Author: Pastor Mike

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 67

Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David secretly, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’” ²³ So Saul’s servants spoke these words to David. But David said, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?” ²⁴ The servants of Saul reported to him according to these words which David spoke.

 1 Samuel 18:22-24

People and leaders who know they’re loved are very difficult to manipulate, and people or leaders who don’t know if they’re loved only have manipulation.  When you are living in the favor of God, you don’t have to live for the favor of man.  Rest content and confident in the Lord’s love. He can open any door you need opened.

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 66

Saul thought, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore, Saul said to David, “For a second time you may be my son-in-law today.” ²² Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David secretly, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’”

 1 Samuel 18:21-22 There’s a huge difference between a leader that loves God and others and a leader that loves themselves.  And the space between the two isn’t but a step or two.  It can happen to any leader.  You forget that you are loved, and then you fear that you won’t be loved.  Paranoia sets in, and manipulation starts up.  I believe David knew he was loved and was free to love.  People who don’t know that they are loved will love themselves first and most.  God loves you.  Live that way!

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 64

Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they told Saul, the thing was agreeable to him.

 1 Samuel 18:20

People love it when we don’t live for ourselves only.  David did everything he did for God and God’s people and people loved him.  People get intrigued by leaders who preach big ideas and speak with great intimidation to our enemies, but people love people who just love them.  It’s impressive.  Leaders live with big expectations but it’s their big motivation that makes them lovable or not.

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 64

Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife, only be a valiant man for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” For Saul thought, “My hand shall not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” ¹⁸ But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” ¹⁹ So it came about at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.

 1 Samuel 18:17-19

Want to stay out of the fray?  Keep your focus.  Keep the most important thing, the most important thing.  David kept God and God’s will, his focus.  If you know what you want, you’ll be more aware of what others really want.  Paranoia makes for scary politics and become more about controlling others than completing the objective.  Be clear about your calling.

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 63

Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. ¹³ Therefore Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. ¹⁴ David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him. ¹⁵ When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him. ¹⁶ But all Israel and Judah loved David, and he went out and came in before them.

1 Samuel 18:12-16

It’s not what you know but who you know that makes the difference.  David knew God and God’s presence, Saul didn’t.  Saul had memories; David had momentum.  The Lord was with David.  Life changes, but God doesn’t.  It’s sad to only be left with memories of God working in your life.  God doesn’t get old or tired, we do.  The secret is to live actively in God’s presence, pursuing His plans and purposes.  That’s what scares our enemies.

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 62

Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul’s hand. Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from his presence twice.

1 Samuel 19:10-11

Don’t ignore the signs.  Don’t live in paranoia but don’t live clueless either.  The Holy Spirit will make your senses sensitive, not to live in worry but to live in wisdom.  Titles, treasures and trophies can hide a demonized soul.  Be sensitive to the Spirit and wise to every other spirit.  If you can hear the voice of God, you can see the hand of God.  Be smart!

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 61

Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” ⁹ Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

 1 Samuel 18:8-9

Don’t be surprised when success makes enemies, and often it’s who you think it would be, not those on the other side, but those in your own house.  Remember, our battle isn’t just against flesh and blood but against the unseen powers.  Our success is a threat to both the flesh and foe.  How do you know when it’s not you?  You’re not the one dealing with paranoia, they are.

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 60

The women sang as they played, and said,
“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

 1 Samuel 18:7

When you think nobody cares, you find out everybody is watching.  People notice success, even if they don’t like it, like Saul, they notice.  It’s a witness of your faith and your heavenly Father faithfulness to walk out His will, His way, as His witness.  People notice and leaders don’t care; they just keep doing what needs to be done.  Their foe might change but their faith never does.  They let God form their minds and leave everyone else to live with theirs.

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 59

⁶ It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments.

 1 Samuel 18:6

It’s amazing what a little winning will do for people’s attitudes and ambitions.  But it’s hard to win when you’re not moving.  David just kept moving.  Leaders and winners know that.  You can’t keep winning if you quit moving.  Winning changes what we think about, talk about and go about.  Too many people only talk about losing.  David was coming home because there was a day when he was going to war.  Now some people go to battle but don’t win, however, David kept moving and doing God’s work, God’s way, for God’s win.  You can’t lose with that kind of mindset, but you’ve got to keep moving.

The Kitchen Table Devotional

David Day 58

So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

 1 Samuel 18:5

It’s amazing what happens when we live in agreement with the right people, perspective, purpose, and passion.  Too many people are trying to stir up their courage without any conviction.  David knew what he was fighting for, fighting with, and fighting to do.  This wasn’t a selfish agenda but rather an agenda from God for others.  It’ll soon become clear where each man’s heart abides.  There is courage where there is conviction, compassion, and cooperation with God and those who believe in Him with you.  Look deeper to go further.