Memorial Day Campout

It’s just a thought?

 But David thought to himself, "One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand." 1 Samuel 27:1

The Life of David  Anointed as next King of Israel as a boy. 1 Samuel 16  Defeated Goliath. 1 Samuel 17  Serves King Saul. 1 Samuel  Running from King Saul. 1 Samuel King Saul chases David all over southern Israel but can never catch or harm him. Over an year period.

1 Samuel 26:21-25  Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly."  "Here is the king's spear," David answered. "Let one of your young men come over and get it. The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble."  Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph."  So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

Compare David’s Thoughts  Psalm 57:1-3  Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills [his purpose] for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends his love and his faithfulness.  1 Samuel 27:1  But David thought to himself, "One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand."

The thought process 1. “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul.” 2. “The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines.” 3. “Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel and I will slop out of his hand.” 1. God has always protected me from Saul. 2. I’ll continue to trust God even if I’m tired of running from Saul. 3. God will continue to protect me from Saul and eventually I’ll become King of Israel.

Down the tubes with David  David resorted to violence and deceit to cover up his lie.  It was only 16 months until Saul’s death and he would be King of Israel.  He ended up marching in the Philistine army to fight against the “armies of the Living God.”  While on the march, his town was raided and the every house burned to the ground.

Personal Reflection  Who/what is, or was your Saul?  Can you remember the thought you had before you took action to avoid, or against the threat?  What enemy territory did you move into?  What behavior is required for you to reside in enemy territory?

The power of thoughts!  I can’t depend on anyone to take care of me, “I’d better take care of myself.”  I don’t want to ever get hurt like that again, “I’d better protect myself.”  It hurts so much to be rejected, “I’ll do whatever it takes to be accepted by others.”  They can’t treat me like I don’t matter. “I’ll do whatever it takes to prove that I’m somebody!”  Stubbornly independent, driven, controlling, irritable, bitter, fearful  Defensive, put up walls, distance from others, controlling, paranoid  Become life of the party, perform, suck up to people, fear others, co-dependant, enabler, ‘martyr’  Become better than everyone else at something, put people down, achieve at all cost, fear failure S e c u r i t y V a l u e L o v e S i g n i f i c a n c e

David’s Restoration  When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.... David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.  But David found strength in the LORD his God.  Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?"  "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." 1 Samuel 30:3-8

It’s just a thought?

When Achish asked, "Where did you go raiding today?" David would say, "Against the Negev of Judah" or "Against the Negev of Jerahmeel" or "Against the Negev of the Kenites." He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, "They might inform on us and say, 'This is what David did.'" 1 Samuel 27:10-11