And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. (1 Sam. 24:16-20)
Saul continued to pursue David and during a break, David discovered Saul in a cave and had the opportunity to end the pursuit and take the kingdom. David did not lay his hand on the anointed of the LORD and made an effort, despite the risk, to not only show all the opportunity but also his restraint. Saul responded in a moment of clarity and recognized David’s integrity in light of his intense jealousy and blessed David. Saul’s only request further was for David to respect his family when he became the new king which David agreed.
David displayed his integrity and obedience to the LORD when he refused to take Saul’s life when he had the opportunity. Gaining the kingdom by force and revenge in such a way would not have endeared him to the people when the LORD gave him the kingdom. David not only did not strike the anointed king but trusted in the LORD to bring about the change in the kingdom in His time. Confronting Saul not only forced Saul to recognize that things would change despite Saul’s pursuit of David but also that David was more righteous and had more integrity than Saul. David was not seeking revenge or destruction of Saul so had no problem respecting Saul’s wish that his family not be eliminated when David was king.
Christians in ministry should seek the LORD and wait on Him in the blessing of their ministry. Promotions and increased responsibilities do not come because we pursue them to fulfill our wishes and dreams but at the hand of the LORD in His time. God has placed leadership in place according to His purposes and we should not see disagreements as obstacles but opportunities to grow and pray. Promoting ourselves or seeking our way will only lead to heartache and division amongst God’s people. Just as David respected Saul and remained loyal to the leadership God had placed over Israel, so should God’s people work with those God has placed over us and submit as unto the LORD to accomplish all that God would have us do for Him to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach His Word. We are not to strive with one another but work in unity as the body of Christ to reach those who are not yet one with Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and strengthen one another as we grow in Him to the glory of God.
While we are here, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
David displayed his integrity and obedience to the LORD when he refused to take Saul’s life when he had the opportunity. Gaining the kingdom by force and revenge in such a way would not have endeared him to the people when the LORD gave him the kingdom. David not only did not strike the anointed king but trusted in the LORD to bring about the change in the kingdom in His time. Confronting Saul not only forced Saul to recognize that things would change despite Saul’s pursuit of David but also that David was more righteous and had more integrity than Saul. David was not seeking revenge or destruction of Saul so had no problem respecting Saul’s wish that his family not be eliminated when David was king.
Christians in ministry should seek the LORD and wait on Him in the blessing of their ministry. Promotions and increased responsibilities do not come because we pursue them to fulfill our wishes and dreams but at the hand of the LORD in His time. God has placed leadership in place according to His purposes and we should not see disagreements as obstacles but opportunities to grow and pray. Promoting ourselves or seeking our way will only lead to heartache and division amongst God’s people. Just as David respected Saul and remained loyal to the leadership God had placed over Israel, so should God’s people work with those God has placed over us and submit as unto the LORD to accomplish all that God would have us do for Him to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach His Word. We are not to strive with one another but work in unity as the body of Christ to reach those who are not yet one with Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and strengthen one another as we grow in Him to the glory of God.
While we are here, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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