Scene 1: David hears that Keilah is under attack. David: “Should I help the people in Keilah?” God: “Yes, go and help them.” David: “Are you sure? It may cost us our lives.” God: “Yes, go.” Narrator: So David went and delivered Keilah from the Philistines.
Scene 2: David catches wind of Saul’s strategy to destroy him at Keilah. David: “Will the leaders in Keilah help me?” God: “No, they won’t. They will betray you instead.”
The Bible doesn’t tell us if David said anything to the Keilah leaders in light of their ingratitude (1 Samuel 23:4,12). But I know what I would have done. If I had been David, I would have been cursing them even as I bolted from the “walled town” with my men (v.7).
David, however, simply arose and left the city. His silence is instructional. It tells us that it doesn’t matter how people treat us; what matters most is the way we respond to God.
Four times we read that David inquired of the Lord. In the first instance, when David heard of the misfortune of others, instead of watching his own safety, he asked God whether he should go and help (v.2). In the second instance, he brought his question to God despite the passionate pleas from his men who had already made up their minds not to go (vv.3-4). In the third and fourth instances, David was in a tight spot because God had led him there. Yet, instead of getting angry with God, he prayed and awaited an answer (vv.10,12).
Do you want to be a person after God’s heart? David gave us a great example: Seek the Lord’s will and do it.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 10:16-42
More:
Read Psalm 119:33-34 to see the relationship between knowing God’s Word and keeping it.
Next:
What will happen if you begin to inquire of God consistently in the big and small matters of your life? How have you been pursuing Him and His will?
leiliu on July 15, 2011 at 12:24 am
Thank you Poh! But I wonder how do we interpret certain passages together — such as Matthew 10:37 (do not love mother or father more than God) and Paul’s advice about honoring parents. When we fall into a dilemma, how should we know the will of the Lord?
poh fang chia on July 15, 2011 at 12:54 am
Hi leiliu,
This is how I would reconcile the two passages:
Jesus taught that people must love one another, but they must love Him more. And in honoring our parents, the way we do so best is when we honor them in the Lord. Now what does that mean? Some helpful questions include:
1) Lord, how can I esteem my parents in the way I talk to them?
2) Lord, how do I show them respect in the way I behave toward them? How do I reflect who You are to them?
In essence, the manner in which we love people is shaped by our love for God.
Poh Fang
lindagma on July 15, 2011 at 6:36 am
I wish all my questions to God were as clearly answered as Davids…sometimes we just have to make sure our actions are in-sync with scripture and go with it…or not.
winn collier on July 15, 2011 at 12:57 pm
obedience that is both demanding and leads to joy, thanks.