"Rollercoaster of Love" by the Ohio Players, one of the funkiest fun songs to sing and dance to, kept going through my head as I thought about 1 Samuel 26. I could easily change the title to "Rollercoaster of Life" because that's what it is, baby - a rollercoaster. When I rode my first rollercoaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio (incidently the rollercoaster capital of the world) there were moments of pure terror and fear followed by exhileration and joy. Just like riding the Blue Streak at Cedar Point, our earthly relationships with people we love and our more important walk with Christ is filled with ups and downs. And needless to say, the extreme dips, turns, loops, and lows that we experirence in our christian walk is many times attributable to when we allow the flesh to prevail. David is a perfect example of this truth.
1 Samuel 26 is an account of another encounter that David has with Saul while Saul sleeps unaware of David's presence. Once again, God puts David in a position of testing. David is probably even more exhausted from running. He is tired of leading his group of ex-cons, outcasts, and vagrants. He wants his old life back. He wants to be able to go to the tabernacle to worship his God. And here, once again, God has dropped Saul right in his lap for the taking. One good thrust of the spear and David's worries would all be over. This is the second time he's been put in this situtation...it MUST be God's will for him to kill Saul....right? Wrong. David resists the temptation of his own desires and proclaims that it is a sin against God to harm a hair on the head of God's anointed king. David honors Saul's position. Yay David! You passed the test!
You see, David was at the top of his rollercoaster ride in this chapter. He ignored misleading circumstantial evidence of God's will and trusted in God's Word. We too must be careful not to equate circumstances with God's will. In other words, that open door we talked about a couple of days ago may keep coming open when you walk by. That doesn't mean it's ok to go in! If that opportunity is contrary to God's word, run from it - no matter how many times it presents itself!
Over the course of the last few chapters we see David's rollercoaster ride. He's up during his first encounter with Saul sleeping. He's down when he wrongly reacts to Nabal's insults. He's up when we see him again in this chapter refusing to kill Saul. And he'll be down when we get to chapter 27. And David's rollercoaster will continue throughout his life. So be encouraged because even a man after God's own heart rode his own rollercoaster of life. And be assured, you will too. But if you are saved by grace, you are then sealed by the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 1:13) He's got you securely fastened in your seat. He will NEVER let you go! So sit back and enjoy the ride....it's gonna be a wild one!
Prayer: Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit that seals me for that great day when the rollercoaster ride will be over and we see you face to face! Until then, may I trust in You and obey your Word. When I'm down, may You remind me it's only for a season. When I'm up, may You remind me it's because of You alone. When I'm jolted by a sharp turn in life, may I rest secured knowing Your Holy Spirit holds me fast!
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