Saturday, April 3, 2010
April 4, 2010 ... I Samuel 28 - 31 "Ethics for Pragmatism"
I Samuel 30: 6-7 - And suddenly David was in even worse trouble. The Amalekits had destroyed the city and its people. There was talk among the men, bitter over the loss of their families, of stoning him. David strengthened himself with trust in his God. Here are lifelong friends who suddenly didn't trust David any longer. How many times was this guy's life in danger? In the midst of devastating news, he trusted God. What did you think and feel as you read about the life of David and Saul and Jonathan in I Samuel? As "the biblical axe breaks the frozen sea within us," what is God changing in you? What lingers as you close the book of I Samuel? I am so intrigued by David's "new way" of living. His goal wasn't to change Saul. His goal was to love. He didn't want anything more than Love. Not ambition. Not success. Not deliverance. Not even a safe place to live. He was more concerned about his own failure to love Saul, the anointed one. He didn't sacrifice "ethics for pragmatism." 66 LL.
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I wish I were smarter at following all of these battles. The Philistines, the Amalekites, all the other enemies of Israel keep me so confused.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew what eventually happened...and maybe it's been told...to the people that God told Saul to destroy everything and don't bring anything back home of theirs. When God took His Spirit away from Saul.
Did they eventually cause more problems...sort of like Haman from the book of Esther? Beth Moore teaches that Haman's line was a group of very evil people that God had commanded they all be destroyed in battle. This happened generations before Esther.
God, of course, is in control, but I just get curious when He says destroy everything and everyone.
And Saul's death along with his sons. I know God didn't do this, the Philistines did it...but I just wonder if this wasn't God's judgement on Saul for his constant and willful disobedience. And I'm talking about the gross details of what the Philistines did with the bodies of Saul and his sons. God's judgement is swift and sure.
David is very righteous, and I love his devotion to God.
But I sorta am more like Saul in a lot of ways. I guess that is what I'm most taking away from this book of the Bible. I'm fearful, jealous, quick to run ahead of God and I want to KNOW what's going on. I've never consulted a fortune-teller AT ALL, and never plan on that, but Saul wanted guidance. If God wouldn't provide it, he took matters in his own hands.
Oh Father, deliver me from the same sin that Saul did. If David was the apple of Your eye, change me into a woman with the same wisdom and devotion towards You that David had. You are so much more important to me than winning or being the queen over anything. Teach me how to be strong and courageous but passionate like David in my devotion towards You. I praise Your name and thank You for dying on the cross in my place. I love You.
Beautiful prayer, Deborah. May we all be transformed by His Hand to be pleasing in His Eye.
ReplyDeleteBlessed, blessed Day of the Risen King! Happy Easter!
I leave thinking about the contrast between David and Saul's heart. Saul was never repentant...never broken over his sin. David had lapses (see ch. 27,29,where he so despaired of running from Saul that he went to reside in the land of the Philistines)but would turn back to the Lord...broken, dependent on Him once again. Deborah described his heart in her beautiful prayer...devoted and passionate. You see it in so many of the Psalms.
ReplyDeleteSaul was devoted to himself. He was an "I did it my way" man and reaped the consequences. No heart cry for holiness.
I've got a long way to go...but my heart is listening...listening as I read scripture, 66LL, and your comments.
My mother died on an Easter Sunday.
We had a difficult relationship, but I see how God used her in my life. She's with Him now and I'm so very thankful for the message of the cross!
Have a blessed week!
FG Forever Grateful
I loved reading through 1 Samuel with you all. I've read this book a lot yet this time was different. I really enjoy the Message version.
ReplyDeleteWhat lingers with me is how much David focused on God. As Crabb says, David's focus is on what is holy and pleasing to the Lord, not what will make things work better.
David was different, and did things differently, because he listened to the Lord. No one would have faulted him for killing Saul, given the fact that Saul was after him. Kill or be killed, right? But David chose God's way, not man's.
I don't want to be Saul - obeying God half-way, making excuses for my sin, and being jealous and self-seeking.
The way I'm feeling right now is the way that 66 LL puts it, I find myself weeping over how I demand that God cooperate with my agenda, and I do feel the cry for holiness arising from my deepest center. What an incredible blessing to even begin to see myself as I really am - a demanding, disobedient sinner and also a beloved daughter of the King.
Easter went fine with my sister. I can tell that God is working in me. I do feel less demanding that everything be worked out to my satisfaction, and I'm learning to live in the ambiguity more and more. I'm choosing to trust God day by day with this relationship but thankfully, I don't feel hopeless anymore. I do feel more compassion toward her.
FG - I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom yesterday. I pray that you'll be able to grieve well, although it was a difficult relationship. I'm praying for you.
ReplyDeleteFG, you are in my prayers in your loss of your mom. I pray particularly for His peace and comfort for you and your family. Hugs, Annette
ReplyDeleteFG, you are in my prayers in your loss of your mom. I pray particularly for His peace and comfort for you and your family. Hugs, Annette
ReplyDelete