Bible in One Year:
Thursday, October 1, 2009
(Josh 13 - Josh 15)

Memorise: "And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt" (1 Sam 24:5)

Read: 1 Samuel 24:8-17
8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 ¶ And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.
11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
16 ¶ And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

King Saul sought the life of his most trusted servant - David. He abdicated his throne just to seek out God's beloved. He went from cave to cave until one day, he and his men were so tired that they fell asleep in a particular location. And although David had the opportunity of killing him, he did not. From this passage, we learn that whenever a believer deliberately pursues, persecutes or plots the destruction of a fellow believer, that individual has abdicated his or her throne of power and glory. You cannot remain seated on the same throne with the King of kings when you are working against fellow kings. It is a serious offence for a Kingdom king to fight another king. This accounts for loss of power in the lives of Christian leaders. Every effort at destroying your brother erodes your power base. Are you persecuting a fellow brother or sister? Desist from it today. All the time king Saul went chasing David, he could not have peace of mind. He lost comfort, honour and sanity. It's only a mad person that will fight the ones for whom Christ died. Fighting that believer drives God from you and puts you against God's Kingdom. 

"And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt" (1 Sam 24:5). David saw the pursuer of his soul sleeping but did not kill him. Eventually, he cut off a part of his robe as evidence, but his heart could not rest after then. King Saul was wearing a royal robe like any important king would. The fact that he cut a piece of it automatically condemned that robe. Seeing the king wearing such a robe will bring reproach, disgrace and shame. No wonder he lost his sleep! Cutting Saul's robe signifies using every opportunity we have to get back at those who are persecuting us. It is wrong! Never repay anyone in his or her coins. 1 Peter 2:21-24 says when reviled, Jesus did not retaliate. If the one sitting on your promotion gets a sack, I believe you will jubilate. As a believer, you are not allowed to rejoice when those who have made themselves your enemies are encountering problems and difficulties (Prov 24:17-18). Do you know that celebrating your enemy's down fall can become the excuse for terminating his afflictions? Hence, Jesus says, Love your enemies and pray for your abusers. If you ask God for grace to do it, it will be released.

ACTION POINT:
What have you done to dethrone yourself? Undo, and ask God to reinstate you