Take Care Of It Before You Come To Table

# 281 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 20:24-26 Then David hid in the field. And when the New Moon had come, the king sat down to eat the feast. 25 Now the king sat on his seat, as at other times, on a seat by the wall. And Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty. 26 Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, "Something has happened to him; he is unclean, surely he is unclean." (1 Sam 20:24-26) Saul isn't overly concerned about David's absence on the first day of the feast. Knowing David and His love for the Lord, it is likely David had experienced some sort of accidental ceremonial uncleanness and out of obedience to the Lord, he would have to take care of it before he feasted,: Le 7:20 says, “'But the person who eats the flesh of the sacrifice of the peace offering that belongs to the LORD, while he is unclean, that person shall be cut off from his people.” It's ironic that while Saul is thinking that David is ceremonially unclean, he is unceremoniously unclean in his own heart which is murderously envious of David. The fact is, Saul should not be present at this feast until he has taken care of the sin of envy in his own heart. Jesus said in Mt 5:23 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. We observe one feast in the New Testament church. The Lord's Supper, and if there is uncleanness in our hearts we ought to take care of it before we sit at table. 1Co 5:8 says, “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Do you have ought against a brother or sister? Take care of it before you come to table. Father, guard my heart from any malice or wickedness toward others. And if it shows up, give me the fortitude and humility to meet my brother at the cross.