The Chips Are In His Hand

557 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 15:13-16, “Now a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom." 14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee; or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword." 15 And the king's servants said to the king, "We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands." 16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. (2 Sam 15:13-16,) This just seems so out of character for David. What happened to the little boy who ran at Goliath and took him down? Now, he hears a rumor about Absalom's revolt and the first thing he says is “let's get out of here!” Then we are told that he leaves ten women behind to “keep the house?” Well, David, why don't we just pack up everything and head to “mamby pamby land!” What's going on here? Well, there's no need to over-analyze the situation. This is just how it happened. This was how David responded, and his response would set up the fulfillment of the judgment spoken against him by Nathan after the incident with Bathsheba. Remember what the Lord said back in 2Sa 12:11 "Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.” Do you think that David's actions were governed by his free will? Do you think that he was thinking, “I need to flee Jerusalem and leave some wives behind so God's judgment against me will come to pass? I've got news for you...God doesn't need our help in deciding when He will carry out judgment. And this incident should serve as a reminder to us that God's will advances when and where He pleases. He can step in whenever He feels like it. Pr 21:1 says, “ The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” If He can do it to the king's heart, He can do it to mine and yours.” Therefore, let us seek to follow Him, trusting that the chips are in His hand and He will cause them to fall where He may.

When the Government Gets A Little Uppity

# 272 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 19:22-24, “Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is at Sechu. So he asked, and said, "Where are Samuel and David?" And someone said, "Indeed they are at Naioth in Ramah." 23 So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (1 Sam 19:22-24) All of Saul's messengers had been put under the influence of the Holy Spirit and were not able to apprehend David, so Saul takes it upon himself to do the job. However on the way to Naioth the Spirit of God completely takes over Saul. Suddenly the man who was going to kill David is caught up in an ecstatic bubbling over of the wonderful works of God. Not only that but he is obliged by the Spirit to remove his clothes. Now, before you start a new religion of dancing around naked before the Lord, understand that this likely meant that Saul only removed those outer garments that would identify him as king. Here, the King of kings was asserting Himself over Saul and letting him know who was the real King. David was going to be the next king and the King of kings was going to protect him until it was time for him to assume the office. God is Sovereign, and is able to do as He pleases. Even the most hard-hearted can be putty in His hands to serve His purposes. I am reminded of a certain King named Nebuchadnezzar who God drove from men and caused to eat grass: Da 4:33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws. Yes, The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. (Prov 21:1) Take heart from this truth and don't get so bent out of shape when the government gets a little uppity. God sees, He knows, petition Him and let Him take care of it.