Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

Good morning,      As a teacher and a minister of the Word of God, you learn early that you are not going to please everyone when you open your mouth to speak Truth.  There will be those who you can minister to with ease and those who reject you.  This should not bother you, for there are people that prefer Wendy's hamburgers to Burger King.  But we as Christians must remember that we are told to, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." (Ps. 105:15) David knew something that the modern day saints have forgotten or never learned, and it is that, "God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." (Ps.75:7) Even when Saul was losing his mind, and was hunting David down to kill him, and was no longer behaving as God's anointed, David's attitude remained the same.  He said of Saul when others were trying to instigate him, “No!” David said.  “Don’t kill him.  For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORD’s anointed one?  Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.  The LORD forbid that I should kill the one He has anointed!  But take his spear and that jug of water beside his head, and then let’s get out of here!” (1 Sam. 26:9-11)  Proper Kingdom protocol!  God is the One in charge,and He knows exactly how to deal with His leaders.  Our part is to pray, intercede, and God will then see our right standing as He did with Saul and David.  Hear the heart of David;"The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand." (1 Sam. 24:15) I write this because quite often when we are wronged by our brother, we try to get God and others to agree with us.  Obviously God already had dealt with Saul, after he blatantly disobeyed God when he offered sacrifices and did not have a repentant heart.  God had taken the kingdom from him then, it took time for it to come to pass. (1 Sam.15:28-29) God is always for right, it doesn't matter what it looks like.  We think that God has not dealt with vindication, or righting a wrong that has happened to us, God is faithful to His Word.  His desire is for us to be more like Him and even David, the man after His own heart. (1 Sam. 13:14)      Remember what we are told to do when we feel like someone has hurt us or wronged us.  "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?  Do not even the publicans the same?" (Mtt. 5:43-46)  We are often struggling to love those who love us, yet alone loving those who hate us.  "Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.  It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.  Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].  It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.  Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].  Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].  As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]." (1 Corin. 13:4-8) Yes, we are here again loving and praying, behaving like God's children.  Children after God's own heart!

Love,

Pastor D.

Comments

[Alma Johnson]

This lesson really hit home. Recently in our church, our music dept. was literally torn up by one person. I can take adversity easily when it comes from one of the members, but when it comes from a leader it's hard to take. This is not the first time! I am so tired of "church hurt," and seeing the weaker members getting hurt! Even though I was not addressed personally, I had to stretch out on God to get over this. I love God with all my heart, and His people! I pray this lesson will be healing to someone who is dealing with a similar problem, or for that person who has a Saul mentality. Bless you for giving us truth!!!! (This is a new e-mail address for me. I was subscribed under another that I somehow changed accidentally.