May I please be seated?

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam. 19-21, Luke 11:29-54

Today’s Reflection: 1 Sam. 20:18b …and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

Oh, the bitter-sweet moments of ministry! David had served the king many times in the palace, and even sat at the king’s table on many occasions. In fact, he had a seat at the king’s table designated just for him. He had his place in the palace. He had great moments whereby his ministry of music soothed the king’s heart and brought peace to him when nothing else would. 

In fact, his ministry was so powerful, that evil spirits would leave king Saul whenever David played his instruments. So to say that David had a very significant and appreciated role in the palace would hardly do it justice. 

Nonetheless, king Saul became more and more hostile towards David as jealousy and fear began to kick in; jealousy because David had something Saul knew he didn’t have, which was the blessings and favor of God, and fear because he knew his days were numbered, and that David was a threat to his throne. 

Saul did not want David to take the place of his own son Jonathan. So, instead of celebrating the fact that David was being blessed and promoted by The Lord, king Saul instead took the other route. Yes, he took the route of pitting himself against David, and it only drove him all the more insane while doing so. 

Meanwhile, this meant that David could no longer show up for supper at the king’s table without fear of a javelin being thrown at him…literally! So, there was his designated seat, at the palace, empty. It was heart breaking for both David and Jonathan, because they were what we’d call best friends. Jonathan did not feel the same way about David as his father, king Saul did. In fact, Jonathan took up for David, and helped him escape the wrath of Saul. 

That brings us back to our text, where Jonathan said to David, “…and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.” So just to reiterate, David belongs in the palace, and even has a place with his name on it there, but he can’t even take his position for fear of his life. And although Jonathan will miss him because he genuinely loves him, king Saul will miss him only because he can’t get another opportunity to take him out. 

It’s funny HOW people miss you! Some miss you for far different reasons than others. And so goes ministry. You will go through many seasons where you will feel out of place. Your seat will be empty, because of the threats imposed upon you by others who resent you and want you harmed. Regardless, you must remain loyal to the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, who will ALWAYS have a seat for you at HIS table!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Floodgates of Heaven, Volume 2, Entry 102 of 365

-------------------------------------------------------------
copyright © by Gary D. Caudill

GET VOL. 1
NOW...

---

Hated by Men, but Honored by God...

Today’s Reading: Judges 9-10, Luke 5:17-39

Today’s Reflection: Judges 9:56 Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren.

Imagine that! One of Gideon’s very own sons rises up and kills all of his brothers but one. First, it’s hard to fathom anyone having that much greed and hatred for their own blood kin, that for 40 pieces of silver and a political position they would do this. 

Second, he not only commits these crimes against men, but God. So many laws of God and principles of God are broken here, but there is one I believe all other violations stem from. Namely, that of dishonoring the man of God AND his children. 

Now remember, God raised up Gideon to deliver Israel out of the hands of their enemies. Also remember that God is a defender of His servants and their families. Know that! In fact, let me pause by saying that if you are a preacher’s son or daughter, suffering at the hand of others who despise your parents for their service to God, just know that God has your back too. 

You may be targeted by the enemy by default because of association, but you are also defended by God by default as well! That said, let us now consider Proverbs 17:13, which says, “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” 

You see, Abimelech was a cheap, counterfeit opportunist who sought to get gain at any price that others had to pay to get him there. In fact, he was SO blinded by his own foolishness and deception of heart, that he forgot one thing; you will ALWAYS reap what you sow (see Galatians 6:7)! 

If you build your house on sinking sand, it will crumble. If you live a dishonorable life, you will also die a dishonorable death. BUT, if you live an HONOURABLE life, though men may not honour your life, nor honor you in your death, God does not forget (see Heb. 6:10)! 

Though a prophet is not without the honour of men, except in his own house and country (see Matt. 13:57), remember this; he is NOT without the honour of GOD HIMSELF! Even though men dishonored Gideon (even his own son), GOD honored him by defending his name and his reputation. 

And this was even after Gideon had messed up. Although Gideon had set up a golden ephod that the Bible says became a snare to him because people began to worship the thing, Gideon was honored by God not for the things he did wrong, but the things he did right. 

I’m speaking now to some servant of God who has been gravely dishonored by men, and you may even feel you deserve the dishonor, but hear me now; God DEFENDS your honor!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Floodgates of Heaven, Volume 2, Entry 89 of 365

-------------------------------------------------------------
copyright © by Gary D. Caudill

Give 365 Days of Inspiration for only $2.99
LEARN MORE BY CLICKING GIFT BOX BELOW...

---

---

What is your price for Jesus? Read more...

Day 42 (Category: Betrayal)

Today’s Reading: Lev. 11-12, Matt. 26:1-25

LISTEN HERE or read below!

Today’s Reflection: Matt.26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

What is your price for Jesus? Here, Judas sold Jesus to the lowest bidder! He didn’t even name his price; he simply asked, “What will ye give me?” Perhaps he had a minimum in his mind, but was feeling them out to see what they would pay, but regardless, here’s the point; Judas sold Jesus out for temporary monetary gain. This makes me think of all those today that are still doing the same thing. From the pulpit to the pew to the general population, people still have their price they’ll take for Jesus. I trust that you are not one of them, but the sad reality is, they are all around us. I mentioned the pulpit, because there are those in positions of authority in our so-called churches today who are willing to compromise every truth Jesus stood for, simply to please the people and pad the purse. When this happens, Christ is no less betrayed than if He were back in the garden with Judas. I mentioned the pew, because of many today that would rather have a motivational speaker than a gospel preacher. Don’t get me wrong; both have their place, but the Bible prophesied of the day in which we live where men heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. They turn their ears away from the truth, and are turned rather unto fables. In essence, they betray Christ by their lack of interest in His person and message of the cross. I also mentioned the general population, because Christ said Himself that men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. These, too, betray Christ by rejecting the light of His glorious gospel. And though all these are true, perhaps the more subtle way in which we betray Him is when we neglect to keep His commandments. Did He not say, “If ye love me, keep my commandments!”? I understand that we all make mistakes; that’s not what I’m dealing with. I’m dealing with the times in which we deliberately ignore the teachings of Christ for the conveniences that are afforded us for doing so. May it be our prayer today that we search our souls, and make sure that we are not betraying our Lord in our thoughts, words, or actions. My Jesus is not for sale! How about you?

Blessed? Email Us! testify@floodgatesofheaven.org

Print and Share!

copyright © by Gary D. Caudill

✰✰✰ PURCHASE OUR KINDLE BOOK HERE TO SUPPORT ORPHANS AROUND THE WORLD! ✰✰✰