Another year around the Son 8.24.2025

by charityrattray

Read 1 Samuel 23-24, Mark 2:13-28

“Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.”” 1 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬‬

“Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬-‭4‬, ‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

David trembled before God, and when other men gave way to fear 😨 David went to prayer here in 1 Samuel 23.
Take the time to pray.

David our sagacious psalter and warrior received God’s answer! He trusted God’s word for victory before the battle even began. Oh Lord to know YOU in this way with this kind of confidence is my prayer.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
‘but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.’
This doesn’t say those who have faith in the Lord it says those who hope. Wow wow such an encouraging word from Isaiah. To hope is something you can have when you have no sight of it not even an ounce of confidence.
Psalm 42:5 “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God!”

For by You I can run upon a troop; And by my God I can leap over a wall. Psalm 18:29 NASB

A couple of ways to maintain hope is to preach to yourself and pray.
Petition God, and speak to your soul, ‘there is something GOOD ahead, for God is before me, behind me, and will never leave me’
Strengthen yourself with friends!

“And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I spoke with a 93-year-old man Rudy and my Grandpa Mel who is also 93 🙂 this summer at a retirement home. Rudy told me a story of a storm he lived through —where as a boy even so many years ago it was unforgettable—he was held in his father‘s arms (out on the Atlantic in a squall) and those arms comforted and held him fast.

‘This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.’

Thoughts on Mark 2:13-28: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. He is the light and the law is a dim candle to the perfection and brilliance of the Son of God. They had the Lord’s rest before them. “So The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Fool that I was! to think my easy pen
Had strength enough to glorify the fame
Of this known author, this rare man of men,
Or give the least advantage to his name.
Who think by praise to make his name more bright,
Shew the sun’s glory by dull candlelight.
Blest saint! thy hallowed pages do require
No slight preferment from our slender lays;
We stand amazed at what we most admire:
Ah, what are saints the better for our praise!
He that commends this volume does no more
Than warm the fire or gild the massy ore.
Let me stand silent, then. O may that Spirit
Which led thine hand direct mine eye, my breast,
That I may read and do, and so inherit (What thou enjoy’st and taught’ st) eternal rest!
Fool that I was! to think my lines could give
Life to that work, by which they hope to live.
Francis Quarles