WEDNESDAY July 31, 2019
Manipulation of Mind Games
When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered—now Saul was staying in Gibeah under a tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing about him— then Saul said to his servants who stood about him, “Hear now, you Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds?”
1 Samuel 22:6-7
Notice the jealousy of Saul. He was inciting division and hatred for David among the Benjamites. He wanted them to know how badly they would be treated if David reigned. He did not want any of his men defecting to David. He tried to persuade them to distrust and hate David. Saul attempted to manipulate his men’s minds to think killing David was justifiable.
However, David was not thinking of taking the throne by force. Remember he was waiting on the Lord to bring about his position as King of Israel. David never used his 400 loyal men to come against Saul––no possible way. He still respected Saul as God’s anointed. He knew God placed Saul on the throne, and God would remove him.
God used the prophet Gad to warn David to depart from the stronghold–– believed to be Megiddo, and go to Judah. David stayed in the forest of Hereth (1 Samuel 22:4-5). God gave David instructions and guidance. He guarded his steps. David took each situation one step at a time and continued to wait on the Lord.
It is important to learn to be like David and wait on the Lord. Then we shall hear what God wants us to do. He will give us instruction, and guide our steps.
If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!