So You Wanna Be Part of the Crowd? (1 Samuel 29-30)

I can remember my high school days and the identity crisis that every teenager goes through. I decided that I wanted to be black. So all my energy went into trying to fit in with the brothas. I bought clothes from "Chess King". I spent countless hours in a beauty salon at the mall with small curlers in my hair to get just the right, tight Jheri Curl. I listened to nothing but soul music and learned how to "pop". I played basketball and nothing else. My speech pattern even changed to the point where you couldn't tell I was white when talking to me on the phone. I wanted nothing to do with white girls. It was all sista girls for me. Every ounce of my being was invested in fitting in. And I did a pretty good job of it if I say so myself.

Now there was nothing wrong with me doing those things. But looking back, it helps me understand David a little better. We find David completely assimilating with the Philistine culture. He has his own town to live in and he has won the complete trust of king Achish. He has so completely immersed himself to the point of being willing to go to battle against HIS OWN PEOPLE! However, his desire to fit in, cost him dearly.

And while David was making his share of mistakes, he had not forsaken God. David is sent back home after King Achish is pressured by the other princes of Philistia to prevent David from fighting with the Philistines. But when he arrives back to his hometown, he finds that it has been burned to the ground by the Amalekites. And all of the women and children, including his wives, have been taken. This is what can happen when we choose to disobey God and do our own thing. David was living with the enemy subject to the consequences of his disobedience.

But David shows he has not completely forsaken God. He calls for the priest and the ephod and asks God for direction. Yay David! And God answers! Even when we make mistakes and disobey, God is ready to answer our call when we call on Him. He is faithful to us! Even when David was making bad decisions, trusting in the protection of a foreign enemy, God shows His mercy when David calls on Him in distress.

Make no mistake, God will allow us to suffer the consequences of bad decisions. David is a prime example of this in these two chapters. His home, his possessions, and his family have been ripped out from under him. He learns a harsh lesson. The powerful Philistines cannot protect him. But when David calls on God for direction, what happens? God responds!

Be encouraged! No matter how deep a hole you dig for yourself, it's never too late to cry out to God for direction and help. Oftentimes, it will take us getting to our lowest point where all seems lost before we call out to Jesus for help. That's what it took for David. And praise God His mercy is so rich and ever present! He will respond!

1 Chronicles 28:9: ..."If you seek Him, He WILL be found by you (David). BUT IF you forsake Him, He will cast you out forever. (Saul)" (My parentheticals)

PRAYER: God, forgive me for my stupidity. Forgive me for taking steps in my life using my own "wisdom" which is nothing but foolishness. And I am so grateful that You promise to be there if I seek You!