SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN!

 Just a few days ago, we talked about David sparing Saul's life in a cave.  Saul showed great remorse for pursuing David and they parted company apparently reconciled.  

Two chapters later, the Ziphites contact King Saul and report that David is hiding in their area.  Saul garners up 3,000 soldiers and again pursues David.  

David sent out scouts who located Saul's camp.  He and Abishai sneaked into Saul's camp in the middle of the night when they were all in a deep sleep brought on by God.  

Abishai desires to run his spear through King Saul, but David stops him.  Don't destroy him!  Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?  [26:9]

Instead, they take Saul's spear and water jug and slip out of the camp.

When they're a safe distance from Saul's camp, David calls to Saul's captain, Abner:  Why didn't you guard your lord the king?  Someone came to destroy your lord the king.  What you have done is not good.  As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed.  Look around you.  Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?  [26:15-16]

Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, David my son?"

David replied, "Yes it is, my lord the king."  And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant?  What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?...The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea...  [26:17-18,20]

 Then Saul said, "I have sinned.  Come back, David my son.  Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again.  Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly."  [26:21]

David then returned Saul's spear and Saul said to him:  May you be blessed, my son David;  you will do great things and surely triumph."  [26:25}

So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.  [26:25]

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God is continually reaching out to King Saul, trying to impact him with God's grace.  We see a similar situation in the New Testament where Jesus repeatedly reaches out to Judas - trying to awaken the Spirit in him.  But some people are resolute and stubborn in having their own way.  Sad!  

We are vividly shown the contrast between David - who had a heart after God - and Saul, who couldn't get past his jealousy and anger.  The lesson is obvious!  

It reminds me of a hymn written in 1902, by Adelaid M. Pollard:

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Thou art the potter, I am the clay. 

Mold me and make me after thy will, 

while I am waiting, yielded and still. 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Search me and try me, Savior today! 

Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now, 

as in thy presence humbly I bow. 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Wounded and weary, help me I pray! 

Power, all power, surely is thine! 

Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Hold o'er my being absolute sway. 

Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see 

Christ only, always, living in me!

 

GET UNDER THEIR UMBRELLA

There's a relatively minor incident recorded in Genesis 26 that needs to be unpacked.  

Isaac was living among the Philistines and had led them to believe that Rebekah was his sister (a blatant lie designed to protect him).  During his time here, God was prospering Isaac.  

But one day Abimelech [a Philistine term that equates with the Egyptian term 'Pharaoh'] saw him being affectionate with Rebekah and figured out that they were married.  He was not happy with Isaac.  

What is this you have done to us?  One of the men might well have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.  [v.10]

Abimelech gave orders:

Anyone who molests this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.  [v.11]

So Isaac and Rebekah remained in the land in safety with the respect of all the people.  And God prospered them significantly!  That same year, they reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him.  [v.12]

Eventually, Isaac became so wealthy that he made himself a threat to the Philistines.  He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.  [v.14]

As a result, Abimelech said to him, Move away from us;  you have become too powerful for us.  [v.16]

Isaac moved to the Valley of Gerar - where his father, Abraham had previously lived - and settled there.

During this time, God renewed His covenant with Isaac - the same covenant He had made with Abraham:  I am with you;  I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants...  [v.24]

Meanwhile, one day Abimelech showed up along with his personal advisor and the commander of his forces.  He spoke to Isaac:  

We saw clearly that the LORD was with you;  so we said, 'There ought to be a sworn agreement between us - between us and you.  Let us make a treaty with you that you will do us no harm, just as we did not molest you but always treated you well and sent you away in peace.  And now you are blessed by the LORD.'  [vs.28-29]

 After a feast, they made their agreement:  Isaac sent them on their way, and they left him in peace.  [v.31]

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I believe this incidental story sends a message:  If and when you find someone who is experiencing the blessing of God - get under their umbrella!

Isaac was clearly experiencing the blessing of God!  Abimelech was enough of a man of faith to recognize that what was happening to Isaac was supernatural.  Abimelech was smart enough to figure it out and act accordingly.  His thinking was:  "I don't want this man as an enemy!  God is clearly favoring him!  I want this man as a friend!"  Then he made a long journey and sought out a treaty to insure that they were in a good relationship.  He realized that he had potentially offended Isaac by asking him to leave.  Smart leader - good-thinking man.

We see illustrations of this principle throughout the scriptures:

• Joshua aligned himself with Moses and learned from him!
• Jonathan saw God's blessing on David and entered into a covenant friendship with David as a result!
• Elisha recognized the Spirit of God at work in Elijah and decided to follow him and eventually to succeed him as a prophet of God.
• Twelve men (and a small group of women) saw something divine in Jesus and gave up everything to be with Him.  
• A long list of men (and some women) noticed the deep commitment of the Apostle Paul and how God was with him and consequently travelled with him.

While I attended seminary at Asbury Theological, I felt like I was walking among spiritual giants.  I spent as much time as I could with leaders like:  Dr. Don Demaray, Dr. Don Joy, Pastor Clyde Van Valin, Dr. Gilbert James and many others.  I watched them.  I learned from them.  I imitated them.  I soaked up some of the blessing that was so evident in their lives.  

Later in life, God moved me to Akron, Ohio, where I aligned myself with Pastor Brenda Young for nearly six years.  I watched her.  I listened carefully to everything she said.  I followed her lead and example.  And I grew as a result!  I stayed under her umbrella until she and God nudged me out into new territory.  :-)

It's a solid principle!  When God brings you into the purview of someone He is blessing - STAY THERE UNTIL HE MOVES YOU ON!

Watch!  Listen!  Submit!  Learn!  Soak in the blessing that has settled on this person!  Let God grow you through their influence and experience.  

VERY IMPORTANT!  Don't worship them!  Worship the God who is blessing them!  God has a plan for your life and He's brought you to this person/place for a reason.  Don't resist or thwart His providential leadership!  Maximize your opportunity.  Stay soft in His hands and let Him work out His perfect will in your life!  FOR HIS GLORY!  AMEN!

A LOVER - NOT A FIGHTER

Genesis 26 gives us a good bit of information about Isaac - Abraham's one and only son.

In chapter 26, God warns Isaac of an impending draught.  God renewed His covenant with Isaac using the same words He'd used with Abraham!  

Isaac was living among the Philistines and feared them.  He told Rebekah to report that she was his sister.  For his father, Abraham, this had been partly true;  but for Isaac it was simply a protective lie.  

Abimelech, [Abimelech was to the Philistines as Pharaoh was to the Egyptians - a title] eventually realized that they were husband and wife, and was angry with Isaac.  He gave orders that no one should molest Rebekah.

God significantly prospered Isaac with blessings of wealth, flocks, herds and servants!  So much so, that the Philistines became jealous and Abimelech asked him to leave their area.  

Isaac moved back to the Valley of Gerar [where Abraham had previously lived and dug wells].  He began to dig wells for his flocks and people.  Local herdsmen quarreled with him over the first two that he dug;  being a lover and not a fighter, he simply walked away.  Finally, he dug a well that they did not quarrel over:  Rehoboth.

Then, Abimelech arrived with several leaders and sought a treaty with Isaac - which tells us how wealthy, significant and influential he had become under God's blessing.  They made a sworn agreement of peace.  

That same day, Isaac's men found water in another well.  He named it Shibah, which eventually became Beersheba.  

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Isaac was a peaceable man.  He chose to avoid conflict rather than fight.  God honored him and prospered him.  

Does this make him an example for all?  No.  He happened to be a lot like his father.  Abraham was also a peace-lover;  however, when Lot was taken captive, Abraham took on a coalition of kings to free his nephew.  Even peace-lovers will fight when they must!  

There is room in this world for people of all personality types.  

Thank You, Lord, for the diversity of people You've made.  We are not all alike.  We vary in color, shade, ethnic background, gender, appearance, language, customs, and personality types.  You made us all!  You love us all.  You've provided Your grace and salvation for all of us!  Your kindness is beyond measure!  For this we are all eternally grateful.  Now, help us to learn to love each other and get along.  For Your Kingdom's sake.  Amen.