Day #67
Scripture Reading: I Samuel 21 - 25 ...
What do think about Jesus? What is your attitude toward Jesus? Many today talk about the “lordship” of
Jesus, but then live as though it is an abstract idea that has no effect on the
way they live their lives. How about
you? Jesus is God’s anointed King. Do you honor Him with your life, with your
choices, with your praise and worship?
David reveals the heart of those who know the true God by honoring Saul,
the first king of Israel, even when Saul was trying to kill him!! How much more should you and I honor Jesus,
who gave His life for us on the cross?!!
Samuel had anointed David as king, but it was not
yet time for his rule to begin. In some ways it reminds me of Jesus'
ministry. He was God's anointed King, but His reign had not yet begun.
David knew he would be king, yet he respected the office and God's
anointing and would not harm Saul or allow his men to do so. David was a
valiant warrior. As he had defended God's honor against Goliath, he now
led a small band of several hundred soldiers and fought against anyone who was
an enemy of God's people. Even though he, himself, was an exile within
his own country, he was ready to do battle for the Lord.
Meanwhile, Saul was searching for David to kill
him. When Saul heard that the priests at Nob had aided David by giving
him food and the sword of Goliath, he had eighty-five priests murdered and
killed the men, women and children of the town. Saul then continued his
search for David, though even Saul's son, Jonathan, helped David escape.
At one point David had an opportunity to kill Saul, but he would not kill
the Lord's anointed. When David told Saul that he had spared his life,
Saul wept and asked David's forgiveness and also asked that David promise him
that he would not completely cut off Saul's descendants when he became king.
David gave his word and went on his way. (Remember this for later!)
Later, a man named Nabal dishonored David by
refusing to give food and drink to him and his men, even after they had
protected Nabal's herds and possessions. David was about to take his men
and kill all the males in Nabal's household, but his wife, Abigail, showed
honor to David and brought food and drink and gifts to David and his men.
Because of this gesture, David spared Nabal and his household. Ten
days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died, and David took Abigail as his
wife.
Does any of this have application for us today? What can you and I learn from these escapades
of David and his men?
First of all, there are things that went on in
those days because of the hardness of men's hearts that God allowed, but
certainly didn't approve of. We need to remember that some of these
things happened as examples for us of what NOT to do! The Holy Spirit had
not yet been poured out as He was after Jesus' resurrection and most of mankind
was utterly evil. Even those chosen by God were bent toward the evil of
their own sinful natures. Our world today has been influenced by the
morality of the Church in greater ways than most people realize. We are
only beginning to see the consequences of our own culture turning away from
God’s truth and from God’s commands. Civilization,
even during the Middle Ages, was not much different than it was in the days of
the kings of Israel. Following the days of exploration and the spreading
of the church, God's law became a basis for standards of right and wrong for
civilizations around the globe. Still, the evil "within" comes
out in various places at various times. Oh, how we need a Savior!!!
Secondly, it is important to note David's honor for
Saul as God's anointed, even though God had determined to take the kingdom from
his descendants. David could have easily taken things into his own hands,
and he would have been perfectly justified from a human perspective to do
so. But in honoring Saul’s position as
king, David was honoring GOD as King!
Because of his humility and heart for God, God honored David. And those who later honored David were
themselves blessed by God. David was, at least in some ways, a type of
Christ. Jesus descended through the line of David and is God's anointed
King who now reigns at His right hand and who will reign over all the earth
during the Millennium. Those who dishonored David, God's anointed,
received a harsh judgment from the LORD. Those who dishonor Jesus Christ
will face God's holy wrath, as we read in Psalm 2:
"The kings of the earth take their stand and
the rulers gather together against the LORD and against His Anointed One ...
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he
rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 'I have
installed my king on Zion, my holy hill.' ... Therefore, you kings, be
wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and
rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be
destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment" (verses
2,4-5,10-12).
Many today refuse to believe that God is angry at
sinners. You have heard that we are to "hate the sin, but love
the sinner," because that's what God does. But the Bible tells
us that only those who confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will escape
God's coming wrath and judgment. Honoring God's anointed brings the
blessing of forgiveness and life. Dishonoring Him by rejecting His
sacrifice on the cross or ignoring His invitation to come to Him will bring the
same judgment that David's enemies received - only worse. When God anoints a king, He expects everyone
to honor Him. Are you honoring Jesus,
God’s anointed King?
David honored Saul and was blessed by God, as those
who later honored David were blessed by being part of his kingdom. What a privilege to know who Jesus is and to
live as one of His servants in this world today, and ultimately, in the world
to come, forever and ever! Honor the Lord's Anointed One and have the
assurance that you will reign with Him in His coming kingdom. What a
glorious day that will be!!
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