Sat.’s Devo - Satan’s Downfall, God’s Victory

Read: 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25; John 11:1-54; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 15:22-23 So much for Saul’s promise not to chase after David. Saul found out he was in the hill of Hakilah and went to kill him. He went to the very hill and camped but David had gone into the wilderness. He could see Saul and his army from where he was hiding out. *** He asked two men for a volunteer to go with him into Saul’s camp at night. Abishai spoke up first, so he went with David. When they got to Saul’s camp they found Saul sleeping in the middle of a circle of soldiers along with Abner, his commander. God had put them into a deep sleep. David crept right up to where Saul was sleeping. Abishai tried to convince David that God had given Saul to him and offered to kill him for David, but David refused. Instead, he told him to take his water bottle ,which was right by his head, and his sword. *** When they had gotten a safe distance away, David shouted to Abner, Saul’s commander and woke him up. He asked Saul again, why he was trying to kill him and keep him from living in his own land and worshipping God there. He showed Saul his sword and water bottle and proved again that he could have killed him and didn’t. *** Once again, Saul repented for trying to kill David and blessed him again. He told him he would do heroic deeds and succeed. They parted and Saul went back home…again. *** David escaped to the Philistines and made peace with Achish in Gath, the same one he had acted insane in front of. He convinced him this time to let him and his men join his army. David brought his two wives and they settled in the town of Gath. *** After proving his loyalty, David asked Achish if he could live somewhere besides the royal city of Gath. I am quessing that David did not want his children being brought up and a pagan city where there was so much idolatry. King Achish gave him the town of Ziklag. There, David could come and go as he liked and was free from the Philitine’s watchful eye. *** He would take his army out and to fight the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amelekites. These were aboriginal people of Palestine who inhabited the south-west border of the land. David made sure he didn’t leave any person alive so no one could report where he had been. He told Achish that he was raiding the Jerahmeelites and Kenites who lived in Judah. The ones he killed lived in Philistine land and could have been allies with the Philistines. *** In time, the Philistines went to war against Israel. Achish expected David and his men to join them. David agreed. Achish wanted to make David his bodyguard for life. The two armies met and set up camp opposite each other. Saul panicked and asked God for a sign that they would win, but God wasn’t answering by any of the means he had before. Finally, Saul asked if there was a psychic anywhere around. He had banned all the mediums and witches, but one of his men knew about a witch who lived in Endor. Saul went to her house and disguised himself so she would not be afraid. *** He asked her to bring up Samuel so he could ask him if they would succeed against the Philistines. When she did, she screamed because she instantly knew that he was Saul. He promised he wouldn’t kill her. She described the man she saw in the spirit and Saul knew it was Samuel. Samuel was mad that he had been woken up and told Saul that he would not only lose the battle, but he would lose his life and the kingdom. His kingdom would be given to his rival, David. *** Saul fell to the ground in fear and was also faint from hunger. Although he had lost his appetite over the words he heard, they convinced him to eat. The lady of Endor prepared his last supper of a calf and unleavened bread for him. *** In John, Jesus was told that his beloved friend, Lazareth was dying and he needed to come at once. When Jesus told his disciples that they were going back in Judea where he had just fled from being stoned, they were not happy. Thomas expected they were all going back for their death. Jesus explained that when they walked in God’s light, no matter where they went, they were safe. *** Jesus told his disciples that Lazareth’s sickness would not end in death but when they got there, he was dead. Jesus had made sure they were gone four days after his death because the Jews believe that a person is legally dead after four days. *** Martha met Jesus and he told her that Lazareth would rise again, Martha agreed that everyone rises in the last day. Jesus told her he was talking about today. Mary and Martha took Jesus to Lazareth’s tomb where all the mourners were. He heard all the people blaming him for not being there to heal Lazareth. *** Jesus was angry by the time he got to the tomb. He told them to roll the stone away and he called Lazareth to come out. He came out with all his grave clothes on. Jesus told them to unbind him and set him free. Many believed Jesus was the Messiah when they saw this happen. *** The Jewish council met and agreed that if they let Jesus keep doing this, the Roman army would come and destroy their Temple and their nation. This proved they had no faith in God. They feared man more than God. *** Caiaphas, the high priest at the time said a very prophetic statement. He said, “You don’t realize that it is better for you that one and should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” He was saying that Jesus should die but not understanding that his death would save the whole world if they believed. *** Lord, give us eyes to see your bigger plan. Your ways are higher than our ways and our thoughts higher than our thoughts. We trust in your plan. Help us not to fear your enemies because they are nothing to you!