Word for the day “When things seem to be going wrong”
I Samuel 16:12 (NASB) So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
The Lord is with you people of God.
David is an example of a man who had a heart for God, a type of one who did right (while let’s not forget he did sin on several occasions, but his sin did not disqualify him with God). From the moment Samuel poured oil over him, anointing him king over Israel, “the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13). It is noted in the Bible, “Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him. David behaved himself wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David” (1 Samuel 18:12, 14, 28).Think back to when this same godly man stood fearlessly before the giant Goliath (I Samuel 17). Think of the crowds cheering, “David has slain his ten thousands.” Now he shrinks in fear and his best friend has been alienated from him. Notice David is so gripped by panic that he pretends to be mad in order to save himself. He ends up hiding out in the cave Adullam with four hundred discontented, distressed, indebted men had been gathered to him (I Samuel 22:2). David said, “I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 27:1).
Although you may face challenging times, the Lord won’t forsake you.
David was now torn by many fears. He must have thought back to the day of his anointing as a big mistake, thinking, “Lord, you can’t be with me; I can’t be Your anointed one. Everything is going wrong. It’s no use, Evidently, you are mad at me.” Have you ever said or thought anything like that connected to God?But God had not forsaken David—not for a moment. For we know “the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13). So, it is with you and me, when we have our lives in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). The day God’s Spirit brought us to Jesus and anointed us, the Lord came to stay, to abide. In your trial, in your discomfort, the Lord is your comforter. Things may seem to be going wrong, but for you who trust, God has everything under control.We see in this message all those who were discontented, distress, and in debt submitted to David and he became their commander (I Samuel 22:1-2 ESV). And as they submitted to David whom the Lord had chosen, we can see that many are the afflictions of God’s people but the Lord delivers us out of them all (Psalm 34:17-19).
Point to ponder
May you see the truth embedded in today’s message for your life! And whatever happens today in your life, remember God is with you.
Special thanks!
Pastor James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of November 2020, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Cynthia Waiters-Artis, Ms. Annette Straker, Ms. Rita McGuffin, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Darlene Simmons, Ms. Mable Bazemore, Ms. Evelyn Rosado, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Theresa Lewis, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Judith Battle, Ms. Angela Battle, Ms. Evonne Bazemore, Ms. Rita McGuffin, Mr. William Jones, Mr. Stan Harewood, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mr. Brandon McIntyre, Mrs. Angela Baker Harrison, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.Thank you for using the word cup devotionals brought to you through Grace and Truth Leadership. Why don’t you take the opportunity to write to us on our blog and let us know how we are doing in serving you.We are a faith-based, donor-supported ministry. If you have been touched by these daily devotionals and would like to make a monthly pledge or a special gift of any amount, please use the donate link above to give as the Lord leads.Follow me on Twitter @James Baker_jr as I endeavor to encourage and empower leaders of today and tomorrow!Kingdom Blessings,