The Guard

 DEVOTION

1^ST SAMUEL

THE GUARD

1 Samuel 26:13-25

13 Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them. 14 He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, "Aren't you going to answer me, Abner?" Abner replied, "Who are you who calls to the king?" 15 David said, "You're a man, aren't you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn't you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. 16 What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed. Look around you. Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?" 17 Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, David my son?" David replied, "Yes it is, my lord the king." 18 And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? 19 Now let my lord the king listen to his servant's words. If the LORD has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, men have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have now driven me from my share in the LORD's inheritance and have said, 'Go, serve other gods.' 20 Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea — as one hunts a partridge in the mountains." 21 Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly." 22 "Here is the king's spear," David answered. "Let one of your young men come over and get it. 23 The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. 24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble." 25 Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph." So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

NIV

This concludes the drama between David and Saul, marked by some form of agreement. However, this truth is still rooted in the humility of David, to the point where he called himself a flea, seeing himself as the smallest of men, especially compared to Saul, who still acts as if he is the rightful king of Israel. David had already been anointed by Samuel as the king of all Israel, and the LORD was upon him or with him, while he removed himself from Saul. However, David called out Abner as a failure in his duty to guard Saul. This could be our story as we have the responsibility to guard our own hearts, as well as the hearts of those around us. This could apply to our close family, but it also should apply to our church family. How do we guard another’s heart when they control their own thoughts and feelings? We are told to build each other up, to encourage each other, to bless each other. The word tells us in many letters to encourage each other, over and over again those words are used. The best method of encouragement is the very word of God. Speak the word to each other, rather than the weather, sports, politics, or some other worldly expression of entertainment that has nothing whatsoever to do with the Lord, although that is not to say we cannot talk about those areas or that it is bad. But how much more, or better, it would be if the Lord were our center of conversation. Let us speak about Jesus, about the word that gives us strength and builds our hope and our faith in the eternal things of God. At the same time, this means that our love for each other drives our passion toward encouraging each other, and that also means we never judge, looking for that speck in someone, while we have that log in our own lives. It seems some may have forgotten and decide to live by the law, or the rules they have set, thinking it defines righteous living, but that also drives judgmentalism rather than encouragement. That was the heart of the Pharisees that Jesus spoke about, being whitewashed tombs, but dead bones on the inside. We cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the law, except the law of love. So we first must guard our own hearts, and then we can guard others, encouraging them, strengthening and guarding their faith and hope in the word of God.