Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 24:16-22.

“When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?”  Then Saul lifted up his voice and wept.  He said to David, “You are more righteous than I;  for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you.  You have declared today that you have done good to me, that the LORD delivered me into your hand and yet you did not kill me.  For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely?  May the LORD therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.  Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.  So now swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s household.”  David swore to Saul.  And Saul went to his home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.”  1 Samuel 24:16-22.

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“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7.

It would have been good enough for the LORD to only provide an escape, a deliverance, and save David’s life.  But, the LORD caused Saul to humble himself and to praise and bless David.

“Then Saul lifted up his voice and wept.  He said to David, “You are more righteous than I;  for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you.”  Verse 17.

“…  May the LORD therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.”  Verse 19.

“Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.  So now swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s household.”  Verses 20-21.   

But, there is hope for us too!

“5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:5-6.

“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11-12.

“2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:2-5.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.

“So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come;  all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ;  and Christ belongs to God.”  1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

“but just as it is written,

“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,”.  1 Corinthians 2:9 and 12.