A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos
Today’s Bible Verse
As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
1 Samuel 18:7
The Brave Warrior Who Lives in You
Everything that happened between Saul and David became a lesson for each one of us to learn. The heart is a throne and we decide who will sit on it and rule over our lives. David was a clear example of faith, courage and conquest. However, since God had departed from him, King Saul had opened the door to fear in his life, and fear is always followed by insecurity, uncertainty, and dejection. Although David was a young man, Saul thought David wanted to steal the throne from him when he heard his song. However, people were just expressing that the king had a brave warrior who could win battles for Israel. By interpreting it incorrectly, Saul thought that they preferred David to him. Therefore, he decided to kill David.
I believe that there is nothing more destructive to the soul than to know that God is no longer at one’s side. It is not that He has forgotten His people and turns His back on them, but it is they who depart from God choosing to follow the desires of their own hearts. But, when the day of adversity comes, they blame Him for what they are going through. Instead of repenting of killing his brother, Cain said to God, “My punishment is more than I can bear” (Genesis 4:13). Saul was in the same situation that Cain had been in. God was pleased with David’s offering, but not with Saul’s who tried to take advantage of every situation to kill him. Saul did not know what repentance was, so he hardened his heart day by day. “When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns” (1 Samuel 18:15).
Some people’s success can cause fear or bitterness in others. The Lord brought prosperity to everything David did, whereas all the events that took place around Saul frightened him. Anything David did, Saul saw it as a threat to his kingly leadership. Because of Saul’s jealousy, David had to run to the cave of Adullam. “When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him” (1 Samuel 22:1-2). David invested several years working on the character of those individuals, because their habits were bad, due to their backgrounds. He had patience and wisdom to mold them little by little until he had one of the most formidable armies of the time; together their hearts beat as one.
You choose who will be seated on the throne of Your heart – either a brave warrior or a coward. Just as fearful Saul pursued courageous young David to destroy him, the spirit of fear will do the same. It will not rest until destroying you once it has taken control over your life. If the brave warrior is in control, there will be no room for the coward to rise up. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Something to Think About
The Romans had many types of crowns with which to award winners of various different things. The state crown was made of oak branches and was given to those who had saved the life of a partner in battle against their enemies. The rampart crown was made of gold, it was given to the first man to scale over a wall of an enemy’s fortress. The triumphant crown, made of laurel, was given to the commander who returned victorious. There were several types of crowns, such as the imperial, the royal, and also one for princes. But none of these can compare to the crown of glory that God has prepared for those who love him. Who can express His glory? Is there anyone, or anything more glorious than God? Even if I had the tongues of men and angels, I could not express it adequately, in a way that He deserves. The crown of righteousness will be given to those to who are righteous. The crown of life will be given to those who sacrificed their lives for the love of eternal life. The crown of stars will be ascribed to those who announced the Gospel to others; and those who receive it will shine like stars for all eternity.
Prayer
“Eternal God, it is a privilege to know that You have fixed Your eyes on me and that You always hear my prayer. I know this because You humbled Yourself and now You reign in and from my heart. You Lord, the perfect ruler of this majestic Universe, found no problem in receiving the only offering that I have – my own life. Lord, please come and take Your place, because I know that if You reign there will be no room for fear. All darkness is dissipated in Your Presence. I love You, Jesus. Amen.”
Declaration
Since the Holy Spirit dwells in my heart like a brave warrior, I have no fear.
Today’s Bible Reading
Our Bible Reading Plan gives 25 daily readings per month. There is no scheduled reading for today. You can use this time to catch up on any readings you may have missed, or read through previous passages again.
