He Turned And Struck

He Turned And Struck by Kirk Hunt

Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me.” But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. And the king said to Doeg, “You turn and kill the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod.

1 Samuel 22:17-18 NKJV
Please also read 1 Samuel 22:1-23

Even if King Saul’s order to kill the priests was lawful, it was clearly immoral. Traditional sources identify Abner and Amasa, loyal captains of King Saul, as the men who refused to kill the priests. Doeg proved himself a despicable henchman when he “turned and struck the priests.”

King Saul, God’s anointed king of Israel, gave an immoral order based on his anger and frustration. Men and women are responsible for the decisions they make as a leader of God’s people. A good leader would have re-thought his orders when loyal men (or women) refused to carry them out.

Any thug or brute can carry out a malicious order. An honorable and righteous soul is most loyal when they protect a leader from all dangers. And sometimes, a leader’s greatest danger is themselves.

Scripture does not record what happened to Doeg. Saul, who gave the order, died a miserable death, surrounded by enemies. A good leader wants good followers. Men and women who are so loyal, they will protect a leader from themselves.

Think: Even if the order is lawful, it may not be moral. Should I carry it out?

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister correctly, despite my orders.”

Copyright © February 2022, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Born For Adversity

Born For Adversity By Kirk Hunt

A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17 NKJV

I have complained that my siblings do not gather well. A breakfast or lunch for the pleasure of their company is a labored exercise in logistics and scheduling. On the other hand, they appear instantly if there is trouble or adversity.

I pray your life consists of smooth waters and gentle breezes. I would prefer you never need help or assistance. More likely, you know that even God’s favorites can experience raging storms and violent winds.

It is when adversity batters you hardest that true friends and faithful brothers are revealed. You may have to pick up the phone and ask for their support. Their response may start with an awkward silence. Perhaps their response will begin with hesitant stuttering.

You will know before the end. The fair-weather posers will disappear. Your real kith and kin will be revealed, standing at your side. Those who refuse to leave until they know you are okay are the best of the lot.

God does not always send angels. Sometimes He sends folks you did not know were watching or cared. Not even the pelting rain and howling winds of the worst circumstances can drive off true friends or faithful family.

Be certain that God has appointed men and women, boys and girls, to love you in sincerity and faithfulness. They will not abandon you in adversity. In the choice between the pleasant lunch or the difficult lurch, I’m certain you know when it is best that they show up.

Think: God has surrounded me with true friends and faithful family.

Pray: “Lord, if You do not send angels, please send true friends and faithful family.”

 

Copyright © March 2017, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Enough Love To Persist

Enough Love To Persist By Kirk Hunt

 

Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’

Matthew 18: 15–16 NKJV
Please also read Matthew 18: 15–17

 

Confrontation is an act of love and loyalty. It is part of the healing protocol against moral and spiritual infection. One dose is not always enough. Godly men and women must persist in loving confrontation until there is change.

 

Jesus gave us a procedure for resolving conflict. We are commanded to have courage and speak, alone the first time, directly to an offending brother or sister. The goal is not hurt feelings but restoration. The best outcome is reconciliation driving out separation.

 

Men and women continue to sin (a specific way) either because they do not know better, or because they benefit (profit) from the sin. Persistent, Godly confrontation forces home the truth and degrades the benefit.

 

Human beings can be willful, obstinate creatures. While it is easy to recognize error and willfulness in others, it is more difficult to see it in yourself. Dismissing a single complaint is one thing. Dismissing a growing portion of your community is a different thing.

 

Persist in saying the truth, especially to power. Shine the lights of Scripture and publicity on injustice and wrongdoing. After a while, God’s righteousness will disinfect even the most deeply entrenched infection of sin.

 

Think: I must be persistent in Godly confrontation, an act of love and loyalty.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to persist with love and grace, especially in confrontation.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2016, Kirk Hunt

 

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Enough Love To Confront

Enough Love To Confront By Kirk Hunt

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Galatians 2: 11–12 NKJV
Please also read Galatians 2:11–12

 

Apostle Paul chose to confront Apostle Peter. No one would say, or even think, this act of courage made Paul an enemy of Peter. Real brothers and sisters refuse to let a sibling continue in error. Sometimes, confrontation is an act of love and loyalty.

 

Confrontation is rarely a pleasant activity for either side. Pain, grief and anger all too easily flow in, and from, the moment. After all, confrontation is not needed when everything is right and righteous.

 

Biblical confrontation is an act of love. It is an act of devotion and courage when parents confront a son or daughter about drugs. Things will only get worse if a husband does not confront his wife with evidence of infidelity. Consider the loyalty of a sister who confronts her friend about a moral failing.

 

The drug user will deny it. The adulterer will blame others. The fallen will make excuses. The strong and courageous will refuse to be deterred, despite the tears and harsh words.

 

God’s men and women confront their brothers and sisters in love, and with grace. Not to condemn, but to help start repentance and reconciliation. Acts of love are not always pleasant. Acts of loyalty are usually uncomfortable. Do them anyway.

 

Think: Godly confrontation is an act of love and loyalty.

 

Pray: “Lord, guide me in love and grace, especially in confrontation.”

 

 

Copyright © July 2016, Kirk Hunt

 

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.