Achish trusted David and said to himself, "He has become so odious to
his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant forever." I Samuel 27:12 (NIV)
It’s sort of amazing that David, who humiliated the Philistines and Goliath of Gath, would now be welcomed by Achish King of Gath to live amongst them. It’s even more surprising that David could continue to earn Achish’s trust and favor. I couldn’t help but think of The Godfather: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." David had an uncanny ability (or God given gift) to understand people and win their favor, which served him well – especially throughout the 20 odd years that he was a renegade and a fugitive.
Life has been crazy the past couple of weeks. Things at work are heating up for both Wendy and me. Play auditions took place and play rehearsals have begun. The girls were with us the past two weeks and their lives and schedules are crazy with school, church and social activities. Bottom line – we’re feeling a bit pooped.
So yesterday after church we jumped in the car and headed to have a bit of lunch and watch the Vikings beat the Panthers in overtime. Then back to the couch at home to watch Wendy’s Broncos beat the Chiefs in overtime. Then, a lazy evening at home with one eye on the Cowboys/Redskins.
What a great sabbath! Cool fall weather, football, good food, and a good nap. It’s a beautiful thing 🙂
Life has been crazy the past couple of weeks. Things at work are heating up for both Wendy and me. Play auditions took place and play rehearsals have begun. The girls were with us the past two weeks and their lives and schedules are crazy with school, church and social activities. Bottom line – we’re feeling a bit pooped.
So yesterday after church we jumped in the car and headed to have a bit of lunch and watch the Vikings beat the Panthers in overtime. Then back to the couch at home to watch Wendy’s Broncos beat the Chiefs in overtime. Then, a lazy evening at home with one eye on the Cowboys/Redskins.
What a great sabbath! Cool fall weather, football, good food, and a good nap. It’s a beautiful thing 🙂
It’s God‘s business to decide what to do with each of us in regard to what’s right and who’s loyal. God put your life in my hands today, but I wasn’t willing to lift a finger against God‘s anointed. Just as I honored your life today, may God honor my life and rescue me from all trouble. I Samuel 26:23-24 (TM)
David understood the principle of respecting those put in authority over you, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God (Rom 13:1). It’s hard to do when your boss, your coach, your supervisor, or your parent – or in David’s case, his king – seems bent on your humiliation and destruction. Yet, there is a plan and purpose – a growth opportunity – in respecting authority. It’s one of the more difficult and frustrating lessons in life, but perhaps one of the most profitable because it requires an almost supernatural trust.
There was a cave there and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were huddled far back in the same cave. I Samuel 24:3 (TM)
It
was a “divine appointment” when Saul chose the exact same cave David and his
men were hiding in to “relieve himself”. When I visited the En Gedi region a
few years ago I was amazed at how many caves riddled the hillside. They’re
everywhere! The odds that Saul would choose the same cave were astronomical –
comparable to hitting the Powerball jackpot. What a great example that God is
in control.
I
wonder if David was thinking about that same experience when he wrote these
song lyrics:
Is there anyplace I can go
to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!"
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re
all the same to you.
"The wilderness" is a common theme through scripture. David and his men spent years there. Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Elijah spent most of his time in the wilderness. John the Baptist lived and preached in the wilderness.
I believe that we all have times of "wilderness" in our lives. Things are out of sorts. We seem to be distant from everything and everyone. It’s easy to question these times and think that something must surely be wrong. Yet, even in the wilderness God is with us. We can’t escape His presence, and the wilderness may be the very place we’re supposed to be, for it’s in the wilderness that dependence on self is stripped away and we learn to trust God completely.
Photo: The "wilderness" of Israel near the Dead Sea. I took this picture near Masada. It gives you a little idea of the terrain where David and his men took refuge.
"The wilderness" is a common theme through scripture. David and his men spent years there. Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Elijah spent most of his time in the wilderness. John the Baptist lived and preached in the wilderness.
I believe that we all have times of "wilderness" in our lives. Things are out of sorts. We seem to be distant from everything and everyone. It’s easy to question these times and think that something must surely be wrong. Yet, even in the wilderness God is with us. We can’t escape His presence, and the wilderness may be the very place we’re supposed to be, for it’s in the wilderness that dependence on self is stripped away and we learn to trust God completely.
Photo: The "wilderness" of Israel near the Dead Sea. I took this picture near Masada. It gives you a little idea of the terrain where David and his men took refuge.
Last night was the first rehearsal and read-thru for the Christmas Post. Wendy and Producer Pat Moriarity had everything well organized (of course) and the evening went without a hitch. For a while it seemed like people would never stop walking through the door – there are so many! Wendy made brownies and lemonade for everyone and it was a great kick-off to production. The read-thru went well and it was clear that Wendy and the production team had cast the show well.
Now, we just have to kiss normal life good-bye for a few months!
Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around—losers
and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. David became their leader. There
were about four hundred in all. I Samuel 22:2 (TM)
One of the themes through scripture is that God uses the least likely,
the weak, the youngest, the smallest, and the handicapped to advance
the kingdom. Think about some of the examples from scripture: Moses,
Joseph, David, Paul, all 12 disciples, even Jesus ("does anything good
come from Nazareth?"). If God uses the least of these, He can and will
use you and me.
We had a long, wet, dreary weekend. The dreary weather only compounded the angst created by the decisions Wendy had to make casting The Christmas Post. We had great turnout at auditions, but it made the choices difficult. We prayed and discussed the options from every conceivable angle. Wendy called a meeting of our capable production team last night and the final choices were made. In the end, she did a great job of casting the parts and we’re excited about the show. At least we had the dilemma of having too many people for parts. So often in community theater you don’t have enough people.
Wendy’s reward came when she called one of the young girls to tell her she received a significant part. The girl was so excited and Wendy could hear her mother squealing with joy in the background. It really touched Wendy and gave her a sense of peace that she’d made the right choice.
