1 Samuel_19
Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.
Observation-What does it say?: David, having found favor in God’s sight, has become prosperous in everything he does. Saul sees this and is threatened, to the point where he is now trying to secure his place as king through killing David. But, God’s plans are not our plans, and He secures the leaders and governments according to His will. So when Saul goes out to Naioth with the intention to kill David himself, he is captured by God’s spirit. “So irresistible is the power of the Spirit of God that not only is Saul’s evil plan frustrated, but the king himself becomes ‘infected’.”*
Understanding-What does it mean?: I was sitting there, drinking my shake and minding my own business, when this guy walks up and starts yelling at me and the group of high school kids I was with. This guy was irate and apparently felt severely disrespected. Not only that, he was completely concerned that one of our group was “looking” at him the wrong way. I’m still not sure exactly what that means. I was one of the adult “leaders” of the youth group at the church I was attending at the time, and had accompanied a few of the kids to In-N-Out that night.
Not wanting to set a bad example for the kids, I decided it wouldn’t be a good idea to try and start a fight with someone who was clearly not using the soft tissue between his ears. But, I still attempted to appeal to his more civilized side. While sitting there, I looked at him and said, “We really don’t want any trouble, could you just leave us alone?” The thing that stands out the most from that night was the loud and distinct sound my nose made as I blocked his fist with my face. As red fluid began pouring out of my nostrils, the gentleman is running away saying “Peckerwoods!” (some fraternity he belongs to I guess). This is when I realize my nose is broken.
Fast-forward about six months. I walk into church with the same group of kids and who do I see, but the gentleman from the bird-watching society. His hands are lifted and he is singing the same worship song as I am. I could clearly see a peace on his face that was not there on the night he introduced himself so abruptly.
God has a funny way of revealing himself to us. His power can overcome any and all evil. We have no need to fear those who can only kill us, because they can’t separate us from God. Paul told us in Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Therefore, we know we can proceed to follow God through all the scariest of things, even crazy bird lovers and people who are trying to kill us with spears.
Life Application: Jesus, what do I have to fear? There is nothing greater than your love for me. You alone bore the weight of my sin in order to bring into your covenant. Help me to be infected with the Holy Spirit in a way that will be contagious to those around me. I pray that Your will be done in my life and in the world, as it is in Heaven.
*Zondervan Handbook to the Bible (1999) p.262