| I Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:55-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26
“When David came to the 200 men who had been too exhausted to go with him and had been left at the Wadi Besor, they came out to meet him and to meet the troops with him. When David approached the men, he greeted them, but all the worthless men among those who had gone with David retorted, ‘Because they didn’t go with us, we will not give any of the plunder we recovered to them except for each man’s wife and children. They may take them and go.’ But David said, ‘My brothers, you must not do this with what the Lord has given us. He protected us and handed over to us the raiders who came against us. Who can agree to your proposal? The share of the one who goes into battle is to be the same as the share of the one who remains with the supplies. They will share equally.'” (I Samuel 30:21-24)
While David and his men were marching off to war with the Philistines, their home was being raided by Amalekites. The Philistines decided that David and his crew could not be trusted so they dismissed them from fighting alongside them. Upon David’s return home, he and his troops found that the Amalekites had taken everything, their families, wealth and cattle. Their area was burning. The men had traveled so far and when they saw this they were overwhelmed. They sought God and got the go ahead to pursue the Amalekites. A little way into the trip they had about 200 men that just couldn’t go anymore. David left them back to rest and to tend to the supplies.
After they put a spanking on the Amalekites, the Lord enabled them to recover everything and everyone that was theirs. When they made it back as far as the men who had been left behind, they said very ugly that they weren’t going to get anything but their families back because they didn’t help. David corrected them. As a man in such a high leadership position he showed himself to be very fair and generous. I appreciate his gracious heart. He was a humble person who sought to build his people up. Promoting what’s right among people touches God’s heart. A selfish, short attitude is contrary to the character of God. I saw a little of myself in those verses. I repent. I pray to have the right heart towards people who may not have the ability to endure and to those with whom God may have called me to share. I pray for a good spirit, to always walk in generosity acknowledging that I would have nothing if it weren’t for the grace of God.
PRAYER:
Lord, I love You so much and I want my character to resemble Yours. Please forgive me for being selfish. I am so blessed, and I pray to always be able to share what I have. In the name of Jesus, Amen. |
