MAY 24, 2023

“I see a world on the edge of a blade. Without balance, it will fall.” 

― Victoria Aveyard

1 CHRONICLES 11-13

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.(11:31-33)

JOHN 9:1-23

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 

These verses in Chronicles detail the characteristics of many of David's "mighty men". What is evident is that David was greatly blessed with men that were talented and devoted to him. David could never have been the King that he became without these men's devotion and support. Interesting to note that it was when David was alone that he recorded his greatest failures. 

Jesus heals the blind beggar and causes major disruption and questioning from the Pharisees.  They cannot believe or understand how it is that Jesus is the Messiah. 

Balance...how do I have balance in this life? I have become well aware that I often fall on either side of this razor thin place of thinking too highly of myself or either too little of myself. Reality is that my life is precious, I have skills, talents and gifts. However my life is also but a whisp...here today and gone tomorrow. So how do I keep the proper perspective of honoring God, yet not becoming consumed with myself? 

That answer is a daily question and requires a daily dose of God, his grace, his love and his discipline. Everyday...I must read scripture, pray, meditate and bring every circumstance, outcome and situation before God. Otherwise I am traveling a path that will lead me to either of the two extremes...Because being alone can also have a way of undoing me. 

David often struggled with this dynamic and the beauty of scripture is that we get to see his struggles and how God disciplined but also loved him through trial, success and failure. Likewise the disciples also struggled with this dynamic...Peter being a prime example, yet just as God loved David through his blunders, Jesus loved Peter through his. 

As I think on it more...this is the answer...the closer I cling to God and depend on him through every trial...then I am assured that he will redeem my mistakes and also guide me in his ways of love and grace. That's his gift and his gift is greater than any success or reward that this world can ever offer. 

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:1-2