Last week we saw how brave Jonathan
was and how he trusted God without wavering. He knew that David was
going to be the next king instead of him, and yet he helped him to
escape from his father. He did the right thing, knowing that God
would honor him for it.
So with the help of Jonathan, David
fled from Israel. He made a quick stop at Nob and obtained the
sword of Goliath there and then he fled to king Achish of Gath. But
the moment he arrived there the servants of king Achish told him
how the women sang that David has slain ten thousands and Saul only
thousands. This made the servants suspicious of David and they
wanted to kill him. David realized that he was in trouble:
"So he changed his behavior
before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the
doors of the gate, and let saliva fall down on his beard." 1 Samuel
21:13
King Achish was disgusted by this
and demanded that David be taken out of his sight. Once again David
was saved from the hands of those who wanted him dead. He then went
and dwelt in the cave of Adullam. When his father and brothers
heard that he was there, they went to him there. As well as:
"…everyone who was in distress,
everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented. So he
became captain over them." 1 Samuel 22:2
David now had an army of about 400
men. But there are two interesting things to me here. First of all,
his father and brothers came. They were the ones who taunted him,
who didn't think he was even good enough to be called when Samuel
first came and yet here they came the minute they knew where he
was. They obviously had a change of heart and saw God's hand in his
life. The same with Jesus's brothers, they also mocked Him and
didn't believe in Him, and yet after His death James, his brother
became the head of the church in Jerusalem. We can learn from this.
Those closest to us might not support what God is doing in our
lives. They might ridicule us and make fun of us. But when they
later ask forgiveness and realize what God is doing in our lives,
we should forgive them and join forces with them for the greater
good of His Kingdom.
Secondly, basically all the people
no one else wanted joined David. He had an army of men with
terrible pasts. The Bible doesn't go into detail what they all did,
but from what I can gather it wasn't good. These men weren't your
model citizens, those you would typically choose for your army. And
yet God chose them for David. God knew what would work best. God
selected them and later we will see that they became valiant men,
trusted advisors and friends of King David. Today we shouldn't look
at the past of many people that God puts on our pathway, rather we
should see the Godly potential in them. Jesus never looked at the
past of any of His disciples or followers and discredited them from
following Him. In fact He encouraged them to follow Him. And many
of them became faith heroes, people we owe the Gospels to.
Walk today with the people God has
placed in your life to help you in reaching your goal. Forgive
those that didn't believe in your dream at the beginning and allow
them on this pathway with you. And do not look at the past of
others that want to join and help you. God knows who you need on
this road. He knows who will really help you to achieve your
God-given dreams. Do not discredit them, but walk with them,
alongside Jesus. Then you cannot go wrong.
Father, thank you for the people
that You have placed in our lives. Please give us the discernment
to recognize them and to walk with them to the glory of Your Name.
You are such a wonderful awesome God, never leaving us to fend for
ourselves, but always providing for us. We love You. Amen