River & Streams in the Desert

Day #21: Sticks and Stones

The Harder They Fall

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40 Days the Philistine Goliath taunted Israel

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve Him.

~ Psalm 72:11

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For today's devotional we acknowledge the SEVENTH commandment:

"Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery"

Everyone understands what adultery is within a marriage but what is spiritual adultery? Throughout the Bible God portrays His relationship with His people in marriage covenant terms. He expresses grief when they ignore Him and jealousy when they run to other false gods.

We commit spiritual adultery when we place anything in higher standing than our relationship with God. Are you breaking the Seventh Commandment?

Take this short test. Honestly is paramount or the results will be skewed. Consider each question carefully before you write down your answer:

#1) What/Who do you THINK about most often? ___________________________________________

#2) What/Who do you TALK about most often?___________________________________________

#3) What/Who do you give your free TIME to the most often?_______________________________

#4) What do you spend your extra TREASURE (money) on most often?_______________________________

#5) Who do you turn to and TRUST the most when things get difficult?____________________________

Now add up your responses. You will have found your God (or gods) = ______________________________

If you answered honestly, many of you will end up with answers such as "Family" or "Friends" or even "Sports/Entertainment." The saddest Truth of all is most people will have to honestly answer: "ME." I'm working on this also. He is Present to help us repent.

In our continuing devotional series on the "40/40's" we come across the story of David and Goliath. Goliath taunted the Israelites for 40 days. King Saul offered up his daughter and riches to anyone who could defeat Goliath:

Now the men of Israel had been saying, "Do you see this man who keeps coming out to defy Israel? To the man who kills him the king will give great riches. And he will give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father's house from taxation in Israel." ~ 1 Samuel 17:25

But, I don't think David was interested in the "free goodies"...so he asked the question again!

David said to the men who stood by him, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" The people answered him in the same way, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him."

~ 1 Samuel 17:26-27

We can almost see the wheels of David's mind working here. If I might be so bold as to attempt an example of his thoughts:

"That's NOT what I asked! What must be DONE to remove this OUTRAGE (sin) from God's people?"

It was a prophetic statement foreshadowing Christ. NOTHING besides slaying the giant and honoring God was important to David.

David's heart was not adulterous towards God. No amount of free stuff offered by King Saul was what motivated him. He was motivated by RIGHTEOUS ANGER that this "uncircumcised Philistine" would dare defy and mock God by being allowed to remain standing for so long. Every moment (40 full days) that Goliath stood mocking the Israelites was one more day that Satan was laughing at the LACK OF FAITH among the Israelite army.

Interestingly, even after David volunteered, the Israelites continued to offer solutions to him which just weighed him down. He eschewed the armor of Saul, as we should shrug off man-made solutions to spiritual problems. Instead he rightly acknowledged that the SAME GOD who saved him from the clutches of the lion and the bear would also save him from this roaring beast.

His weapon of choice? A slingshot with 5 smooth stones.

In this one chapter we see that David THOUGHT about God, TALKED about God, offered his TIME to God, eschewed TREASURE for God and TRUSTED in God alone. He had all 5 stones in his sling...but when a person has this right attitude in their heart, God takes the devil down with One Solid Rock.

Sample Repentance Prayer

Heavenly Father, I repent. I don't want to commit any form of spiritual adultery. Help me remove my old sin patterns that attempt to filter You out of Your rightful position as first and foremost in my life. I receive your rightful chastening because Your Holy Word says those whom You love you discipline. I turn to You now in trust and You alone I declare as Lord of my life. I pray this prayer in the Name above all names, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, YESHUA: The Prince of Peace under which every knee must bow. ~ Amen