Day 2

BELIEVING ONE THING, DOING ANOTHER

"For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that I do." Romans 7:15

After God's intervention to save David when he was with Samuel and Jonathan's discovery that Saul was determined to kill him, David fled almost by instinct to the other source of strength and communication with God, Ahimelech and the priests. In his hour of need he sought reassurance from the Lord (1 Sam. 22:9,10). We can imagine him setting out, fearful and confused but with high ideals, confident of God's leading.

The astonished question of Ahimelech (1 Sam. 21:1), knowing David's reputation, was misinterpreted by David as a sign of mistrust and thinking quickly David invents a story to avoid suspicion (v2). Integrity is forgotten as he offers a tissue of lies to obtain respite for himself and food for his men. Poor David! How appropriate Paul's words in Romans 7:14-20 are to his experience. In his heart he served God but when danger hit him David began to live by his wits, lying and deceiving to save himself. He enquired of the Lord and then fled for his life to, of all people, Achish the Philistine,an enemy of Israel. Then he feigned madness to extricate himself from that situation!

Had David lost his vision of God's promise or was he perhaps reasoning 'God helps them who help themselves'. (Look up Jesus' comment on the matter of the shewbread, Mark 2:23-27, when he faced criticism from the Pharisees.)

Why did God let David find himself in this situation? Read the comments in Patriachs and Prophets pp656-657 on this episode.

How would you have reacted? Was David so different from us?

My Lord, it is so easy to lose sight of you when danger and disillusionment threaten. Help me to remember that I am never alone.