I Samuel 21- Future Provision Through Today's Obedience.

Read I Samuel 21

 Now David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one is with you?”
² So David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, ‘Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you.’ And I have directed my young men to such and such a place. ³ Now therefore, what have you on hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever can be found.”


David lies. But for a good reason. Does that mean that if we lie with a good intent it is ok!? No. In fact, although it works out for David, we see in the next chapter, that it definitely does not work out for the deceived priest. And this is an important point. People sometimes point to the heroes of the Old Testament, looking at their decisions, and attempt to justify their own sin. However, nowhere in the Bible does it say that those fathers of our faith were perfect. In fact it says the opposite.   The bible says that there was one that committed no sin. (1 Peter 2:22) please remember that the next time someone tries to justify there sin by pointing to someone in the Bible.

David then asks the priest if there are any weapons on hand. The next few verses play out of a scene from a blockbuster movie.

So the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, there it is, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it. For there is no other except that one here.” And David said, “ There is none like it; give it to me.” (I Samuel 21:9 NKJV)


The lesson here really took my breath away. Each victory in Jesus gives us the tools to fight an even bigger battle. And it's the daily battles that are the hardest to win. But as we fight through the temptations in life, crucifying our flesh, our future is being defined, and mapped out.


As I watched the news tonight my heart broke. These choices people are making leave me literally shaking my head, asking why? But I know that it is the daily decisions, the little compromises, "small" disobedience, that one by one leads them to this place of utter self deception.

Instead of walking away from the Goliaths in our lives, big or small, I pray that we would walk towards them, and conquer them through the power of the Holy Spirit, and in doing so, be more prepared for the path that God has for us.


Lastly, there was one more thing that shouldn't be missed.


¹⁰ Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. ¹¹ And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying:

‘Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands’?”

¹² Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
 
David had received high praise. The servants of this other king recognized him. Fame. Popularity. If this were today, David would have more followers than Justin Bieber. But instead of basking in the glory, David realizes the weight of this notoriety. David knew that with this celebrity came a target on his back. He "took these words to heart." How many people have we seen that are thrust into the spotlight after going viral and then predictably crack under the pressure? And then the same people that lauded them and "liked" them on facebook, now mock them. Everyone wants to be known, but there is a cost, and we should take these things to heart as well, praying for our pastors, leaders, writers, teachers who are in the spotlight, with a target on their back, with an enemy that roars looking for someone to devour. Take a moment today to pray for someone you know, or have admired that might be in this place. I pray for my pastor, and many leaders at my church, and also leaders in politics that have been persecuted and attacked as they are in the public eye standing for truth. Amen!