our focus on others suffering we actually take our minds off our own, in turn it helps us not only to help them, but ourselves as well. "And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation." (II Corinthians I:5-6). When God is seeking to strengthen our faith in Him, He lovingly permits difficulties to come upon us in order to bring us closer to Him as well as bring others to Him.

Still seeking to kill David, Saul cried to his servants," When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?" (I Samuel 22:6-8). Many people prey on Christian's, including other Christian's, always expressing their sob stories, looking for pity in order to get the things that they want, but never wanting to make an effort to change the circumstances.

David went to Nob, which was located just northeast of Jerusalem, Ahimelech, the priest held the sacred vessels and the sword that belonged to Goliath. He fed David and allowed him to take the sword. This was reported to Saul in Gibeah by Doeg, an Edomite servant. Saul then accused Ahimelech of conspiracy with David, blinded by jealousy and hatred, he ordered the execution of all the priests and their families. "Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine...........And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?...........And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house." (I Samuel 22:9-10,13,16).
David, who faced so many challenges and heartaches while waiting on God to allow him to take over as king, must have felt hopeless and a bit discouraged by all that was going on in his life, but instead of getting depressed or angry himself he looked to his godly friends/family for spiritual direction and comfort. We all experience times when we need some encouragement about ourselves, our gifts and talents, our work, our children, or even our relationship with God. We can take comfort in knowing that God is with us and sends others to put things back into perspective.

David had an opportunity to assassinate Saul while he slept. His soldiers were convinced that God had delivered Saul into David's hands to be executed and David would be justified in killing him. "And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way." (24:1-7). David would not violate the Word of God that Saul had been set apart for service as the earthly representative of God on the throne of Israel. God had appointed Saul as king and until He removed him from the throne, David was willing to wait patiently.

When our heart's desire is to please the Lord, we are often tested, but we are not to retaliate against those who have wronged us. Instead, we are to bless them and pray for them, just as our Savior and Lord, Jesus would do. Jesus said, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 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 5:43-45).

Today's Psalm: 37:7-8
"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
In our attempt to get even with our offender, we can do irreparable harm not only to our wrongdoer, but most especially to ourselves. Instead of having a spirit of forgiveness we harbor a vengeful heart. Our hearts harden and take on the character of the enemy instead of the Savior who loved us even while we were dead in our transgressions and sins. Our debt of sin He paid, and our death He died freeing us to break the chains of sin that had long held us bound. Father, You heal the brokenhearted and console the wounded as they seek You in the midst of their affliction, whether it is a fresh wound or an old injury. Our affliction from others is earth bound, but our affection for You is heaven bound where there will be no more heartaches or pain. Keep us steadfast and faithful till that appointed time. In Jesus' Name..........Amen.

Have a wonderful night/day.
God Bless You,
Christina

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