1 Samuel 29 & 30 - David Turned Back from Battling Israel

LINK: 1 Samuel 29 & 30

BACKGROUND

The Philistines, David, and his men were poised for battle against Israel at the Aphek, the exact spot where the Philistines had defeated Israel and captured the ark about 90 years earlier (4:10-11). Israel was at the spring of Jezreel, 40 miles northeast of Aphek.

David avoided the awkward situation of having to go up against Israel when the Philistine commanders, who did not really trust David, insisted he return home to Ziklag, despite Achish's confidence in David's loyalty to him (which David had really faked).

David and his men returned to Ziklag only to find that the Amalekites had made away with everybody and everything, including David's two wives! His men threatened to stone him, and David inquired of the LORD through Abiathar using the ephod. You may remember that an ephod was the garment of the high priest that contained the Urim and Thummim, the sacred stones used to discern the will of God (Exodus 28:30). As a result, God assured David that he would succeed. He succeeded in reclaiming all the families and property in addition to Amalekite booty that he diplomatically divided among ALL of his men, including the ones who stayed behind with the supplies by the Besor Ravine. In addition, he sent property that the Amalekites had stolen from the cities and towns in Judah back to those places. This would be very nice for the future when David would set up his kingship at Hebron.

There is no REFLECTION today. One of my "TOP FIVE" favorite Psalms is coming up tomorrow. So, stay tuned.

APPLICATION

I love David's diplomatic leadership over the tension surrounding the dividing up of the spoils in 1 Samuel 30. We can learn much from his leadership.

While not billed as a leadership study, I did the study A Heart Like His by Beth Moore during a time of intense leadership challenge in my life in the summer of 2000.  I recommend it even if you are not in leadership (although I would venture to say that most of us wear some kind of leadership hat in our family, work, or ministry).   

PRAYER

Lord, make us men and women after Your own heart. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Psalm 56 - "What Can Mere Man Do to Me?"

LINK: Psalm 56

BACKGROUND 

While we do not know for sure when David wrote it, this song of trust in God may have happened during David's time in Gath in 1 Samuel 21:10 and is paired with Psalm 34, but he was in Gath two times and the psalm says he was "seized" by the Philistines while there. There is no Biblical record of seizing, but some believe that the assault would have happened during the stay in 1 Samuel 27:7-12 because David lied to the king's generals, and this would have given them cause to seize him. The continued mistrust of the Philistines is evident in 1 Samuel 29 when the commanders have the king send David back from fighting against the Israelites and Saul.  This is the reason why I put this after 1 Samuel 27.

Also, just a reminder that Gath was the hometown of the deceased Goliath. No wonder David had reason to fear man!

David trusted confidently in the Lord even though he was hotly pursued. He could put his trust in God when he was afraid of man. God knew his sufferings, and David knew that God would deliver him.

REFLECTION 

Most of us are not "hotly pursued by men" (This was a little giggle of a verse for me and my single friends many years ago. I am Instant Messaging with a friend from that era right now, and we are giggling. No men were "hotly pursuing" us! But I digress . . . )

As I said before I interrupted myself, most of us do not have the problem of being chased by our enemies, but the essence of this Psalm has been such balm to my tired and fearful soul over the years.

When I am afraid, 

I will trust in You. 

In God, whose word I praise, 

In God I have put my trust; 

I shall not be afraid. 

What can mere man do to me? (56:3-4) 

You have taken account of my wanderings; 

Put my tears in Your bottle. 

Are they not in Your book? 

Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; 

This I know because God is for me. 

In God, whose word I praise --What can man do to me? (56:8-11)

David was focused like a laser on God. God was the object of His trust. Men faded in the light of God's dazzling presence. Note how many times David says, "In God" in this psalm.

I have had a lot of fear of people over the years. I have shed a lot of tears over it, and that bottle of God's must be a big one for me. But I wake up on this beautiful summer day at 50+ years old realizing that I am not afraid of man anymore. I have a history with this Psalm, but my present-day reality is that God has proven again and again that He is for me (See Romans 8:31-39 for more on this), and I can rest in that. We all can.

2023 Update: All these years later, I believe this "fear of man" thing has dissipated. I step into more boldness these days, and I do not evaluate who I am on the often-broken mirrors of other people's perceptions. Other people's perceptions have really faced.

I credit that to being more aware, in the moment, of my core fears. For me, it is being unwanted and unloved. So, when other people disapproved, I really struggled between pleasing God or other people. That is idolatry. I remember a day, November 17, 2017, when while on a walk, I said, while doing the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius (scroll down the page to get an explanation of them), that I was trying to understand my sin patterns.  He said, "You value the opinion of other people above the opinion of God, and that is idolatry, Carol." BINGO. I recorded it on my iPhone and still have the recording!

Now I "catch myself in the act" when I go toward that core fear of feeling unwanted and loved, and I have a dialogue with God, in real time about it. He wants me and loves me. That is what is MOST important. Other people's opinions can be their opinion, what God thinks is more important. 

APPLICATION/PRAYER 

The fear of man brings a snare,

But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted. 

(Proverbs 29:25)

Who do you fear?
Who do you trust?

Talk to God about it. Meditate and pray through this Psalm. Pour your heart out if you need to.

Do something to remind yourself that God is for you and with you. Tape pennies with the "In God we trust" side showing in strategic places around your home.  My girlfriend has a real fear of people and has a ring on her finger that says, "Fear not."  I love that.

He really is for you. Keep talking to Him as you pray through this Psalm.

1 Samuel 27 & 28 - David Among the Philistines & Saul's Lowest Point

LINK: 1 Samuel 27 & 28

BACKGROUND

1 Samuel 27

Although Saul had given up the pursuit, David did not know this. It is not as though Saul were trustworthy. So, David went to his old enemies, the Philistines, to the same place he had to fake being insane in order to avoid being slain (1 Samuel 26)! We do not know if this was the same Ashish from 1 Samuel 26 or a different king of the same name, but this one welcomed him. No doubt he had heard of the tensions between David and Saul and entered into a covenant with David. The kind of covenant was one between a sovereign lord and a vassal. The vassal (David) pledged loyalty to the sovereign (Ashish) in exchange for a fiefdom (inherited land). This fiefdom was Ziklag that the kings of Judah continued to hold throughout ancient biblical times.

So, David attacked and destroyed the Geshurites, Girzites and Amalakites, but he lied to Aschich and told him he was destroying his own people in Judah and others in Jerahmeel and the Kenites. David lied, and we can only assume that he did it because he wanted to ingratiate himself to Ashish and make him think he was against his own people. It was not right to lie.

1 Samuel 28

Ashish assumed David would follow him into battle against Saul and Israel. In the meantime, Saul had given up pursuing David into enemy territory, but the enemy was pursuing him, and "terror filled his heart" (28:5). The Lord did not answer his inquiries by way of dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul was utterly alone and consulted the witch of Endor. God had forbidden this (Deuteronomy 18:9-14, Exodus 22:18), and Saul had expelled them at one time (28:3); but he was desperate. Instead of a spirit, God brought back Samuel to give him a message he already knew: the LORD had torn the kingdom out of Saul's hands and had given it to David because he had not carried out God's wrath against the Amalekites (15:7-26). In addition, the army would be handed over to the Philistines, and Saul would die in the battle along with his sons. This filled him with terror.

REFLECTION

Saul's life is a real-life tragedy. Tragedy is:

A drama dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically that of a noble person whose character is flawed by a single weakness, as pride, envy, etc., which causes him to break a divine law or moral precept, and which leads inevitably to his downfall or destruction. (The Random House College Dictionary).

Doesn't that sum it it for Saul?

When we are plagued by weakness like impulsiveness, pride, envy, etc., we need to use that as an opportunity to lean on the LORD to help us and guide us. Saul did not do that. When he finally did inquire of the Lord, it was too late. God had abandoned him.

Thankfully, because of Jesus, this is the reality for followers of Him: 

We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

APPLICATION

"Little" weaknesses can develop into huge strongholds in our life. That is why I believe in "preventative praying" by first examining my heart on a regular basis, looking at these areas:

• Idolatry
• Unbelief
• Pride
• Deception
• Insecurity of feeling unloved
• Feelings of rejection
• Addiction
• Guilt
• Despair
• Unforgiveness

I find that a daily Examen Prayer helps me to look at the feelings above and get to the bottom of them. I can freely confess them in the light of God's love. He is faithful and righteous to forgive (1 John 1:9). 

You might like to draw near to the Lord and examine your heart in these areas too. The book Praying God's Word: Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds by Beth Moore is a great help in doing this.

PRAYER

We praise You for Your presence today. You are with us 24/7/365 despite our faithlessness sometimes. Help us to turn to You in every area of our lives. Help us to not make poor decisions that would create a tragic destiny for ourselves and hurt others around us. We lean into You and want to rely on You for guidance and help with our weaknesses. We do this because of our great High Priest, Jesus, and it is in His name we pray. Amen.

Psalm 31 - 2D David and An Always Good God

LINK: Psalm 31

BACKGROUND

David wrote this when he was "2D": despised and defamed. It is an exhortation to all of us to love the LORD and to be strong because the Lord is our protection even in the midst of other people's evil plans. David put his whole life into the LORD's hands during very difficult circumstances. We can too!

Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Jesus used the phrase "Into your hands I commit my spirit" (31:6) as He was dying on the cross. Thus indicating His total trust in God, the Father (Luke 23:46).

REFLECTION (Written in 2008)

I love this Psalm. It has been a "refuge" Psalm in difficult times for me throughout the years. In fact, I memorized it back in the early 80s because it helped me to keep my focus on Him even when I felt abandoned and rejected. I have marked it up in my Bible and claimed it over and over again throughout the years. These verses get to the heart of who God is:

How great is Your goodness,
Which You have stored up for those who fear You,
Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You,
Before the sons of men!

You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man;
You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the LORD,
For He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city.

As for me, I said in my alarm, 'I am cut off from before Your eyes'; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried to You" (19-22).

I have been in hopeless situations when I have felt the full weight of rejection (and even dislike) by others. In one particularly painful phase, I told a friend I felt like a "leper." There was gossip about me that was not true. It was pure and simple slander. It was a very lonely place to be. I felt hopeless and helpless. Yet, God had stored up goodness for me in the midst of that! He had kept the full benefits of His goodness secretly in a shelter from the strife of the tongues of slander that whirled around me. God has been so faithful in those times, and I look back at them as such precious times with God. God is ALWAYS 100% good.

I am grateful that I have not felt those feelings for quite a while, but I had to go back into an environment recently that brought back some of those "leper-like" feelings and memories, and where did I go? I went back to Psalm 31 and God refreshed my soul by reminding me of His goodness and faithfulness in the past!

The same morning I was feeling those feelings, Becky (who wrote most of the psalm posts in the first cycle of the Bible Book Club from 2008-2010) emailed to say that she could not do the post for this Psalm, but I knew I was supposed to write on it already!

I am convinced that God sometimes allows rejection in our life so that we will cling only to Him and His great GOODNESS that He has stored up for us as we commit our whole lives to Him and love Him. I can attest that God has "made marvelous His lovingkindness to me" as I have clung to Him.

APPLICATION

Are you feeling lonely or rejected? God is GOOD. Meditate on His goodness today by looking at the following verses:

Then Moses said, “I pray Thee, show me Thy glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” (Exodus 33:19; see also Exodus 34:5-7) 

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 107:1)

Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days (Hosea 3:5). 

1 Kings 8:56
Joshua 21:45
Romans 2:4

There are so many directions you can go with a goodness of God study!

PRAYER

After meditating on Psalm 31 last night and thinking about the goodness of God this morning, wouldn't you know that this song would come on my iPod while exercising? God is so GOOD!

"Always" by Ginny Owens

I've heard it said
All the best things are free,
But it seems all good things have a price,
Your love is more
Than I deserve to receive,
And Your love wants no less than my life,
But as You lead me by the hand,
I've begun to understand

CHORUS
You are always good,
Always knowing,
Always loving, always;
And though I can't see clearly
Where we're going,
I know You're always good, always.

When I was a child,
I thought like a child,
And life seemed so simple to me,
Now I have grown,
And I've come to know,
That I live in endless mystery,
But as I search to find the truth,
I keep finding more of You

You are always good,
Always knowing,
Always loving, always-
And in my finest hour
Or my darkest moment,
I know You're good, always

TAG
So when my life is full of trouble,
Still my heart will know Your peace,
'Cause You're forever faithful,
Holding me throughout eternity
You are always (CHORUS)

Thank you, LORD, that you are always GOOD! Amen

1 Samuel 26 - Saul Admits the Inevitable

LINK: 1 Samuel 26

BACKGROUND

Again, David encountered Saul on the hill of Hachilah (means "dark") and did not harm the Lord's anointed (Saul), knowing that the Lord would someday strike him. Saul acknowledged his sin of pursuing David and the inevitable: “Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and surely prevail” (26:25).

Saul asked David to come home, but David went on his way even though we do not have any record that Saul pursued David beyond this point. This chase lasted nearly a decade, and God taught David so much in the process!

REFLECTION

Saul knew his gig was almost up, and he returned home. There is such resignation in his words. What a sad waste of his life to have pursued someone who would have never harmed him. I wonder how he felt at that moment of finality when he realized that he did not need to compete anymore with David and acknowledged that David would prevail.

Competition has no place among the children of God's kingdom because we are all on the same team and heading toward the same goal of giving glory to God in our lives. If only Saul had sought the Lord and resigned to His will for his life.

What a waste of the best years of his life. It always reminds me of Osama Bin Laden. He had all the resources to make life better for other people, but his life was one of mass destruction, and it came to such a terrible end.

APPLICATION

Does competition plague you? 

Examine your heart regarding competition. Feel the feelings and ask God to go beneath the feelings about what is really going on with you. What is your fear? There was quite a bit of fear at the bottom of Saul's competitive spirit. What about you?

Here is a story about jealousy and competition I shared in a previous post: Numbers 12 (scroll down to APPLICATION section).

Our competition may not go to Saul's level, but even a little bit is unhealthy and counterproductive to growth in the Lord and fellowship with other believers.

Here is an article for moms: Competitive Mothering

PRAYER

Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Try us and know our anxious thoughts. See if there be any hurtful way in us and lead us in the everlasting way. We pray this in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Psalm 14 & 53 - The Fool Says in His Heart, "There is no God."

LINK: Psalm 14 & 53 

(When you press the "listen" button, the narrator reads them both together.)

BACKGROUND

These two psalms are almost identical except that in verses 2 and 4 the Hebrew word ’ělōhîm for "God" is used in Psalm 53, and the Hebrew word Yahweh for "LORD" is used in Psalm 14. There are also a few other Hebrew words that are synonyms but communicate similar things.  Verses 5 and 6 are also a little different in both Psalms, but they communicate the same thing. These Psalms are quoted in Romans 3. 

The Hebrew word for a fool (nāḇāl) "emphasizes being ignoble and disgraceful, a downright boor. Insensibility to God, as well as a moral insensibility, close the mind to reason" (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, p.547).   This psalm supposed that a foolish mind led to living a life separated from the wisdom of God. Therefore, a person's actions were not good. His end could not be good either. David said that the entire human race was evil and that God would have His way in the end when He would reign in righteousness (Matthew 6:10).

What I get from these Psalms is that God is looking for those who seek after Him and His wisdom (14:2, 53:2, 2 Chronicles 16:9). 

Let's do that!

REFLECTION from Daily Walk, June 2008

Here are some words about fools:

• If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still foolish.

• A fool and his money are soon parted. Then again, a fool and his money were lucky to get together in the first place!

• No one can make a fool out of a person if he isn't the right kind of material for the job.

We smile at such humorous maxims. But here is another wise statement about fools that you dare not take lightly:

• "The fool says in his heart, 'there is no God'" (53:1).

Only a fool would deny God's existence, the problem of sin, and the need for a Savior. Paul, in Romans 3:10-12, shows that sin is the universal malignancy of mankind. There is none righteous, understanding, seeking after God, doing good--no, not one. That's why it's so important to be sure you have "righteousness from God [that] comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (Romans 3:22). Only a fool would try to make it on his own merits when the only way has already been provided by God. (p. 16) 

The whole time I was reading these psalms, I thought of Charles Darwin as "the fool who said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" The timing of this post could not be more perfect. Two days ago, I talked with a wife whose husband doubts the existence of God, even though they started out their married life with that as the thing that united them. It is heart-wrenching for her to walk with him through this process (and heart-wrenching for me to see her walk through it with him).

That night, I watched a movie that I had on hold in the library for nine months: Creation: How Darwin Saw the World and Changed it Forever. It is a dramatic retelling of the story of Emma and Charles Darwin and their relationship. She was a devout believer, and he was writing The Origin of the Species which purported his theory of evolution. It is a very worthwhile movie to watch and discuss.  If you watch it, do not miss the special feature with the scientists who "Debate Darwin."  There is another special feature that I will talk about below.

APPLICATION

In the Special Features of the film, there is a wonderful British program called Pollard on Film: Thinking Through the Movies. Sadly, he has passed away since I wrote this post, and the website that had his free videos that help us to view movies more deeply from a Biblical perspective is no longer online. If you get the DVD of the movie, it is probably still there.

From Pollard's (now defunct) website: 

Suggestion for use

1. Show the first part of the programme. Then freeze frame on the question 'A belief you hold firmly - Why do you believe it? What would change your mind?'
2. Invite people to share their answers with one another. 
3. Invite feedback and discuss what our answers tell us about:
   • Our view of truth: how do we decide what is true? Do we base this decision primarily on experiences or evidence?
   • Our view of faith: how do we react to others' beliefs when they conflict with our own? Are we willing to test our beliefs, to see if they hold up to scrutiny?
   • Our view of God: to what extent is the existence of God a reasonable belief? How might we justify this belief, either by experiences or evidence?
   • Our view of life: how do we respond to experiences that challenge our beliefs? How do we respond to our beliefs that challenge the way we live?
4. Show the rest of the programme.
5. Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and 1 Peter 3:15-16 think about the importance of testing our beliefs and examining the evidence for ourselves.

Background reading

Before using this programme you may find the following helpful:

• The article Talking about . . . Darwin by Tony Watkins 

(The Damaris.org website is gone, but I found this article directly on the author's website. He has articles about different movies that generate discussion. Surprisingly, Creation is not one of them.)

PRAYER

Pray through Psalms 14 and 53 responsively, line by line! You can use the handout "How to Pray the Psalms" to help you.

We affirm together that YOU ARE GOD! We know in our heart that this is true. I pray for my friend who is struggling to know whether You exist. I pray he continues to seek You. Thank You that You are real and here every moment of every day. Amen.

1 Samuel 25 - The Foolishness of Nabal

LINK: 1 Samuel 25

BACKGROUND

In this chapter, the wise Samuel died and everyone mourned. Also, the wealthy Nabal refused to offer hospitality to David's 600 men even though David's men had previously protected Nabal's workforce. In this culture, refusing hospitality to a traveler was a major insult and not allowed, especially when you were wealthy! David decided to take the provisions by force which would have resulted in Nabal being killed had it not been for the intervention of his intelligent and beautiful wife, Abigail. She appealed to David's future kingship and the fact that he would not want his avenging to be on his conscience when he was king.

Nabal was a fool (the Hebrew meaning of his name), and Abigail saved him only to have him eventually die of a heart attack ten days after he heard the news of his near death by David's hand. David seized upon this opportunity to marry the wise widow, Abigail.

REFLECTION

Abigail was a peacemaker. I admire her courage to step into the situation and make peace between parties. She was a woman of good judgment who averted a terrible situation.

APPLICATION

Are you a peacemaker? Are you willing to step in and encourage peace between parties or do you do the opposite and "stir the pot"? 

Peacemaking skills do not always come naturally. Here is a great website for learning about it:

Peacemaker Ministries 

PRAYER

Lord, we thank You for the example of Abigail. Help us to be wise and intelligent in our dealings with people. Help us to be willing to step in and promote peace. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Psalm 57 & 142 - David Seeks Refuge in God

LINK: Psalm 57 & Psalm 142 

BACKGROUND

Even though pursued by Saul into caves, David sought refuge in God alone. He was honest about his plight but left the results up to God. Both of these short Psalms are personal laments for God's protection. I learn so much about depending on God alone from David's laments. He has such a dependent heart.

REFLECTION (written September 2008) 

A few days ago, I joked that I wanted to "crawl in a hole" because I was tired and worn out and had too much on my plate. Often, "crawling in a hole" can result in unhealthy introspection. How appropriate that I would meditate on the life of David during this time. God told me to "crawl in a cave" and spend time with Him getting His perspective on the whirlwind surrounding me. Thankfully, no one is pursuing me in hatred, and I am at peace relationally, but life is hectic in September, and I had not caught up on sleep after my trip to Southeast Asia.

So, I had a wonderful time "in the cave" from midnight to 2:30 am on Wednesday morning. God met me in wonderful and profound ways. I was able to "complain and murmur" about some things I had "stuffed" down deep, and I was able to get His perspective and direction. It was fabulous. I woke up the next morning a new woman with a "song of joy" in my heart!

2014 Update: What a difference six years have made in my life. I think I have grown! I am much less worn out these days and more balanced in all things. (It also helps that my kids are both in college, and I am not homeschooling and facilitating literature classes with moms "heaping" things on my plate in educating and managing their kids!) 

Now, I do not put too much on my plate nor do I let other people put things on my plate that God has not asked me to put there. I am such a people-pleaser that it was hard for me to say "No" to people. Now, I am more apt to take "pre-emptive cave times" every morning where I sit with pen and paper in hand and "listen and obey" God. He will put just what I need on my plate, and I can politely decline with confidence when others try to heap things on my plate that He never intended for me. It is GROWTH for me to say "No!" to something to say "Yes!" to Him!

I already talked a bit about this story in the Joshua 9 post, but this applies here in a slightly different way.

Just as we had done in 2008, we went on another trip to Southeast Asia in 2011. Originally, we were going to go with someone who promised a certain date and place and itinerary that we were very excited about. 

Without consulting us, he changed the time to later in the summer right before our ministry and school would be starting, and more importantly, he changed the focus of the trip. After this, we listened to God and He gave us another plan.

The man tried to "heap HIS agenda on our plates," but it was not God's agenda for us. We politely declined, and he even told us we were "Jonah's" which made us laugh because we were doing quite the opposite. After all, Jonah did not "listen and obey," and that is exactly what we were doing by NOT going on his trip and going on God's trip for us! We ended up having an amazing time doing what God had for us, and it was scheduled EARLIER in the summer, giving us plenty of rest before the fall RUSH! 

APPLICATION

Do you need some "cave time"? Are you running, running, running away from an unseen enemy but not running to the only One who can help you and sustain you?

Stop, go in your cave (or closet or bedroom or your "happy place"), and go to your God. Pray through some of these Psalms and be honest with God. Then, listen.

Here is the "shout of joy" after meditating and praying through Psalms 55-59 this week. Sorry it is a bit flat in tone, but my spirit is not flat!




PRAYER

Lord, we LOVE You. Lead us to the Rock that is higher than us! Amen.

Psalm 35 - Prayer for Rescue from Enemies

LINK: Psalm 35

BACKGROUND 

Psalm 35 is an "imprecatory psalm." The others we have covered this year are Psalms 5, 6, and 109. To imprecate means to bring down a curse on someone or something. 

David complained about his enemies and imprecated God's righteous punishment on them.  Again, these psalms are very harsh, but David could not understand why he had to flee when he had done nothing wrong. He was also the anointed king, and Saul was trying to destroy David so that one of his sons would become king (even when his own son, Jonathan, understood that David was to be king). Also, Saul's passion to kill David was fed by the lies of his own men (1 Samuel 19:5; 20:1; 23:25; 24:9-15; 25:29; 26:18-19). 

This is a sincere call for protection, rescue, and vindication from his enemies. David asked for God's justice rather than taking out his own vengeance. Like the other imprecatory psalms, he appeals to God and leaves it all in His hands.

REFLECTION 

I love how David just pours out all his feelings to God. He does not hold back even though it may look ugly to us from the outside looking in.

I read in the Life Application Bible today:

David cried out to God to defend him when people wrongly accused him. If you are unjustly accused, your natural reaction may be to lash out in revenge or to give a detailed defense of your every move. Instead, ask God to fight the battle for you. He will clear your name in the eyes of those who really matter.

I am not a "vengeance" kind of gal, but I am, by nature, a "give a detailed account of my every move" kind.  Over the years, I have learned to claim Exodus 14:14: "The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."  I cannot put out the fires of false rumors, but God can, and I can pour out my heart to Him and rest. I have learned that God is more concerned with my character than my reputation. These battles refine our character, and He is the person who will ultimately judge our character. We can rest in that.

APPLICATION 

Can you rest in the Lord and ask Him to fight your battle for you?

2023 Update: This song has come out since I wrote this post, and it is perfect for this Psalm!

Surrounded (Fight My Battles) 

By the way, I met Michael W. Smith in December 2008!

He's not that short, but my friend Big Carol and I (Little Carol) are just tall!

PRAYER

Lord, we give our battle to You. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Psalm 7 - Appeal to the Righteous Judge

LINK: Psalm 7 
(Compare the New American Standard and The Message versions.)

BACKGROUND 

This poem is a Shiggaion. The meaning is uncertain, but it comes from the root shagah which means "to swerve, meander, reel, or roll."  Consequently, some translators have interpreted this as meaning "a wild, passionate song" (New American Standard Bible margin).

David wrote this psalm in response to Cush, the Benjamite, who was probably one of the men who blindly followed King Saul. David affirmed his innocence before God in response to the slanderous accusation that he was trying to kill Saul and take over as king. We know by his actions in 1 Samuel 24 that he was innocent!  David appealed to God as His righteous Judge!

REFLECTION 

I am such a truth-teller that false accusations really unnerve me. I want to set others straight in the truth of the matter. Last night, I met with a woman who told me that she had taken a course of action based on what she heard me encourage her to do. I was shocked because I would never, in my wildest dreams, encourage her in that direction. So, it was somewhat frustrating to have her insist that I had said that exact thing. In addition, she said that another person had said a similar thing, and this confirmed what I had already said.  I knew this was not what was communicated because that other person had told me that morning what she had said to this woman about the subject. I know this is not a case of false accusation, but it is a person choosing to believe a lie and "hearing what they want to hear."   No amount of convincing would convince her of the truth of what both of us had actually said. So, like David, we went to God asking Him to sort it all out!

This was not like David's situation (and situations I have had in the past), but this woman did believe something false; and like David in Psalm 7, I needed to give it to God to let Him be the Judge and clarify things for her!

APPLICATION 

Are you exhausted from the "fires of falsehood" around you?  Give this to God. Allow Him to be the Judge and rest in Him.

PRAYER 

Pray through Psalm 7. 

See this handout: How to Pray the Psalms

1 Saumel 24 - David Spares Saul

LINK: 1 Samuel 24

BACKGROUND

In his pursuit of David, Saul stopped to relieve himself in the same cave where David and his men were hiding. David took a slice from Saul's robe, but he refused to kill God's anointed king. When Saul heard that David had treated him well, he acknowledged David's righteousness and said, "I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands" (24:20).

REFLECTION

This is a perfect example of David waiting for GOD to accomplish what concerned him and not taking matters into his own hands. He knew that he would someday be king, but it was not God's time for this, and in the meantime, Saul was God's anointed king. God was still refining David for the position. David's patience and trust were in contrast to Saul's impulsiveness in 1 Samuel 13 and 14. Saul had failed the test, but David was passing the test with flying colors!

APPLICATION

Have you ever had a vision that you felt God had given you only to have to wait for it to come to fruition? It is TOUGH, isn't it? There is such a temptation to "bulldoze" over anyone who stands in the way of God's dream because, after all, it is God's dream!

Road blocks to a dream are often God's way of refining us so that we can be prepared for the job He has for us to do. Do not rush His training plan, lean on the LORD, and trust Him in the midst of the waiting! Let Him develop your character just like He was developing David's!

When I am waiting on the fulfillment of God's dream, I look at His words to Habakkuk, and I am always encouraged to keep waiting:

For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:3)

Even Saul acknowledged that David would be king. Why didn't Saul give up right then and there? What do you think?

We will talk about David's internal reactions to hiding in caves when we read Psalm 57 this week. You might want to pray through that Psalm today.

PRAYER

Lord, teach us to wait for Your timing. Some of us feel Your call toward a specific plan of action and things are just not adding up! Teach us not to "bull doze" but to wait on You and wrap our hearts around You! We want to sit tight in Your presence and be in the center of Your perfect will and timing. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Psalm 22 - The Psalm of the Cross

LINK: Psalm 22  

BACKGROUND 

David felt forsaken by God as he was surrounded by enemies who persecuted him. David was never near execution, but this is what this psalm describes. Most commentators agree that it is a prophetic psalm about the crucifixion of Jesus. David described the suffering of the Messiah that would occur almost 1,000 years later!

Note the similarities between this psalm and events in Jesus' life:

22:6-8/Matthew 27:39,42-44 - People mocked and scorned Jesus at the cross 

22:15/John 19:28 - Jesus thirsted on the cross 

22:16/Luke 24:39-40 - Jesus' hands and feet were nailed to the cross 

22:17-18/Matthew 27:35 - They divided up Jesus' garments by casting lots 

22:22/Hebrews 2:12 - Jesus will declare God's name  

22:27 All the earth will remember, turn, and bow down to the LORD, and he will rule the nations through Jesus!

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

This Psalm is perfect for practicing Ignatian Contemplation (or what I used to call, "The Loyola Method"). Place yourself as a witness to the crucifixion using both Psalm 22 and the passages in the Gospel accounts.

There is also an entire handout on many methods of meditation for download HERE.

It is also in this post. This gives you an example of how to do it from the birth of Jesus. So, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to adapt it for the passages above. 

Get Totally Involved -The Loyola Method

(This is an approach to meditation adapted from the “Spiritual Exercises” [scroll down to "About the Exercises"] of Ignatius Loyola. He was a spiritual director in the 16^th century. The Loyola Method works better when you have a passage that involves a narrative story.)

PART ONE (Preparation)

a. In prayer, ask God for grace to direct your thoughts, words, and actions to service and praise of his Divine Majesty.

b. Read the passage upon which you intend to meditate. Read unhurriedly, but without attempting yet to meditate on the passage. Your goal now is simply to familiarize yourself with the passage.

c. Determine an objective for your meditation time and ask God to help you accomplish it. If the passage you choose, for example, is the account of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:1–7, your objective may be a sense of awe and humility as you contemplate the mystery of your Savior’s entry into the world.

Usually, this preliminary request is formulated in terms of some emotion you wish God to give you as a result of your meditation. Ignatius Loyola believed that the ultimate purpose of meditation is application (that is, an act of the will), and that the will is motivated primarily by emotion rather than reason.

PART TWO (Meditation)

a. Visualize the scene. In the case of Luke 2:1–7, see in your mind the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Is it level, or does it wind through valleys and around hillsides? See Mary, in her ninth month of pregnancy, riding on a donkey, accompanied by Joseph who is perhaps leading an ox. They are going to Bethlehem to pay a tax. What kind of people are they passing on the way? Soldiers? Peasants? Merchants? Other families?

Study in your imagination the place of the Nativity. Is it spacious or cramped? Clean or dirty? Warm or cold? How is it furnished?

b. Assume the role of one of the characters in the passage, or of someone else who might be present. In Luke 2, for example, you could be the hotel’s servant or maid.

c. Now apply your five senses to the scene. Look carefully, watching all the action. Use your ears as you listen in on conversations. Apply your senses of smell and touch. What odors are present? What quality of garments is being worn? Feel the woodwork of the manger. Smell and feel the straw. Apply your sense of taste—is there anything there to eat?

d. Analyze your own feelings as a member of the scene. How do you feel about what is happening? How do you feel about the persons involved? How do you feel about yourself?

PART THREE (Conversation)

Talk to Joseph, Mary, or someone else in the scene. Talk to them about the thoughts that have come to your mind as you have meditated on this passage. Talk to God or to the Lord Jesus.

          This conversation should in most cases lead to some form of action or personal application. 

Loyola Method exercise adapted From Discipleship Journal, Issue 6 (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress). Used by Permission.

PRAYER

Jesus, You are the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. You had to die so that we might live, and I am so very grateful. Thank You. Amen. 

Psalm 13 & 17 - "How Long, O Lord?"

LINK: Psalm 13 & 17

BACKGROUND

Even though there is no attribution as to the time frame of these psalms, they fit well with the time David fled from Saul in the Desert of Ziph. If you are just doing the Psalms, read the background here: 1 Samuel 23.

REFLECTION

From my pastor:

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall.” (Psalm 13:1-4)

Sometimes life can be so unfair. Sometimes it seems like the Lord has forgotten us and ignores our cries for help. 

Sometimes it is about what we see in our own lives that we do not like. David said he wrestled with his thoughts. His thoughts were not ones that he liked. He wanted to see them change, but change didn’t seem to come. He cried and prayed, but God didn’t come to his rescue. 

Sometimes it is about what others do to us – our enemies. David had enemies who were more clearly enemies than most of us have. His enemies brought armies against him in an attempt to take over his kingdom. His enemies brought real weapons with the intent of killing him. Most of us don’t have enemies of that sort. In fact, most of us would hesitate to call anyone our enemy. But there are those in our lives who trouble us: a friend we are not getting along with, a boss who seems to be against us, a co-worker who snubs us or makes our work harder, a spouse who is unreasonable, and parents who don’t understand. We pray about these situations and seek God’s help, but we don’t see anything that God does to help. The situation remains the same and no change comes. 

Where is God and why doesn’t He do something in response to our prayers? That was David’s question. It’s been my question and your question from time to time, too. 

And David’s answer: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6).  

David’s answer was to say, “I don’t understand, but I’ll trust You, Lord.” And the reason David was willing to trust the Lord when He seemed silent was because of what God had already done for him. There was no doubt about his salvation and if God had come to his ultimate rescue, then he would choose to trust Him with the smaller problems of this life, even when God’s answers or God’s timing weren’t what he wanted them to be.

2011 Update: I was in tears this afternoon as I read Pastor Steve's reflection. He wrote this in 2008. Since that time, I am sure that Steve and his wife, Claudia, have had to say, "I don't understand, but I'll trust You Lord" as they have grieved the loss of their 32-year-old daughter who was killed in an automobile accident in December of 2010.   What a testimony of trust they have been for so many through this grieving time.

APPLICATION

I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me. 
(Psalm 13:6)

Steve said, "And the reason David was willing to trust the Lord when He seemed silent was because of what God had already done for him." 

What has God already done for you? Try to do this! Often, when I have trouble trusting God, I will share my testimony out loud to the LORD so that I can recall all the many ways He has worked in my life. It reminds me that God has been faithful before, and He will be faithful again! It also leads me into a time of thanksgiving. If you journal, get out past journals and look at God's "bountiful dealings" with you through your journey of faith. Then, make a list entitled "The Ways God has Been Good to Me." 

Another way to recall God's goodness and faithfulness is by sharing your testimony with another person. Then, you bless someone else. Maybe they can share their testimony with you, and you will be doubly blessed. It could go on and on!

PRAYER

LORD, sometimes it seems like we cannot see Your face, but help us to trust in Your lovingkindness even in difficult days. LORD, remind us of all the ways that You have blessed us. Help us to seek You. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.