spiritual battle, Murderous Attempts Thwarted (1 Sam.19)

Saul was so intent on killing David, that David had to keep on hiding and fleeing...

(1 Samuel 19:1-12)  Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to death. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, greatly delighted in David. 2 So Jonathan told David saying, “Saul my father is seeking to put you to death. Now therefore, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself. 3 I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you; if I find out anything, then I will tell you.” 4 Then Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Do not let the king sin against his servant David, since he has not sinned against you, and since his deeds have been very beneficial to you. 5 For he took his life in his hand and struck the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel; you saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by putting David to death without a cause?” 6 Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul vowed, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” 7 Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these words. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as formerly.

8 When there was war again, David went out and fought with the Philistines and defeated them with great slaughter, so that they fled before him. 9 Now there was an evil spirit from the Lord on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, and David was playing the harp with his hand. 10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, so that he stuck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

11 Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him, in order to put him to death in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, “If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be put to death.” 12 So Michal let David down through a window, and he went out and fled and escaped. 

Now we see God's power and protection over David from the threat of death, and Saul and all his men...

(1 Samuel 19:18-24)  Now David fled and escaped and came to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. 19 It was told Saul, saying, “Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.” 20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied. 21 When it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. So Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. 22 Then he himself went to Ramah and came as far as the large well that is in Secu; and he asked and said, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.” 23 He proceeded there to Naioth in Ramah; and the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying continually until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 He also stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

From this we see:
- God is all-powerful and uses interesting ways to protect us

Personal experience:  I have a crazy-good memory when it comes to stuff like these life-events.  It's a blessing and - could be - a "curse"... because with all the good memories, there are all the bad memories.  But with God's love and forgiveness, especially since me and my younger brother have fully reconciled, I can look back on these situations objectively.  There is no more anger, fear or bitterness.  God is so amazing!  When I remember back to all these things - all I see is how God was working in our lives!!!

This particular incident happened back when we were missionaries in Puerto Rico (both my parents and myself).  My two brothers were still in school.  My younger brother managed to get into a LOT of trouble.  And I know that we do not know the full extent of that;  but what we do know is based on what he confessed to one evening after coming home very inebriated.  In that moment, he was in deep anguish over things he had done.

His "friend" who lived in the crack in the wall, whom he prayed to and talked with, had followed him from place to place all his life.  One evening, this demon had told him to get a knife and kill us all.  He had only gotten as far as my parents' door when something stopped him.  He was unable to complete the task.  He figured that he was so bad that even Satan no longer wanted him.

Once again, for the following few days he tried to behave in his own efforts, saying, "Okay, now this time I'm going to be good.  This time I'm really a Christian."  But... this didn't really happen for many years after this point.

Today's takeaway:  some people have to learn the hard way???  And not to say that I didn't need a few "hard" lessons of my own.  THAT story will be for tomorrow!

Sadly, some people never learn.  Some people will never realize or accept God's love and free gift of salvation, even though all the information is right there in front of their faces.

The thing is, we don't know who those people are or will be.  We are to pray for and love everyone!  And be ready to share the gospel as God gives us the opportunities - - - because we just don't know who is on the verge of believing. 

Take Saul for example, we don't ever see him become a believer.

But then we see the example of Saul - who eventually became apostle Paul.  He was basically a terrorist, who was set on persecuting the Church and all Christians.  And God chose him.  Paul had an amazing conversion and then, just as zealously, went on to spread the good news, not only throughout many countries, but the entire world, since he wrote a third of the New Testament!!!  This man - who once had such evil intent in his heart - was used and guided by God to accomplish many amazing things.

God can and WANTS TO use us.  All we have to do is be willing...

 (Psalm 32:1-11)  How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
2 How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!

3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.Selah.
5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.