April 16, 2025

Hey guys, 

this week’s Thought comes from 1 Samuel 18:13, “Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle.” 

If you don't know the context of that scripture, it could seem like a huge honor, that David gets to lead 1,000 men into battle! That's why context in Scripture is so important. This passage comes after Samuel had anointed David as the next king of Israel. This passage comes after David becomes a hero because he slays the giant, Goliath. This passage comes after God had given him favor in Saul's eyes, and Saul appoints him to be the commander of all of his armies. 

So, this is actually punishment, a demotion because Saul became very suspicious and very jealous of David. In fact, the people would chant “Saul had slain his thousands, but David had slain his tens of thousands.”  Despite the punishment and demotion, at the end of the verse, we read that David still faithfully fulfilled his duties. 

I don't know how your life's going right now. Maybe you're headed in a different direction than what you thought. Maybe you've hit a roadblock. Maybe there is some obstacle, or some person or event that is keeping you from moving in the direction that you feel like God wants you to go. 

Are you faithful in the small things? What if things aren’t going according to plan? David was faithful, even with his 1,000, as he lead them into battle. Then we read in verse 14, “David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him.” 

Despite the demotion, setback or punishment, David remained faithful. When things don't go your way, do you throw up your hands, get aggravated, and rant and rave…or do you remain faithful? 

Love you guys,

John