Sunday, 4/19/2015

“I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?”  ~ C.S. Lewis

1 SAMUEL 27-29

David follows the advice of Abigail and then honors her making her his wife...David also shows his obedience to God in honoring Saul even when he has an opportunity to kill him...

10When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?” David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.” 11He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’ ” And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. 12Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.”...

“I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”

16Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? 17The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. 18Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. 19The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

20Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words.

LUKE 17:1-19

Jesus tells parable of the shrewd manager in order to show that worldly wealth is not the ultimate objective...

1Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3So watch yourselves.

“If your brother or sister^a sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

JOURNAL

David has gone into Philistine territory and is now fighting for the the King Achish.  This seems strange except that God is not a God that is defined by a certain Kingdom or people.  David's obedience to God has led him into some very strange circumstances but it is all part of God's plan.  

This is the point of Jesus warning about those that cause men to stumble...interfering in the plans and purposes of God only just puts us in the path of being contrary to God.  Obedience to God is never a clear, well-defined path.  It is usually full of questions and uncertainty.  It is in these moments that I realize that this is the point of it all.  The questions and uncertainty require me to lean deeper into God, his word and trust in his love.

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.^a(Proverbs 3: 5-6)