August 7, 2008 - Thursday of the 11th Week after Trinity
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 20:24-42
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 20:24–42; 1 Corinthians 1:1–25
As long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. (1 Samuel 20:31)
It is interesting to see in this account the effect of sinful mankind’s rebellious attitude and, at the same time, the provision of God for His people.
King Saul is so jealous of David that he plots to take David’s life. Fearful for his throne he warns his son, Jonathan, that David will be a challenge to his own kingdom unless something is done. Jonathan’s defense of his friend turns his father’s anger against him. However, by his father’s reaction, Jonathan knows that what David had said about Saul’s plan to kill him is true (20:7). Jonathan will warn David so that the life of his friend may be spared (20:35). He does so not in rebellion against his father, but in faithfulness to the covenant agreement that he made with David and swore to the Lord (20:13-16).
This is not a just a history lesson for Israel’s. To read this account is to discover how the hand of God is at work, even through sinful men, to accomplish His purpose. His care for David, that David’s enemies may “be confounded” and David delivered (Psalm 70), is carried out in order that the Seed of David, the Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5), may come forth.
With the birth of Jesus, from the line of David, the Seed of promise comes into the world. Sinful Herod is determined to take His life, but the Child is spared by God’s invention. Years later, it would appear that rebellious men have their way. Jesus is put to death on the Cross. Yet, this too, takes place “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God”(Acts 2:23).
Do you know that God’s definite plan and foreknowledge includes you! Though we are by nature rebellious, God accomplishes His purposes, confounding our enemies, sin, death, and the devil. Called by the Gospel, your life is spared from your enemies, and you share in all that Christ accomplishes through His suffering, death, and resurrection—forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.
If thou but trust in God to guide thee and hope in Him through all thy ways, He’ll give thee strength, what-e’er betide thee, and bear thee through the evil days. Who trusts in God’s unchanging love, builds on the rock that none can move. (LSB 750 v. 1)
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