SATURDAY August 10, 2019
The Center of God’s Will
Now it happened, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he went down with an ephod in his hand.And Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. So Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” Then Saul called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.
1 Samuel 23:6-8
First and Second Samuel are tremendous books for those in leadership.
I have made a lifelong study of the three key men found in these books: Samuel, Saul and David. Each of these men made such an impact in the history of Israel, whether positively or negatively. It is good to identify with a hero like David and a man of prayer like Samuel. However, it is not good to identify with someone like Saul who was weak, rebellious and disobedient.
At this time, God was establishing David as the new King of Israel. Even though David was not a perfect man, he was a man after God’s own heart. He prayed and inquired of the Lord. David received God-given direction, and he followed God’s instructions.
Saul was a man of excuses and a man who walked after his flesh––in carnality. He blamed everybody else for his mistakes. Many times, Saul wept before David. He said sorrowful words to David that made him seem repentant, but he was not. Saul would go right back to his old, stubborn ways, and he continued to pursue David.
Now Saul heard that David was in the city of Keliah, and he prepared for war, determined to catch him. He firmly believed David had no escape. Meanwhile, Abiathar brought theephod to David. Attached to the ephod was a breastplate on which were the Urim and Thummim, which gave God’s people guidance (Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 28:6). David’s greatest request was to live in the center of God’s perfect will.
Like David, are you seeking to live in the center of God’s perfect will? Are you making a difference in today’s history?
There is a courage that comes from knowing one is in the will of God….
~David Jeremiah~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!