April 12, 2006 - I Samuel 19-21 and Luke 19:29-54
The way we look at things makes a lot of difference in our lives. It is a matter of having the right perspective on what is happening or on with whom we are dealing. The only correct perspective is God's perspective, because He is the only person who sees everything perfectly. Our lives should be focused on the Lord and on having His wisdom about what is going on. That is what we learn from this passage.
In chapter 19 Saul is set on killing David. Jonathan tries to talk him out of it, but he fails to change his mind totally. Saul sees David as a threat. He thinks that if he gets rid of David, everything will be alright. He is wrong. His problems come from his relationship with God, not from David. However, Saul was blaming it all on David, and he was running from God. That is how many people are today. They think some outward circumstance or some other person is the problem, when it is really their relationship with God. Saul was blind, because he had the wrong perspective.
In chapter 20 Jonathan shows his true friendship with David. Jonathan had the right perspective. He did not see David as a threat, because he saw that God's Spirit was on David, and it was God's will for David to be the next king, instead of him. Therefore, he acted wisely by helping David. He was not being selfish. He wanted to do God's will. Jonathan is a good example for all of us in his friendship and his unselfishness.
In chapter 21 David is running from Saul. He is God's chosen one to be the next king, but he has taken the wrong perspective. David was prone to getting depressed and to worrying. When he let that get a hold of him, he would trust in himself and his flesh, instead of trusting God. Here we see him lying to the priest and faking being crazy to try to save himself. This was not God's way. David thought he had to do it himself. This kind of behavior always has bad results eventually. We can't do things ourselves. We have to trust God's will and do it.
That is what Jesus says in Luke 11. We don't need signs we need to listen to Jesus. We need to see things correctly. The eye in verse 34 represents how we see things. If our eye has a healthy view of things then, there will be light, but if our eye is unhealthy in its view, there will be darkness. The Pharisees and Scribes are good examples. They thought they had it all figured out. From their perspective they were right. Jesus showed them that they were looking at everything wrongly. They had missed His wisdom, His perspective. They needed to back up and listen to Him. How about you? Have you found Jesus' perspective on your life, or are you trying to go by your own wisdom? Don't try it yourself. You will end up like Saul or like the Pharisees. Let the Lord give you His light for your way.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 22-24 and Luke 12:1-31.
In chapter 19 Saul is set on killing David. Jonathan tries to talk him out of it, but he fails to change his mind totally. Saul sees David as a threat. He thinks that if he gets rid of David, everything will be alright. He is wrong. His problems come from his relationship with God, not from David. However, Saul was blaming it all on David, and he was running from God. That is how many people are today. They think some outward circumstance or some other person is the problem, when it is really their relationship with God. Saul was blind, because he had the wrong perspective.
In chapter 20 Jonathan shows his true friendship with David. Jonathan had the right perspective. He did not see David as a threat, because he saw that God's Spirit was on David, and it was God's will for David to be the next king, instead of him. Therefore, he acted wisely by helping David. He was not being selfish. He wanted to do God's will. Jonathan is a good example for all of us in his friendship and his unselfishness.
In chapter 21 David is running from Saul. He is God's chosen one to be the next king, but he has taken the wrong perspective. David was prone to getting depressed and to worrying. When he let that get a hold of him, he would trust in himself and his flesh, instead of trusting God. Here we see him lying to the priest and faking being crazy to try to save himself. This was not God's way. David thought he had to do it himself. This kind of behavior always has bad results eventually. We can't do things ourselves. We have to trust God's will and do it.
That is what Jesus says in Luke 11. We don't need signs we need to listen to Jesus. We need to see things correctly. The eye in verse 34 represents how we see things. If our eye has a healthy view of things then, there will be light, but if our eye is unhealthy in its view, there will be darkness. The Pharisees and Scribes are good examples. They thought they had it all figured out. From their perspective they were right. Jesus showed them that they were looking at everything wrongly. They had missed His wisdom, His perspective. They needed to back up and listen to Him. How about you? Have you found Jesus' perspective on your life, or are you trying to go by your own wisdom? Don't try it yourself. You will end up like Saul or like the Pharisees. Let the Lord give you His light for your way.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 22-24 and Luke 12:1-31.