Likewise, when you choose to for-give someone, sometimes no one sees it except you. But we know thatthe One who has commanded forgiveness also sees us forgive. - P127
We arerewarded, not only by being freed from the burden of bitterness, butalso by His warm encouragement as we obey. - P127
[NIV] 1 But David thought to himself, "One of thesedays I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The bestthing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines.
Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere inIsrael, and I will slip out of his hand." - P128
7 David lived in Philistine territory a year and fourmonths.
8 Now David and his men went up and raided the Ge-shurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancienttimes these peoples had lived in the land extending toShur and Egypt.) - P129
11 He did not leave a man or woman alive to be broughtto Gath, for he thought, "They might inform on us and
‘This is what David did."" And such was his practicesay,
as long as he lived in Philistine territory.
had really been. This - P129
David and his men go to live in Philistine territory with Achish son of Maokking of Gath to flee from Saul. David asks Achish for one of his country towns,
and Achish gives him Ziklag. - P129
David and his men go up and raid the Geshurites,the Girzites, and the Amalekites. Achish trusts David and thinks he will be hisservant for life. - P129
It is a bit unfitting of David, fresh from another experience of God‘s deliverance,
to now think he must take matters into his own hands and goto the land of the Philistines in order to preserve his life. - P130
This seems likea rather surprising course of action from a man who has trusted God atevery turn. Moreover, David willingly submits himself to a pagan king,
potentially jeopardizing his road to the throne. - P130
We see that fear cansubject a godly man to forgetfulness, temporarily erasing the memoryof God‘s past faithfulness and leading him to unwise decisions. - P130
May weground ourselves in God‘s faithfulness in the midst of uncertainty, forour Lord is the Good Shepherd who leads us through thick and thin. - P130
David and his men have made it their practice to annihilate the enemiesof Israel while lying to the king of Gath that they had actually been raid-ing Israelite towns. - P130
And to prevent any word from leaking, they leave noone alive in the towns they raid. These actions represent a low point inDavid‘s life-practicing deceit and taking
the lives of men, women, andchildren. - P130
These events are recorded in the Bible not so that we wouldimitate David‘s actions, but for us to see that even though David was abroken man, God would still form him and use him for His glory. - P130
Thepotter is not done with David, yet. - P130
Likewise, our worst mistakes andmiscalculations do not deter God from disciplining us and molding usinto His image. - P130
Father, I am holding on to the promise that You are not done with me yet. - P130
I trustYou will sanctify me until the day I die or You return. You are the potter; I am theclay. Mold me and make me. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P130
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