It’s Not What It Seems
“What are these, daddy?” they called out from the back seat
Reference: v.2 So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand able young Israelites, to search there for David. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: A friend, Nick, recently had his car in for a major service. Due to the length of time his car would be out of action, the service company lent him another car to transport his family in.
The loan car was not nearly as new as the car Nick owned, however, he was able to drive his children around to all their activities, which limited the disruption to his day. In actual fact, the children liked the loan car better.
“What are these, daddy?” they called out from the back seat. Nick explained that they were window winders.
He showed the children how the windows go down when you turn the handle around and around. They were fascinated!
Having only grown up with electric windows they thought the window winders were a lot more fun. Who would have thought that something so ‘old school’ would be so interesting to children who have grown up in the technology age.
Application: At times, it can be deceiving as to what is more interesting, powerful or useful. David’s power compared to King Saul’s was certainly deceiving.
Saul turns up with an army of 3000 soldiers, and yet, David has a rag tag bunch of outcasts. Despite this, it is David that continually holds the upper hand over Saul and finds a number of opportunities to take his life.
Life is not always as it seems. We look at others and see all the great things they have – more money, more technology, more opportunities. However, the outward appearance can be deceiving.
Some of the most content and purposeful people I know are not those who have more possessions, but those who know their identity in Christ.
Let’s not spend our lives trying to be something that we think will bring us happiness, rather, let’s spend our lives striving to live like Christ.
Prayer: Lord, may we not look to the world to find purpose, but look to You for opportunity and contentment. Amen.
Is there something you are aiming for that only brings worldly reward?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.