Last week God showed us that
David's family came to him when he was in exile, even though they
didn't believe in him at first. They mocked him and didn't respect
him, but here it was clear that they did. David forgave them and
they joined his forces at the cave of Adullam. Other men who owed
money, who were in distress themselves, the outcasts of the society
joined him as well until they were 400 in total. But as we will see
God used them all mightily and they became men of valor.
From that cave David went to Mizpah
of Moab and he asked the king there:
"Please let my father and
mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me." 1
Samuel 22:3
The king of Moab agreed and his
parents stayed there the whole time that David was in the
stronghold. I just love David's concern for his parents. Saul most
probably wanted to get his hand on them in order to either lure
David back, or simply out of rage because David escaped. Either
way, I love the fact that David was worried about them and made
sure that they were safe and looked after. He also had a lot of
guts to ask this of a king who was an enemy of Israel. But as we've
seen God was with him and gave him favor wherever he went.
This act of David made me think of
Jesus too. He also made sure that His mother Mary was looked after.
At the cross whilst enduring the most testing time of His life, He
made sure that John would look after His mother. Another example is
Joseph. He also sent for his father and brothers to come and live
with him in Egypt even though his brothers treated him shamefully.
When they were in need, he didn't hesitate to help them. It truly
is beautiful to see and an example to us all.
God wants us to look after our
parents. He wants us to make sure that they are safe and well
looked after. It is not the responsibility of others or the church
to look after them. Even in the early church when they looked after
widows and orphans, they were instructed to only look after widows
who truly had no one else. If they had children, their children
were expected to look after them.
I know if you have a good
relationship with your parents it is easy to look after them, but
it is very difficult if your relationship is strained. God is
merely placing on our hearts today to make sure that they are okay.
We cannot have our parents living on the streets as beggars. We
need to help them with the love of Jesus. He will be with us and
supply the heart of love and the resources that we need in doing
so.
Father flow mightily through us and
pour Your love out on us. Shower us in Your Shalom peace and give
us the courage to do the right thing. We follow and honor You in
everything. Amen