~ God's Signal ~
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 10:50 pmRead: 1 Samuel 24:1-10
1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
4 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.
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6 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.
7 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.
8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" Psalm 27:14 (NRSV)
We were going through though times; problems seemed to surface everywhere. Taking a Christian stand daily in the workplace was difficult. Threatening telephone calls became routine; and then our car was set on fire. Our family and friends suggested that we ask for a transfer to a safer place because our lives were at risk. However, we were aware that God had led us to this difficult place. We placed the matter before God, seeking direction.
In today's reading, we see that David had a good opportunity to kill King Saul. But David did not kill the king because he knew that Saul was God's anointed one, and David hoped that God would bring an end to the misery he experienced at Saul's hands. David did not do anything to move toward becoming kind. Instead, he waited patiently for God to act.
David became our model. As time passed, the threatening calls became fewer and finally stopped all together. The thought of moving slowly dimmed. The situation returned to almost normal, and after two years we were transferred to another hospital far away. We knew the transfer was God's signal for us to move on, and we did so. We were filled with praise for God because our new setting was beautiful and the change proved good for us both physically and spiritually.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your wonderful love. In times of persecution, help us to trust you for strength and courage. Amen.
Prayer Focus of Day: Persecuted Christians
Thought for the Day: When we know were obeying God, we can endure whatever comes at us.
Story shared by: P. Barkataki (India)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional 6/27/11
1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
4 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.
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6 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.
7 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.
8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" Psalm 27:14 (NRSV)
We were going through though times; problems seemed to surface everywhere. Taking a Christian stand daily in the workplace was difficult. Threatening telephone calls became routine; and then our car was set on fire. Our family and friends suggested that we ask for a transfer to a safer place because our lives were at risk. However, we were aware that God had led us to this difficult place. We placed the matter before God, seeking direction.
In today's reading, we see that David had a good opportunity to kill King Saul. But David did not kill the king because he knew that Saul was God's anointed one, and David hoped that God would bring an end to the misery he experienced at Saul's hands. David did not do anything to move toward becoming kind. Instead, he waited patiently for God to act.
David became our model. As time passed, the threatening calls became fewer and finally stopped all together. The thought of moving slowly dimmed. The situation returned to almost normal, and after two years we were transferred to another hospital far away. We knew the transfer was God's signal for us to move on, and we did so. We were filled with praise for God because our new setting was beautiful and the change proved good for us both physically and spiritually.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your wonderful love. In times of persecution, help us to trust you for strength and courage. Amen.
Prayer Focus of Day: Persecuted Christians
Thought for the Day: When we know were obeying God, we can endure whatever comes at us.
Story shared by: P. Barkataki (India)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional 6/27/11
