King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Power of Christ
Date: Wednesday March 28, 2012
Today's Chapters: 1 Samuel 22-24

Hello My Friend,

I have this ex-boyfriend who reminds me every time I talk to him why we never got married, every three or four months he contacts me, tells me all about his great life, then asks me about mine. I know he cares nothing about my life, but is just looking to see if he has the same effect on me as he did when we were together. We chat for a few days, memories get stirred up along with bitterness and hatred of the past, then it hits me, he hates it that I am not pining away over him and the success I am having without him in my life. He wants to see me fall, he wants to see me fall away from God and back into the world so he can say, “I thought you were a Christian? I knew you would fall.” Do you have a thorn like that in your side? You can overcome it through the power of Christ. “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:8,9.

David, was to be the next king of Israel, chosen by God Himself, and this put so much jealousy and hatred in Saul that he wanted him dead. While he had more important things to worry about he had his entire army searching for David. Meanwhile, David is hiding in a cave, but this time he is not alone. “David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.” - 1 Samuel 22:1-3.

Four hundred men that thought they had nothing going for themselves sought David, often when we are discontent we find ourselves being drawn to others who are discontent as well. It is actually a comfort to us when we focus on others heartaches instead of our own for a while, they often put ours in perspective. David and these men had the best thing going for them, they had God. They may not have known what their future held, but they knew that God would take care of them. We too may not know our future, but we can know that God is by our side and holds our future in His hands and He will never leave nor forsake any person who has received His Son. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:5,6.

Every where David went, Saul followed, there was always someone willing to sell him out for their own personal gain, even though they knew it was wrong. Saul even stooped so low as to start killing priests and their families for letting David go. This time, David was ready to fight for his life, but this time, the first thing he did before he ever made a move was ask God what he should do.“Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down. Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.” - 1 Samuel 23:10-14.

David knew that God was with him and would deliver him from Saul, but he also knew that if he wanted God's help he had to ask Him for it. I have this sign on my desk, “Ask God!!!” I came to the conclusion that I needed this reminder in front of me every day as it forces me to ask God whenever I am in a position to question what I need to be doing. God will not do anything to deliver us from our troubles, but unless we seek His guidance first He will let us try to figure it out on our own. By seeking His guidance first we are letting Him know that we are trusting in Him to make the right decision for us. We cannot go wrong when we humble ourselves before God and allow Him to make the decisions for us. “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” - Psalm 25:8-10.

When our heart's desire is to please the Lord, we are often tested to seek revenge on those who have wronged us. Now, David had the chance to kill Saul, upon trying to corner David, Saul got cornered himself. He was hiding in a cave to sneak up on David when David found him, it was the opportune time for David to seek revenge and kill him instead. “Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.” - 1 Samuel 24:2-6.

David's soldiers were convinced that God had delivered Saul into David's hands to be executed, David would have been rightly justified in killing him, but just by ripping his clothes David realized something. If he had killed Saul he would have been no better than Saul, God had appointed Saul as king and until He removed him from the throne, David had no right to take this mans life even though he tried to take his. David fell to the ground and spoke to Saul. “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. 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. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” -1 Samuel 24:10-12.

At times, it seems as though everyone is against us, but we cannot forget that Jesus is always for us and it is during the trials we face with others that He shows Himself as the one who truly had the power to protect and lead us to safety as long as we walk with Him. No matter what people have done to us we have no right to take the law into our own hands. It is better to walk away then to let ourselves stoop to their level. God is still in control and although He allows the devil to place evil upon our lives, it is important that we do not render evil for evil, God will avenge us when the time is right. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:19-21.

Today's Psalm: 94:1 - “O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.”

Today's Proverb: 6:34 - “For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.”

Today's Prayer: God, It would be so easy to seek vengeance upon those who have wronged me, but from experience I know that it is just not in me to get even with them, afterward I feel terrible and nothing rewarding comes out it. Lord, I know that You place people in my life to strengthen me, grow me, teach me, and bring me closer to You. Some of them are more difficult to deal with then others, but I also know that I have something that no one can take from me and that is Jesus. He is my power to overcome the difficult people in my life. Thank You for sending Jesus to me and loving me so much that even when I make mistakes You are right there ready to help me fix the problem when I ask You for guidance. I love You Lord, and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be. Visit: God's Price
Missed A Devotional? Visit: The King James Bible Study Blog
Subscribe To This Devotional Through Google Groups: King James Bible Study
Visit The Official Site Of: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus