by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Samuel 27--29

Why Did David Go to the Philistines?

First Samuel 27:1 says,

1 And David said in his heart, "Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me anymore in any part of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand" (1 Sam. 27:1).

It was a sad day in Israel when David had to flee. Here was a man who loved God supremely, but for his own safety, he believed that he had to leave his nation. Saul's wickedness was out of control. However, why did David flee to the land of the Philistines, the number one enemy of Israel in those days? Why did he not flee to Egypt? Why did he not go to the Syrians?

We discover the answer in David's decision. It was precisely because the Philistines were at war with Israel that Saul could not go there to look for David. The Philistines would never allow it. This makes the day that David left even worse, the fact that he left Israel, but that he also joined himself to the Philistines.

Yet, this is what mean-spirited people do to good-hearted people like David. Do not let Saul-like people ruin your congregation, but stand up to them as David did, and support those who do. Pray for the peace of the church.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Samuel 25 and 26

Who Values Life More: Man or God?

David had the opportunity to kill Saul, who was trying to kill David, but David refuses to take the life of Saul, because David says that Saul is the Lord's anointed. Therefore, David valued the life of Saul, and David wants similar treatment, but listen carefully to what David says,

24 "And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation" (1 Sam. 26:24).

We expected David to say,

"As your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in your eyes."

Yet, that is not how he presents the latter part of his request. He said,

"As your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD."

Truly, we are not surprised to see David take this to the higher level, that of committing his life before the eyes of Saul to the eyes of the Lord. As we continue to read the life of David, you will see one of the main ingredients in his life, probably the greatest ingredient, that sets him apart from other men, that is, to David, everything is before the eyes of the Lord.

Do the same thing in your life, starting today, to understand that everything is in the eyes of the Lord, and state that is the way that you want it. See what it does to your personality.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 12:1--31

Is God Going to Forget You?

Or perhaps you think that He already has. What makes you think that He will or has? Do you have a preconceived idea about God that He is not meeting and that is leading you into your faulty thinking? Quickly, get rid of that thought, and get this one into your mind,

6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Luk. 12:6, 7).

God values you more than the sparrows! They do not seem to worry or fret or be fearful. Life is not always easy for them, but if God takes care of them, surely He will take care of us. He is watching you. He knows what is going on in your life.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Samuel 22--24

The Kind of Men Who Gathered to David

As David tried to get away from his enemy Saul, others had good reason to flee Saul and join David.

2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him (1 Sam. 22:2).

Look at those depressing Ds who sided with David:

Those in Distress Those in Debt Those in Discontentment

Yet, following David their lives turn around. He was a good example for them. They had great victories together. Find someone who has a heart like David's heart. You will learn much about life, and your life will turn around.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 11:29--54

What Do You Let into Your Life?

What do you let into your life, into your heart, into your thinking, and into your feeling by your eyes? Jesus said,

34 "The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness" (Luk. 11:34).

What do we put before our eyes? Think about that today, and see if what you have been putting before your eyes has an affect on your manner of living.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100