Reading: I Samuel 23:7 – 24:22

Behold, your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.
1 Samuel 24:9-10

As I read God’s word, it can feel at times, like you are reading the tabloids of the rich and the famous with all their soap opera drama.  But in reality the Word of God gives us the truthful accounts of mankind and the struggle that exists between the fleshly nature and the spirit-led nature within.   We see the battle between pride versus humility and trust versus control.  This contrast helps us to clearly see the light from the darkness, so we can learn from its lessons and fulfill our destiny.

In the account of I Samuel, we see the contrast of two men, both human, both anointed by God and both with a destiny to fulfill.  One who chooses to be led by the flesh and its worldly ways, while the other chooses to be led by the spirit and ways of God.  

Although Saul was anointed by God and graced with a destiny to lead, he did not surrender his prideful insecurity that sabotaged his ability to trust God at His Word.  Saul’s life epitomizes the truth that James spoke in the New Testament.

For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
James 3:16

But David was different; in all of his humanity, David made a decision to trust God and His Word.  David’s ambition was not fame and fortune, his ambition was to be close to God and to honor God in all of His ways. 

It is interesting to note that the first time the word “loyalty” is used in the scriptures is to describe the character of David who shows loyalty toward Saul and the anointing on his life in-spite of Saul’s behavior toward David. 

David’s example shows us the characteristics of true loyalty.  True loyalty is not based on another person’s behavior, but based on the integrity of one’s heart, which is born out in one’s decisions and the code of conduct one lives by, even in adverse times.

This account reveals that we may find ourselves in seasons of conflict between the ways of God or the ways of the world.  But, as children of God, we have a choice.  We can choose to trust in the ways of the flesh or choose to be a people of integrity, who honor God and his ways even when life seems unfair.

Many people declare themselves loyal, but who can find someone who is {really} trustworthy? A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is gone.
Proverbs 20:6-7