The halfbaked Bard

David was so bothered in his conscience after he cut the robe of Saul, the anointed king of israel. He had the opportunity to kill Saul. Every single one of his troop was advising him to do that; In fact they all quoted God's will as they said - 'Today the Lord is telling you, 'I will certainly put your enemy into your power to do with as you wish'. And he just cuts the hem of Saul's robe. And even that too he feels guilty.  What is your conscience level? How well does your conscience prick you? How often? The frequency and strength of the prick depends on how you have reacted. Whether you have yielded or repelled. Whether you have snubbed it or repented over it? Have you allowed your conscience to prick you even for small matters? Or do you say, well  I'm not a murderer or an adulterer. That we are children of Abraham like the Pharisees said.  How do we react to, when the conscience pricks about jealousy or pride. When the Spirit nudges?  When you s...

1 Sam:24:15 May the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate and He will rescue me from your power.  It is one thing to tell statements of faith that God will rescue me from the enemy's power. But even greater to tell this on the face of the enemy. That God will rescue me from your power. David just said that on Saul's face when he was all set out to kill him.  Not that he is bold. He would rather be called foolish. Because that would anger the enemy more and he would fume with rage.  Not that he would trigger him to attack him with full vigour and then he would give a surprise move and defeat / kill him.  Not that he would tempt him to give a good fight so that he could enjoy and be entertained as he challenges him more.  These are the practical reasons man would think of when someone gives an open challenge.  But ultimately what happened later, proved that, what David believed was indeed true. That God would i...

David had the opportunity of his lifetime to kill the enemy who sought his life. He yet didn't do it, saying, King Saul is the anointed one of the Lord.  Being kind to those who intend to harm you is foolish in the sight of the world. You have squandered the golden opportunity. But there is no virtue greater to show your enemy, your standard, your Father's standard, your Father's character and thereby show him His love.  Our youngest one was trying to explain the word kindness to his grandfather. 'Don't you know what kindness is? It is like this' he says and hugs him tight. 'It is like love only' and thinks for a while and continues 'but different'.  What an amazing way to describe kindness. Kindness is showing love. The love of your Father who loved us when we were still His enemies. There couldn't be yet another better scene to show kindness than the cross.  A note on kindness from Ruth's life what have I done to deserve kin...

- God didn't let Saul find David.  - Jonathan encouraged David to stay strong in his faith in God.  - Though the men of Ziph betrayed David's hiding place to Saul, by the time he had already left that area.  - Saul had to leave midway because Philistines were attacking Israel back home.  When we put our trust in God, knowing for sure that He is in control of the situation we are in, even though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me: your rod and your staff they comfort me.  God will take care.  He is in control.  He brings in encouragement, strengthening you. He brings in the right person to strengthen you in faith.  God will guide you to take the right steps, the right decisions in the right time.  And the final outcome is also in His hands. He will bring a solution.  All we have to do is to just trust in Him. 

Always loquaicious, always garrulous and eloquent, always voluble. That's David for you. Talking his heart out. Unlike us who are mongers to each other who spreads gossip like wild fire. He was always verbal not even to his own self, neither to the people around. He verbalized continually to his God. Should I go there? Should I do this? Should I help him?  Even unlike, Saul who thought impractically that God was with him, though there was absolutely no probable communication between him and God. He falsely believes God is with him.  David as directed by God decides to protect the town of Keilah, but once Saul comes to the scene, Keilah would betray David to him, God reveals David. David should have been shattered by the revelation. But how much assured he might be, because he was sure his Almighty God will be with him no matter what.  A constant communication with God, not only gives you direction of your life, your path, but also gives you assurance and abili...

Saul is blinded by the evil that is in him. He is not able to see anything apart from the conspiracy that he thinks David is scheming against him. He thinks all the others are against him having been allied with his enemy. Hence accusing of joining with David to kill the king, he kills 85 innocent priests in their priestly garments and their families including their children.  Am I blinded by sin?  By anger? By jealousy? By hatred?  By lust? By addictions?  Can I see things only through that lens? It's time to sit back and recapitulate and think. It's time to confess. It's time to humble ourselves before God and correct ourselves. Rectify our myopia ask God to give us sight of His big picture.  John:9:39 I entered this world to render judgement, to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see, that they are blind. 

Are you obsessed with something?  You may call it passion, dream or ambition.  You may label it as justice or revenge or the "I am justified" demeanor Are you obsessed with habits or perversions or addictions?  What do you plan to do with all the likes and retweets and your shares and your views? Hoard them all together and step on it to heaven?  Saul was obessed with anger towards David, that all he could think of the whole day was means to kill him. He is even angry with his own son and his elite set of soldiers when he couldn't kill.  Judas Iscariot was obsessed with money. Saul (who became Paul) was obsessed with things of God that he had set out to kill Christians who were against the God of his religion.  What do you let your heart obsessed with? Can I be obsessed with God and means of knowing Him? Can He be the only thing I desire? Can I be passionate about Him? Is it practically possible?  David says - The one thing I ask of the Lor...

Leave your stronghold Contrary to the world's teaching, this is something which God's word always advocates. That faith in God is more important than trust in your own fortresses. Job/security/bank balance/children's future and things for it.  Where as here is a God who yearns you to just trust in Him alone, not your assets.  What is your stronghold, that you cling on to? He invites you to just release your grip and fling yourself to the caring bosom of the Father. There is freedom.  He is able, more than able to accomplish what concerns me today He is able, more than able to handle anything that comes way He is able, more than able to do much more than I could ever dream He is able, more than able to make me what He wants me to be.  It's worthwhile It's propitious It's opportune.  It's true. The freedom from the ties and bonds that we are entangled in. Just leave. Just loosen grip.  There's freedom in surrender Lay it down and let it go So w...

How important it is to confess our sins to the Lord. How imperative to open up to Him.  If you refuse to confess you sins, it is said in psalm 32, your body will waste away and there will be groaning all along because the hand of discipline of God will be on you all day long. Through the rod of discipline God is desperate to tell you, you were wrong.  Unless you open up and confess to God, your strength will evaporate. Spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically drained out.  Are you exhausted, tired of running around? Are you completely wearied?  The devil uses the sin and guilt which comes out of it to steal and kill and destroy, preventing that life abundant.  But when we confess, like David we would sing, O what joy, O what blessedness. That is life in its fullness. 

Who would want to have a thankless person in our life as a friend. We would try to keep away from such people who easily forget what we have done for them. Who easily negate and purposely not take up an opportunity to help us back. We being so self centred think why can't they repay back.  So you see the problem is not theirs. It's ours. We expect.  Do without expectations. Help without thinking they would pay us back.  We though He knew would be thankless. Still chose to die on that cross to pay my penalty. Though He wanted all to see the love, He knew majority would reject. But still for me He did.  I believe He would have still died if I was the only person living on the earth. Unconditional unexpecting endless limitless incomprehensible love. 

Psalm 31 is a cry for help to God. It is when you realize you are utterly helpless, you seek help. If you feel capable of coming out of the situation you are in, will you not solve your own problems? David asks for protection. God is my rock and my fortress. He pleads, "pull me from the trap of my enemies" Drag me out. Rescue me.  He prays to God to have mercy on him. Tears blur my eyes, because I'm sad of my situation I'm in. Because of it my body and soul also withers away. Because of grief and sadness. And also because of sin.  After all the blurting out of his struggles, he expressed his confidence and trust in the Lord. v:14 onwards I will trust.  You are my God.  My future is in your hands.  How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you.  You hide them in the shelter of your presence.  You shelter them in your presence.  He has shown me the wonders of His unfailing love.  He kept me safe.  You hear...

Jonathan is one character I so dearly love and admire.  Though being the rightful heir to the throne after his father, he could have thought like his father and schemed to kill David, who was the next big thing in Israel then. He had all the right to be jealous of the rise of David.  He had the privilege of betraying David, taking advantage of their friendship.  Once David is out of the picture, he would definitely become the next king.  Yet it is said of him, "Jonathan loved David as he loved himself" No jealousy, no self centredness. Pure genuine friend - friend love.  Is he not an example of "love your neighbour as yourself" as advocated by Jesus Himself? No selfish motive. Always pointing to the good of the other, even denying your own self, compromising on your comforts.  Today, it's kind of difficult to find such friendship. Everyone loves his friends for their own good. At least they wouldn't dare to go that extra mile compromising on the...

God used many different people to rescue David from the evil hands of Saul. Through Jonathan, the enemy's son, through Michal, the enemy's daughter, through Samuel, through the enemy's soldiers too. It is God who intervened extraordinarily in His ways.  Has He not helped us through in our times of trouble? Through people around us? And will He not in the future?  Let us look back and be thankful for the Jonathans and Michals and Samuels in our life and thereby be thankful to the God who is behind all those deliverances. And let us believe, that same God will help us in today's situation too. Psalm:46:1 God is our refuge and strength An everpresent help in trouble Psalm:107:13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them from their distress.

1Sam:18:17-30 is a passage where we see two people with different outlooks about life. Saul was always afraid, jealous and scheming to kill David. David was always innocent, God oriented and clinging on to the faith he had in his God.He was not even thinking of the evil schemes. Just innocently approaches life. Henceforth Saul was tossed about in his emotions whereas David was always at peace. David was carefree. Saul was careworn. This contrast is again what is highlighted by Jesus in John:10:10. The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. But I have come that you may have life, abundant life. A life that is in tune with God, gives the abundance you are waiting for. Living life to the fullest.  But if you yield to the devil's schemes, he only steals and kills and destroys your entire life. Anger, pride, jealousy are subtle things which the devil uses to pull you down. Overt ones like murder, covetousness, idol worship might not be there. But are there things which d...

Slowly we see David rising upto the scene. Bit by bit, all responsibilities given to him, he succeeds in doing. He meticulously does all that he is entrusted with.  Whatever Saul asks David to do, David did it successfully 1Sam:18:5 As commander of war. As a harp player to ease Saul of the tormenting spirit. As commander of thousand men. Even though Saul tried to kill him with a spear twice, David did his responsibilities faithfully and to the best of his ability. No fear about future. Will I be successful? Will I win this battle? Will I survive? No questions. Why? Because he was sure of his future. He was sure that he was anointed king. He was sure of his God, who is true and never lies. Num;23:19 God is not a man. So He does not lie . He is faithful Deutr:7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant. He is love Lam:3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases Come what may in our life opportunities with fearful consequences, do not wor...

He was a person who used to play harp for him, yet Saul forgot. He was somebody who used to ease him when the tormenting spirit troubled him, yet Saul didn't realize it was David, later. Saul knew he was a brave warrior, a man of war. Yet comfortably forgot later on. How pathetic to forget the people who have helped you, supported you in your times of trouble, who prayed for you, who cried with you, who led you to Christ, who strengthened you. You might have enough reasons to substantiate your actions. Busy? Hurts? Avoidance? If I have been blessed by someone, better be grateful to God for them. Occasionally at least you can ask how they are. To show them you care. You cannot be secluded in your cocoon.  Parents have been part of your life, in its entirety. Through thick and thin, whether in lean patch or not. They have been with you. Now that you are busy with your work. With your family. With your career. With your future. Why don't we have time for them? May be o...

Yes that is the confidence we need to have when we face much trials. The battle is the Lord's. And the Almighty, All powerful, All knowing God is on our side. Then why worry. David's confidence was this. You come to me with sword, spear and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven's armies, the God of armies of Israel - 1Sam:17:45 Psalm:20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses. But we trust in the name of the Lord. Our trust level determines our confidence. Whom or what we trust determines our outlook. If we trust in perishable things, we will be filled with fear and anxiety and tension. But if our trust is in the eternal, Almighty God of Heaven's armies, we will infact be excited to see what God is going to do. This is one dear family. Dr. Beena and Sam uncle. Our mentor. Our family. Our spiritual parents. Whenever something toiling comes to their lives, Dr. Beena immediately shifts gears, saying "I'm excited t...

Ah! What confidence! What boldness! "Don't worry about this Philistine. I'll go fight him." When Goliath challenged, Saul and his armies were infact terrified and shaken. Here comes a puny little lad saying, don't worry, I'll handle this. Absurdity or boldness? Ludicrous or confidence? Pseudoconfident or sanguine? Saul thought it was ridiculous. But for David it was looking through God's lens. The same God who helped me overcome a bear and a lion will rescue me from the Philistine. Actually here, even worse, because the Philistine has defiled God and His armies. The young boy kept looking back, how his God has done it in the past. I'm not used to this . I'm comfortable to face the 9 foot with 5 stones and 1 staff rather than the heavy armour and sword which would actually impede me. I'd rather go in faith, fully trusting in Him, how He has led me in the past, rather than logic or reason coming in the way. Foolish in the world'...

David as a boy is being snubbed and jeered. He is looked down upon by his own brothers. "What about the few sheep that you are supposed to look after? I know your deceit and pride. You just want to see the battle." From David's reply we realize, it was not a once in a life scenario. It had happened quiet regularly. "What have I done now?" Always being looked down upon. Always scorned and spurned. Even by his father. Dear one, are you considered silly, misunderstood for your actions. Are you jeered upon. Remember the Lord is on your side. If the Lord is for you who can be against you. The Lord has anointed you already with His purpose for you. He has plans to prosper you, which was planned even before you were born. Heir of God you are. Co heir with Christ. Let people say whatever they want to bring you down. But it's the opinion of the Lord that matters - I have loved you with an everlasting love.

As humans we all desire for the eternal than the ephemeral. We always have a longing for the long lasting. That is the very reason why medical business has thrived. Everyone wants to live long. I am in no way criticizing the desire. I believe we have that ulterior desire in our subconscious mind because it is the eternal God who has planted it in our hearts.  That is the destiny. Whether you want to accept it or not. Eternity is a surety, be it in heaven or hell. No death and vanish. The person you are will live in eternity, be it with the Father, Creator, Saviour in abundance of life. Or far from Him, devoid of it. Choice is yours. John:3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life. Rev:20:10,15 Then the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulphur joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. ...

The Lord has chosen Like David, dark and small Insignificant he was among his brothers Even his father did not consider him worthy The Lord has chosen Like Joseph, when others hated When others considered you silly and oversmart Irritating dreamer, imposter The Lord has chosen Like Jacob, the liar, the schemer The runner, the self reliant He always ran from his consequences The Lord has chosen Like Peter, the over doer Who says and doesn't do those Thinks so high of himself, only to fall low later The Lord has chosen Like Thomas who was called the doubter Who wouldn't believe without evidence Radical, practical, realist was he The Lord has chosen Like Paul, the know it all He thought he would protect his God Intellectual, Mr. Perfect had to be blinded The Lord has chosen me With all my inadequacies and iniquities With all my infirmities He has loved me Without conditions, as I am.

How often are we biased about our opinion about someone. Especially with respect to one of the first proverbs we learnt -"First impression is the best impression" Our opinion about someone is quiet often determined by the etiquette, the demeanor and body language of that person in our very first encounter. That is why we often love someone and hate someone, without any absolute reasons. Because we have labelled them based on our bias.  Very often we have labelled new people who have come afresh in our lives, only to later realize that they are not the person whom we thought to be. Both a good and bad detours they have taken. We thought them to be shade giving trees, they turned out to be bonsais.  Samuel learnt this truth in Jesse's house. When he saw the son Eliab, he thought- Surely this is the Lord's anointed. But the Lord replies, "The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the h...

People come in our lives. They take different routes. Not because of fights or quarrels. But because of different convictions. About life, about priorities, about desires. Their motivations aren't the ones for us. Just like King Saul and Samuel. Just like Paul and Barnabas. They parted ways never to meet again. King Saul's priorities were totally against Samuel's convictions. God Himself had rejected him. But Samuel continued to mourn constantly for him. I believe, Paul and Barnabas would have done the same for each other. People with different ideas about life, often just walk away from our lives. Some without even saying a word. Some hurting us. Some with feel of regret in our hearts. Some with anger and resentment. Some leave with scars unhealed. People in our fellowships whom we so dearly loved as our own slowly walk away. Fade away. People we thought were soulmates, vanish into thin air, without remembering that it would hurt us and bleed us and scar us. We...

When the Holy Spirit convicts you of a sin in your life, why do you repent? Many of us still repent to escape the wrath of God. If I do not repent to God, will He punish me? To escape retribution. The focus is on the temporary. When we see the actual picture of God getting hurt and pained by our deed or thought; we have back stabbed Him. We have proclaimed our rebellion to a loving Father. We have declared our own way against trust. Have our minds bled out of this thought that I have hurt God? A genuine repentance finds you rushing back to a loving Father like the second son, wailing and crying (at least with a heavy heart) seeking forgiveness. A frivolous one is directed towards one's own self. A genuine repentance looks at God's heart; A superficial one looks at His hands. Or even at our own heart alone.  2Cor:7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. But worldly sorrow brings death. An everloving, everforgiving Father is al...

Giving alibi, is mostly to repel punishment To averse from the fear that is in our heart To run away from consequence, I give excuse I justify, like Saul in front of Samuel  I point finger at others too, I was not alone in this, he was there too. Or he was the one who suggested It is to escape, or he should be punished too David accepted his mistake, a man after God's own heart No excuses, no alibi, just repented Saul gave excuses, it was to sacrifice I obeyed the Lord, partly, he said Samuel replies, "to obey is better than sacrifice" To submit and not to rebel To be stubborn, is as bad as idol worship. Accept and repent, the Lord advocates. Giving excuse is rebellion Giving excuse is being stubborn But if I would accept my mistake And own up and repent and seek forgiveness!

God says of Saul, that He regrets making him king, becuase he has turned back from following Him and he has not performed His commandments. But what is the opinion of Saul about himself? "I have performed the commandment of the Lord." Have you blinded yourself in believing that I am close to God's heart. I have been spick and span in obeying Him. That I am in the Lord directed path. Perfectly driven. But still are you far away from Him? Have you fooled yourself? In overt things, may be it's so obvious like lust, lies, anger etc. But what about subtle things as in jealousy, pride, haughtiness, arrogance? Let our prayers be like David's - Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. You desire truth in inward parts and in the hidden parts you will make me to know wisdom. What a powerful and intimate prayer to a God who searches our hearts. Lord let me not blind myself. Let me not fool myself

Saul after the war against Amalekites as commanded by God through Samuel, he killed everyone there in the country, but for Agag, the king. 1Sam:15:9 says, he - kept the best of sheeps and goats and cattle, the fat calves and lambs - everything infact that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality. How deceiving and cunning? Obeying in things which are comfortable to him. Giving things to God only if it is worthless to your eyes or useless. And keeping for yourself things which are good in your eyes. It is easy to judge Saul. But how are we? What is the easiest thing to skip on a busy morning - quiet time or your breakfast or good clothes for work? What is the most comfortable thing to disregard on a tiresome day - prayer or sleep? What is the effortless thing to omit on an idle day - time of reflection or your addictions - newspaper/ social media / games/ movies? It is easy to obey God when everything looks comfortable for you. But taking a...

Psalm:30:2-3 O Lord my God I cried to you for help And you restored my health You brought me up from the grave O Lord You kept me from falling into the pit of death. When we look back, the past 1 ½ - 2 years, when the whole world was struck low by something smaller than what our eyes could perceive, has not the Lord protected us? It's not the vaccine or social distancing or masks or sanitizers that have protected us. It is the Lord. His name is Jehovah Rapha. Ex:15:26 Psalm:107:20 He sent out His word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction. Jer:17:14 Heal me O Lord and I will be healed. Save me and I will be saved. In the Old Testament there were conditions for healing. If you listen to the law and obey. But in the New Testament, we see anyone can receive this healing. On the cross, He is Jehovah Rapha for all - spiritual, mental, emotional, physical. Isa:53:5 By His wounds we are healed.  Matt:11:28 Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, I...

Saul took a foolish oath, that none of his men would eat anything before he killed all his enemies, because of which his army was exhausted and tired. Oaths made out of will power come out of fear and commitment. But promises made out of our love to God comes out of trust in God. Do we make irrational, illogical foolish oaths trusting in our own ability or our adamancy. Only to fail later and then be disappointed. But if it is God's burden that motivates you to take an oath, It is He who would help us.

Psalm 29 is a Psalm about the voice of the Lord. It draws a picture of the might and power of the voice of the Lord. As it thunders over the mighty sea and Lebanon's mountains. It thunders; it is powerful; it is majestic. It splits the mighty cedars of Lebanon. His voice makes the barren wilderness quake. It twists mighty oaks, causes deers to give birth and strips the forest bare. Such is the might and power of His voice. Isa:55:11 So is my Word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and acheive the purpose for which I sent it. His voice would sound like the trumpet blast, It would sound like rushing waters says John the revelator. Yet this same God speaks to Elijah the mighty prophet, not through a windstorm, not through an earthquake, not through fire, but through a still small voice. Though His voice is powerful and mighty and it is by His voice that all we see and do not see pursued their origin; He speaks to u...

Jonathan, Saul's son goes to the enemy camp of Philistines along with his armour bearer. Just two of them killed almost twenty mighty Philistines. Because of which, panic broke out in the Philistine camp. 1Sam:14:15b Just then an earthquake struck and everyone was terrified. We go on to read later Israel puts an end to the war by defeating the Philistine army.  Jonathan was super confident in his God. 1Sam:14:6 For nothing can hinder the Lord. But he dared to proceed. He dared to do things in the eyes of faith. The lord has got my back, I will venture out in faith. _ is studies a burden for you? Does it seem a huge mountain. The Lord has got your back. _ are you emotionally tossed? In a trough with no energy to come out? The Lord has got your back. _ is some task too difficult for you? The Lord has got your back. What if Jonathan had the faith that nothing can hinder the Lord and sits along with his father around the pomegranate tree? Just because he pushed himself out ...