- 1 Samuel 29 Daily DEVO The commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day.” 1 Samuel 29:3 – Reproach is an expression of disapproval or disappointment. Like maybe the look you got many times from your parents growing up after you did something you shouldn’t have. What we are seeing though in this passage is that Achish, a philistine enemy, could not find any reason to look on David with reproach. David’s life with him was so above reproach that even his enemy couldn’t find any fault in him. What a challenge for us is this for us to take. That we strive to live the sort of like that not only those close to us but even those against us can’t find any reason to hold guilt over our heads. That we mirror the life of Jesus in our life so well that those who are against us have to make up a reason to be mad at us because we aren’t giving them any real reason to. Begin with one relationship and allow your life with them to be above reproach. Where you aren’t giving them a reason to be mad or resentful at you because you have acted so selflessly and loving towards them, like Jesus would. If this would be a big change for you, then know this has to happen. Not only for you to begin living more like you’re called to, but for the witness you’ll have on those around you seeing you make this change. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac -Daily DEVO 429
- 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?” 1 Samuel 29:8 – The philistines were going to battle Israel, God’s chosen people, the people of David. Is David here actually disappointed he can’t go fight against his people? Is David trying to keep up the lie he has been making this whole time while staying with the enemy? Either way, it doesn’t seem like David’s heart is in a good place. Nevertheless, God was watching out for him. If David actually wanted to hurt his own people then God stopped that from being able to happen. If David was stuck in his lie, God provided a away for him to not have to lie anymore. God provided, even when David wasn’t following well. God will still provide and offer paths back to Him for those that are His own. When we get off course, God remains faithful in our story. He stays connected to us and remains a constant in our story we can fall back into and return to. So today if the path your on isn’t one God led you down, know He hasn’t left you and He is still there to guide you back onto the path He has for you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1654
- So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines. 1 Samuel 29:7 – David is in a dark place in this chapter of his life. He is not only existing with the enemy Philistines, he is beginning to think and behave like them. He was ready to fight alongside them against God’s people. We see that one of the Philistine kings spoke favorably of David saying that he had found no fault at all in David that would convince him that David wouldn’t kill God’s people. We see in our verse above that David was being asked to not displease the lords, and David listened. What a massive change in David’s heart! Could you imagine David’s response if someone back when he fought Goliath stopped him and said, “Oh David, you better not do that, you might displease the Philistines.” His goal was to displease the Philistines! And how sad that David’s life amongst the Philistines gave them no indication that he would be faithful to the Lord in this battle and fight against the Lord’s enemies instead. This chapter spurs us to look at our life. Would the non-Christians around us say we are one of them by how they see us live amongst them? Are we so concerned with displeasing non-Christians that we set aside our faithful walk after God? Let us read this chapter and rekindle our passion for living faithfully after Jesus. Let those who aren’t yet believers see you are clearly a believer by how you exist with them. Be displeasing to the enemy and even be displeasing to those actively in sin who are turned away from God. When we look so much like the world that the world can’t distinguish us from the world, that’s a major problem for a Christian. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2906
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