Cutting Saul's Robe

Anyone else enjoy just a little revenge? We all have enemies...people who've hurt us and who make life miserable for us. And we know we need to forgive them. We know we need to love them as Christ loves us. Most of the time, we really try our best. But sometimes we just can't resist that small, momentary opportunity for revenge. You know what I'm talking about. Something bad happens to your enemy and you secretly rejoice. A co-worker asks what you know about your "favorite" person, and before you know it, you're engaging in some "harmless" slander. And best of all...you ask all of your friends to "pray" for so-and-so as you spill all of the ugly details. Just a little revenge...David knew what it was like. He served crazy King Saul who constantly tied to kill him, made his life a living hell, and was controlled by an evil spirit. Talk about an enemy! David also knew that the job title "king" was destined to be his--he just had no idea when. One day, he had his chance...that brief momentary opportunity for revenge. Saul was sleeping in a cave and David stood over him. He knew he couldn't kill the king, but he needed just a little revenge. So David cut off a piece of Saul's robe--just to scare him. And you know what? Instead of enjoying his revenge, God's spirit pierced him 1 Samuel 24. David knew it was wrong. He knew revenge belongs to God alone. God sees it all and promises to fight for us, but we have to remember the battle is His. God can't bless, honor, or uphold us until we stop cutting Saul's robe.

Worthy Enough To Fill My Boots

I'll never forget the day I stood in front of my third graders wearing my Dad's huge old work boots. My plan was to teach a lesson about choosing good fit books. God and the kids had a different plan. They had a lesson for me....

       Ready to teach, I excitedly began clomping around the classroom in my work boots until the kids were rolling on the floor in fits of laughter. When they finally quieted down, I asked, "Does anyone know why I'm wearing these boots today?" A boy immediately said, "Yeah, Miss Andy they're your husband-hunting boots." Stunned!!! all I could manage was, "They're my what?" He calmly explained, "Whenever a lady isn't married she should put on men's work boots and walk around the school. This way all the men will know she needs a husband. She should watch all of the men carefully, and when she finds one who is worthy enough--she should let him fill her boots." A speechless teacher does a lot of thinking. And I've done a lot of thinking since that day...thinking about how I'll know when I've found a man who's worthy enough. I've been single long enough that I've given up my dreams of white picket fences and of being carried away by a Christian Prince Charming who is practically perfect in every way. Real life is messy, and things never go as we dream they will. But I've also waited long enough that I refuse to settle for a man who isn't worthy enough. Pastor Alistair Begg says a man who's worthy enough will: 1) Be committed to growth in Christ (he won't be someone I have to lead) 2) Model genuine humility 3) Be honest to a fault 3) Be able to laugh 4) Love sacrifically 5) Model servant leadership--not domineering leadership. I couldn't agree with him more. Five important qualities--my non-negotiables. All the rest, I leave with God. And for those who say my standards are too high--as the old saying goes "I'd rather want what I don't have than have what I don't want." So as I walk around school each day, wearing my husband-hunting boots, I'm going to be watching carefully. And if I happen to meet a man I love, who's worthy enough, I just might give him my boots to fill.