Daily Devotional

A Ministry of the Kerwin Baptist Church

August 18, 2020

by Kerwin Baptist

BIBLE READING: I Samuel 17:21-39
“And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.” I Samuel 17:28-30

Sibling rivalry is always interesting to see. In our passage today, Eliab’s feelings toward David were turned to jealousy and even some bitterness. David had done his best to act responsibly and obey his father to deliver the supplies to the battlefield. Here, Eliab accuses him of being selfish and irresponsible. All because David wanted to stand up for what is right against Goliath when no one else would. Often, when we stand for God there will be some resistance. Sometimes it may even be from an unexpected source. What do we do? David’s response was a great example. He said, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” He did not argue or lash back. He simply stated that something needed to be done and went on. It can be easy to let the opinions of others sway us or even get us down when trying to stand for what is right. Besides the statement David said, he simply walked right past Eliab to tell others what needed to be done. What God wants us to do is more important than any opinion of man, or really any opinion of ourselves. What matters the most is what we can do for God. We all are just flesh, but God’s strength and ways are above ours. We can trust in Him and His Word. David as he stood before King Saul explained that his encounters in the past were not just because of him but resulted from God’s strength and help. We too can trust and rely on God’s help. So today, let us rely on God’s strength and help to do what He wants us to do for Him.

David Fulp II