Slicing Each Other Up

# 187 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 14:20, “Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man's sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion.” (1 Sam 14:20) Sensing the confusion in the Philistine camp Saul leads his men into battle. Don't forget, the Israelites had nothing but farm implements for weapons. The only swords were in the possession of Saul and Jonathan. 1Sa 13:22 So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son.” These two swords would be enough to defeat the Philistines. I am reminded of Jesus' words to His disciples in the upper room before they went to the Garden of Gethsemane, “ Lu 22:38 So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough." The statement by Jesus was designed to be ridiculous. Two swords against the crowd that was going to be coming out to arrest Him? No way that would be enough. His point being that God doesn't need our swords to gain the victory. He proved it when Jesus knocked the whole arresting party on their butts in Gethsemane by simply saying, “I am,” (Jn 18:6) And God proved it here as he turned the swords of the Philistines against themselves. It was like, “look, you guys don't have swords, so I'll just use theirs to get the victory.” Two is enough. Now, there is something else I think we need to see in this scenario. I want you to stand on the hillside with the rest of the Israelites and see what they saw. What a ridiculous sight! The enemy takes out the swords they were suppose to use against the Israelites and turn them on themselves cutting each other to pieces. Imagine how ridiculous we Christians look when we do the same thing. How often do we turn our swords on each other through pride and unforgiveness, slicing each other up with cutting words and thoughtless deeds. This should not be so, Col 3:13 says, “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.