THE POWER TO PRESERVE WHAT IS GIVEN

In first Samuel 30, we read about David and his army when their dwelling of Ziklag was raided by the Amalekites while they were away in battle against the Philistines. David’s question to God and the subsequent response forms the basis of today’s discussion: “

So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”(30:8)

The reason this story came to mind was on the basis of today’s Gospel. When we read the text of Jesus describing himself as the bread of life, we encounter this statement nested in the text “

This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, (John 7:39a).

That is relevant because gleaning from the two texts, keeping the things which  have been committed to us – material and spiritual, is not a privilege, it is the will of God for us. That encompasses everything. David lost all before recovering – that is one level. But Jesus presented another layer – not losing any of what was committed to Him.

There is a power required to preserve, and don’t think it is given to you to do so without assistance. No man truly sustains the power to preserve anything except they are aided. So your prayer today is ‘

Father, grant me the grace and power to not lose any of the things you have committed to me.

#sly