1 Samuel 25-27

Samuel, a trusted man of God and prophet, dies and is buried in his hometown.  King David is still on the move, not yet living out the fullness of his role as King of Israel in 1 Samuel 25-27.  David works hard to approach everyone in every situation with kindness (except of course those whom God needs him to conquer).  While David's kind approach continues to win him favor with God, it doesn't always work that way with the people he encounters, like Nabal and Saul.  Thank goodness, they are no match for God's bigger plan for David.

David continues to live in craziness and limbo these days.  I keep reading and hoping that each new section will end with David finally getting to take over as king.  He deserves it, I think.  It's time already!  I am so over King Saul and his ridiculous mood swings when it comes to David.

Can you believe the anointed leader of Israel, one of the greatest men in the Old Testament, King David, lives with the enemy, the Philistines, for a year and four long months?  Really, what in the world is going on here?!

5 Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

6 So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since.  7David lived in Philistine territory a year and four months.

1 Samuel 27:5-7

The situation is just weird, difficult, and it has to be so frustrating at times.

How about it?  Have you ever had to live in some sort of limbo?  You are waiting for something or on something; but in the meantime, you have to keep going.

We can learn from David.  He walks in God's favor.  

I think it's remarkable how David just accepts where he is at this point in his journey with God.  And, he continues to seek God and think about what God wants him to do for the time being. His motivation is God's will.  David has kingdom work to do that serves a greater purpose than we are able to fully wrap our little heads around.  He doesn't let God's larger promises go to his head.  He remains humble.

8 

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

I am reminded of God's grace in my life as I think about David.  God loves me so much that He gave His son's life on a cross for my eternal life.  

And, God did the same thing for you.

What greater place could we find ourselves in this life than that?  

Saved by Jesus Himself, Emmanuel, God with us.   

The Kingdom of God is near.

A prayer for today-

Dear God, 

Thank You for sending Your own Son, Jesus, to save me from my sins and fill me with Your promise of eternal life. 

Help me to remember that Your Kingdom is both here on earth and in heaven.  I know You have purposeful Kingdom work for me to do in this life, where I am right now.  

I pray that the dreams in my heart are Your will for me.  

May Your Kingdom come, Lord, and Your will be done, 

on earth, as it is in heaven.

In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit I pray,

Amen

Blessings,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.