Playing the part of a fake

In the book of Proverbs, chapter 12 is once again a long list of great advice.

One of my favorites, that just struck out at me, is verse 9: "It's better to be ordinary, earning an ordinary living, than playing the part of a great man and starving."  Some of my favorite successful people go about giving their money away in secret.  They don't want the recognition.  They just want to do some good.

Another theme in this chapter is righteousness.  Staying on the path of righteousness is like leading down the path of life.  God favors those who stay on the path of righteousness.

Verse 1 talks about knowledge, and how it is stupid to never want to be corrected.  Criticism, done correctly, is healthy for your overall growth.

My favorite Psalms (the power of Psalms 23)

Psalms 23 has been quoted many, many times.  "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil."

Psalms 23 is also my favorite Psalms.  It is short and uplifting, even with the "valley of the shadow of death" part.

It starts with, "The Lord is my Sheperd, I shall not want."  It talks about how having the Lord in your life gives you comfort and strength to tackle the evils in the world.

For a quick pick me up, as a reminder of the strength God gives you, read it.  Enjoy it.

Live it.

David booted out by the Philistines

In the final three chapters of the book of 1 Samuel, chapters 29-31, David is ordered out of Philistine, a place where he had sought refuge against Saul.

David was devestated by the news that he and his people had to leave.  They arrived back to the town of Ziklag days later, only to find it had been burned to the ground and all of their former possessions had been taken.  This included the Israelites' wives--and both of David's.

They pursued the raiders.  They then came across an Egyptian slave who told them all about the raiders.  At dawn, they attacked the raiders and took back all that had been taken from them, including all of their wives.  On the way back the Ziklag, the men who had fought were angry that they had to share their wealth with those who stayed behind.  David told them that the ones who stayed behind watched over what they had, and in turn had an equal share of what had been taken.

In the final chapter, Saul and his sons fought in a battle against the Philistines.  Subsequently, they were killed.

David's escape

In the book of 1 Samuel, chapters 27-28, David escaped to Philistia and lived among the Philistines.

David did this to get as far away from Saul as he could, so that Saul would not pursue him any longer.  The plan worked.  In the meantime, Saul disguised himself and consulted a medium to find out all he could about David.

The medium was angry, saying Saul was trying to trick her into using her fortunetelling skills.  Saul advised her he would not do such a thing.

The medium consulted with the spirit of Samuel.  Samuel told Saul to lay down his weapons and join David and his army.