QT 1/16/2023 1 Sam 26:21-25, Obey the law of the harvest: do good

1 Samuel 26:21–25 (ESV) —

21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” 22 And David answered and said, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. 23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

 

NOTE: David says "The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness." This is called 'the spiritual law of the harvest' principle. And while the idea is embedded in the OT law, the principle is still true in the new covenant (although the fruits are not always seen in this life). The law is based on planting and harvesting. If you don't plant, you don't harvest. If you plant wheat, you harvest wheat. If you plant weeds, you harvest weeds. If you plant righteousness, you harvest righteousness. Today, people hide the biblical concept in words like karma. But it is a principle that God has established. Paul reiterates it to the Galatians.

 

Galatians 6:9–10 (ESV) — 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

You may not see the results of your good works in this life, but you will receive a reward in this life or the life to come.

 

Mark 10:29–30 (ESV) — 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

 

1 Timothy 6:18–19 (ESV) — 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

 

It is important to do good every day. You may not see any results, but we must take God at his word. Choose good, not expedient, nor questionable.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I consider the implications of my decisions from God's point of view?

 

PRAYER: Father, I must do good, that is part of my ministry and part of the reason I am here on earth. Give me grace to resist the enemy and to be rich in good works.