Day 36- Real and Tangible
After being blown away yesterday by Jesus and Psalm
22, it’s all just still bouncing around in my
head. As I got back into 1 Samuel today reading in
chapter 23 about Saul chasing around David some more,
the correlation between David and Jesus just became
so much more evident.
So David has been fleeing all over Israel
because King Saul is trying to kill him, worried David
may take his throne. It gets to the point where David
is hiding out in a cave, and after reading the corresponding
Psalms, he was feeling pretty desperate but still
praising God. So David is down and out hiding in this
cave, fearing for his life and the people of Keilah
have the nerve to ask him to save them from the Philistines
who are fighting and robbing them.
I’m sorry, but if I was desperate
and fearing for my own life, I’m not sure that
someone asking me to save them would be the most refreshing
sound. But David did what I’m learning to do.
He asked God. He asked God even though I’m sure
it wasn’t his favorite thought at the moment,
and he may not have wanted to hear God’s answer.
God told David, “Go and attack the Philistines,
and save Keilah.” David’s men responded
probably like I would have- hey, are you sure about
this because we’re pretty scared down here in
Judah… David again asked the Lord, and God told
David to go and that He would deliver him.
After David goes down to Keilah and
saves the people, he gets the news that Saul is coming
there after him. David asks God if the people of Keilah
would hand him over to Saul and God said that they
would. So David fled.
Now, does this story remind you of anyone?
David has been anointed but Saul is still wearing
the crown. David felt an immense amount of pressure,
alone in the world at this time. When the people asked
for David to save them, he obeyed God and saved them
even though he may not have wanted to. And after he
saved these people, they were ready to turn him over
to Saul to be killed.
I can’t help but think of Jesus.
Satan has been wearing the crown down here on earth
and Jesus showed up, was baptized and God Himself
announces from heaven (Matt. 3:17), “This is
My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Right after this Jesus is tempted by Satan. In Gethsemane
(Matt. 26:46) before Jesus is arrested and killed,
you can sense his anguish and anxiety (also paralleled
in Psalm 22) as He prays again and again and his closest
friends in the world fall asleep on Him. Jesus asks
God to take this from Him, but He acknowledges that
it’s God the Father’s will He wants to
obey. Just think about all the people that turned
on Jesus- Judas betrays Him, Peter denies Him, and
the high priest, scribes and elders sentenced Him
to death.
I always knew there were some parallels
between David and Jesus, but I’m really just
amazed as I discover it for myself. The awesome thing
too, is how much more connected I feel to Jesus. Seeing
parallels of Jesus through David’s life just
makes Jesus seem more real and tangible to me for
some reason. I guess it shows more of His human side
and helps me relate and feel more connected to Him.
Lord,
Thank You so very much for opening my eyes and heart
to this connection. Thank You for letting me feel
like I can almost reach out and touch You now. You
feel so personal and alive, not just an imaginary
story in a big book. Thank You Lord that You are so
much more than a story. Thank You that You are so
much more than we could ever imagine. Thank You that
this real and tangible life of Jesus didn’t
stop on the cross. Thank You for Jesus’ triumph
over death, for His resurrection concurring sin and
providing a direct connection between You and me.
Thank You that Your Son Jesus is the way, the truth
and the life. Thank You that He is preparing a place
for me, that where He is, I may be there also! Lord,
help me to share this wonderful news with everyone!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
