“Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul. 13 Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle. 14 David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle. 1 Samuel 18:12-16 (NLT)”
Beloved, a blessed new week to us all!
Perhaps no single section of scripture captures the transition from Saul to David as well as today’s text.
We see fear, love, and favour on display, but the factor that unites them all is the presence – or lack thereof – of God.
Beloved, there is no greater assurance than the awareness that God is with you. When the angel went to settle the heart of Joseph concerning his pregnant fiancé, he reminded Joseph of that ancient prophesy: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us” Matthew 1:23.
It is this Immanuel – God with us – that sets us apart. It is the ultimate gift of grace, for when you walk in this assurance, you abound in EVERYTHING, no matter the outcome in the short term.
This is the grace that found David, Joseph, Daniel, Elijah, etc. etc.
It is available to you, too, through Jesus Christ, the risen Savior.
May the grace of the assurance of God being with you make you abound in all your ways.
AMEN!
PS. Kofi Owusu-Boakye (PENSA International Coordinator)
