When You're Safer Among Enemies than Friends...

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam. 27-29, Luke 13:1-22

Today’s Reflection: 1 Sam. 27:1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

The hostility that Saul had towards David was so thick, that David sought refuge among his enemies, because he felt safer there. Now, remember that these two men at one point served the kingdom together, as friends. Isn’t it amazing how things can change? 

David, still maintaining his integrity, and having had two opportunities to kill Saul once and for all, declined the opportunity because he knew that God had not stripped Saul’s kingdom from him yet, and thereby was still God’s anointed. 

David’s cry, then, was not to touch God’s anointed. And the truth of the matter was, God honored David’s integrity and gave him protection everywhere he went until he was promoted as the next king. Meanwhile, I can’t help but wonder what the kingdom would have been like had Saul actually obeyed the voice of The Lord, and chose to bless David rather than turning against him. 

Isn’t it ashamed that David had to flee what was once his home and his place of friendships and companionships; he had to flee what once was a safe place, in order to get away from its impending danger? Isn’t it amazing that he had to seek refuge among the enemies, of all people, just to keep a safe distance from his so-called “friends”? 

Dear Church, if we’re not careful, we can become so condescending in self-righteousness that we run people away from the fellowship to seek refuge among the wolves, because they feel safer among the lost than they do the so-called “Christians”. 

I am grateful that many churches are not like this. I am grateful that a good many claim only Christ’s righteousness, and therefore love all who come their way with the love that Christ has to offer. But may I say this; the old sin nature in us sometimes still wants to feel as if we are better than others, and when we feed those false narratives, we begin to become hostile towards others by default because we only see THEIR “sin” and not our own. 

At this point, we’re so cynical and damaging with our tongues, attitudes, and even body language, that we send a loud, clear message to others that their chances of acceptance and love are better among the lost. May God help us to keep the old man and the flesh crucified, that only the new man may live and be under the influence of The Holy Spirit, blessing others with God’s Grace!

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Floodgates of Heaven
Volume 2
Entry 105 of 365

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copyright © by Gary D. Caudill

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How a Christian should respond to a cry for HELP...

Today’s Reading: Josh. 10-12, Luke 1:39-56

Today’s Reflection: Josh. 10:6b …come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us…

Can you hear the cries of your brethren pleading for YOUR help? Or, are you, like too many, covered with so much noise in your life that you can no longer hear their cries? Thank God Joshua responded, and God wrought a great victory for his people; however, my thoughts today are towards so many in God’s service crying for help, and getting none. 

The Bible teaches us that in the last days, because of the abundance of iniquity, the love of many shall wax cold (see Matt. 24:12). Can I be totally honest? Having been a Christian now since 1990 (you do the math), I have been highly disappointed with the amount of coldness and apathy within the body of Christ towards one another. 

I understand that it is not like that everywhere and I thank God for that, but to be honest, it goes on more than we are willing to admit, I do believe. As a Pastor, as well as a friend to Pastors, I hear the stories all too often of the division and the strife that have no place within the ranks of the believers. 

Christ taught us in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” So, do we? This is a question each of us (including myself) has to look in the mirror and answer honestly to ourselves, and to God Almighty. 

Love is more than lip service. Love is illustrated by unconditional commitment to the success and wellbeing of others, at the cost of your own comforts if need be. Just look at the example Christ gave to us. Even while on the cross, when the thief asked Christ to simply remember him in Paradise, Jesus responded with help. 

Think of it. Dying in extreme pain and agony, Christ thought not of his own comfort, but the comfort of others, and extended grace and mercy to one who didn’t even ask forgiveness. He just wanted to be remembered. 

As for us, we often have a reputation to keep, don’t we! We surely wouldn’t want to be seen with people of ill repute, HELPING them, of all things! We need our brethren to be impressed with our separation and holiness. 

Friend, if we get this attitude, then we have adopted the letter of the law, and have forsaken the spirit of grace. We MUST ALWAYS extend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in Christ, REGARDLESS of whether or not we feel they are “worthy”, and REGARDLESS of whether or not other “brethren” will approve of our “association” with them. 

Can’t you hear their desperate cries, needing SOMEONE to come to their side? If so, I think you know what to do next!

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Floodgates of Heaven, Volume 2, Entry 81 of 365

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copyright © by Gary D. Caudill