Heralds Digest

  “Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”” ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In pursuit of holiness, sincere hearts do not condone haughtiness. Unfortunately, it is difficult to respond to wickedness, mistreatment, and all forms of evil in our world without being infected with a haughty spirit. For David’s heart to trouble him after cutting off the helm of Saul’s robe, it showed that David had an unusual heart and a meek mind. While many hearts would happily treat Saul as a monster and assassinator, David’s heart was sensitive to the Spirit of God and was inspired to still treat Saul as a master and the anointed of the Lord. Little wonder Jesus said ‘ Blessed are the meek; For they shall inherit the earth [the stumbling block before haughty spirit]’ . Whil...

  “Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.”…Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.”” ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭22‬:‭3‬, ‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ When David counselled Abiathar, the escaped son of Abimelech the priest whose entire household was murdered by Saul, to “ Stay with me ”, he was actually speaking in the spirit. To David and someone who is hanging on God, SAFE stay implies staying in the (1) service of the Master, rather than the security of men; (2) assurance of the Lord of lords, rather than the affluence of the lords of the world; (3) faith and God’s promises, rather than the fear of men; and (4) expectations of the exploits in God, rather than the entertainment with the worldly affairs. David demonstrated the safe stay by risking his security to serve the Lord, through the divine call to fight with the Phil...

  “Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul. And as for the matter which you and I have spoken of, indeed the Lord be between you and me forever.”” I Samuel‬ ‭20‬:‭17‬, ‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The relationship between David and Jonathan provides a scriptural pattern of pure love. It is living evidence that divine purpose in relationships is possible, where there is pure love. For example, (1) marital vow is sufficient to keep husband and wife together on all the family projects; (2) friendship vow is sufficient to keep friends together on agreed projects; and (3) business vow is sufficient to keep partners together on the business vision and mission, if the pursuit of the Lord’s interest remain the overriding motivation. Even after the death of Jonathan, the scriptures established David’s respect for this friendship vow, just as intended by Jonathan. Unfortunately, where self-interest has been allowed to readily come in between th...

  “And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.” ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ When the scriptures offer safety in the multitude of counsellors, it should be noted that counsellors with the wisdom of God are contemplated. For without divine guidance, the ways to these reserved counsellors in life are usually laid with confusion. “ And David behaved wisely in all his ways “ not by seeking for counsellors; counsellors like Mikhail and Jonathan were actually led to him by God, when their services were needed. Otherwise, David would have ignorantly relied only on the counsels of Saul to his destruction. Clearly, the experience of David had shown believers that wise ways are strictly the representation of the abiding presence of God in the lives and affairs of His beloved. For “ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty ” (Psalms‬...

  “Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”” I Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭37‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The deliverance of David and the children of Israel from the 40-day threats of Goliath and the Philistines still reveals the prospect of the sling and stones against the sword and spear, whenever the Lord remains believers’ only refuge and strength. Just like David kept alive the memory of the Lord’s past deliverance from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, believers who constantly meditate on how they were spared alive miraculously by the Lord to face the prevailing challenges of life can never be consumed by the threats of the enemies. As long as it can be established that the threats by the sword and spear, financial muscles, political powers, and material privileges against the righteous are aimed at defying the pursuit of...

  “So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel?” ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ‘To be little in one own eyes’ , as quoted by Samuel here, is obviously in reference to the acknowledgment of the superior authority or God and His commandments. Otherwise, self smallness can be easily mistaken as having a low self esteem or inferiority complex. Therefore, when Saul considered himself small in comparison with God’s instructions, absolute obedience, complete consecration, and selfless worship of God with everything endowed were easy and straightforward. Unfortunately, after the status and authority as king of Israel brought the attention and obedience of many people below Saul, it became difficult for him to retain the small status in reference to God. Likewise, whenever experiences, exposures, and enlightenment succeed in lowering believers’ attention to the authority of the scriptures...

  “Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.” ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The wonderful story of God’s love is always a tale of imperfect people who are unconditionally loved by a perfect God. Whereas, faithful followers of Christ are not necessarily faithful in fruitfulness; they are expected to be faithful in following. Despite Israel’s sin and wickedness in rejecting God as their King, they were admonished to “ not turn aside from following the Lord ”. Therefore, faithful followers of Christ are honest, sincere, humble seekers of His grace for daily living. By learning daily at His feet, believers are able to grow in grace and in the knowledge of God’s will in their daily walk with Him. Unfortunately, believers who are equipped to p...