Stay in the City
Before we look at the text, let’s remember that today is our preparation day for Sunday. We need to pray hard today, and work hard today so that we can have the breath of God on our services tomorrow. Pray that God will speak through the preaching, teaching, and singing tomorrow; pray that souls will be saved and lives will be changed; pray that the gospel will have free course; and pray especially for protection against the attacks of the wicked one. Then, after you have prayed, why not go out into the highways and hedges; the streets and lanes of the city; and compel someone to come tomorrow.
Reading for Today – 2 Samuel 1 – 3
Every time I read this passage of Scripture I find myself shouting to Abner, “Don’t leave the city!!! Stay inside where it is safe! Don’t trust Joab. He is a deceiver!” But you know the story, Abner does allow Joab to bring him outside the city of protection; and once outside, Joab and his brother Abishai kill him.
The background of this story is needed for understanding about the point I am trying to make. You see, in a past battle Joab’s army and Abner’s army fought against each other. Joab’s other brother, Asahel, found himself one on one with the great general, Abner, and was slain in the battle. Joab and Abishai never forgave Abner for what he did to his brother even though it was in a time of war.
When peacetime came Joab found an opportunity to exact his revenge; but the only problem was that Abner was inside the city of Hebron, which was a city of refuge. (See Numbers 35 and Joshua 20 re: the cities of refuge) As long as Abner remained in the city, Joab could not touch him; but the second Abner left, he was fair game for Joab and his brother.
Christian, our city of refuge is the will of God; it’s being in Christ. The devil is hovering around us trying to lure us out of God’s will of protection. Stay in the city!
I encourage any thoughts regarding this post or anything ele from our Scripture reading for today.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Have You Ever Been There?
Todays Reading – 1 Samuel 29 – 31
1 Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
Have you ever had one of those days where it seems that everything is going against you. Imagine how David must have felt: he was recently banished from his home, Israel; now his new country, the land of the Philistines, does not want him; and when he arrives at Ziglag where his family and the families of his 600 men were, he finds it burned to the ground and all the people gone. Have you ever been there? Have you ever been in a situation where nothing is working right; and everything and everybody seems to be turning against you? Even David’s loyal men were talking about stoning him!
What did David do? And what should we do when we find ourselves in a seemingly hopeless situation?
1 Be encouraged! “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” There is always hope, even if you can’t see it yet. Pick yourself up from the valley of discouragement and believe that things can and will get better.
2 Go to God. “And David enquired at the Lord” (v 8) Things won’t necessarily get better on their own; but God can make your situation better, no matter how bad it is. David picked himself up and realized that there was hope; and that hope was in God. God showed him what to do to gain the victory.
Notice now what takes place in the next few days. David recovers his family. He sends gifts from the spoil of the battle to many of the cities in Judah. He discovers that his old enemy in Judah, Saul, has been slain in battle with the Philistines, which will open up the door for David’s reign as king. I bet David was glad that he didn’t let his discouragement keep him down. He got up and moved forward in the Lord; and the Lord turned the situation around.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Rejoicing in a Great Week in the Lord!
Before we examine the Scripture passage for today, let me just share with you how excited I am about serving the Lord here at Jersey Shore. We have seen God do many wonderful things here this week with great attendances and many people saved. Praise the Lord!!! Thanks to all of the faithful workers who sacrificially serve the Lord and minister to the people here.
The Reading for Today is 1 Samuel 26 – 28
My thought this morning involves Saul and David. Saul was a man consumed with envy over David. As we study the scriptures, we find that David did nothing to deserve the treatment he was getting from Saul. David faithfully served Saul and Israel. As a young man, he played the harp for Saul him; he fought and killed the giant of the Philistines, Goliath of Gath; he fought many battles for Saul, bringing great victory for Israel. David loved Saul; married his daughter; and was Saul’s son, Jonathan’s, best friend. David did nothing but good for Saul and his family; but it seems that the more good David did, the more Saul despised him. Saul became consumed with hating David; and seeking David’s life.
How did David react to all of this. He did nothing to react to Saul’s unkindness. David could have justifiably killed Saul twice but refused to touch God’s anointed. Finally, no doubt exasperated, David leaves Israel and moves into the land of the Philistines (Israel’s enemy). However, even then he does not become Saul’s enemy. He secretly takes his men and fights against the enemies of Israel. So even after being banished from the country he loved and served: the country that he was anointed by God to be the king over; he continues to be a friend to it and to Saul.
How about you? How do you react to people who are attacking you; people who are being your enemy. Do you attack back with vengence; or do you continue to be a friend to them, even if they don’t deserve your friendship. God will take care of the Saul’s in your life. You just keep doing what you know God wants you to do.
Any thoughts? Please feel free to leave a comment.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.