Fall 1994

PREFACE

By: Micael Tao

David, under the strong persecution of Saul, had the opportunity to take Saul's life in a cave, yet he did not do so. He cut off the skirt of Saul's robe instead. Immediately David's heart smote himself, because this was an offence to God's anointed. After a conversation, Saul eventually could see the fact that David was "more righteous than I", and indeed God's appointed king to replace him.

Although it was a mistake for Saul to seek David's life, it was not an excuse before God for David to take action in his own flesh.

The next message after this is in 1 Samuel 25, which again bears another record of David. It was David's responsibility to feed his household and this followers. It was a fair request for him to ask for food from this rich yet wicked man Nabal, particularly when David had been sheltering Nabal's shepherds in the wilderness. When Nabal declined disrespectfully, David made the wrong decision to seek revenge. David gathered up his army and desired to kill all the men in Nabal's household. God preserved David from this very sin, by the intervention of Nabal's wife.

God would agree that Saul and Nabal should have treated David well. We also see there is a time to retreat, and a time to proceed, but in the middle of these, David acted according to his flesh. God delivered David in these two situations, because David was no doubt a man that feared God. It is important for us to seek God's will, so God is willing to deliver in time of trouble. Christians should never tempt God, but we do make poor decisions - even David, a man after God's own heart.

Many times it is easier to go into action; to cut the robe, to gather up an army, than to have a right attitude towards God and men.

Watch your attitude, ye men of God!