He Is Not Interested

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 20:25-26, Now the king sat on his seat, as at other times, on a seat by the wall. And Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty. 26 Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him; he is unclean, surely he is unclean.”

I am afraid that what we see here is something that we have all been guilty of at some point in our walk with the Lord. King Saul, Jonathan, and Abner are gathered together in celebration of the New Moon, where a sacrifice is offered. David has purposely chosen not to attend, as he feared that Saul would make an attempt on his life. He has already told Jonathan to tell Saul that he has gone to be with his family for the New Moon celebration, should Saul inquire about David’s absence. Although Saul says nothing of David’s absence to Jonathan and Abner, God gives us a glimpse of his thoughts. It is obvious that what is meant to be an occasion of worship, for Saul is an occasion to commit evil. During a time when God should have been the center of their thoughts, Saul was preoccupied with the wickedness he had planned. How often have we, in the midst of our worship or fellowship with other believers, been preoccupied with less than honorable thoughts about our fellow brothers or sisters in Christ? How often have we been at odds or thought negatively about others while pretending to honor God with our empty raising of hands up to the Lord for all to see? King Saul made a false, and negative, assumption in respect to why David did not attend the feast. How often have we made false assumptions about others, only to find out that we missed the mark by a mile in our thinking? Philippians 2:3 reminds us that we are to think better of other than we think of ourselves. Saul’s sinful thoughts already marred his offerings. To make matters worse, his intentions added to his thoughts. So often, we come before the Lord offering up our sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise, but neglect to consider that our thoughts and intentions have made our offerings an abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 21:27 clearly tells us, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with wicked intent!” If we have evil thoughts toward a brother or sister in Christ, whom we are called to love, or are at odds with someone and not made an honest attempt to resolve it, choosing instead not to forgive, why are we then bringing our hypocritical sacrifices before the Lord? Does He not know our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts? In Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus clearly stated, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” As born again followers of Jesus, we must make a conscious effort to remember that the outward show we put on for others does not fool the Lord. He sees beyond our empty actions straight to our hearts. If we think that bringing our tithes, offerings, and other sacrifices, to the Lord will make up for our unwillingness to forgive someone we are at odds with, we are sadly mistaken. God is not interested in our empty gifts when our hearts of full of evil and wicked intentions. We must get right with others and with the Lord, before we come to the altar to offer up gifts and sacrifices. Let us be careful to offer up our gifts and offerings with clean hands and hearts, which can only be truly done, and be acceptable, in Christ Jesus.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).