Sycamore tree

We are near a sycamore tree, said to be 2,000 years old. Of course, we can't be sure it's THE sycamore tree that Zaccheus actually climbed on, although urban legend claims that it's so. Near the tree is some artwork that depicts the Luke 19 scene.

You'll never know

I was reading a very good book for people who want to be relaxed about meeting new people, especially in unfamiliar social settings, and I enjoyed the author's insights. One of the things she said was, to be good to everyone, and don't judge by appearances. Then I thought of the following passage:

1Sam25:10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is this David? Who is this son
of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why
should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my
shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"
12 David's men turned around and went back. When they
arrived, they reported every word. 13 David said to his men, "Put on your
swords!" So they put on their swords, and David put on his. About four hundred
men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

The proud Nabal snubbed David -- at the risk of his life and the lives of his family. Incensed, the warrior- leader David was going to take revenge. It was the wisdom of Abigail that made peace and stopped bloodshed.

In this society, we're going to meet high and low. We're going to meet the well-dressed, and the not-so-well-dressed. You may never know who-knows-whom, who are close friends with whom, who are related to whom, and what they can say about you. The person who can give the most accurate insight about a person's character may be the office cleaner.

Occasionally, I am asked to give character references, and I am glad to say that the times that I've been asked, I've been able to give good character references re the people in question. I hope I'm able to live life in such a way, that if anyone were to ask, a good character reference would be given to me as well.

PRAYER:
Father, help me to love others as myself. Help me to treat others, the way I would like to be treated myself. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

David's Waterfall

This is David's Waterfall at En Gedi. A good hiding place, as it has lots of water, in the middle of surrounding desert.

The signs were there

1 Sam 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry..."

As a young Christian, I used to wonder: "How is rebellion like the sin of witchcraft? What was it that rebels have in common with witches?" Now, a little more seasoned, I have come to realise that rebellion, like witchcraft, is an act of trying to seize control.

"And how is stubborness equal to idolatry?" Stubborness -- the desire to have one own's way -- is like idolatry because it puts Self before God. And that is wickedness in His sight.

The signs were there: Saul would repeatedly speak to Samuel about "the Lord Your God" -- in other words, the Lord was Samuel's God, not Saul's. He never fully accepted God's rulership over his life, and bent His commands to suit his whims.

Saul desired Self as King, not God. That desire drove him to become extremely jealous of David's popularity which led to him trying to kill David and all who sided with him. He threw his spear at his own son Jonathan, who tried to talk sense to him. He ordered the murder of the priests who had innocently helped David. Even his own officials would not stoop to that; it took a power-hungry Edomite to do Saul's dirty job.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, help us have humble hearts; give us the desire and ability to discern our motives correctly, that we may correct ourselves and do right in Your sight. Amen.