QT 26 Nov 13, God forgives our mistakes and sin

1 Sam 29:6-11 (ESV) Then Achish called David and said to him, "As the Lord lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. 7 So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines." 8 And David said to Achish, "But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" 9 And Achish answered David and said, "I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.' 10 Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light." 11 So David set out with his men early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

NOTE: David has not been honest with Achish, nor has he been as blameless as an angel of God. True, he has done no harm to the Philistines, but he has not attacked the Jews as he boasted, but rather other enemies of God besides the Philistines. It is not exactly clear what David was planning to do at this point. And the lords of the Philistines were correct in questioning his motives. Would he really attack his own people? Or would he turn on the Philistines in the midst of the battle? The scriptures do not tell us what David was planning. The story that follows suggest that the men were not too pleased either with the decisions of David, once they return to their home in Ziklag.

1 Sam 30:1-6 (ESV) Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire 2 and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. 3 And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. 5 David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

NOTE: The city is burned to the ground and all of their families are captured. The men are overcome with grief and consider taking out their frustration against David. The Amalekites, the enemies of Israel, the nation whom Saul did not destroy as God commanded him, are the perpetrators. I wonder if the anger against David was because of this secret life of lies. I wonder if they too wondered what he was going to do in the battle against Israel. Whatever, ultimately David finds strength in the Lord.

Ps 103:2-5, 8-10 (ESV) Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

…

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9  He will not always chide,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

NOTE: Often in his life, David recognized his sin and confessed it. And he realized that God was incredibly merciful. Maybe, he saw that this time he was very wrong. And that it probably was his fault. His first response is to find rest in God alone. Then he sets out to right what was done.

We need to have the same attitude as David. We will make a lot of dumb and sinful decisions in our life. We need to admit our sin and ask God for his forgiveness, finding strength in his great love for us.

I don't know what the future holds today, but I am so thankful that I am loved by God. He forgets my sins. He heals me. He redeems my life from the pit. He is merciful to me. Thank you LORD.