Friday, November 3, 2017

Year 7, Day 307: 1 Samuel 21

Theological Commentary: Click Here


Life can be interesting at times.  I’ve often heard people say if you want to know who you are, look at what you do when nobody is looking.  I also think that it is valid to say that our true colors also come out when we are under stress.  When nobody is looking, we don’t have to hide.  When we are under stress, we don’t have time to think and we just react.  Our instincts take over.

For example, take David here.  David is on the run.  Jonathan has affirmed his darkest fears. Saul does want David dead.  David is now running for his life with a few loyal soldiers. 

In this context, David comes upon a temple.  He needs food and equipment.  Look how David handles the situation.  David tells the priest that he is on an urgent mission for the king.  An urgent mission away from the king, maybe.  But as it is, David lies about the context.  David lies to the priest to evoke some sympathy.  David lies to the priest in hopes that the priest won’t turn him over to Saul.

We get to see David’s true colors in this story.  David is a sinner at heart.  When the pressure is on, David is looking out for himself rather than living according to God’s ways.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not trying to judge David.  The Lord knows that in my life I am just as guilty as David at looking out for myself when the pressure is on.  It’s human nature.  But it is good for us to know about it and good for us to consider that when we are under pressure we are most susceptible to falling into sin.

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