All of you have conspired against me … and there is none of you that is sorry for me. 1 Samuel 22:8.

The spirit of evil was upon Saul. He felt that his doom had been sealed by the solemn message of his rejection from the throne of Israel. His departure from the plain requirements of God was bringing its sure results. He did not turn, and repent, and humble his heart before God, but opened it to receive every suggestion of the enemy. He listened to every false witness, eagerly receiving anything that was detrimental to the character of David, hoping that he might find an excuse for manifesting his increasing envy and hatred of him who had been anointed to the throne of Israel.

Every rumor was credited, no matter how inconsistent and irreconcilable it was with the former character and custom of David.

Every evidence that the protecting care of God was over David seemed to imbitter and deepen his one engrossing and determined purpose. The failure to accomplish his own designs appeared in marked contrast to the success of the fugitive in eluding his search, but it only made the determination of the king the more unrelenting and firm. He was not careful to conceal his designs toward David, nor scrupulous as to what means should be employed in accomplishing his purpose.

It was not the man David, who had done him no harm, against whom the king was contending. He was in controversy with the King of heaven; for when Satan is permitted to control the mind that will not be ruled by Jehovah, he will lead it according to his will, until the man who is thus in his power becomes an efficient agent to carry out his designs. So bitter is the enmity of the great originator of sin against the purposes of God, so terrible is his power for evil, that when men disconnect from God, Satan influences them, and their minds are brought more and more into subjection, until they cast off the fear of God, and the respect of men, and become bold and avowed enemies of God and of His people…. God hates all sin, and when man persistently refuses all the counsel of heaven, he is left to the deceptions of the enemy.14The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1019.
Conflict and Courage p. 165
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Prayer Requests
—-Asking for prayers for my sister Susie, she’s had 3 back surgeries in a months time. She has an infection in her disc. Please pray for a fast recovery and for her pain to be lifted. Pray for my son too. He has a very hard life and is depressed. Connie
—-Please pray that God will provide for E’s needs. R
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Dear Friends,

Memories. Sometimes just a little thing will trigger them. The past few weeks I’ve been going to a depression and anxiety seminar at our church. I went only because my family felt that I had a lot of anxiety. (The test I took said that I was in danger of having anxiety but did not have it.) As I went through the seminar, memories came back to me that I hadn’t thought of in years. I could feel myself getting in a sad and nostalgic mood that has been hard to shake off. I will be glad when the seminar is over……

We all have those kinds of memories and regrets. We all wish at times that things had been different. Praise God! There will come a time when those memories will not haunt us. All of the sorrow of this world will be a thing of the past. John speaks of this time, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” Rev 21:2-5 Precious promise! The Great King of the Universe will personally wipe away all tears from our eyes! Sorrow, sickness, painful memories, and the like will be gone and we will be filled with joy unspeakable.

Peter speaks of the time preceding that wiping away of tears. He says that “the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; [unexpectedly] in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:7-14

May we “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure” that we may see God face to face, hear Him as He rejoices over us with singing, and feel His loving embrace is my prayer. 1 Peter 1:10; Zeph 3:17

Rose

No One Sorry