May 2, 2022 - 1 Samuel 29: 8-11 & 30: 3,8,17-19

“But what have I done?” asked David. “What have you found against your servant…? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” Achish answered, “…the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ Now … leave in the morning as soon as it is light.” So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines…When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken...Nothing was missing…David brought everything back.” 1 Samuel 29: 8-11 & 30: 3,8,17-19 NIV

Lord, as we read this passage, we can see ourselves in David as he got upset when he wasn’t allowed to go into battle with the Philistines. After all David was a famous warrior. They should have been excited to have him go to battle with them. Lord, forgive us for the times when we get upset when our plans don’t work out as we wanted. Especially when we can’t do something that we think we deserve or have a right to do. Because you changed David’s plans and led him to return home, he and his men were able to rescue their wives, children, and possessions. Lord, we thank you that even when we don’t understand or like it, you have reasons for shutting doors in our lives. Even if we can’t see the reasons as quickly as David did, help us learn to trust you in these things. Guide us and teach us to obey even if it feels like we are being punished unjustly. David wasn’t being punished, you were helping him and his loved ones. We praise you for your direction in our lives. Thank you for having our best interest in all that you do.

In Jesus name, amen.