Passage: 1 Samuel 20, Psalm 109, Col 3:18-25 Post By: Grant Barton In reading through these passages I saw a recurring theme. Beginning in first Samuel, we see David flee from Saul yet again. Saul was the King appointed by God, however he sought his own counsels and chose to fear men rather than God. From previous passages we read that Saul had become jealous of David’s popularity among the people and the blessing and favor that the Lord gave to him. And now we find in this passage that David is preparing to flee for his life and is unjustly oppressed by a man he had never harmed and only brought blessing to. In our own lives, we may not always find ourselves in peril of our life, but we may have other enemies that seek to cause us grief and hardship; and in addition, we have a greater enemy in Satan who seeks to accuse and destroy us every day. How do we deal with persecution, and who do we turn to in the face of opposition, oppression, and false accusation. “ They have surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without cause.” (ps 109:3) . In Psalms 109, we see David’s answer. He turns to God. In this chapter David does three things in his prayer. First he simply tells the Lord what’s going on in his life. Then he asks the Lord for Justice. And finally at the end of the chapter he rests in the Lord’s capable hands and gives his problem to God. “Help me, O Lord my God! Oh save me according to Your mercy, that they may know that this is Your hand- that You, Lord, have done it!” In closing, I would like to encourage you to be strong in trials with the realization that the Lord is with us always; that we can always run to his ever open arms. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there will be no partiality.“ Colossians 3:23-25 Be Anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 23:16:11 +0000