Dereliction of Duty

# 364 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 26:13-16, “Now David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great distance being between them. 14 And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Do you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered and said, "Who are you, calling out to the king?" 15 So David said to Abner, "Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king. 16 "This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head." (1 Sam 26:13-16) Safely out of Saul's camp, David levies the charge of dereliction of duty against Abner. Any veteran will tell you that this is a very serious offense. During times of war one could be sentenced to death if found guilty of dereliction of duty. Wikipedia defines it in part as a person who has incapacitated himself in such a way that he cannot perform his duties. Such incapacitation includes the person falling asleep while on duty. So how are you doing with our Lord's command to watch (stay awake) and pray? If the Lord returned today, could you be found guilty of “dereliction of duty? Do you not know Christian, that we are engaged in war? Do you not know that eternal life and death hang in the balance? Listen to the words of Jesus in Lu 21:34-36, "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." To be counted worthy is not about “doing,” it's about “being” found in Christ through faith! Guard your faith! Don't let it play second fiddle to partying and the cares of this life! When all is said and done, only those who have placed their faith in Jesus will be found doing their duty. Father, the world is ever luring me to sleep, drawing me away from my faith, keep me alert and on duty by the power of Your Holy Spirit!