THE STARK DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN

All men are different in multiple ways. But there is a foundational difference between a man of this world and a man of God.

Godly men listen to God.

SAUL AND DAVID

… gives us the contrast. Saul had chosen to walk away from God and, in so doing, everything that would have helped him. He became consumed by jealousy, anger, and envy. He lived the last part of his domain as king, furiously trying to kill the one man who loved him most and served him best. And his story has a sad, shameful end.

David, however, pursued God. Although mistreated, he continued to treat Saul with honor. He sought the Lord and simply did the next right thing.

We read these common phrases about him.

So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah.” (1 Sam 23:2)

Then David inquired of the Lord once more. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” (1 Sam 23:4)

Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” (1 Sam 23:12)

David loved and trusted in God, who was his Good Shepherd and King. He knew that if he prayed, God would answer. And He always did. In so doing, David found the right path over and over again.

Tozer said we should pay no attention to a man who pays no attention to God. Wise advice. And wise is the man who lives his life praying, who maintains unceasing communion with the God-Who-Made-Him-and-Knows-All.

A God-centered man has a travelogue like this about his life …

David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. (1 Samuel 23:14)