Warriors Arise: September 5, 2022
1 Samuel 18:5-9 (NKJV) So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 6 Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. 7 So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” 8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward.
What others say can give us new opportunities or get us into a whole lot of trouble. Here it gets David into trouble. When people are rejoicing, their hearts can be overflowing with exaggeration. Yes, these women are excited and have probably heard the stories of David and those who fight alongside him. Women are prone to exaggeration just a much as men, maybe more so. It was not a woman who came up with sharing fish stories. David was over the men of war and Saul sent them wherever the enemy was prowling around trying to gain a stronghold in Israel's territory. The women had heard their men talk and share stories of their battles. They had also heard of David leading them.
Saul is upset, but it shouldn't be with David. If he is going to be upset at anyone it should be with himself. He didn't face the Philistine giant, Goliath. He isn't going out leading the men of war. He is sending David out. There is no reason why Saul should be upset with what the women are singing, except that Saul is a people pleaser. He would rather please people than God. Oddly, it wasn't the people who selected Saul to be the king. God selected Saul. But Saul, couldn't grasp the concept of God placing him in the position. He confused the people wanting a king, instead of a judge. They didn't really care who was selected: they wanted a king. If he had comprehended this, then he might have been more honoring toward God as he stepped into the position as king. Being king was supposed to mean he served God and ruled as God would direct. But Saul rejected God and wanted to have the people choose him. He wanted to be good enough, on his own, to be revered as their king.
We should never confuse the position God has placed us in, with the need to prove ourselves to the people we serve. We revere God for the position He has given us and then we seek God for guidance to fulfill all the responsibilities of the position. Then we will serve well. If you have to retain a position based on the opinions of others, it will become a prison to you, a ball and chain that you can't walk freely in or from. When we honor God for the position we have, then we can serve people with a pure heart. They can't persuade us to yield our position or authority, because we fulfill our responsibilities based on what God has for us.
Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
We cannot serve the people well, if we don't love God first. We cannot allow what others say dictate what we do or don't do. If Saul had this in place, it would not have bothered him to hear the women sing of David's accomplishments. Saul made it a comparison, because he was always trying to make himself look good and not giving credit where credit was due. For instance when his son, Johnathan, and armor bearer took an entire Philistine garrison, that very day, Saul was going to have his son killed for eating honey. Johnathan might have become competition for Saul had David not come along. If Johnathan had been celebrated for his heroic act of taking a Philistine garrison with just his armor bearer, the women would have been sininging about him.
David couldn't deny what the women were singing and neither could Saul. They were not equals in battle. David was not going to be less of a warrior to appease Saul. David was not going to be less honoring toward God to make Saul feel better. David revered God and went wherever Saul sent him. Bottom line, we can't stop what people will say about us. Even when we should be given a place of honor and recognized for what we have accomplished. When we do well and accomplish what God has given into our hands, then God is honored as well.
Father, thank You for leading me to live my life with You first. I will seek You, follow Your plans and do my best to honor You with all that You have given into my hands to do. I will honor the authorities You have placed over me. I will complete what I have been asked to do to the best of my ability. I will serve others well. I will lead and guide them to victory for You are with us. You desire for us to be overcomers. You want me to be the victor who leads others to their freedom. I will rise and fight well. I will teach others to take their place and defend what You have given them. I will not stop even when others are insecure with my obedience and success in accomplishing what I have been assigned. I will serve You well, to my best ability, and follow You every minute of every day in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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