#soap # 1 Samuel 26 ## Title: How to Know if God is Orchestrating Something ## Scripture: (1 Samuel 26:8-11) Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me drive the spear right through him into the ground with one swift jab! A second jab won’t be necessary!” But David said to Abishai, “Don’t kill him! Who can extend his hand against the Lord’s chosen one and remain guiltless?” David went on to say, “As the Lord lives, the Lord himself will strike him down. Either his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and be swept away. But may the Lord prevent me from extending my hand against the Lord’s chosen one! Now take the spear by Saul’s head and the jug of water, and let’s get out of here!” (NET) ## Observation: Just like the phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” a situation can look very different from one person to the next. One person may see God’s provision and another may see a danger. How can you tell if God is opening a door or if it’s better to stay the current course? This story teaches us that one way to tell is if it contradicts God’s already spoken word. God had already put into David’s heart not to put Saul to death. He was going to spare Saul because he had been anointed by God as king. Saul needed judgment but it was not going to be by David. Now, there is another attempt for David to dispense justice. The pressure must have been difficult. Surely God was trying to bring all David’s difficulties to an end, right? Wrong. David realized that God doesn’t go against His already stated will. This is a great lesson for us. Does an open door require you to compromise your values and God’s Word? Don’t do it. ## Application: Realize God does not change His mind. If He declares something wrong, it is always wrong. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for being consistent.