Daily Manna 28-July-2016

Topic: Safety is of the Lord 9

Reading: 1Sam 23:7-14

Scripture: And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars. (1Sam 23:7)

Note: Saul’s insecurity was David’s danger. Saul was a king who had missed his moment with God. His authority as king of Israel had been rejected by God as a result of disobedience. His failure to repent, ask for forgiveness and restoration just like David did when he was confronted with the twin sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the premeditated murder of her husband, was to see a dejected king without God’s approval, His Spirit, His presence and His protection.

It is highly dangerous dealing with a leader who had missed his moment with God. They demonstrate characteristic bitterness and resentment. Forgiveness is not part of their lexicon. They live their lives planning, strategising and talking about perceived threats, enemies and imaginary happenings at the deep recesses of their warped minds.

They carry a sense of vendetta towards their perceived threats with such passion and longevity that they are willing to bid their time until the perceived target is within striking distance. They wouldn’t waste precious moments in getting at their target with all the venom that they can unleash. They often walk a lonely path and the aroma surrounding them is infectiously contagious with death, bitterness and anger.

Some of the tell-tale signs about people who might have missed their moment with God are these: They are paranoid about insignificant things and always feel threatened and suspicious about the growing fame or success of people who might even qualify to be their subordinates. They are fond of assigning difficult tasks to the subordinates that they deem as threats, hoping to “celebrate some victory” through their failure. Their words cannot be trusted as they keep changing their words with changing circumstances or changing plans. King Saul was an exact replica of a man who had missed his moment with God.

Food for thought: Saul’s insecurity and fear of losing his throne, set him on a collision course with David, a man after God’s own heart. This self-destruct path was to accelerate his demise, eventually losing the throne that he feared losing, to the same man.

Declaration: The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. (Proverbs 10:24)

©Author: Rev Fred Aboe