God's Invisible Work

 Matthew 23     Psalm 91    1 Samuel 25-26

Today Jesus challenges the very ones that should have understood God’s way better than anyone and been able to lead to righteousness, the way of God, the Pharisees. We can’t miss that Jesus doesn’t challenge much they teach for they know the commandments and rules of God better than anyone. What he does say is that the people should ignore they way they live for while they teach one thing, they live another, the opposite of what they teach others. Jesus makes it clear that God will judge not on what is said but what is done. The appearance of being right while living an unrighteous life is not going to protect you from the wrath of God. He makes it clear those that that should be responsible teachers but allow themselves to be misled and therefor mislead others will be held accountable for not only themselves but those they mislead.

The song today reminds shows us the way to praise God even when in the depth of fear. A reminder that God likes to be the shelter we take refuge under when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us. When we put our trust in God, he will watch over us and not forsake us.

The reading today from 1 Samuel is an example of the Lord’s chosen and anointed being rejected by the power of those that want to rule over the people. David is with his men in the wilderness, and they protect those working for a man in the area. When David asks for provisions for his men that have been serving him he is rejected and insulted. When his anger burns hot, he plans to destroy the one that has insulted him and his men. One of those men go to Nabal’s wife, Abigail, and tell her what her husband has done to provoke the anger of a good leader.

Abigail responds by not only meeting the needs of David and his men in abundance but asks for mercy because of the foolishness of her husband. She challenges David not to sin, to wait for the vengeance of God on Nabal. David listens, forgives and thanks her for helping him not commit a sin against God.

When God does act and Nabal dies David will take Abigail as one of his wives. There is a lesson here about treatment of others, anger, vengeance, God’s timing and decision making.

Next, we find David once again in a place of power over Saul where he could take his life. While others encourage to kill Saul David refuses because Saul is God’s anointed. It is not anyone’s place to exact vengeance on the sinful but God alone. David challenges Saul to examine himself after showing clearly, he has spared Saul’s life once again. David returns Saul’s weapon to him and challenges him to value his life and others as David has valued his that day.

Today we are reminded that our ways are not God’s ways, our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. Seeking and waiting for the Lord while difficult is always the better way. It is not our job to judge another but to lead then in a way that teaches them the ways of the Lord. It is not our role to either judge or exact vengeance on God’s behalf. We are to value the lives of others as God values them and to trust God to take care of convicting of sin.