Thursday March 12, 2009 SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE
David came to the 200 men who had been too exhausted to go with him and had stayed in the Besor Valley. They came to meet David and the people with him. As David approached the men, he greeted them. Then every wicked and worthless man who had gone with David said, "Since they didn't go with us, they shouldn't be given any of the loot we recovered. Each of them should take only his wife and children and leave." But David said, "My brothers, don't do that with the things which the LORD has given us. He has protected us and handed the troops that attacked us over to us. Besides, who is going to pay attention to what you have to say in this matter? Certainly, the share of those who go into battle must be like the share of those who stay with the supplies. They will all share alike." From that time on he made this a rule and a custom in Israel as it is to this day. 1 Samuel 30:21-25 David and his troops had been out doing battle and when they returned home the Amalekites had raided their homes and taken everything - including their wives and children. So, David led his troops out to find them, after they took the time to grieve. However, 200 of those troops were too devastated and tired to make the journey on to recapture what the enemy had taken. God led David to a man who had been abused by the Amalekite army and that man led them to the capture. Well, when they returned the men who fought didn't want the men who didn't fight to gain anything but their wives and children. King David, the ultimate Shepherd, chastised them and taught them the law of love. Are we kind enough to share and share alike with those who cannot go to spiritual war and are caught in the throes of grief? I'm afraid that too often we are like David's men and have the mindset - to each his own. A few people I know are really tired of rehashing the "9-11" stories of the survivors. Not me, I truly enjoy hearing the testimonies of how many lives were changed that day! Even so, among those strong survivors are those that remain wounded and worn. There are people who have been so wounded in this battle called "life" that they literally need someone to let them simply sit and grieve as long as necessary for that individual. When we share our "loot" with them, it takes off some of the "edge" in their lives and the pain begins to ease a little. However, too often we scream at them with our silence to just "get over it"! Yes, I believe there is a time to grieve and a time to heal, but who is the timekeeper about such matters. I certainly am not. I think I will join King David and keep the mindset "share and share alike," especially when it comes to His love! Heavenly Father, help us understand that you are the great timekeeper. You are the one who determines every activity under the sun. Help us praise you through the storms, even through our grief and then help us walk with someone else who needs us to share some of the comfort that you have given us! ******************************************* 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
