Nougat 16

Recently, a sister-friend and I started a journey toward a transformed lifestyle, which includes reading the Bible together. The insights she has in various aspects of the text are just astounding. We recently read of the rift between Saul, King of Israel, and David, the anointed son of Jesse.

Those familiar with the story will recall that David was once in Saul’s employ. He used to calm the savage beast, i.e., his music was therapeutic for Saul’s mental health challenges. It was also an opportunity for David to understudy the king since God had selected David as Saul’s successor.

Upon realising that a) he’d fallen out of grace with God, and b) he’d lost some stature in the people’s eyes; Saul harboured malice and murder towards David. David, who by then was Saul’s son-in-law, was obliged to become a fugitive! Him and anyone who showed him kindness. (See 1 Samuel 21 -22, where David found refuge with a priest of Nob and Saul’s response).

It is David’s humility in that season of his life, which struck me and best defines Today’s Holy Nougat.

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV‬

[3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves,

[4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Nothing without Humility

My dear siblings, it’s something most of us have to work on: we must recognize that the earth is the Lord’s and we are entitled to nothing. I think that’s where humility begins. David’s understanding that all he was was due to God’s grace influenced his relationship with others.

1 Samuel 22 demonstrates what made him an ideal king. For David, his priority was to honour God in everything he did. That’s what proved his humility.

David’s lifestyle of dependency on God for direction not only endeared him to his people then; it challenges us to do likewise. May we, under the influence of God’s Spirit, do nothing out of vain ambition but remain resolutely focused on fulfilling God’s will for our lives.

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May all we seek be found in Christ