April 2, 2010

Today's reading: II Samuel 1, 2, 3; Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92, 122; Proverbs 2

II Samuel 1:10, "So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord."

David met an Amalekite and asked him how the battle went. Sadly this man chose to put his own spin on the situation. He very well might have been trying to gain favor with David. For some reason he chose not to tell the truth. He even brought the king's crown and bracelet to try to substantiate his "story".

So, what really happened? Look at I Samuel 31:4, "Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it." This man had a real lapse in character. He had the opportunity to tell the truth and he chose not to do that.

How many times do we do the same thing? This is a practice that should not be in the lives of those who name the Name of Christ. We are people of the truth and we should always tell the truth. Deception should not be a part of the Christian's life. Unfortunately, it is.

Notice David's reaction to the story of the Amalekite. Look at II Samuel 1:14-16, "And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed? And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed." Was David wrong for killing an innocent man? Yes; but, he did it based upon the admission of so called guilt by the man himself. So, ultimately he was not guilty. I am sure that if this man knew that lying would bring him to a place of being executed he would have reconsidered his decision to lie.

I hope you are a person of truth in all of your dealings. If you are one of God's children then you must be a person of truth. Remember, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32. How sad that this man was killed because of his serious moral failure. No matter what the reason for doing it was; he still lost his life because he lied.

Do you tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?