Daily Devotion, June 24, 2020

Devotion: Read 1 Samuel 30:1-25.

This chapter tells us about one of David’s many battles. It is at Ziklag and in the end David and his army of 400 men win the battle. In verses 21-25, David teaches his men a lesson about sharing what God has given them.

David had 600 men he was taking with him into battle, but 200 of them were too exhausted to “cross the Besor Valley, so they stayed behind.” After winning the battle the 400 men decided that all the plunder was theirs to keep instead of sharing the plunder with the 200 who had stayed behind.

But David said, “No, the Lord is the One who delivered us….and the share of the one who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to battle. All will share alike.” And this became an ordinance for Israel, as the narrator says “from that day until this.”

Out of the shepherd’s heart, David, the youngest of 8, perhaps was the one left at home to tend the sheep while his older brothers went into battle. Perhaps he understood what it was like to be the one who stayed behind.

It’s been said the humorous philosophy of a toddler is, “If I want it, it's mine; if it's in my hand, it's mine; if I can take it away from you, it's mine; if I had it a little while ago, it's mine; if it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way; if we are building something together, all the pieces are mine; if it just looks like mine, it's mine; if I think it's mine, it's mine; if I give it to you and change my mind later, it's mine; once it's mine it will never belong to anyone else, no matter what, it’s mine.”

Sometimes, we all get stuck there. But David had a lesson for his 400 men and for us, too. It’s all God’s and we are called to share with others.  Personal Worship Option: God is generous. God can help us become more generous with others. It is inspiring to see the sharing with others throughout our community during the recent tornadoes. Could this be the beginning of a new way in all of our lives? Dear Lord, help us to have generous hearts to share what we have with others. Amen.