1
Samuel 30:1–31:13, 1
Peter 2:18–25, Psalm
131:1–132:18
Christians are given the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He
changes our lives and because of Him, we are not like others who have no faith.
In Israel’s David, I see a changed life. David has the attitude of the Messiah.
This man’s life was not perfect, yet much of it pointed to the greater King who
was to come.
In today’s OT reading, David and his men were sent home by
the Philistine army only to find that the Amalekites had raided their city and
taken all the women and children captive, and plundered the city. “And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke
of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons
and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” Then “David
inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I
pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?’ He answered him, ‘Pursue, for
you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.’” (1 Samuel 30:5-8)
Even though he wept with the others, he went immediately
to the Lord for both strength and direction. This is a God-thing.
As David and his men chased after the Amalekites, they found
an Egyptian. They gave him bread and water, a piece of a cake of figs and two
clusters of raisins, for he had not had anything for three days and nights.
He’d been with the Amalekites, but fell ill and was left behind. David promised
him safety if he would lead them to the enemy camp. He did, and when arriving
there, “David recovered all that the Amalekites had
taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or
great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought
back all. David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove
the livestock before him . . . .” (1 Samuel 30:11–20) David
was good to an enemy and was rewarded with success. This too is a God-thing.
On the way home, “David came to the two hundred men who
had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook
Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with
him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. Then all the
wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them
any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his
wife and children, and depart.” This is a worldly response.
But David said, “You shall not
do so, my brothers, with what the Lord
has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came
against us. Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who
goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They
shall share alike.” (1
Samuel 30:21–24)
David’s response made my heart leap. It points to Jesus
and His plan of redemption. None of us have earned the spoils of salvation.
Some enjoy life and do very little in God’s kingdom. Others fight spiritual
battles and serve with all their heart and energy. Yet both receive the same
reward. This makes no sense to the worldly mind, but this is also a God-thing.
The NT reading gives more of the same. One verse describes
the attitude of David toward his Philistine patron, but also his attitude
toward his own men. “Servants, be subject to your
masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the
unjust.” (1 Peter 2:18)
David was not a respecter of persons, nor is Jesus Christ. All who will
may come to Him and receive grace.
David sets a good example, but more importantly, he points
toward a greater King and a greater example: “For
to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you
an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither
was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in
return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself
to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:21–23)
David was like that, and this is why the psalmist wrote: “There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have
prepared a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on
him his crown will shine.” (Psalm 132:17–18)
David shines. Of course, Jesus shines brighter, and
because of Him, my little light can shine a little bit too.
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