Bible Pathways - Apr. 7, 2009
April 7
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Powerful reading! A gigantic "battle" rages between God and Satan. Where? — Inside Saul. Did this ever happen to you? Check chapter 19! Saul is jealous, rebellious, disobedient, and confused. David displays wisdom and faith in God.
Although Samuel had anointed David to be the next king of Israel, David must have wondered if he would live long enough to assume his God-appointed place of leadership.
When God is seeking to strengthen our faith in Him, He lovingly permits difficulties to come upon us in order to bring us to a deeper appreciation of His unfailing promises.
David feared that Saul would capture and execute him. Consequently, David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath (a mistake). And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath (21:10-12).
In desperation, David changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house? (21:13-15).
Discouraged, David hid in Adullam, one of the numerous caves near the Dead Sea about six miles southeast of Bethlehem. In his distress, David prayed, asking God to save him from his enemies. Then David promised to praise God for the victory. Probably, the result was this great psalm: I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for Thou shalt deal bountifully with me (Ps. 142:5-7).
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him (James 1:12).
Thought for Today:
The trials that come to us are often from God to bring about a greater work of His love in us (I Pet. 4;12-13).
Christ Portrayed:
By David, who, as a servant of Saul, suffered at the hands of the one whom he chose to serve (I Sam. 19:1,10-11). Jesus suffered at the hands of the ones He came to serve and to save. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must . . . suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day (Matt. 16:21).
Word Studies:
19:9 played with his hand =layed music on the harp; 19:13 bolster =eadrest; 20:2 but that he will show it me =ithout first telling me; 20:12 sounded =uestioned; 20:26 not clean =eremonially defiled (Lev. 15; Num. 19:11); 20:30 confusion =ishonor, shame; 20:33 javelin =pear; 21:4 hallowed bread =howbread, sacrificial bread to be eaten only by priests (Exodus 25:30; Matthew 12:3-4).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by a family that loves Jesus • Staff: Jennifer Cunningham • Government Officials: Rep. Robert Brady (PA) and Gov. Mitch Daniels (IN) • Country: Grenada (97,000) southernmost of the Windward Islands • Major language: English • Religious freedom • 61% Roman Catholic; 31% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God even in times of adversity (Acts 16:22-25).
Optional Reading: Acts 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:9-10
