Don't Spend God-granted Peace and Tranquility On Yourself

# 197 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 14:46-48, “Then Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. 47 So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them. 48 And he gathered an army and attacked the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.” ( 1 Sam 14:46-48) The Philistines went to their own place. I am reminded of Jesus' victory over the devil in the wilderness as He withstood the devil's temptations. Lu 4:13 says, “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” The Philistines would live to fight another day. In the meantime, Saul established his sovereignty, his reign, by unifying the people in the quest to secure their borders. He harassed the enemies on every side, much like the enemies harassed Israel. This harassment by Saul's armies allowed the people to enjoy safety and peace. It kept the enemy from getting any ideas about attacking Israel. This is one of the benefits of good government, and something that Christians are encouraged to pray for. 1Ti 2:1-4 says, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” This quiet peaceful life is a life without inner fears or outward harassment. An absence of fear and turmoil allows for the Christian witness to shine forth in reverent and godly behavior, which is perhaps our greatest witnessing tool. Just a caution here, as God answers this prayer, let us not spend our peace and tranquility on our own selfish desires, but rather spend it on God's desire, which is for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth. People are saved by hearing the Word of God and observing the godly, reverent, impact it has on us.