So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive.

2 Samuel 1

So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. v10

In 1 Samuel 31, we learn that Saul takes his own life as he was mortally wounded but alive enough to know that should he be captured he would be abused and/or tortured.  Yet the Amalekite who reported the news of Saul and Jonathan's death to David lied to David that he killed Saul when he did not.  

I can only speculate why this man would lie to David, perhaps it was bragging - who knows.  Yet the simple truth is that he lied and he should not have.  For this lie, he ends being killed by David:

David asked him, “Why weren’t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”

Then David called one of his men and said, “Go, strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. For David had said to him, “Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’” v14-16

The lesson for us is that people lie for all kinds of reasons - to hide things, to think they are making people feel better, to brag, etc.  Yet even innocent lies - and I've done them myself - are sinful.  I tell my son Zach that if you can lie about the small things you can lie about the big things - you become comfortable with a life of sin.  We should be uncomfortable with a life of sin because "the wages of sin are death (Romans 3:23)", and our discomfort should drive us into the arms of our Savior Jesus who came to rescue us from our sin and to provide us eternal life in Heaven with Him. 

See also this post from a few days ago.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has transformed my heart and life and protected me from great harm - including harm done by myself due to sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am selfish and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.

Proverbs 13
Holy Spirit Relationship

Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. v15

We don't realize that we tell and live lies all the time...and one of the most deceitful lies we can tell is the rationalization of sin...we either think or say that it is OK.  It's not...we need to be "cut to the heart" as they were in Acts 2 when Peter spoke after the Holy Spirit appeared at Pentecost.  

Proverbs 13:1 is critical here in my view:  

"A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes."  

This verse underscores how important it is to heed the father's advice and for me it's about Jesus, my Heavenly Father.  I can only have good judgement when I heed and take to heart Jesus' teachings for me.  I must understand, apply and obey His teachings...only in this way can I live true as the devotional encourages us to do.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are that You provide Your Holy Spirit, Your Word, Lisa, my family, my church, my brothers and sisters in Christ, etc. all to help guide and teach me in Your Word.  What blessings!  Thank You Jesus.  I am lost without You and all of the help and support I get from You.  I need You in my life.  Forgive me for not being all of the man You intend for me as a husband, father, worker, son, etc.  Help me turn from my laziness towards You.  Help me be the man You intend for me in all roles.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer.  Please heal her of the side effects of chemo and radiation...quickly!  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.