MAY 24, 2016

“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.” ― Muhammad Ali

1 CHRONICLES 11-13

David is made King and a group of warriors become devoted to him, David honors their devotion, and his humility and commitment to God by his actions.

15Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 19“God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

JOHN 9:1-23

Jesus heals a blind man and refutes the notion that all illness happen because of sin...

1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

JOURNAL 

I love this section of the story of David and his men.  There are several more stories of their devotion and the skills they posses. I also love how in each case the spirit of God comes over each of them and motivates them in their devotion to David. They are drawn to the Character of David and his devotion to God.

Then there is the blind man whom Jesus heals. Jesus at this point is turning everything that the Jews are teaching on its head. They use illness and misfortune to control people. Their intent is not to love and see people healed it is to line their pockets and keep control of their position.

David and Jesus give all devotion and credit to God. They are not consumed with power and position but rather service, obedience and love.

25He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

27Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”- MARK 2:25-28