Being Set Free Causes Us To Show Love

When the enemy is pursuing us it may be hard to bear. We may have been dealing with the struggle of the same temptation and have had no way to overcome it in our own flesh. We may be dealing with stress that comes from an abusive relationship or family member and are in need of dire help. Both of these situations can be very tiresome and weighty on our souls. In these trials, we wish to overcome them but have no way of getting out of it on our own terms. And although this may cause us to feel pain because of our sins and hardships, there is one person that can help us and it is the Lord God. This is so true, my friends, since I know this to be true personally as did David in the Bible. For many years of his life, he was pursued by King Saul and his army, in order to kill him. He had nowhere to go but hide and lean upon the Lord for guidance. Even when it seemed like things were getting better with Saul, he returned with his men once again, in order to pursue after David. This would be very hard to bear and you can liken it unto Christians now who are pursued by Isis and other wicked men, in order to take their lives. And Christians also have temptations that take them over to do things that they wish they did not. Which causes them to fall into sin and addiction. However, we can find rest in the Lord. He is our anchor and strong tower. Therefore, with Him as our guide, we will be led to safety and have our lives be transformed. Even the same sins will not take us down any longer.

The story of David is like my own, for he fell into adultery, as did I. And with David, the Lord was able to help him flee from it, of which God did the same for me. This is when David began to write what we have in Psalms, which are an inspiration from God. The Lord has also raised me up to serve Him, and I have been writing daily devotionals since 2015. Now, as David gave all the glory to God, I also give Him the glory also. Please know that the Lord is greater than us and will save our souls when we call upon Him. As I was delivered, and David also, you will also be as you put your trust in God above all else. This is when we are guarded against temptation and are protected from those people that only wish to harm us. And getting back to David, the story does not end with the king finding him out and killing him, but with the Lord delivering Him from harm’s way. God even delivered Saul into His hands twice, and both times David showed him mercy and did not allow anyone to kill him. And the reason is that the Lord was with David. David said, ¹“behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed. And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.” (1 Samuel 26:22-24)

There are some key takeaways from what David said to Saul and his men. He said that the reason why he spared his life is that he wanted to show kindness, not cruelty towards those that have hurt him. He did this because he was still faithful to his king, no matter what he had done to him. This faithfulness came from his continued walk with the Lord. And here is what ¹“Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.” (1 Samuel 26:25) It is when we do good to others, even when people do hurtful things, that causes people to rethink their life and what they are doing to others. So they know that their actions are evil and are given over to a change of heart. Now, this does happen to many people who get kindness in return for their evil ways. It happens to even Isis fighters who are now Christians because of what they have seen in those people that believe in Jesus and will continue to show love towards others even to death. So in death do they depart to be with the Lord, while their seeds of kindness and compassion are planted in the hearts of people that are left behind. What a great example David was, and people are in our generation, that still love the Lord and vow to walk in His ways, even until the end of their life. So, my friends in the faith, give yourself over to the Lord. Allow Him to do a work in your lives. Then it will change your whole life. Even your desires will become holy in his sight. Which will give you over to show love towards God and your fellow men.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I love You and Your ways. It is because You are in my life that I wish to only show kindness and love towards all men, women, and children. Even if I am harmed, it is Your peace and compassion I will give them, for they don’t really know what they are doing. If they did, then they would not be acting as cruel as they are. They would not be causing hardships upon me and other Christians, in order to cause us to feel pain. These people may be an enemy to us because of how they pursue us now, but I have hope that they can still become our friend if they would just seek Your hand in their lives. All I wish to do is show love, even though many people don’t see it as love. Even Your words, oh Lord, may seem like they are being judged, but surely, I am only drawing them to You, that You may do a work in their lives. Because You have changed my life, even from the inside out, I have new desires to love one another as You love me. I am so grateful just to know You and to experience the warmth of Your love each day, and to showcase that same love towards others is the least I can do. For I love Your ways. Your commandments and laws for mankind are a song to my soul. For to be in line with Your teachings brings me so much joy and happiness. Only in the flesh did I ever experience temporary pleasure, but with pain and guilt along with it. However, since You have heard my cries and rescued me from the bondage of sin, I have been set free. Now I am no longer a slave to sin, but a bondservant to Your kingdom, oh God. Even until death will I trust and follow You. I love You, Lord. Amen.

1 Samuel 26

¹1 Samuel 26 (KJV)
1 And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?
2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.
5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.
6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?
10 David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.
13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:
14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?
15 And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.
16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
17 And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.
18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?
19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods.
20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
22 And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.
23 The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed.
24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.