Respecting Poor Authority

Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 24

Focus verse: 1 Samuel 24:5-6  " Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.  And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”"
also: Ephesians 6:5 "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;"

David had been anointed by Samuel the priest to be the next king (1 Samuel 16).  He would rule after king Saul died.  David knew how to wait and patiently honored his king, his authority.  This was not always easy for him.  King Saul was often depressed and had a troubling spirit ever since he disobeyed God (1 Samuel 15).  Once, he threw a spear at David as he played music for the king. (1 Samuel 18:10-11) He even spent time hunting David down.  This is what was going on when we come to read 1 Samuel 24.

David could have easily killed Saul and become king, but he chose to cut off a piece of his robe.  Even this action caused David regret.  David knew the Lord would want him to have total respect for authority, even though the King was doing a poor job and even though the King was hunting him to kill him.

David's life is a good example of how we can obey and respect authority that we don't agree with or think is wrong.  I am not responsible for how our authority behaves, but I am responsible for how I react and respect that authority.  Pray that God will give you the grace and mercy to respect and obey the authority that has been placed over you.

Author's note: Realize that this is not talking about following a leader that prevents you from obeying God's commands or leads you into sin.  This does not include false prophets either. That is a different subject.  You might also like reading Romans 13 that relates to authority.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

God's Master Plan

Scripture Reading: Click to read:  Romans 8: 18-30

Focus Verse: Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Sometimes in our lives God will do things or allow things that we can't understand.  Like when a child dies or when someone hurts us.  Our human mind wonders about God's plan?  It doesn't make any sense to us.  Because we can't see the big picture, we think God may have forgotten us.  We need to be careful how we pray to God and not demand things of Him.  We should pray for specific things, but also to pray for God's will to be done.

I can remember as a young person, praying to God that I sure would like to marry a certain girl.  God did not allow that to happen.  I can see now that the marriage would have been a mistake.  God saw the master plan and I could not.  Romans 8:28 is a great promise.  God is working out all things for  good when we love Him.  Not only some things for good, but ALL things for good.

God has already seen tomorrow.  He already knows next week.  And His plans for next year have been made.  He knows what is best for us because we are His children.  On every piece of American money is printed "In God We Trust".  We can trust that God has our best interest at heart.  So the next time you are going through something that you don't understand, have peace that God knows exactly what is going on and He will work out that situation for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  Because He has a master plan for your life.  So, trust Him.


Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Donkey in the well

Do you ever feel like you are in a pit?  This is a good life lesson.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The people intended it for burial, but God used it for GOOD.  We can get out of the deepest wells just by trusting God to show us the way out.  Shake it off and take a step up.

Biblical example of intended harm that brought life instead: Joseph's brothers put him in a well and then sold him into slavery.  Genesis 50 (click to read) Genesis 50:20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."