SUNDAY July 28, 2019
Taking Words to Heart
Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”
1 Samuel 21:12-15
David heard the words from the servants of King Achish and took them to heart. He began to fear they may influence King Achish against him. If the king was reminded of David’s famous exploits on the battle field for Saul, he might not show him favor but turn and kill him instead.
At this moment in time, David showed a lack of trust in God. David knew his calling to be King of Israel. Yet he made a decision to act insane to escape. Can you imagine how he looked before them? He looked like a fool, a complete crazy maniac. Maybe God would have done a work through David in this situation. Finally, Achish had seen enough of this foolishness and wanted nothing to do with David.
Do you think David learned from all these difficult life experiences? I think he did? David wrote Psalm 34, and spoke of his experiences. We can read how David learned to trust in the Lord: I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).
We cannot point the finger at David because we have all acted fearful and foolish at times. How many times have we acted foolishly, and given cause for people to question the Lord working in us? The Bible tells us:The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25).Think about your life this very moment. What have you learned from your life experiences? Have you thought about writing your own psalm to the Lord?
My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
~Psalm 45:1~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!