Fri.’s Devo -A Turn of Events

Read: 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44; John 10:2-42; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 15:20-21 Saul went home and fought the Philistines, but when he was done there he was ready to start pursuing David again. He and 3,000 of his elite soldiers heard David was in the wilderness of En-gedi. Saul went into a cave to relieve himself which just happened to be where David and his men were hiding. David saw his robe and cut off a piece of the hem. He resisted the temptation to kill Saul because God had anointed him the king and it was God’s job to unannoint him. David waited until Saul was reunited with his men and he was on his way. Then David shouted to him and told him what he had done. He proved that he would never kill Saul since he had an opportunity and didn’t do it. Rather than chance his men joining David’s side if he tried to kill David, he repented and spoke the truth. David would be the next king and Israel would flourish under his rule. He made David swear he would not kill his family or destroy his line of descendants the this happened. David promised and Saul went home. *** That reminds me of yesterday’s, Proverb: “A hot-tempered person stars fights: a cool-tempered person stops them.” *** Samuel could now die and was buried in Ramah. Saul had proclaimed David the next king. *** David moved down to Maon where a wealthy man named Nabal lived. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. It was sheep-shearing time where everyone in town is hired to help. When the sheep are all sheared the owner, Nabal would have a feast for all who helped in the shepherding and shearing of the sheep. David’s men and protected the shepherds and the sheep from invaders while they were out in the wilderness. They were starving and David asked if they could come to the feast. They had earned a meal and Nabal had plenty. *** Instead of returning the favor, Nabal refused to feed David and his men. When David learned they were not invited, he told 400 of his men to strap on their swords and they were going to kill Nabal and take his food. Nabal’s wife, Abigail found out the foolishness of her husband and ran and prepared food for David and his men and took it herself. She explained the foolishness of her husband and begged his forgiveness. David was appeased and thanked her and turned from his plan of killing Nabal. *** When Abigail returned home, her husband was feasting and drunk. In the morning she told him what she had done and he immediately had a stroke. Ten days later he died. When David learned he was dead, he sent for Abigail to be his wife. She gladly accepted and brought four of her servants with her. David also married Ahinoam from Jezreel. Saul had given his daughter Michal to another man to marry. *** Amazing how God turns all things from bad to good for those who put their trust in him. *** In John, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah). He was still being interrogated by the religious people. They wanted him to come out and say that he was the Messiah so they could stone him for blasphemy. *** He never would come out and say it. He told him he had already said it and his works proved it, but since they were not of his sheep, they didn’t believe. When he said that he and the Father were one, they picked up stones to throw at him. He asked them which of the good deeds he had done were they going to stone him for. They said they weren’t stoning him for his good works but his blasphemy. *** Jesus replied, if you don’t believe me for who I claim to be, then at least believe what I have done. If they took that step, it would lead them to believing who he was. *** They tried to arrest him but he slipped through their fingers again because the time was not right. Jesus went to the place where John had baptized many and many who believed followed him. *** Thank you that we are your sheep and we hear your voice. May we hear stronger and stronger and do the works that Jesus did and greater.