Church of Christ at Elkins

03/23/2021

SPLITTING THE CHURCH

The reason for a church split is always associated with sin. Splitting is usually done by deception, gossip, slander, rebellion, pride, jealousy, strife, and other evil acts. A church split happens when someone seeks to manipulate people or events for his own ends.
Why would such happen in any church? What would lead to this? There are symptoms in the church for months before it happens. What is the root cause of a church split? Usually, a disagreement about something that may be going on in the church.
To make a long story short, the Elkins Church of Christ split on March 21, 2021. Half of the members of one family stayed, and the other half left to attend another congregation.
It started several months ago when Brian Womack, elder, wanted to buy a commercial food warmer ($1,700) and commercial coffee pot ($400) to use in our annex room. I am the other elder (Earl Sutton), and I said no, that a small church like Elkins does not need to spend that kind of money on commercial kitchen equipment. I reminded him that we have three aging AC units that will need to be replaced along with new duct work. I wanted to reserve money and not have to go to the bank and sign a loan for the church (that I have done in the past).
I put an article on Facebook on March 11 in support of the elders at West Sparta Church of Christ. This church was in the process of withdrawing fellowship from a member who was living with someone not her husband. (The letter to this woman was put on the “Woodbury TN Chatter” FB page on March 10. My article was put on this site on March 11. Both posts were taken down on March 11 by the site’s administrator.) My article was also put on Elkins website (www.churchofchristatelkins.org). Those responsible for the split have fixed this website where it is no longer accessible by the public.
Elder Brian Womack had a member of his wife’s family, Steven Davis (son of Jeff Davis) who had married a woman with a living husband, call me and complain about the article. He accused me of stirring up trouble in the church. Before these two married, I approached elder Brian Womack to ask if she had a scriptural right to remarry (Matt. 19:9). Brian Womack said he did not see a problem.
Elder Brian Womack, preacher Bryan Hayes, and deacon Jeff Davis asked to meet with me on Saturday, March 20. Brian Womack accused me of putting inappropriate n**e pictures of women and posts with cuss words in them on Facebook. I have refuted this by finding on FB where my account has been hacked. He accused me of lying. The hacker had set up a fake page in my name on FB.
I was also charged with being too political since I supported President Trump. I fully explained the need to stand up for the truth and biblical principles.
All three resigned, with Brian Womack angrily throwing his key on the floor as he left. After I left the building, they got a locksmith out and changed the door locks behind my back. They also called or visited most members to tell them that at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, March 21, a vote would be taken to remove Earl Sutton as elder and make him leave. They were able to get a lot of unfaithful members to show up, some we see maybe 3-4 times a year. They also had Sheriff deputies present to make sure I didn’t act up. The deputies told me I would not be allowed to defend myself at the 9:00 vote. They stacked the deck.
I simply walked away because of two reasons: (1) not splitting the church (2) not all members arrive at 9 a.m.
I feel the reasons for this coup were rebellious hearts (Jeremiah 5:23), power and control of the church bank accounts. Brian Womack and Jeff Davis want to prevent Steven Davis from leaving Elkins. Brian Hayes wants a permanent preaching position and to move back to the county. His wife is very ambitious for him in helping him build up a resume and networking contacts.
These three have split the church at Elkins for selfish reasons and will have to answer to God for, “A false witness that speaks lies, and sowing discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:19). This God hates and is an abomination unto him.
I have established my reputation in Cannon County over a period of 75 years as being a truthful, honest, preacher, elder and a good citizen. I solemnly state that this is the truth and nothing but the truth.
Earl Sutton, former elder

 the church that Christ built...In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus asked His disciples who that men said that He was.  They answered with the opinions of men that our Lord was possibly some of the greatest examples of faith and merit in the Bible with such names as "Elijah" and "John the Immerser" or e...

03/22/2021

GOD DOES NOT LOOK FAVORABLY ON THOSE WHO SPLIT HIS CHURCH!

03/13/2021

PARABLE OF TARES AND WHEAT by Earl Sutton

The parable of the tares is found in Matthew 13:24-30, and when the disciples heard this parable, they did not understand it. So, Christ gave an explanation of it in Matthew 13:36-43. Jesus gave this parable to help the disciples understand the nature of the kingdom (Church). It was to be a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly kingdom.
Jesus said a man went out and sowed his field with good seed. The enemy waited until everyone was asleep and sowed tares (type of w**d). The tares looked like wheat in its early stages, but when it was grown and headed out, it was easy to distinguish. When the grain headed out, the servants saw the field had an abnormal number of tares. The servants didn’t know what had happened and didn’t know what to do!
They went and asked their master why there were so many tares in the field. The master immediately recognized what had happened. He told them an enemy has sown tares. The servants wanted to know if he wanted them to go and pull up the tares before they did any more harm. The master knew at this time that the roots of the wheat and the tares were so intertwined that the tares could not be pulled up and w**ded out without tearing the wheat out with them. The master told his servants that they must leave the tares alone at this stage, or they would lose the wheat crop in the process. This was the only practical way of dealing with the problem. When the wheat was ready to be harvested, the servants could remove the tares and safely harvest the wheat.
FIRST. Jesus gives the meaning of this parable in Matthew 13:36-43. At this time, Jesus leaves the seaside and goes into a house. His disciples came with him and asked the meaning of the parable of the tares among the wheat. Jesus begins by explaining what each thing in the parable represented.
The sower in this parable was Jesus. The field was the world. The good seed represents those who obeyed the gospel and became citizens of the kingdom of God, the church. The tares are those who are sinners who never obeyed the gospel; therefore, they are sons of the evil one. The enemy is the devil. The harvest is at the end of the world.
SECOND. The illustration is that the parable of tares will be gathered at the harvest and cast into the fire. When Jesus comes with His mighty angels, there will be a separation of the righteous and the wicked. The wicked shall be gathered and separated from the righteous. There will be a separation of the good and bad people. The wicked shall be gathered by the angels and cast into eternal hell. The final results occur at the end of time. The wicked and those who know not God and to them that obey not the gospel plan of salvation, shall suffer punishment and eternal destruction (II Thess. 1:7-9).
THIRD. The illustration is that the good seed, the righteous, will be ushered into heaven. The righteous will live eternally in heaven with God to shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father (Matt. 13:43).
If we expect to be saved and reach heaven, we had better be on the side of Christ and His church. If, at the last day, when the angels come to harvest the world, we are found in Satan’s kingdom and under his influence and in his service, we will be bundled up as the tares and cast into the fire.
Which class are you in now? Are you following Christ or Satan? Are you a child of the kingdom or a child of the devil? May the Lord help us all get on the right side, be saved, keep saved, and live faithful to Him!
--- Earl Sutton, Ed.D.

03/06/2021

DOES GOD CONTROL EVENTS OF THE WORLD? by Earl Sutton

One of the clearest statements in the Bible concerning who controls events of the world is found in Psalms 24:1, “The earth is Jehovah’s and the fulness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein.” David unequivocally states that the world and everything in it, including man, belongs to God. The overarching theme of the Book of Daniel is that God controls events of the world.
God reigns in the management of global events. This plays out in the book by showing very dramatically how God reigns in the management of global events. The king, Nebuchadnezzar, called all the leaders of the country to be present at the dedication of his golden image. The people had to demonstrate faithfulness to the king, and all were told to bow to this image at the sound of the musical instruments.
Then we are told of the faithful resolution and courage of three, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego (Danial 2:37-38). This clearly shows that when the threat of being burned alive was faced by these three, that God would intervene. These three were singled out by their enemies. The motive appears to be jealousy, because they mentioned to the king that the unfaithful were foreigners he had set in positions of authority (Daniel 3:12). Since Nebuchadnezzar had promoted these three to high positions, he could have regarded their actions as expressions of disloyalty.

His question to them, “Is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up” (Daniel 3:14-15). This was confirmed that they had really refused to bow down. The king was concerned with the purpose and intent of their action, perhaps thinking they did not understand his command. He offered them then a second chance to worship the image. If they refused this time, he pronounced they would be thrown into the furnace of fire.

FIRST, they made their decision believing that God controls the management of global events. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego didn’t hesitate to answer the king. It was not necessary for them to make a decision of whether to worship or not to worship They had already made their decision prior to the king’s original decree. Under no circumstances would they bow down to the image and violate the first of the Ten Commandments. They made this decision believing in a God powerful enough to deliver them and control this global event.
SECOND, they made their decision believing that God was able to deliver them. Yet, if He did not choose to rescue them, they were sure it was not because of any lack of ability on His part. They believed He could choose to allow them to suffer for His name and bring glory by their death. Such actions by God should not be viewed as a lack of love on His part.
THIRD, they made their decision believing that God cares for those who belong to Him. The king commanded the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. They were cast in, and the king looked into the furnace expecting to see their destruction. Instead, he saw four men and described the fourth man as the Son of God (Daniel 3:25). The three were called out of the furnace. The king observed that they were unhurt, not even a hair was singed. The king then commended the faith of these three men and made a decree commanding reverence to their God.
This story clearly demonstrates that God controls the management of global events and His care for those who belong to Him! --- Earl Sutton, Ed.D.

02/27/2021

AMERICA IS THE LORD’S by Earl Sutton

One of the simplest, yet most complete of all the statements in the Bible concerning this material universe, is from the pen of David, who was often called Israel’s greatest king. He wrote, “The earth (includes America) is Jehovah’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein” (Psa. 24:1). David, unequivocally, states that the world and everything in it, including America, belongs to God. This is what we might well expect, since we remember that everything was created by the power of God.
America has been blessed in a thousand ways with education, enlightenment, liberty, freedom, advancement in medical science, rich in natural resources, fertile land, and great industries. How marvelously blessed she has been.
From whence did all of these good things come? The Bible says, “It is God who giveth thee the power to get riches” (Deut. 8:18). In the context of this scripture, it is telling God’s people that it was not their own power that had released them from Egypt. It was not their own power that they were led through the wilderness and made the wealth of Canaan available to them. It was God who had arranged all these things, now they must keep their part and honor Him.
Truly, without the help of God Almighty, America could not have reached such zeniths nor climbed to such heights! FIRST, Does God still rule over America? The Bible says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah” (Psa. 33:12). Is that still true today? Nation after nation has found out the hard way that when a people turn away from God, disaster is but a step away.
Babylon, Greece, Rome, Germany, and Russia have all failed to learn from the miseries of those who have departed from God’s counsel. The Bible says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation (Prov. 14:34). Righteousness is action in harmony with the will of God. All one need do to verify this truth is to examine the fate of nations who have set out to conquer the world for selfish ends. This includes Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s Russia, Mussolini’s Italy, now the Globalist who are pushing their one world government to destroy America.
Let all of these nations who have enjoyed world leadership in recent centuries take heed. If they allow themselves to elevate sinful conduct, they will be replaced or destroyed by the powerful hand of God! The Bible says, “Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men” (Psa. 9:20). Is that still true today? God has the power and might to put fear in the hearts of the rebellious. He has done so with the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Romans, and will do so with Globalists today. Men must not deceive themselves by thinking they are the rulers of the earth.
SECOND, Will God continue to bless America? The Bible says, “For what nation is so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all the things that we call upon him for?” (Deut. 4:7). While this was written about Israel, it could well apply to America for what nation has been so mightily blessed as has been America.
THIRD, What could turn God’s blessings from America? My friends, that which turned God’s blessings from Israel could also turn God’s blessings from America. She cast off that which was good, sown to the wind to reap the whirlwind, and plowed wickedness to reap iniquity. The hope of America lies not just in being fortified from without, but also by being fortified from within (II Chron. 7:14).
---- Earl Sutton, Ed.D.

02/20/2021

GOD IS BIGGER THAN ALL OUR PROBLEMS! by Earl Sutton

Nothing can thwart the will of God. It is impossible to ask too much of God. God’s capacity for giving far exceeds the capacity of His children in asking. God can do far more than Christians can ever imagine. Since God can do so much and does so much, to Him be the glory. When we stretch our minds to the greatest extent, we still have not begun to plumb the depths of the joy and blessings waiting for those who are faithful unto the end.
As we turn toward God in hard times, we will need someone who can keep our family together, keep our jobs open, keep our bills and mortgage paid. God can do these things, even in the midst of this epidemic with Covid-19. The God who formed the heavens and earth is bigger than all the problems the world throws in our path. Times are very hard right now in America. The economy is in a major recession, and many people have been laid off. Many are looking at foreclosures and bankruptcy.
Could be that your church is struggling with paying its bills. Could be that it looks as if things will not get any better. It is easy in our current situation to feel hopeless and in despair. You may be going through hard times right now, but God is able to bring you through successfully to the other side of your problems. God is able to do what you need Him to do in your life!
FIRST, remember, God can do so much more than our feeble minds can grasp. The Bible says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than your ways, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). God has complete knowledge of the past, the present and the future. Man is finite with limited experiences and reasoning power. God’s thoughts and ways are much higher than our own. God’s plans are beyond us. We cannot, in our present situation, see all that He is doing, let alone all He can do.
SECOND, remember, God knows our needs before we ever ask Him. God will respond to our requests in ways we cannot imagine. While we may ask for food, God will see to it that we are fed for a lifetime. While we may ask for recovery from illness, God can raise us up to be even healthier and stronger. Jesus said when we seek help, God will move well beyond what we ask and give us what we need to accomplish His will (Matt. 7:7-11).
THIRD, remember God says that He has a power at work in us. God is doing things in our hearts and our lives that will turn life around. When one obeys the gospel plan of salvation and God has saved you, He put within you the ability to be what He wants you to be. My friends, all the harsh circumstances of life will not derail the power at work in you. This power is from God and will work its way in us as we surrender to it. God has not and will not leave us alone to face the problems of life (Eph. 1:18-20).
You can stop worrying about Covid-19 or all other issues. You do this by being in Christ through His plan of salvation. Are you in church, if not do so today.
--- Earl Sutton, Ed.D.

02/13/2021

THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S by Earl Sutton

One of the most profound statements found in the Bible concerning the material universe is that from the pen of David, who was often called Israel’s greatest king. He wrote, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psa. 24:1). In spite of the unbelief of the masses, there is a God. He is the one who created all things, including man. He has allowed man to make his home on this earth for a short time. Then, when those few short days are over, man leaves what he has called his own, and someone else makes use of it.
This psalm leaves no doubt as to who the owner is and who is to be worshipped here and now. Not only does the entire earth belong to God everything upon the earth is His. For a short time, we have control over the material and physical bodies which our souls inhabit. Then the body returns to the dust from which it came, and the soul goes on to the afterlife.
David unequivocally states in our text that the world and everything in it, including man, belongs to God. Why? Because everything was created by the power of God. In the New Testament there is a passage in Matthew 25:14-30 which further points out man’s relationship to material things. This parable opens by saying, “The kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.”
The man traveling into a far country is a picture of Christ leaving earth and ascending to heaven, which He did after completing His earthly ministry. Before leaving He gave various talents unto His servants. The talents are money, but in principle, they refer to one’s ability and capability. Unto every citizen of His kingdom, Christ delivered various talents. To one man He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability.
The Lord recognized that some are more able than others and he, therefore, gives to each the talents that fit his/her personality and are in harmony with their abilities. Some in the church can do one work and some another.
From this we learn several lessons. FIRST, we learn each one of these men received talents in proportion to his ability and so do we. These men wisely put their talents to good use. Members of the church today should begin working to develop and use their talents as soon as they come into the kingdom. These men, by diligent use, doubled their talents. The five talent man came back with ten, the two talent man came back with four. This indicates that we can double our talents.
SECOND, we learn they had done
a good job, because they faithfully used their talents. They faithfully discharged their duty and the Lord said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
THIRD, we learn, tragically, the man who received only one talent failed to use that talent in any way and received only condemnation upon his Lord’s return. It is obvious that God’s stewards have the responsibility of administering God’s affairs for a limited time. This one talent man not only lost his talent but his soul in the life to come.
If you are outside of Christ, you must obey the Plan of Salvation. If you are in the kingdom, you must remain faithful to death.
--- Earl Sutton, Ed.D.

02/06/2021

THE UNMERCIAL SERVANT by Earl Sutton

This beautiful parable in Matthew 18:21-35 was occasioned by a question Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness. “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” The Jews limited forgiveness to three times. Jesus revealed to Peter that we should be willing to forgive as often as the occasion demands. “I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven.”
Jesus had said to the apostles on another occasion, “If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he trespasses against thee seven times a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4).
The purpose of the parable of the unmerciful servant is twofold. Jesus revealed God’s forgiving mercy for all who repent and seek forgiveness. He enforced the lesson that we must always be willing to forgive those who sin against us. In the story of the unmerciful servant, the servant owed his master 10,000 talents. The amount would be about $150,000, if it were a gold talent. The huge sum shows how hopeless the servant’s condition was. He could never pay such a debt. So his master commanded him to be sold, his wife, children, and all that he had, that payment might be made.
This is a picture of every sinner before God. We are indebted to God by sin and in a hopeless condition. Since we cannot pay our way out of sin, we can only expect to be condemned. Were it not for the forgiveness of God, this would be our fate. However, the servant pled for mercy. He did not ask for cancellation of the debt, but for time in which to pay it. His fearful plea touched the heart of the king. Touched with his hopeless condition, the king had pity upon him.
After receiving forgiveness, this man found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 pence, about $15 debt and refused to forgive him. He laid hands on him, took him by the throat and demanded payment. This man had no money and pleaded for mercy. Though forgiven a huge debt, he was unwilling to forgive a small debt and cast the servant into prison until payment was made. This unforgiving spirit infuriated the other servants who reported him to the king. The king denounced him and condemned him to the tormentors until his payment was made.
What is the application of this parable? FIRST, Jesus said, So likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.” In other words, we who have received forgiveness, must be willing to forgive those who sin against us. The New Testament teaches the necessity of forgiveness over and over. (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13)
SECOND, An unforgiving spirit causes God to withhold His mercy. Jesus said, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you, but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you (Matt. 6:14-15).
THIRD, An unforgiving spirit invalidates our worship. “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matt. 5:23).
The bottom line is an unforgiving spirit means that we will receive no mercy at judgment (James 2:13). We must forgive others.
---- Earl Sutton, Ed.D.

01/30/2021

ARE YOU HONEST? by Earl Sutton

Honesty is greatly valued but also greatly violated. It is a virtue without which a person could never be truly rich, and with which a person could never be truly poor. Honesty has to do with trustworthiness, integrity, sincerity, genuineness, and uprightness. In being honest there is no camouflage or hypocrisy.
Honesty is what a person is in the dark. Honesty with God begins first with self, what you are in the dark when no one is there but you and God. One cannot be honest with God until first that person is honest with oneself. The worst of all frauds is to cheat oneself!
There are, actually, no degrees of honesty. One is either honest or dishonest. Are you honest? What goes on within the secret confines of your heart? What kind of person are you in the dark when no one else is watching? Is your life honest, genuine, sincere, and trustworthy? Are you always true to your word? Many shadows are caused by a person standing in one self’s own sunshine. We are often our own worst enemy.
FIRST, why does it pay to be honest? Answer: deceit means defeat. The Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). In Numbers chapter 32, instructions had been given with respect to God’s plan for life in Canaan once the ten tribes settled there. A special concern was the tribes of Reuben and Manasseh when leaving the fertile land west of Jordan and crossing over into Canaan proper. These two tribes approached Moses with a serious request. They wanted to go over to Canaan first in order to build places for their livestock and settle in the pastureland east of the river. Moses said yes, but they were expected to help drive out the Canaanites and support other tribes. If they failed to keep their word, it would bring undesirable consequences. Later we see that they did not keep their word.
SECOND, why does sin have a way of finding a person out? The sin of Ananias and Sapphira had a way of finding them out. My friends, through deceit they met defeat. The Bible tells us in Acts 5 that many Christians sold their possessions and gave the proceeds to the apostles to be used as needed. Ananias and Sapphira sold their property, conspired together to keep back part of it, but pretended to give it all to the apostles. They cheated themselves far more than they cheated anyone else. Solomon expressed it this way, “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein” (Prov. 26:27). Ananias and Sapphire, through deceit, dug their own pitfall and determined their own downfall! This is the reason honesty is always the best policy.
THIRD, why will a person go to their own place after death? After Judas had betrayed his Lord, selling Him out for thirty pieces of silver, he had not only cheated his Lord; but he had cheated himself as well. The Bible says that Judas, by transgression, fell and after death went to his own place! (Acts 1:25). Every person at death will go to his/her own place, but that place is determined before death by each person. There are only two places -- Heaven or hell.
If every person, at death, will go to their own place, then God is keeping a record (Job 16:19). Every person has a witness in heaven and a record on high. Some day we will have to face that witness and stand upon the record that is being kept of us.
Are you ready to face that witness, and are you ready to stand by that record? The Bible says, “So then everyone of us shall give account unto God” (Rom. 14:12). Have you obeyed the plan off salvation and been faithful to the Lord? It should behoove us to be honest. -- Earl Sutton, Ed.D.

01/23/2021

RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL by Earl Sutton

What went wrong in the life of King Saul, the first king of Israel? How did he make a fool of himself? (I Samuel 26:21) How did he get off track with God? We need to remember just because God selected him to be king didn’t mean he would have to give no more thought to his task.

It isn’t enough for one to be a success in life; we must keep on being a success. It isn’t enough to obey the plan of salvation and become a Christian; we must then be faithful until death! (Rev. 2:10) God had done His part, but Saul failed to do his part, and this is where he went wrong!

It all started after Saul disobeyed the Lord. The Bible says that the spirit of the Lord departed from him. Had he acknowledged his wrongs and in penitence sought God’s help, his big mistake of returning evil for good would have been different. Instead, he grew bitter and let envy and jealousy fill his life.

Then when young David fought and won the great victory over Goliath, Saul’s question was, “Whose son is this youth?” Then the women began to sing David’s praises. They said, “Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands.” The Bible says that, “Saul eyed David from that day on.” Saul let envy and jealousy begin to destroy him.

We saw a growing hatred he had for David. Twice he attempted to kill David but failed in his attempts. David was unaffected by the bitterness of Saul toward him. Saul made every attempt possible to take David’s life, but when the time came that David could have retaliated, he instead returned good for evil.

In I Samuel 24:1-22, David was hiding with his men in a cave. He looks up to see the King (Saul) right in front of him. It looks as if God has set this up to let David grab the throne by a simple assassination. But as the story unfolds, we clearly see why David is described as a man after God’s own heart. Now, the King is right in front of him; he had already been anointed by Samuel to become the next king of Israel. Why not kill him and hasten God’s overall plan? David knows there is no way that you can accomplish a good result by evil methods. David looked upon Saul as the Lord’s anointed and would not do harm to him.

The worst thing in the world to do is raise your hand against the anointed one of the Lord. We need to learn not to try to hurry God’s plan but only use God’s methods to accomplish them.

First, we see a change of heart. So, instead of killing Saul, he cut off a portion of his robe and demonstrated his loyalty to Saul and his unwillingness to seize the throne prematurely. David was proving himself to be the kind of man God wanted on the throne of Israel.

Secondly, we see a charge to keep. David’s behavior shows us why God chose him to replace Saul. We, too, need to learn this lesson. No matter how much we want something to happen, we cannot use Satan’s methods to achieve it.

Thirdly, we see that God rewards when we honor Him. David wanted to honor the Lord. So, he would not raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed king. When we honor the will of God, He will always reward us. That is why we need to insist on strict obedience to the Lord’s will in all things. We need to follow the path of David, returning good for evil.
---- Earl Sutton, Ed.D.