April 16th~Who Are You Chasing?

1 Samuel 22:12 

Psalm 57


Psalm 142


1 Chronicles 12:8-18

1 Samuel 22:3-23

Psalm 52

1 Samuel 23:1-12

David is still on the run, avoiding King Saul, who has turned on the son of Jesse and sought to kill him. However, the Lord has protected David in desert caves and forest strongholds. He has even sent to him armed men, experienced warriors, who have defected to David’s side.

No doubt the most shocking scene in today’s passage was that of the slaying of the 85 priests along with the inhabitants of Nob. Saul’s actions proved that he had lost his mind by this point; even his own guards would not carry out the King’s order. Saul had to ask an Edomite named Doeg to do it. Who is to blame for this terrible crime? In one sense, the death of the priests was a result of David’s deception (21:1-15). In another sense, this tragedy was the judgment of God for the sins of Eli and his sons (2:31-36; 3:11-14). However, Saul bears the brunt of guilt in this massacre, because he ordered it.

When I read about these two men — Saul and David — I can’t help but consider and contrast what it was that consumed their thoughts, their words, and their activities. Each man had a driving passion, and each man’s passion motivated a pursuit. Saul’s passion was to get even with David, as he thought David had wronged him somehow. He was consumed with jealousy towards him and wanted to prove his superiority, to get ahead by eliminating him once and for all. Thus, Saul’s passion drove him to pursue David at all costs, with every fiber of his being, with every resource in his power, and with every minute of his day. His pursuit of David was all-consuming, and he would not rest until it was accomplished.

David’s passion, on the other hand, was to be pleasing in God’s sight, to do right by Him. Even when in hiding, we see David’s heart expressed in his words. “O my Strength,” he wrote, “to You I sing praises, for You, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love” (Psalm 59:17). “I will praise the Lord at all times; I will constantly speak His praises” (34:1). “I pray to You, O Lord, for you are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life” (142:5). David’s passion was a relationship with God; thus, he pursued the Lord with all of his heart.

Daily Reflection

What is your passion in life? What are you pursuing with your time, energy, and resources? Do you see yourself in Saul or David?

Saul wanted to be like someone else. He was not content with what God had given him. He was not happy with his purpose in life. Instead, he always compared himself to someone else and sought the approval of others.

Whose approval are you chasing? In whom do you find your contentment?

Don’t waste your life pursuing the image or approval of others; instead, make the Lord your passion and pursuit.

BiAY.org |Day 106 — 259 Days to Go