God has a way of protecting us – even when we don’t know it.

This week we have been talking about David being in Serious Trouble. The story begins with David wanting to help a friend and ally King Achish. The other Philistine kings don’t trust David so they ask him to go home.

David, feeling a bit rejected unappreciated returns to camp. And it’s a good thing he does, for 2 reasons.

#1 – to retrieve his family!
When they get back to camp they discover the Amalikites had raided their camp and took their wives, children and livestock. If David had been caught up in a battle that could have lasted several days, who knows what would have happened to their families.
But because they were sent home – they were able to rescue their wives before the Amalikites could do anything bad to them.

#2 – to keep him innocent of Saul’s blood.
David wanted to go fight with the Philistines. But who were the Philistines going to fight? King Saul and the army of Israel.
As you read through the story of David – you discover that two times David had a chance to kill Saul, but refused – “touch not the Lord’s Anointed” was his policy.
Had David fought with King Achish – he would have been a part of the army that defeated Israel and killed his best friend Jonathan and King Saul.

God so moved in the hearts of the Philistine kings to NOT trust David – so he would have to return home. In his going home – he was able to rescue his family and he was allowed to be innocent of spilling the blood of Saul and Jonathan.

Had he fought with King Achish – it would have looked like David sided with the enemy just to kill Saul and take the throne of Israel. But God was protecting his family and his character and integrity the whole time – while I believe David was totally unaware.

Have a great day with Jesus

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David found himself in serious trouble. Not because the Philistines were advancing, not because his wife and kids had been kidnapped (although that may be part of it).

This week we’ve been talking about David when he found himself in serious trouble with his men. Their families had been kidnapped, David’s men became angry and “very bitter” and actually are ready to turn on David.

1 Samuel 30 vs. 6 says they began talking of stoning him.

When your friends, family, co-workers and companions begin to talk of stoning you – that is serious trouble.

Just imagine how David felt.

- He had just been rejected by a king he was trying to help.
- He returns to camp and has a, “NOW WHAT?”
One of those, what else can happen experiences.
- His men begin to blame him and turn on him.

I get the feeling the heat is on for David. It seems just moments before our dreams come to pass, our destiny is within grasp – we go through “serious trouble?” It’s almost like it is a final exam before we can move into our destiny, God wants to see just how we will respond one more time!

David’s probably feeling pretty empty and in need of strength. Vs. 6 says but David found strength in the Lord.

There ain’t no place to go, but to the Lord. When you can’t cry anymore,
you have no friends who can help you and you are left alone with your circumstances, your pain and a bitter army – there is no place to find strength but the Lord.

Run to his presence today. Let him strengthen you!
1 Chronicles 16:11 says…
Seek the Lord and His Strength, seek his face continually.

- More tomorrow!
Have a great day with Jesus

David found himself in serious trouble. Not because the Philistines were advancing, not because his wife and kids had been kidnapped (although that may be part of it).

David found himself in serious trouble because bitterness found its way into the camp. 1 Samuel Chapter 30 vs. 6

David was now in serious trouble because his men were very bitter about losing their wives and children, and they began to talk of stoning him…

To be honest, I would be more than bitter if my wife and kids were kidnapped!
But I’m not sure I’d be angry at David. Maybe I would. When we find ourselves in crisis – we loose our rational thinking.

David didn’t kidnap those families, it was the Amalikites. But David’s men allowed bitterness to creep into their heart. When we allow the enemy a chance to sneak into our hearts and whisper words of deceit and half truths; that can turn real legitimate pain into a whole new more dangerous animal called bitterness.

David was in serious trouble, his men weren’t thinking logically! They were angry and rightly so, but angry at the wrong person.

“THEY BEGAN TO TALK OF STONING HIM!”

It seems people are with you, until it cost them something. Don’t get me wrong – this is a BIG price to pay. I would be angry too. But so many times, crisis, bitterness, anger – it all causes us to loose touch with reality.

Those men loved David, and David could be the one to help them get their lives back…

God, don’t allow bitterness and anger deceive my heart and cause me to turn on the things in my life that could actually help me!

- More tomorrow!
Have a great day with Jesus

I’ve been preaching a series about Samson’s life called Lap Time. I believe there are a variety of things that culminated into a perfect storm in Samson’s life that caused him to run to the LAP of Delilah.

I’m working on my next message, Called “Betrayed.” What do you do when people leave you or betray you?

In Judges chapter 15, Samson had just put a whooping on the Philistines, who were oppressing the children of Israel. The Philistines couldn’t catch Samson – so they started to intimidate the people of Israel.

11 So three thousand men of Judah went down to get Samson at the cave in the rock of Etam. They said to Samson, “Don’t you realize the Philistines rule over us? What are you doing to us?” But Samson replied, “I only paid them back for what they did to me.”
12 But the men of Judah told him, “We have come to tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines.”

His own people – who Samson was trying to deliver and help – betrayed him, captured him and turned him over to the enemy.

How would you feel?

This week I want to talk about what happens when people betray us, and how it is important to deal with and overcome those wounds – otherwise we might end up in the trap of Delilah’s lap.

- Have a great week with Jesus.