Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:55-12:19;
Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26
Reputation is character minus what you've been caught doing.
~Michael Lapoce
~Michael Lapoce
I Samuel 29:1-31:13
David has been protecting king Achish for a number of years. He is prepared to go into battle with the Philistines against Israel. This reflects tremendous loyalty on his part. But we learn of his reputation by what king Achish says when the other Philistine rulers refuse to allow these Israelites to fight with them. King Achish says that David is as perfect as an angel (vs. 9). He also says that David and his men are some of the finest men he's ever met (vs. 6).
When David is told to return back to his town called Ziklag, David is faced with another tremendous trial. God allows many trials in David's life to test his faith and build his character. Let's watch his response. When they get to the town, they find that the whole town has been burned to the ground and all of their possessions and families have been stolen. David's fighting men weep and then get angry. They are prepared to turn on David and stone him. His response is to turn to the Lord. Chapter 30 verse 6 tells us that David found strength in the Lord his God. He then consults God to see if they should chase down the thieves to get their families back. The Lord answers David's prayers in the affirmative.
David and his men successfully rescue their families. In the pursuit, some men get too tired to go on. After their victory, David's men who were strong enough to continue the pursuit don't want to share with those who got too tired. David's actions again confirm his good character. He insists that they share the plunder with those who were weaker. David also shared some of the plunder with leaders of his tribe in Israel. This is an amazing act of wisdom and good will.
Saul, who is in stark contrast to David, dies along with his three sons in battle against the Philistines. It is a sad day because Jonathan, David's godly best friend, has lost his life. Saul, on the other hand, got what he deserved. In the end, he didn't have enough courage and humility to die with dignity. He took his own life with a sword upon being injured in battle.
One man was as perfect as an angel, the other man was not. Do you trust God to give you strength in trials? Do you share with people who are weaker than you? Do you have a heart of courage and grace? David was a man after God's own heart. Are you a person after God's own heart?
John 11:55-12:19
As our story begins, Jesus' reputation has gone before him. The people of Israel who have come to Jerusalem early before Passover are wondering if they will get to see Jesus during the Passover. The religious leaders have told people that if they see him, they need to let the leaders know so he can be arrested.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus throw a dinner party in Jesus' honor in the town of Bethany. Mary anoints Jesus' feet with perfume. Judas Iscariot, who is at the dinner, is mad because the expensive perfume could have been sold and the money used for the poor. John (the author of this book) informs us that Judas did not care for the poor. He was in charge of the disciples' funds and often stole money for his own use. Warning: Be wary of people who always want your money to do good works for others. They often finds ways to use your money for their own benefit. These people do not get away with this behavior in the end. God sees all.
Jesus tells Judas to leave Mary alone. He states that her action is in belief of his upcoming death and that she is preparing him for burial. Jesus makes a true statement when he says that you will always have the poor among you. He, however, was only on earth for a limited time period.
We learn that many people are now believing in Jesus because he raised Lazarus from the dead. The Pharisees now want to kill Lazarus along with Jesus.
Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph. The people greet him as a king. Jesus fulfills prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 by entering Jerusalem on a donkey. As people cry out "Hosanna" they are truly saying "save us now!" They believe Jesus will do this through political upheaval, but Jesus is going to save them through his death.
The Pharisees are discouraged at the sight of Jesus tremendous popularity. They murmur to themselves, "We've lost. Look, the whole world has gone after him!" This is a prophetic statement by these evil men. One day, the whole world will literally look upon Jesus in sorrow. They will see the One they killed coming in Glory. His reputation will be sealed. He will be As Perfect As An Angel of God, just as king Achish called David. Better yet, Jesus will be our God.
Do your actions reflect belief in Jesus like Mary's did? Do you know people who like to act like they are concerned about the poor, but they are busy collecting your money to do it,and they conveniently spend some of your money on themselves? Watch out for this.
Psalm 118:1-18
His love endures forever. This phrase is repeated in this psalm. Read the portion of the psalm where the psalmist discusses the trials he has faced and how God delivered him in His strength. This is a reminder of what David was saying in our reading today.
Proverbs 15:24-26
Wise people will leave the grave behind in order to live forever. Nice. I look forward to leaving the grave behind!
What did you notice today? Talk to me about it.
Blessings,
Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011
I've noticed several times in the accounts of David's life while he was hiding from Saul that he found strength in the Lord, and even Jonathan helped him find strength in the Lord. A good example for us.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great example. The psalms show us exactly how David found strength. It was through brutal honesty with God, humility in suffering, and remembering God's goodness in the midst of his trials!
ReplyDelete