SUNDAY 15 April, 2018

Broken & Contrite Hearts

Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher: - 2 Samuel 1:17-18

David’s mourning for Saul and Jonathan was so great he wrote a song in tribute to them. He wrote the song and told the people to teach it to the children, so they would remember Saul and his sons. In his great love for them, David did not want the people to forget them.

When I think of David and Saul, I think of faithfulness and unfaithfulness, because one man was faithful and one man was not. Their hearts towards God were the same towards man. While David was faithful to the Lord, his king and friends, Saul was not faithful to the Lord, his friends or his family. David thought of others and Saul was consumed with self.

We can learn so much from these two men. One teaches us how to walk close to God and the other teaches us the consequences of rebellion against God. Both are very important lessons, because they will keep us faithful to the Lord in our own lives.

These were not perfect men, but they were both anointed by the Lord. Both had times of obedience to the Lord and times of rebellion. What sets them apart is their character. David repented and turned back to the Lord. Saul moved further and further from the Lord.

God does not expect us to be perfect. He knows we are imperfect. He wants our obedience. He wants broken and contrite hearts, so He can use us and bless our lives.

The saint is a penitent until he reaches heaven.
~R. L. Dabney~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!