February 5, 2025
Passage Read: 1 Samuel 21-24
Meditation Verses: 22:22-23
Thought
There are two amazing statements in David's response to Abiathar: one is that he takes responsibility for the death of Abiathar's father's whole family but he's not crippled by the weight of that. He is the cause, but he went with no malice; he was just trying to survive. Saul killed Abiathar's family, Doeg the Edomite killed them and their city! That tragedy, David claims responsibility for it, but he's able to understand that God allowed it, someone else actually did it, so he's not bearing guilt or overcome by it. Two is that he tells Abiathar that he's safe with him, though Saul is seeking David's life too! That's so counter-intuitive! Unless you have confidence that God doesn't charge you with guilt over the death of the priests and their families. Unless you have confidence in the Lord that He will preserve you no matter what Saul does. Then the safest place is actually beside David, because no one can overcome God.
Application
There are times when bad things happen to other people because of me, but while I may be the cause or the excuse for others to treat them wickedly, I'm not the one to do the evil to them, so I don't have to bear any debilitating guilt. Evil men are responsible for their actions; they bear the guilt, even when I know that they will harm anyone who helps me. I can stay clear of people for their protection. I can grieve when those who helped me, knowingly or ignorantly, suffer at the hands of those who hate me, but I don't have to be overcome by guilt. God will condemn the one who actually harmed those people who helped me. And if I trust in and obey Christ, I can have confidence that the Lord is watching over me, even if others suffer because of me. He has promised me eternal life, but not here. My life here is at risk, but until He wants to bring me to Himself, I am safe and will be delivered from any threat, though I may need to flee from time to time. Not everyone will be friendly, even if I help them. But I can have complete confidence in the Lord's will for my life, whether allowing me to remain and serve Him or calling me to His side.