Thank you, Lord, for providing encouragement even when I lose sight of You.
- P91
Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You in all circumstances and trust in Yourability to protect and save me. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P91
Generosity is first and foremost an attitude before it manifests itselfthrough our actions. - P91
Generous people have an attitude that is bounti-ful rather than stingy. - P91
They believe that there is enough for everyone.
Resources are to be shared rather than hoarded. Relationships are to benurtured rather than stifled. - P91
When you work with a generous person,
they treat you as a companion rather than a competitor. They believethat the world is a place big enough for all of us to flourish. - P91
Generousbelievers have a great sense of security and identity which is rooted inwho they are in Christ, so they happily give to others to promotecause of God‘s kingdom. - P91
4 The men said, "This is the day the LORD spoke ofwhen he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into yourhands for you to deal with as you wish."" Then Davidcrept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul‘s robe. - P92
6 He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should dosuch a thing to my master, the LORD‘s anointed, or layhand on him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." - P93
7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men anddid not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the caveand went hisway. - P93
While searching for David in the Desert of En Gedi, Saul goes into a cave whereDavid is hiding. David cuts off the corner of Saul‘s robe but immediately feelsremorse for his actions. - P93
David goes out to Saul and says that God deliveredSaul into his hands but he spared the king because he is the Lord‘s anointed.He says that his hand will not touch Saul. - P93
10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how theLORD delivered you into myhands in the cave. Someurged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I willnot lay my hand on my lord, because he is the LORD‘sanointed.‘ - P94
11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in myhand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not killyou. See that there is nothing in myhand to indicatethat I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have notwronged you, but you are hunting me down to takemy life. - P94
12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And maythe LORD avenge thehave done to me, butmywrongs youhand will not touch you. - P94
15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between us.
May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand." - P95
After fighting the Philistines, Saul resumes his pursuit of David. Heassembles an elite group of soldiers who outnumber David‘s soldiers fiveto one. - P96
Providentially, the same cave where Saul goes to relieve himselfis where David and his men are hiding. David has an opportunity tokill Saul but instead chooses to spare his life because he sees Saul as onewho is anointed by the Lord and whose life is therefore in God‘s hands.
- P96
Jesus taught us to bless our enemies instead of seeking revenge on them.
- P96
Whenever we take vengeance, we assume God‘s place as judge. Butwhen we forgive, we release those who have offended us to God who isour righteous Judge. - P96
When Saul leaves the cave, David allows for some distance betweenthem then calls out to him. - P96
David still shows a lot of respect for Saulby the way he conducts himself and addresses the king as "my lord"
and "my father." - P96
David is destined to become king and through thesedifficult circumstances God is fine-tuning his character of humility.
- P96
Humility is an essential trait for a godly leader, as one of the challengesthat every leader faces is how to deal with difficult people, especiallythose who actively undermine your authority. - P96
From David‘s example,
we learn that with God‘s help we can treat people with grace even whenthey do not deserve it. - P96
Dear Lord, I pray for a spirit of wisdom and humility as I deal with some of thedifficult situations in my life and ministry. - P97
May I learn from Jesus how to forgiveand love my enemies. In His name, amen. - P97
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