Wednesday, January 14, 2009

I Samuel 24:10

I Samuel 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed. (KJV)
This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the Lord's anointed.' (NIV)

How many of you have ever been pressured into doing something you know you shouldn't do? I have to raise my hand. Actually I was once pressured into not doing something I wish I had done. When I was 21 I had the privilege of traveling to Europe with the Hood College Choir. We visited the Eiffel Tower, but some friends of mine convinced me to not actually go into and up the tower. Today, I wish I had done that, but, of course, that is now a lost opportunity. On that same trip, I celebrated my 21st birthday and was pressured into drinking a shot of Vodka. I am certainly not proud of that! I could have said "NO," but I let peer pressure push me into doing something I am ashamed of now.

In our verse for this week, we see David being pressured to kill Saul, who by the way, was trying to kill David. David already knew that he was to be the next king and his followers were pressuring him to go ahead and kill Saul so he could take the throne as king. But David knew if he did that he would be setting a precedent which could posibly result in being killed himself when his reign was nearing its end and someone else wanted to be king. David also knew that it wasn't right to strik down the one God had annointed. He respected Saul in the position of King and he wanted to follow God and do the right thing.

David's refusal to kill King Saul was not an example of cowardice - but courage - courage to stand against the crowd - peer pressure. Where did David get this courage? Where can we get the courage to "do the right thing?" Where can we get the courage to make right decisions based on what God wants us to do?

We are getting close to the anniversary date of Roe vs. Wade - the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in our country - the case that legally allows us to kill our unborn babies for any reason - even for convenience or preference. Yes, we will have temptations to do what is not right in God's eyes - sometimes pressure from close friends or even family to do the wrong thing. Where can we get help to do the right thing?

God has given us a promise of help! I Corinthians 10:13 says that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear and will provide us a way to escape out of the temptation. We can make it out of any pressure or temptation if we let God help us. We need to tell him, "God, you said I won't be tempted beyond what I can bear. I'm weak right now. Help me fight this temptation and do the right thing."

God may help you with the right words, give you a distraction so you don't have to deal with the situation, give you an opportunity to leave the situation or provide a Christian friend to give you support. Whatever help you need, God is able to give it. Hebrews 13:6 says, "God is my helper.."

God will be there for you when you need him, but don't just use him as a life raft (although he is up for that.) Let him be your helper everyday. Talk to him everyday and he will be there to help you stand up against peer pressure, to do the right thing, and to help you in times of crisis.
Maybe this could be your New Year's resolution.

Happy 2009!