Wednesday March 11, 2009 OBEY OR SWAY?
David escaped and went to Samuel at Ramah. He told Samuel everything Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to the pastures and lived there. When it was reported to Saul that David was in the pastures at Ramah, Saul sent messengers to get David. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying with Samuel serving as their leader, God's Spirit came over Saul's messengers so that they also prophesied. When they told Saul about this, he sent other messengers, but they also prophesied. Saul even sent a third group of messengers, but they also prophesied. Then he went to Ramah himself. He went as far as the big cistern in Secu and asked the people, "Where are Samuel and David?" He was told, "Over there in the pastures at Ramah." As he went toward the pastures at Ramah, God's Spirit came over him too. He continued his journey, prophesying until he came to the pastures at Ramah. He even took off his clothes as he prophesied in front of Samuel and lay there naked all day and all night. This is where the saying, "Is Saul one of the prophets?" came from. 1 Samuel 19:18-24 The scriptures describe Saul being "tormented" by a spirit from God. How Saul responded to that "tormenting" spirit shows that it did not lead him to godly sorrow or conviction; quite the contrary. Instead of letting this spirit move him to repentance and change, and letting his own selfish desires be crucified, he tried to kill David. However, David had a friend, the king's son - Jonathan - who warned him of his dad's desire to kill him. Once David knew the truth, it wasn't just his imagination, that King Saul was trying to kill him, David went to his mentor, Samuel. Recognizing David's dilemma, Samuel offered him a "safe place" to rest from the enemies' attacks. I guess this is one of those occasions when David wrote about God making even his enemies to be a peace with him, because the spirit of God subdued even his enemies! Like David, we need a mentor, a spiritual advisor, who will walk with us through our days of confusion and turmoil. We need a safe place to turn when our enemies are coming against us. In this place of safety we can get our deepest thoughts of confusion and doubt out into the open without feeling the slightest trace of condemnation. Since most of us believe that a spoken word has power, we hesitate to confess our frustrations because we know Satan can use them against us. However, when we come together with a fellow believer who is in agreement with us in other matters, we can ask God to protect even our conversations from the enemy. I know. I see it happen all the time. One of the most beautiful things about today's scripture is King Saul's demonstration of submission to God by prophesying and being prostrate in God's presence. Yes, like him, we too can have moments of total submission and still get up and walk away from God's will. Following God's will and walking in His plan for our life is a choice. I guess our bottom line choice is "obey or sway"? What will you do? Father, I praise You for Your Spirit that leads us to repentance. Please Lord, help us hunger to forgive our enemies and even ourselves so that we can walk in the ability to prophesy and stay on the right path You have for us. Give us a word for someone today that will encourage them in their relationship with You. May You receive honor and glory! ******************************************* O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [email protected] or [email protected] window live messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
