Post by bcool on Aug 30, 2011 6:08:00 GMT -6
1 Samuel 24 The cave at Engedi [an excerpt]
David would give Satan no further foothold. He had already vandalized the King's robe. David must have reflected for just a moment on these questions: 'am I going to do this that the men want for the glory of God or just to please myself or them?' And again, 'am I rushing ahead impetuously, or am I willing to wait?' 'Can I defend what I am doing from the Word of God?' And finally, 'As I contemplate this move, do I have peace about it within?' It is in this last area that the Christian must learn to distinguish between his own human emotions and the work of God in his life. When God is the authority within your soul, emotions are not denied. They are valid and respond to truth and reality in life. Though in spite of the excitement in the cave that day, it was now clear to David that Saul is God’s anointed. Jehovah hand-picked Saul. He will remain king until God decides that Saul has lived out his reign. This is God’s decision, not David’s. This is God's order.
True faith is always grounded in studying and learning the Word of God. But as the sun goes down on your day, think about this. The truths in the pages of Scripture do you little good unless they are put into practice in your life. You have free will. In 1 Samuel 24, Jehovah God made it possible for David to kill Saul, but he chose not to.
The studying of truth, or even the enjoying of truth locked up in a classroom is not really sufficient to transform our lives. It is the doing of the truth also. David remembered Jehovah God in the cave. We too must determine through the Spirit's power to put these truths of the Bible into practice.
And guess what? There is good news! You and I are not fighting for victory in our Christian lives. We suit up and show up "in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5 NASB), and fight from victory, for Jesus Christ has already defeated Satan! (Colossians 2:15; John 12:31; Revelation 12:11).
David would give Satan no further foothold. He had already vandalized the King's robe. David must have reflected for just a moment on these questions: 'am I going to do this that the men want for the glory of God or just to please myself or them?' And again, 'am I rushing ahead impetuously, or am I willing to wait?' 'Can I defend what I am doing from the Word of God?' And finally, 'As I contemplate this move, do I have peace about it within?' It is in this last area that the Christian must learn to distinguish between his own human emotions and the work of God in his life. When God is the authority within your soul, emotions are not denied. They are valid and respond to truth and reality in life. Though in spite of the excitement in the cave that day, it was now clear to David that Saul is God’s anointed. Jehovah hand-picked Saul. He will remain king until God decides that Saul has lived out his reign. This is God’s decision, not David’s. This is God's order.
True faith is always grounded in studying and learning the Word of God. But as the sun goes down on your day, think about this. The truths in the pages of Scripture do you little good unless they are put into practice in your life. You have free will. In 1 Samuel 24, Jehovah God made it possible for David to kill Saul, but he chose not to.
The studying of truth, or even the enjoying of truth locked up in a classroom is not really sufficient to transform our lives. It is the doing of the truth also. David remembered Jehovah God in the cave. We too must determine through the Spirit's power to put these truths of the Bible into practice.
And guess what? There is good news! You and I are not fighting for victory in our Christian lives. We suit up and show up "in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5 NASB), and fight from victory, for Jesus Christ has already defeated Satan! (Colossians 2:15; John 12:31; Revelation 12:11).
