Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 21, 2024

“I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 22:1-5.

“So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam;  and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him.  Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him;  and he became captain over them.  Now there were about four hundred men with him.

And David went from there to Mizpah of Moab;  and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.”  Then he left them with the king of Moab;  and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.  The prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold;  depart, and go into the land of Judah.”  So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.”  1 Samuel 22:1-5.

—————–    

The cave of Adullam was a refuge to David and others, and it leads us to meditate on God being a refuge to us.

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

We may think that a refuge must be one place, and when we leave that one place, we may be afraid.  But, God is our refuge, and God goes with us wherever we go.

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9.

Even though we may go to many different places, in the language of the concluding Scripture, Psalm chapter 91, we “abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1.

We see even in today’s short Scripture that David left the cave of Adullam and went from there to Mizpah of Moab, dropped off his parents, and then David went to the forest of Hereth. 

We see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob wandered through many places.  “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance;  and he went out, not knowing where he was going.  By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  Hebrews 11:8-10.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.

11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
12 They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

14 “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
15 “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 “With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.” Psalm chapter 91.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 20, 2024

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 21:7-15.

“Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD;  and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s shepherds.

David said to Ahimelech, “Now is there not a spear or a sword on hand?  For I brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s matter was urgent.”  Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod;  if you would take it for yourself, take it.  For there is no other except it here.”  And David said, “There is none like it;  give it to me.”

Then David arose and fled that day from Saul, and went to Achish king of Gath.  But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land?  Did they not sing of this one as they danced, saying,

‘Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands’?”

David took these words to heart and greatly feared Achish king of Gath.  So he disguised his sanity before them, and acted insanely in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down into his beard.  Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man behaving as a madman.  Why do you bring him to me?  Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman in my presence?  Shall this one come into my house?”  1 Samuel 21:7-15.

——————-

David feared Saul and fled from him.  David also feared Achish king of Gath and acted insanely to escape from him.

We too have our fears.

But, there was hope for David, and there also is hope for us today!

“4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them. Psalm 34:4-7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 19, 2024

“I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE” – “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 21:1-6.

“Then David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest; and Ahimelech came trembling to meet David and said to him, “Why are you alone and no one with you?”  David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you;  and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’  Now therefore, what do you have on hand?  Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”  The priest answered David and said, “There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread;  if only the young men have kept themselves from women.”  David answered the priest and said to him, “Surely women have been kept from us as previously when I set out and the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was an ordinary journey;  how much more then today will their vessels be holy?”  So the priest gave him consecrated bread;  for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence which was removed from before the LORD, in order to put hot bread in its place when it was taken away.”  1 Samuel 21:1-6. 

————–

“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat.  But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.”  But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone?  Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent?  But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here.  But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”  Matthew 12:1-8.

“And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain.  The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”  And He *said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry;  how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?”  Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.  So the Son of Man is LORD even of the Sabbath.”  Mark 2:23-28.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 18, 2024

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 20:18-42.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Samuel 20 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Jonathan said to him (David), “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed because your seat will be empty.  When you have stayed for three days, you shall go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself on that eventful day, and you shall remain by the stone Ezel.  I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target.  And behold, I will send the lad, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’  If I specifically say to the lad, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come;  for there is safety for you and no harm, as the LORD lives.  But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for the LORD has sent you away.  As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.”

…

Then Saul hurled his spear at him (Jonathan) to strike him down;  so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. 

…

“Jonathan said to David, “Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’”  Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.”  1 Samuel 20:18-23 and 33 and 42.

—————

Jonathan’s statement to David (“The LORD will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.”) leads us to meditate on the unity between Christians drawn together into one body by the LORD.

Using the language of the following Scriptures, the LORD draws Christians together and knits their souls together and unites them together into one body in perfect unity.

“Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.”  1 Samuel 18:1.

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;  that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”  John 17:20-23.

“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.  If they were all one member, where would the body be?  But now there are many members, but one body.”  1 Corinthians 12:18-20. 

Christ is “the head (of the church), from whom the entire body (of individual Christians), being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.”  Colossians 2:19.

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:1-6.

The concluding Scripture shows how precious this unity is.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Coming down upon the beard,
Even Aaron’s beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forever.” Psalm chapter 133.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 17, 2024

“let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 20:1-17. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2020&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said to Jonathan, “What have I done?  What is my iniquity?  And what is my sin before your father, that he is seeking my life?”  He said to him, “Far from it, you shall not die.  Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me.  So why should my father hide this thing from me?  It is not so!”  Yet David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your sight, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.’  But truly as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is hardly a step between me and death.”  Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”  …

Then Jonathan said to David, “The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness!  When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good feeling toward David, shall I not then send to you and make it known to you?  If it please my father to do you harm, may the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also, if I do not make it known to you and send you away, that you may go in safety.  And may the LORD be with you as He has been with my father.   If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness of the LORD, that I may not die?  You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”  So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD require it at the hands of David’s enemies.”  Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.”  1 Samuel 17:1-4 and 12-17.

—————-

We see the love of Jonathan for David and his strong desire to protect David. Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on God’s protection of us and how we should protect and provide for others.   

God protects us and provides for us.  

“5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
8 The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.” Psalm 121:5-8.

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5.

“But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:28-32.

“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.” Psalm 84:11.

“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.

May God cause us to love, protect, and provide for others, especially our family and those of the household of faith. 

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”  Hebrews 11:7.

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  1 Timothy 5:8.

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:10.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4.

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”  Acts 20:28.

“preach the word;  be ready in season and out of season;  reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”  2 Timothy 4:2-5.

“And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,”  Ephesians 6:17-18.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 16, 2024

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” – “I am God … I will accomplish all My good pleasure”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 19:11-24.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Samuel 19 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Now David fled and escaped and came to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him.  And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth.  It was told Saul, saying, “Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.”  Then Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul;  and they also prophesied.  When it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied.  So Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied.  Then he himself went to Ramah and came as far as the large well that is in Secu;  and he asked and said, “Where are Samuel and David?”  And someone said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”  He proceeded there to Naioth in Ramah;  and the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying continually until he came to Naioth in Ramah.  He also stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night.  Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”  1 Samuel 19:18-24. 

————

“…  the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul;  and they also prophesied.”  Verse 20.

Why would God send His Spirit to the messengers of Saul and to Saul himself so they would prophesy, in a total of three separate occasions, particularly considering that they were trying to kill David?

Why did God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel rather than just start with David? 

We do remember that God previously sent His Spirit on Saul so that he would prophesy, but that was part of the occasion of changing his heart and showing a sign that he (Saul) was to be king.  See 1 Samuel 10:9-12.

But, today’s Scripture is more puzzling and mysterious.  

Maybe, God wanted to demonstrate His sovereignty that right in the middle of Saul’s intent to kill David that He could cause both the messengers of Saul and Saul himself to prophesy.  God can even work in people who are doing evil to accomplish His purpose.   

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.

“The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.” Proverbs 16:4.

Consider the following from the Belgic Confession.

“Article 13: Of Divine Providence.

We believe that the same God, after he had created all things, did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that he rules and governs them according to his holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without his appointment: nevertheless, God neither is the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed. For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible, that he orders and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even then, when devils and wicked men act unjustly. And, as to what he doth surpassing human understanding, we will not curiously inquire into, farther than our capacity will admit of; but with the greatest humility and reverence adore the righteous judgments of God, which are hid from us, contenting ourselves that we are disciples of Christ, to learn only those things which he has revealed to us in his Word, without transgressing these limits. This doctrine affords us unspeakable consolation, since we are taught thereby that nothing can befall us by chance, but by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father; who watches over us with a paternal care, keeping all creatures so under his power, that not a hair of our head (for they are all numbered), nor a sparrow, can fall to the ground, without the will of our Father, in whom we do entirely trust; being persuaded, that he so restrains the devil and all our enemies, that without his will and permission, they cannot hurt us. And therefore we reject that damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God regards nothing, but leaves all things to chance.”

“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  Romans 9:17.

Whether or not this was God’s purpose (to demonstrate His sovereignty and show that He can even work in people who are doing evil to accomplish His purpose) in sending His Spirit to the messengers of Saul and Saul himself so they would prophesy, today’s Scripture leads us to generally meditate on the sovereignty of God.

We do not need to understand all mysteries.  We do not need to understand God’s purpose in all of His actions in order to appreciate God’s sovereignty over all things and to trust Him.

Job, a righteous man, did not understand why God sent all the suffering to him. We may not understand why apparently bad things happen to good people.

“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel
By words without knowledge?
3 “Now gird up your loins like a man,
And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,
5 Who set its measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the line on it?
6 “On what were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
7 When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:1-7.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“You too be patient;  strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. …  We count those blessed who endured.  You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.”  James 5:8 and 11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 14, 2024

“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; … with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 13, 2024

“David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 18:20-30.

“Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they told Saul, the thing was agreeable to him.  Saul thought, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.”  Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time you may be my son-in-law today.”  Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David secretly, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you;  now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’”  So Saul’s servants spoke these words to David.  But David said, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?”  The servants of Saul reported to him according to these words which David spoke.  Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David, ‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’”  Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.  When his servants told David these words, it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law.  Before the days had expired David rose up and went, he and his men, and struck down two hundred men among the Philistines.  Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law.  So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife.  When Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, then Saul was even more afraid of David.  Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually.

Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul.  So his name was highly esteemed.”  1 Samuel 18:20-30.

————–

Let us first meditate on a few specific examples of how David may have “behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul”.  Although the highlighted verse 30 attributes it to:  “it happened as often as they went out (to battle)”, we will also look at some other specific things that David did in the rest of today’s Scripture.

David was humble.  David said to Saul’s servants:  “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?”  Verse 23.

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.” Proverbs 15:33.

David was not in a rush to get rich, so to speak, by marrying into the royal family.  David first declined Saul’s offer that David could marry his older daughter Merab.  1 Samuel 18:17-19.  It was only after the second time presented in today’s Scripture that Saul pressured and deceived David that David accepted the challenge to be able to marry Saul’s other daughter, Michal.

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,
But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5.

David did twice what was requested of him by Saul.  Saul only requested “a hundred foreskins of the Philistines”, but David delivered two hundred foreskins to Saul. 

“The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.” Proverbs 12:24.

We learn elsewhere from Scripture about how David did in battle which is one of the toughest conditions of pressure to be wise.  It is much easier to be wise, or at least appear wise, in peace and prosperity.

“Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.” Psalm 119:98.

“Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle;
2 My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My stronghold and my deliverer,
My shield and He in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me.” Psalm 144:1-2.

More important than trying to find a few examples of how David acted wisely so that we can exercise our own wisdom and our own will to copy them, we should focus on what the LORD does and provides, such as the wisdom and righteousness given to us by God, personified by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  James 1:5.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.


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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 12, 2024

“David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him.” – “just as He chose us” – “God … has blessed us”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 18:12-19.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Samuel 18 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.  Therefore Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand;  and he went out and came in before the people.  David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him.  When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him.  But all Israel and Judah loved David, and he went out and came in before them.”  1 Samuel 18:12-16.

—————-

“70 He also chose David His servant
And took him from the sheepfolds;
71 From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.” Psalm 78:70-71.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12.

“Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.” Psalm 125:1-2. 

“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.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  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 8:28-32.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-8. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 11, 2024

“For where jealousy … exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” – “love is kind and is not jealous”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 18:1-11.

“Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.   Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house.  Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.  Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.  So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered;  and Saul set him over the men of war.  And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments.  The women sang as they played, and said,

“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”

Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands.  Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”  Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual;  and a spear was in Saul’s hand.  Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.”  But David escaped from his presence twice.”  1 Samuel 18:1-11.

—————–

Jonathan, the son of Saul, could have been jealous of David and all the attention that David was getting.  But, Jonathan loved David and gave generously to David.

In sharp contrast, Saul had little reason to be jealous of David who helped Saul so much, but Saul was jealous of David and tried to kill David.

“Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 3:13-18.

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;  love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;  it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

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