Ok - so here’s all of my assigned reading for today: 1 Samuel 16:1-23, 1 Samuel 17-19:18, Psalm 59, 1 Samuel 19:19-20:42.
There’s a lot there, but I was especially moved by David’s song to the Lord in Psalm 59.
Here’s some commentary on it …
In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, affliction, and persecution. And thus earnestly should we pray daily, to be defended and delivered from our spiritual enemies, the temptations of Satan, and the corruptions of our own hearts.It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he has not what he would have, yet he does not quarrel with Providence, nor fret within himself. It is not poverty, but discontent that makes a man unhappy. David would praise God because he had many times, and all along, found Him his refuge in the day of trouble. He that is all this to us, is certainly worthy of our best affections, praises, and services. The trials of his people will end in joy and praise. When the night of affliction is over, they will sing of the Lord’s power and mercy in the morning. Let believers now, in assured faith and hope, praise Him for those mercies, for which they will rejoice and praise him for ever.
Finally, I'm going to type in a whole section out of Thomas a`Kempis' book, The Imitation of Christ. This was also my assigned reading for today ...
Chapter 12: The Benefit of Adversity
It is good that we sometimes have troubles and crosses, for they often make us think about ourselves and help us realize that we are not part of this world¹ and should not place our trust in any worldly thing.
It is good that we are sometimes contradicted, and that others think ill of us or think that we are inadequate, even though we do and mean well.
These things often help us to become humble, and keep us safe from unwarranted pride in ourselves. For it is when we are outwardly condemned by others, and no credit is given to us, that we especially seek God for our inward witness.
We should, therefore, rest ourselves so fully in God that we do not need to seek many comforts from other people.
When good people are afflicted, tempted, or troubled with evil thoughts, then they understand better the great need they have of God, realizing that without Him they can do nothing that is good.
Then, also, they sorrow, mourn, and pray because of the miseries they suffer.
Often they weary of living longer and with that death would come so that they might depart and be with Christ.²
It is then that they understand that perfect security and complete peace cannot be had in this world.
So - that's a lot to read, I know, and a lot to think about, for sure. But it was all so relevant and so tied together, I just can't get it out of my head and want to be sure to share it with anyone out there who is facing difficulties and trials.
Focused on Christ,
Josh.