Skip to main content

Unity in Adversity



1 Samuel 22:1–5

Distress can unite people. In difficult moments, in shared pain, we discover our true friends. When David fled from King Saul, his divided family was suddenly supportive of him, as was every man in the region who was distressed or indebted (1 Sam 22:1–2; cp. 1 Sam 17:28–30). A shared sense of despair reveals the humanity in us all, helping us to get past our disputes and work together for one purpose.

For a fragmented band of brothers to be united beyond their immediate circumstance, they must have one purpose. That’s exactly what David them: They would fight Israel’s greatest enemies - the Philistines - together (1 Sam 23:1–5). David took a crisis and turned it into an opportunity. It took courage derived from faith to act. When most people would have been paralyzed by fear, David was prepared for action. David’s strength in adversity enabled him to unite God’s people for a purpose, and his God-centered focus helped them.


When things get difficult, we should be aware of how we are being subtly drawn away from God’s work. If we can stay focused on Christ, we can stay focused on God’s purposes. Then we will find the ability to  move forward in God's will. We need the same response: Focus on God and His work!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hearing and doing I'm amazed at how easy it becomes to nod our heads at all the right places after serving God for a while. We are quick to agree when someone speaks to us about God's Word (given that it is sound doctrine of course), without asking ourselves if it is merely theory to us. The fact of the matter is that most of us believe what the Bible teaches with all our hearts. How is it then that we so easily fall into the trap of knowing but not applying? Hearing but not doing? How do we keep ourselves from thinking we know it all but hold on to a zeal for God's Word that leads to obedience? It is relatively easy to read the 'thou shalt not' passages, to apply it and to tap ourselves on the shoulder thinking we did well! Of course we are doing well if we abstain from all the things we know is bad for us - sinful behaviors, unhealthy attitudes, etc. - but I do think there is more to living a life of abundance and victory! There are many pas...
Post a Comment
Read more
During the month of May we want to focus on "The Family" because we simply believe that God is the originator of the family and continues to uphold it. The traditional family is under attack. Television programs portray fathers stupid, mothers as overbearing, and children as smart beyond their years.   The biblical ideal, established at the beginning of humanity, is for one man and one woman to join in a spiritually and physically committed union for a lifetime, conceiving and rearing children ( Genesis 1:27–28 ; 2:18 , 21–25 ). Although this model wasn't followed consistently throughout the Scriptures.   Today, single parents, married couples without children, grandparents rearing their grandchildren, and empty-nesters etc., make up a considerable percentage of "Christian" families.   Yet a Christian family can be a group of people who are related to each other and are committed to the person and work of Jesus Christ. We can experience the love, powe...
Post a Comment
Read more
Hi all  Easter is a time for celebration for Christian believers across the world. It commemorates the most amazing event all of history – the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This is the most amazing miracle of all time. No others can compare with it. The resurrection of Jesus Christ declares his victory over death and evil. It is the beginning of a new life, a new kind of life, a life beyond the grave. With the resurrection of Jesus Christ a new era dawned for mankind. The New Testament states that the same body of Jesus Christ that was buried was raised on the third day to a glorified state. This happened to fulfil the Scriptures. Christ’s resurrection is evidence of his deity; proves his victory over death and the Powers of darkness; gives us a living hope and assurance of God’s acceptance; and is the foundation for our eventual resurrection. There is a day coming when Christians will also rise from the dead and receive a glorified body like Christ’s. In fact, whe...
Post a Comment
Read more