1 Samuel 26:25 (KJV) Blessed Words, Separate Ways

                                            

1 Samuel 26:25 (KJV) 

Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

I read Robert Hawker’s comments on this passage, where he writes, “May we not, without violence to the subject, behold in the unremitting persecution of David by Saul something more than the mere jealousies of nature in the envy of Saul to David, respecting his succession in the kingdom? Are there not traces to be seen of the still greater envy arising in the mind of the unregenerate, in the view of the Lord’s favour towards His people in a spiritual kingdom? Alas! what bitterness do the children of the wicked one manifest toward the children of the kingdom! Like the corrupt stock from which they shoot, their very vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah.”

  I note that while David did Saul no evil, and for the moment Saul seemed to be at peace with David, David still did not reunite with him.

The children of this world seem to go through periods of ease with our faith, as we have seen for more than two hundred years in the United States, and as there was in England after the Acts of Toleration. But the child of God is foolish to believe that such periods are either sincere or long-lived.

David was wise to go on his way and let Saul return to his place. His blessing meant little more than a moment to breathe before the next bout in the battle between good and evil. The accolades of the world toward our faith can become the very snare that sets us in their trap.

We have a place of our own. We do not belong in the courts of the kings of this world.

Soon enough our Lord will call for us. Be content to do your business and await that call.

#1Samuel26 #WalkYourOwnWay #FaithNotFlattery #PilgrimPeople #GoodAndEvil

Blessed Words, Separate Ways:Wisdom Walks Away

Looking for clear Bible answers in a confusing world? 📖

1 Samuel 26:25 reminds us that not every kind word means lasting peace—and not every door that opens should be entered.

👉 Have you ever faced a moment when walking away was the wisest, most biblical choice?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

If you’re searching for sound Scripture, careful Bible study, and practical Christian insight, visit marvinmckenzie.org and explore more resources rooted in God’s Word. ✝️📘

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
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1 Samuel 26:25 (KJV) Blessed Words, Separate Ways

1 Samuel 25:16 (KJV) By Night and By Day

1 Samuel 25:16 (KJV) 

They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

I see this passage as an example of the ministry of encouragement I hope to have in these years of my life: “They were a wall unto us… all the while we were with them…”

I understand that there are aspects of the passage that did not work out as intended. I expect that will be the case in my ministry of encouragement as well. But the intent was there, and there were those who recognized the value.

They were a wall unto them.

• They protected them day and night from whatever trouble might come.
• They protected their possessions so that nothing was missing, “all the while we were with them.”

Neither did they take anything from them, nor did they allow anyone else to do so.

David intended to greet Nabal. 

It did not work out so well, but still he desired to be an encouragement and a friend.

I have already discovered that some pastors who do not know me have been a bit suspicious of me. I understand that. They do not know whether I have come to encourage or to criticize. Lord knows there are plenty of critics in our world.

Here is what I hope to do as an ambassador of encouragement:

• I hope to greet those preachers I have contact with—especially if I hear that they are distressed or discouraged in some way.
• I hope to take nothing from them. My goal is for whatever ministry I am able to offer to be self-supported, so that I am not an expense to those who could use encouragement.
• I hope to be a wall unto them while I am with them. I cannot protect them from thieves, but perhaps I can prevent them from being robbed of joy, courage, faith, and the awareness of the Lord’s presence.

These men were a “wall unto them” in the name of David. 

I want to be a wall unto those I minister to in the name of the Lord and as a representative of Liberty Baptist Church, where I am a member.

#WallUntoUs #MinistryOfEncouragement #StrengthenTheBrethren #FaithfulPresence #PastorsNeedEncouragement

By Night and By Day: A Ministry of Encouragement

Looking for Bible answers on how to encourage others without criticizing or controlling?

📖 “They were a wall unto us… all the while we were with them.” (1 Samuel 25:16, KJV)

God still uses faithful believers to protect joy, strengthen courage, and steady hearts—especially those serving Him in hard places. Sometimes the greatest ministry isn’t loud leadership, but quiet presence.

💬 Question for you:

Who has been a “wall unto you” during a difficult season—or who might God be calling you to encourage right now? Share in the comments.

👉 For more clear Bible teaching, pastoral encouragement, and practical Scripture truths, visit marvinmckenzie.org.

🛡️📖🙏

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

1 Samuel 25:16 (KJV) By Night and By Day

1 Samuel 24:5 (KJV) The Cut That Convicted

1 Samuel 24:5 (KJV)

And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

I know exactly what this feels like.

Over the years of ministry, there have been times when I had the right—the authority—to rebuke someone concerning something they did at the church. There were occasions when people in the congregation wanted me to do it. And I will say plainly that there are times when a pastor must exercise his authority and rebuke someone.

But I have also known times when, for whatever reason, I knew I ought not to—but did anyway.

And my heart smote me.

There is a difference between what we can do, what others want us to do, and what the Holy Spirit of God leads us to do. The concept of the “still small voice” is very often abused to justify doing whatever a person wants without biblical justification. But the still small voice of God is real, and one who is honest before God does well to heed it.

I have noted in my personal study of the Word of God that, though David was a man of war—very capable of using the sword—he never used it in his own defense. I have tried to apply that principle to my own ministry, using whatever authority God has given me for the good of the ministry and not for personal reasons.

Still, I have not always been successful at that.

And my heart smote me.

#HeartSmote #TenderConscience #HolySpiritLeading #PastoralHumility #BiblicalRestrain

The Cut That Convicted: A Tender Conscience in a Hard Moment

Looking for clear Bible answers in confusing moments? 📖
God’s Word doesn’t just tell us what we can do—it teaches us what we should do. When conviction follows action, Scripture still has wisdom, mercy, and direction for the heart that’s listening.

Have you ever known you had the right to act, but later felt the Holy Spirit check your spirit? 💭
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments—I read them.

For more plain Bible teaching, pastoral insight, and Scripture-centered encouragement, visit marvinmckenzie.org 🌿
You’ll find resources rooted in the Word, written for real life, and aimed at helping believers think biblically in every decision.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

1 Samuel 24:5 (KJV) The Cut That Convicted

1 Samuel 23:16 (KJV) Never Alone

1 Samuel 23:16 (KJV) 

And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

As far as I can tell today, this would have been the last time (or very near to it) that David would see Jonathan face to face. And what an experience it was.

Saul sought David every day. There were people in nearly every village willing to turn David in. Even a city like Keilah—having been saved not by Saul, but by David—was willing to betray him into Saul’s hand. David was forced to retreat from one place to another, viewing almost everyone outside his small band as hostile, or at the very least, unfriendly. He hid in caves, hollows, and woods, somehow—surely supernaturally—evading Saul and his forces.

But “Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood.” He had no trouble finding him. He found fellowship with him. He connected with him, one on one.

The friendship of Jonathan—especially because he was Saul’s son—was deeply meaningful to David. It encouraged him and strengthened him to no end. David did not demand that Jonathan betray his father or stay with him. He understood why Jonathan must remain at his father’s side and made no other expectation. (We would be wise to do the same.) Yet David was exceedingly blessed by the visit of this dearest of friends.

By way of conclusion, I would like to share what Robert Hawker writes in Poor Man’s Commentary, reminding us of a Friend that “sticketh closer than a brother.” Hawker writes:

“Oh! for grace to behold thy frequent visits in the woods of this world, and the wilderness state, and as frequently to renew the covenant engagements before Jehovah, in which thou hast promised to be my portion, and I to be the purchase of thy blood forevermore.”

#StrengthenedInGod #FaithfulFriendship #InTheWilderness #GodlyEncouragement #CloserThanABrother

Never Alone: God Sent a Friend

Looking for biblical answers when life feels like a wilderness? 🌲📖
God often strengthens us not by removing the trial, but by sending the right encouragement at the right moment—straight from His Word.

Have you ever experienced a time when God used a faithful friend to strengthen your hand in Him? 💬👇
I’d love to hear your story in the comments.

If you’re searching for clear Bible teaching, practical truth, and Scripture you can trust, visit 👉 marvinmckenzie.org🌐✝️
You’ll find Bible answers rooted in God’s Word—right when you need them.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

1 Samuel 23:16 (KJV) Never Alone

1 Samuel 22:2 (KJV) God’s Work Begins in the Cave

1 Samuel 22:2 (KJV) 

And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

Being a Baptist preacher, I confess an affinity for alliterated three-point outlines—especially those that come directly from the Word of God, as this one does.

Every one that was in distress.
Burdened, carrying a heavy load—anxious or oppressed.

Every one that was in debt.
We all know what that is—owing payments.

Every one that was discontented.
Bitter, weak, angry.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard preachers joke, “Sounds like a Baptist church.” That is true in the sense that the Word of God draws people out of this troubled world.

The sad fact is that too many Baptist churches have been formed by those who’ve been drawn away from another Baptist church—those who feel oppressed and burdened by the responsibilities of church membership; those who don’t like tithing or missions giving, or the fact that the preacher preaches on such things; those who hold grudges against others in the church and so find another church where, at least for now, they haven’t been offended.

God used all of this in David’s life and for His glory. God still uses failures today for our good and for His glory. But that could never mean it would not be better if we grew spiritually strong enough to bear the load, spiritually faithful enough to understand giving, and simply spiritual enough to forgive offenses.

#DistressedDebtDiscontented #GodUsesBrokenPeople #DavidAtAdullam #ChurchLifeAndGrowth #GraceThatGathers

God’s Work Begins in the Cave: From Broken to Battle-Ready

Looking for clear Bible answers in a confusing world? 📖
God’s Word still speaks to real burdens—distress, debt, and discontent—and it shows us how the Lord works through broken people for His glory.

Have you ever seen God use a hard season in your life to grow your faith? 💭
I’d love to hear your thoughts—share in the comments below.

If you’re searching for plain Bible teaching, faithful study, and encouragement rooted in Scripture, visit 👉 marvinmckenzie.org 🌐
Let’s keep opening the Word together and letting God do His work. ✝️

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

1 Samuel 22:2 (KJV)  God’s Work Begins in the Cave