1 Samuel 26: Loyalty

"May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his loyalty.  I wasn't willing to lift my hand against the Lord's anointed, even though the Lord handed you over to me today."

1 Samuel 26:23

My brother-in-law just graduated from Army Basic Training, and during our visit with him this weekend we had a rather enlightening family discussion about the parallels between the Army's core values and the ways Jesus showed those values during Holy Week, or during the "last 100 yards" of His battle against evil.  The first character pillars which gives a soldier his strength is - loyalty.

David's story thus far shows a strong understanding of the concept of loyalty.  He was loyal to God's calling in the fight against the Philistines, where even though he'd never before acted as a soldier he was Called to fight a giant.  He loyally followed his king's orders for many years, fighting and winning dozens of battles against many different foes.  Even when his king betrayed him and sought to kill him, he could not lift a hand to strike against the evil man.

But where did David's loyalty lie?  Was he loyal to the king?  Was he loyal to his people, his culture, his family?  David was loyal to his God.  He fought Goliath because the Lord Called him to do so.  He won all his battles because he followed the Lord's guidance in them.  He couldn't raise a hand against his king because God had anointed Saul.  This is now the second time David has spared Saul's life, and both times he gave this reason.

Question of the Day:

Are you loyal to your Lord?  Are you obeying when He Calls you?  Do you raise up those He anoints as leaders in your life, even when you see their flaws?  Are you willing to do whatever He asks of you, even when it's something you'd really rather not do?  Are you willing to be as loyal as David, who spared the life of a man who has wanted to kill him?  Do you have what it takes to be as loyal as Jesus, who endured lashings, a crown of thorns, a long walk with a cross, and crucifixion because His Father asked Him to?

Prayer of the Day:

Lord, help me to understand what loyalty to You really means for my life.  Guide me through each day and help me make all of my thoughts and actions loyal to You and Your plan for me, even when that loyalty requires hardship, pain, and sacrifice on my part.  Give me a heart that seeks to praise You in all that I do.  Amen.