How do you respond when tragedy befalls you?  In moments of bewilderment, stress, and loss it becomes a ready and easy option to abandon the disciplines of our  faith.  But at times when we are overwhelmed by the ferocious storm winds of trouble and trial we would do well to refocus our faith and clear our perspective so that we might see God at work in the midst of our adversity.  That is exactly what David did.

“But David found strength in the Lord his God.”  What a testimony of faith in the face of extreme difficulty.  The world in which David has chosen to live is rejecting him; upon his arrival at his temporary/permanent residence in Ziklag he finds that the enemy of his enemy has swept in raided, pillaged, and burned the city – taking with them everything in it; and his men – his loyal, mighty men – because of this experience are now talking of stoning David (enter the old addage “if it ain’t one thing it’s another).  If there was ever a recipe for quitting, giving up, or throwing in the towel, this is it.  Yet the bible says ”But David found strength in the Lord his God.”  This is a radical transition for one who just a few chapters earlier seemed to abandon his faith and the promise of his future by hiding among the Philistines.  “But David found strength in the Lord his God.”

When you and I are challenged by life’s extremities this same revelation should be our song – “But ___________ found strength in the Lord his God. (your name goes in the blank)” 

Out of our discussion of this passage, on last night, we discovered that there will be times when God will allow tragedies to befall us in order to push us out of a place that may be comfortable for us but it is not the place of our destiny.  David’s destiny was to be king in Israel.  Ziklag was comfortable – but he did not fit in there. 

Will you find strength in the Lord your God when tragedy strikes?  Will you find strength in the Lord your God when troubles are multiplied?  Do you believe that God has the power to see your end from the beginning and move you toward your place of destiny?  Remember…

Romans 8:28 (NIV) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

God Bless

“It doesn’t fit!  It doesn’t fit!”  Have you ever found yourself frustrated when attempting to assemble something and one piece or section will not fit with another?  Why continue to try to force a round peg into a square hole?  It is fruitless to hammer a nail in a hole into which it will not fit.  It is equally as fruitless to try to live as the world after you have been anointed by God; just ask David.

David tried as best as he could to live in Ziklag as the Philistines did.  Strangely, though, not every one was convinced of his “life-change.”  The servants of King Achish always kept a wary eye on David.  The one thing that David could not escape was who he was.  Who was he?  He was God’s choice as the next king in Israel; he was Philistia’s greatest nemesis because he defeated their champion Goliath; he was being pursued by King Saul yet always protected by God; his life, though sometimes in danger, found no purpose in Ziklag among the Philitines. 

As believers we must come to the understanding that once Christ has laid His hand upon us; once the Holy Spirit has filled our lives we assume a persona and disposition that becomes alien to a world that does not know Christ.  We are challenged to “be in the world but not of the world.”  We are challenged to “come out from among them and be separate.”  Let’s stop trying to fit in with the world – seeking their approval and favor – and be what God has called us to be.

David tried on King Saul’s armor – it didn’t fit.

David tried the Philistine lifestyle – it didn’t fit.

What am I trying to put on, take on, or identify with that does not fit me as a believer in Christ?

 2 Corinthians 6:16 “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?  For we are the temple of the living God.  As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their god, and they will be my people.’”

 God Bless

“I’d like to get a second opinion. ”  These are the words many people use when they are faced with a tough medical diagnosis; and to some extent tough life choices.  Some of us will, in fact, seek a second, third, and fourth opinion depending upon the severity of the condition.  This is not a bad thing, except when it comes to what God’s Word (the Holy Bible) says.

This was just the case with King Saul in 1 Samuel, chapter 28.  God had already spoken a particular word about him and his spiritual condition yet Saul sought to get a “second opinion” from the “spiritist at Endor.”

From our discussion last night we were challenged to consider how many times we have tried to “second guess” the Word of God for our lives.  The Word of God says that there is only one way for eternal salvation – the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16); yet many times we try to work our way into eternal salvation through our personal merit (second guess).

It is vitally important to remember that the Word of God is the final authority for every believer in Jesus.  There IS no other opinion when it comes to what the bible instructs us.  Never seek the instruction of God from sources that are not ordained by God. 

Psalm 119:4-5 “You have commanded us to keep your precepts diligently.  Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes.”

God Bless

Survivor!  The television reality game show that requires its contests to partner, team, and ultimately betray one another until there is only a single person remaining at the end of the game. 

There are times when the circumstances of our lives can lead us to feel as if we were a contestant on the show “Survivor.”  That is precisely the case with David in 1 Samuel, chapter 27.  He has partnered with his enemies in order to save his own life (he knows that King Saul will not pursue him into Philistine territory).  In fact, David had become so engrained in Philistine life and society (he lived there 1 year and 4 months) he had become a trusted ally of the Philistine king.

Out of our discussion of this chapter last night we discovered that David did not mention the Lord; he did not seek to inquire of the Lord; nor did he have godly counsel as he has had in previous chapters.  Why is this?  I submit that during his time in the presence of the ungodly Philistines he became comfortable with their way of living.  The lessons:

1.  Be careful in our times away from God’s people not to take on the character, dispositions, attitudes, and habits of the ungodly.

2.  As believers in Jesus never become so comfortable with worldy practices (Philistines) that the world views us as a trusted ally.  You are called to be different child of God!

Romans 12:2 (NIV)  “And do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Be Blessed

I learned last evening through our discussion that most of those who participated felt that this chapter was rather bland.  Why?  Simply because they felt that they had experienced this same scenario one chapter earlier. 

I have a question for you:   Have you ever had to repeat (maybe more than once) a life experience and while in the midst of it asked God, “why am I going through this again?  what did I not learn the first time, Lord?” 

David, in this chapter was positioned, once again, to choose whether to strike his enemy down or extend to him mercy.  What would be your choice if given the opportunity and justification to exact vengeance on someone who has wronged you?  David made a God choice!

Here is a valuable lesson:  Going through an experience more than once (twice, three, four, five times) does not necessarily mean that you failed the first time.   It is God’s prerogative to test our hearts toward Him.  Could it be that He wants to know that we will choose to do the thing that will honor Him every time we are faced with this challenge? 

Proverbs 17:3 (TEV) “Gold and silver are tested by fire and a persons heart is tested by the Lord.”           God bless

This is my first attempt at blogging so please don’t judge me

Out of our discussion of 1 Samuel 25 tonight I am reminded of how important it is that I ”be careful about how I live…” (1 Timothy 4:16). 

Will I spend my days living like Nabal (whose name, incidently, means “fool”) – mean, brash and surly?  So that when someone comes to me for help all they get is a suspicious look, an angry retort, and a calloused rejection. 

Will I have the spirit of Abigail who would not allow her spouses mean spirit to quench her love for him?  Can I support a spouse (or a loved one) who always seems to be entangled with a negative disposition? 

Am I more apt to retaliate against those who deny or reject me when I ask for assistance (as David did with Nabal)?  Do I seek revenge against those that I feel have wronged me?  Or do I allow the calming voice of counsel to quell my anger and fury? 

These are just a few thoughts I had from tonight’s discussion.  I invite you to read the chapter (1 Samuel 25) and share your thoughts.  Thanks for taking the time to read this blog and even share your thoughts with us.

Psalm 119:16 (NIV) “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.”    God bless

See you on Thursday Night!