The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
1 Samuel 17-20, Psalm 59
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: 1 Samuel 17-20, Psalm 59
Saul the King cowered in fear in the face of the Philistine champion, and the soldiers of Israel did likewise. Meanwhile, David, who was too young for combat, worked in the supply line delivering food to the front lines. In one of the most famous of all biblical stories, David gains victory over Goliath. Sadly, this has been turned into a sort of fairy tale with a life lesson… “We all have our giants to face.” This is not the point of this historical event. The point is that David is God’s anointed one who has been given the power to defeat the enemies of God and his people. David points to Jesus, not to kicking last second, game winning field goals. Instead of seeing David as a blessing and asset, Saul sees him as a threat. He tries to kill him with a spear, twice, but in spite of being in the same room with David, he misses. David is skilled in battle, but Saul, who was supposed to be the warrior king, couldn’t hit a close, friendly target. Saul becomes increasingly deranged and evil. He refuses to let David return home, and instead of rewarding him as promised for killing Goliath, makes him essentially a slave. Then he plots to set David up to be killed by the Philistines, so Saul won’t have to do it himself. (18:17). Meanwhile, Jonathan becomes good friends with David. They are kindred spirits. Both are courageous and have hearts for the glory of God. Overly sexualized modern interpreters sometimes see this relationship as something other than it is. These men were combat veterans whose bond was forged in battle and in common goals. The failure to understand this says much about those who read into it what’s not there. David’s commitment to Jonathan’s family will echo into the future when Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth, will be taken from desperate poverty to the king’s table. This, in turn, echoes into the even greater distant future, our future, when Jesus the king will rescue us fully and finally into his eternal kingdom.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Give thanks for the safe return of the River team who went to Central Asia. Pray that new believers who came to faith during the trip would be strengthened in the faith.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.