The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 27:2,
"So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath."
Gath is the town that the giant Goliath was from, the one David had killed. In an earlier episode, in 1 Samuel 17, we read Goliath had gone out every morning to taunt the army of Israel until David showed up. Having killed Goliath, David and the army of Israel chased and slaughtered the Philistines all the way to the gates of Gath - the town where now David sought sanctuary from King Saul who was trying to kill him.
David, the future king of Israel, now living among Israel's enemies!
I am reminded that we, too, live among what might be considered the enemies of the Lord, the "world." When we respond to the gospel message, we are not immediately removed from this world to join the Lord in heaven, but are left here for the furtherance of the gospel. We live among the enemies of the Lord.
In a parable the Lord gave concerning those of us who remain in the world as his own family members, he said, "Let both [meaning believers and non-believers] grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn." Until the Lord returns, his people live among those who hate them. "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:13. Believers live among their enemies, just as David lived among the Philistines.
"So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath."
Gath is the town that the giant Goliath was from, the one David had killed. In an earlier episode, in 1 Samuel 17, we read Goliath had gone out every morning to taunt the army of Israel until David showed up. Having killed Goliath, David and the army of Israel chased and slaughtered the Philistines all the way to the gates of Gath - the town where now David sought sanctuary from King Saul who was trying to kill him.
David, the future king of Israel, now living among Israel's enemies!
I am reminded that we, too, live among what might be considered the enemies of the Lord, the "world." When we respond to the gospel message, we are not immediately removed from this world to join the Lord in heaven, but are left here for the furtherance of the gospel. We live among the enemies of the Lord.
In a parable the Lord gave concerning those of us who remain in the world as his own family members, he said, "Let both [meaning believers and non-believers] grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn." Until the Lord returns, his people live among those who hate them. "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:13. Believers live among their enemies, just as David lived among the Philistines.
David did it to seek sanctuary. We do it to further the work of the gospel. The question I have of myself: am I remaining in this life to further the Lord's agenda of his gospel, or am I just simply living for myself? How about you?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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