king Saul

Futile Pursuits

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But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
1 Samuel 23:27-29

King Saul of Israel hates the young David who is  the one who killed the Philistine champion and giant  by the name of Goliath. Ever since the young maidens were singing “Saul has killed his thousands; and  David has killed his tens of thousands,” Saul has been envious to the point of hating David.

Saul also know that he will not have a son, or anyone from his family take the throne, because Samuel the prophet has told him so. He is in pursuit of David for the distinct purpose of killing him.

The king has no more loyal servant than David. David is fleeing from Saul out of his fear of the LORD God, more than any fear he might have of Saul. David does not want to harm his king, therefore he flees from him. Yet the king pursues.

In his pursuit of David he leaves his kingdom at the mercy of the enemies around them, and while he is out chasing a friend, and faithful servant the Philistines invade Israel. This takes Saul and his army out of the pursuit.

Futile pursuits take place when we take our eyes off the Lord, and go after what we want in our lives. Futile pursuits happen when we become envious over someone else’s successes, and do things that might sabotage their work, or ministry. Futile pursuits take place when we know the word of God, and the will of God, but we do things against the will of the Lord instead.

As a Christian we sometimes get involved in futile pursuits that take us away from what God called us, and leads us to do. Let us pursue the things of God, beginning with loving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all our hearts, all our minds, all our souls, and with all our strength; and also loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.

It is the will of God for you to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection; but you see your own way of salvation and there is no other way. Your pursuit of salvation is futile, and will fail. The enemy of God’s salvation is attacking destroying your kingdom because you are pursuing your own envy, and evil.

Turn your life over to Jesus Christ today.

Sleeping

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Tim A.'s avatarShiloah Baptist Church

Please read 1 Samuel 26 – 28…

“So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.” 1 Samuel 26:12 (KJB)
“For they were all asleep because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.” 26:12b (NKJB)

As you can see King Saul was caught in one of those vulnerable situations we mentioned yesterday.  It does not seem that there is any more vulnerable time than when we are sleeping.  We need sleep for our bodies to recuperate, and renew for a new day.

The account of these words are such that we can learn about the sleep that occurs here.

David and Abishai – brother of Joab – were in Saul’s camp while…

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Vulnerable Situations

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Tim A.'s avatarShiloah Baptist Church

Reading 1 Samuel 23 – 25 for today…

“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.” 1 Samuel 24:6 (KJB)

King Saul was out to kill David.  He saw David as a threat to his being king, and especially to his kingdom, what was going to end. However, God had already made the decree (1 Samuel 13:13-14), and given the kingdom to another.

In the background of the story we find the King relieving himself in a cave.  David and his men are hiding in the cave and David’s men encourage him to take Saul’s life; but he will not strike the LORD’S anointed.

David is the other whom God has chosen to have the ongoing, even eternal kingdom, and he has…

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Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

There are many gifts given that are given in sacrifice.  Some even given so hopefully to appease a wrathful god who holds a scale in his hands weighing our good and our evil deeds.  No one can judge another heart in the matter.  But the Almighty God knows.

In a couple of verses we look at today we see what God thinks of sacrifices given by the “Wicked”; and the prayers of the “Upright” or the “Righteous”.

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” Proverbs 15:8
“The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29 (KJV)

It is good to be reminded of king Saul’s sacrifice (1 Samuel 15), and Samuel’s words to Saul concerning sacrifice,

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Wickedness is the act of hostility toward God, His Word, His messengers, and His works.  Who are the wicked?  Those who practice such things.  For those who are the wicked; God does not honor, remember or bless your “sacrifice”.  It is an abomination to Him; and will be counted against you unless you believe Him.

Proverbs 15:29 tells us that “The LORD is far from the wicked”.  He is far from them as far as their wickedness is concerned.  The place where they lie at night He is there; but they are far from Him.

In both of the verses of Proverbs is mentioned “Prayer”.  The prayer of the upright; and the prayer of the righteous.  The righteous are those who have heard the Word of God, believed it, received it, and are born into the kingdom of heaven because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“The prayer of the upright is His delight”.  The “Upright” are the righteous, and God is delighted– favors, finds pleasure, good will, and acceptance in their prayers. For those who are born again in Christ Jesus it is wonderful to know that He hears our prayers…

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

O turn away from your wicked hostility toward God, His Word, His people, His messengers, and His works.  Call on the name of the Lord.

In the Shadow

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“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” Psalm 57:1 (KJV)

Once again David realizes his need for the mercy of God.  He is fleeing from king Saul.  He is not fleeing because he is only fearful.  He is fleeing, at least in part, because he fears he might end up needing to slay the king to save his own life.  He is avoiding the possibility.  For David to kill Saul, king of Israel, even for protecting his own life would be a sin against God.

We all need mercy, even in times of avoidance of what could happen.  Maybe that is why Jabez prayed “…keep me from evil…” (1 Chronicles 4:10).

David hid in caves.  Maybe he is hiding in a cave when he is praying this prayer; or shortly after leaving the cave.  David trust in the God.  The God [‘Elohiym]; the fulness of God.

As I read this Psalm I think of what Jesus said as He was preparing to leave the temple for the final time,

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37 (KJV)

In the “shadow of Thy wings” is far better than anything our mind can imagine.  When we flee from what we fear where do we flee?  I choose to flee to Christ Jesus the fulness and the glory of God.