Day 21: The Way Of The Warrior - The Warrior's Journey®
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Day 21: The Way Of The Warrior

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The Way Of The Warrior

In our last devotional, we saw David, targeted for destruction by Saul, escaped and went to visit Samuel (1 Sam 19:18).  Samuel was a godly, spiritually mature man, that would help David reorient his thinking about life.  Note that Samuel did not go to David, David in his need sought this Biblically grounded man, so he could understand what the Lord was doing in his life.  David was experiencing daunting circumstances, and he needed advanced insight into sophisticated reasons why God works in deep ways.  It was time to progress in deeper spiritual thinking.

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Heb. 5:14).  The writer of Hebrews is telling spiritually immature Christians, that they need to grow-up spiritually. ‘Constant practice’ means to exercise vigorously.  It is the Greek word ‘gumnazo’ – we get our word gymnasium from this word.  You need a vigorous spiritual workout, by habit – keep, on keeping on — spiritually working out.  Casual attendance at a gym, physically does not help very much.  Spiritual life is the same way – it is hard work!  Read Proverbs 2:1-6.

David went to: the spiritual leader in Israel (1 Sam. 3:19), a good first step.  That step tells about David’s desire to move forward spiritually, rather than trust his warrior expertise, and his ability to live off the land, in the wilderness.  Spiritual understanding must be on the front burner of our hearts: ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ (Acts 13:22). Will the Lord say that of you?

What’s Samuel’s response when David shows up at his home, putting him at risk, from a demon-energized, King Saul?  Now David fled and escaped, and he came to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and lived at Naioth. (1 Sam. 19:18).  Samuel thoughtfully listened.  No words of comfort are reported.  His first action for David? He and Samuel went and lived at Naioth.

Word order is very important in Scripture, and the first mention is ‘he,’ that is David.  David is the focus, not Samuel.  In other words, in both the Lord’s and Samuel’s minds, David’s welfare, emotionally, physically, and spiritually were on the front burner, and were to be addressed first.

The first thing offered David is hospitality from Samuel.  David sought Samuel, Samuel ministers to David.  This is the Lord’s goodness coming through a physical person.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (Jas. 4:8).  Hospitality is part of God’s character, and is meant to assure you, that you are worthy and valuable.

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you…(Rom. 15:7).

Remember the Garden of Eden, Gen 2 & 3?  The Lord invites Adam and Eve to live in His domain.  This begins a pattern of intimacy, that the Lord is willing to give tenderness to those who are weary: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28).

The Lord chases us: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Ps. 23:5, 6).

The Lord invaded human history to live with us: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… (Jn. 1:14).  Jesus told us, and his disciples: In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (Jn. 14:3).  We get to live with him, at his house!  Read Rev. 21:1-4, nice place!

Later when David became King, he wondered whom he could show the goodness of God. He inquired if there were any living from Saul’s family (yeah, the one who tried to kill him!). And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” (2 Sam. 9:3).  He was told about Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son.  And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” (2 Sam. 9:7).  David grants hospitality to his former enemy, showing the kind of love that God shows.  One receives hospitality, you cannot earn it.

Remember David is being trained to be a king, by the Lord.  David reflects back God’s glory by being hospitable – something he received when he was in need.  So, Samuel showing hospitality to David has a great cascading effect. Believers should be like Samuel.

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. (Ps 82:3-5) Commands from the Lord to all believers.  He adds:  I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you (Ps. 82:6).  Thus, since you’re a son, act like the Father!  You’re royalty, act virtuously.

Read Luke 10:25-37.  An illustration of: how do I love, rather than what I love.

Samuel has been made available for David to learn royal characteristics and attitudes.  David already had a warrior’s heart and courage to the max.  He was skilled at combat, but the need for deepening his character was necessary, since he was going to have one of the most challenging jobs in human history.  Not only would he make Israel a great empire of the time, Israel also had the mandate to spread the word about Jehovah God.  God doesn’t play political favorites for amusement. The Lord wants the entire earth know him, so they can be blessed in their physical and spiritual lives (Gen 12:2, 3).

This great mission requires a great leader.  David is picked by the Lord, so the world gets to witness spiritual life, with the Creator of the Universe.  Quite a job, and it requires extensive grooming and training, so the character of the Lord is seen in the natural realm. It needs to be represented by a real person, so the reality of spiritual life can be witnessed by sceptics, and seekers.  David was that man – you are the now getting the same training.

The Warrior’s Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your kindness to me. How can I thank you enough for how, you serve me daily?  Moment by moment you think about me (Ps. 40:17), considering how you can minister to me.  You kindly give me great benefit, that I have not earned.  You do not leave me in a deficit, you provide precisely what I need.  I cannot fathom my own lack, but you know every detail about my needs to be spiritually, physically and emotionally vibrant – then you minister to that end.

I can never rest on yesterday’s provision, you give me enough, so I can humbly come to you again for new things. It is a new joy every morning to present to you my need, like a child to a dad, and you are delighted to provide what is necessary.  You have the compassion of a loving Father, the faithfulness of a friend, the kindness of lover, the steadfastness of a parent.  Yet you leave me to ask, for those things, so you can assure us every day, that you are aware, you are present, you are capable, you are willing to touch our lives, so you are glorified.  We yearn to make much of you, to let your character be known to a lost world, because we have received goodness and kindness from you hand.  We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.


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