A Godly Response

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 19

King Saul’s hatred for David was obvious. The moment David killed Goliath and the women started praising his name (1 Samuel 18:7-9), king Saul became jealous and he sought ways to end the life of David. For instance, Saul threw javelin at David when David was ministering in him (1 Samuel 18:9-11). Saul gave his daughter Michal to David when he realized that Michal was in love with David in order to snare him (1 Samuel 18:20-21) and Saul’s son, Jonathan, rescued David on many occasions by providing David with right intelligence and safety protocols. He also strategized wth David on ways to escape Saul’s murderous plans. Thank God for His protection and deliverance. God delivers David from the hand of king Saul. No wonder David declares in Psalm 91:1 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”. In the midst of this wickedness, envy and terrible acts against David, David did not retaliate. He did not raise his hands against or speak against the king. Rather he decided to seek prophet Samuel for counsel (1 Samuel 19). David could have killed king Saul but he chose not to lay his hands on the anointed of the Lord (1 Samuel 24:6). Instead, he showed love. Dear friends, your response to any situation you are passing through is important— what you choose to say and do are crucial. Your response to your envious colleagues, spiteful siblings, destructive and clueless leaders etc is important. David’s response offers Christians what’s possible in Jesus Christ by the help of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the spirit can manifest in the life of a truly transformed child of God. The canal man cannot react the way David responded. In fact, the carnal man will retaliate and kill king Saul especially with Saul’s unending quest to kill David. But by the help of God, through constant fellowship with God, wise counsel from elders like prophet Samuel, and service to others etc, David responded the godly way. You can do all things through Christ that strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). You have the capacity to love, to be merciful and to be gracious to others even our enemies because the Holy Spirit lives in you. In case you are yet to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, today is another opportunity to do so. May the Holy Spirit continue work in so that we can live in the spirit and also walk by the spirit (Galatians 5:25).

Daily Confession: I am empowered by the Holy Spirit to respond in the way that pleases God to situations in my life in Jesus name.

Intercessory prayers: Pray for God’s protection over your family and loved ones at this time.

Hymn: Lord, lift me up, and let me stand,

By faith on Heaven’s tableland;

A higher plane than I have found,

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.