ESOCS Devotional 17 September 2023 – Unacceptable Service
MEMORY VERSE: “So David said to him, ‘how was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”2 Samuel 1:14 KJV
TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 1:1-16 (KJV)
Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?
15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord’s anointed.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
The chapter opens with the contribution of the story of Saul’s death. When the news of Saul’s death got to David, he was not eager, to believe the news. A young Amalekite presented his own version of the event, in an attempt to enhance his own reputation and thereby earn a reward. Those who were with David likely waited to see his reaction to the news of the death of a man who had often tried to kill him. However, David’s response was appropriate; he mourned the death of one who was anointed by God (2 Sam. 1:11-12).
How do you resist when something bad happens to someone who does not treat you well? Or, someone you see as an enemy?
Paul admonished that our lives should not rejoice in iniquity (1 Corinthians 13:6) and that we should never pay evil with good (Rom. 12:17). It is important to note that the service of one Amalekite was unacceptable. So also, it applies to us when we indulge in prayers that do not align with God’s word. We are tempted to believe that we are doing the right thing, better still, as a young gospel minister, you engage in fornication, only to jump to the pulpit the following day to minister in songs. That service is an abomination to the Lord and will not be accepted. Even when we pray against an enemy, we must ensure that it is done according to God’s word, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The laws of Moses taught the people of old to retaliate in double fold against their enemies, but under the dispensation of grace through the redemption work of Christ, we are no longer bound by the law. Believers all over the world are encouraged to forgive their offenders. This is what distinguished Christianity from other religions. Therefore, examine yourself to be sure that your services are acceptable.
- Lord, please help me to offer an acceptable sacrifice to you in all I do.
FURTHER READING: 2 Samuel 1:1-16; Job 4: 1-end; Matthew 11:2-9; Romans 12:1-end
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 17 September 2023
