June 25, 2021 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – EVIL AND TROUBLEMAKERS IN DAVID’S CAMP
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Friday, June 25, 2021. – Day of the Seafarer.
EVIL AND TROUBLEMAKERS IN DAVID’S CAMP
Read: 1 Samuel 30:21-25
1 Samuel 30:21-25 And David came to the 200 men who were so exhausted and faint that they could not follow [him] and had been left at the brook Besor [with the baggage]. They came to meet David and those with him, and when he came near to the men, he saluted them.
Then all the wicked and base men who went with David said, Because they did not go with us, we will give them nothing of the spoil we have recovered, except that every man may lead away his wife and children and depart.
David said, You shall not do so, my brethren, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and has delivered into our hands the troop that came against us.
Who would listen to you in this matter? For as is the share of him who goes into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.
And from that day to this he made it a statute and ordinance for Israel.
MEMORISE:
Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, expect for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart. (1 Samuel 30:22)
EXPOSITION
Men had voluntarily ‘decamped’ to David’s side, having seen God’s grace upon him, where God was leading him, and his own personal, charming godly leadership qualities. These were men of valour (1 Chronicles 11:10-12:1ff). But surprisingly, there were wicked and worthless (TLB); good-for-nothing (BBE) among them (1 Sam.30:22).
One should be less surprised when one considers the fact that among just 12 that our Lord Himself, the Omniscient, appointed to be His Apostles, one was a thief, swindler and betrayer. If that would happen under the very watch of even our Lord, it implies that no matter how the leaders tries, there would still be some dissidents (cf.Jn.17:12). It is therefore little wonder that even among God’s people today, there are people who aren’t of us, by the standard of Christ. They have the form of godliness but deny the power thereof (2 Tim.3:5). They are in the Church but not of the Church. They enter for different selfish reasons just like those mighty men who joined David (the mixed multitude)who would have joined for selfish reasons.
These wicked and worthless men are those who cause problems among God’s people like the mixed multitude in Moses day-Korah, Dathan and Abiram. The Bible specifically calls them trouble-makers because of their rebellious tendencies that wouldn’t allow peace among God’s people. But for God’s wisdom just imagine the bad legacy they could have pushed David to leave behind. Look at what Judas put Jesus through. They are dangerous!
Hope you aren’t one of such people? Their end is less than desirable at all (c.f. Psa. 68:6). Have you been rebellious, or God has been seeing you as a troublemaker in your family, church, workplace, etc.? Jesus calls today for your repentance. Don’t hesitate; tomorrow may be too late!
PRAYER POINTS
1. You spirit of rebellion and troublemaking, the Lord rebuke you in my life, right now, in Jesus name.
2. I refuse to be counted among the wicked and troublemakers among God’s people, in Jesus name.
3. Pray that God should grant total change of heart to the troublemaker in our churches, in Jesus name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 1 Chronicles 29:11 – 29:30, 2 Chronicles 1:1 – 3:8, Acts 2:46 – 3:20