OUTHSIDESCOOP
FRESH DEW
WWYD BySis.RickiFuller
800ElmiraAvenue
Durham,NC27707
info@sside.org|www.sside.org
919.688.3535
Staff
OrlanderR.Thomas
SeniorMinister
WilliamA.Stephens
MinisterEmeritus
WileyShearin,Jr.
ElderEmeritus
RickiFuller
Women’sCounselor
CandiceP.Blount
ChurchAdministrator
QuentellaWilliams
ExecutiveAssistant
Deacons
JohnAlcox
AnthnoyGreen,Sr.
ArthurHackney
JohnMathis
ChesterMayfield,Jr.
RogerMcDougal
JoeWilliams
KeithWright
Well, upon perusing the Old Testament Scriptures, it is clear that this kind of fighting was commonplace centuries ago and was primarily based on greed and power-grabbing. There was fighting among the ruling families of opposing countries. There was fighting within countries and within families, and even among friends.
Perhaps the fighting was propelled by some unfortunate misunderstandings. Such misunderstandings could (then and presently) very well have been rectified by the parties checking with GOD first, and by talking/communicating with each other to resolve their differences. They could/can now, likely, have established pacts or agreements allowing them to peacefully and joyfully co-exist.
It can be seen in I Samuel 30 where David was being pressed on several fronts which led to his being on the run. He was running and hiding from Saul who was jealously trying to kill him There were the Amalekites after him due to Saul’s chicanery, and it so happened that they rampaged the place where David and those with him were residing temporarily The Amalekites took the women and entire families to another place while David and his men were away. Also, the Philistines rejected David declaring he was unwelcome to fight alongside them (against Israel). To put the icing on David’s cake of consternation, the men who were with him began to murmur and rebel against David because their families had been taken away. It seems that in those moments, David was so distressed that he began to doubt both GOD and himself.
But, in verse 6 it states that even though David was distressed and targeted, he resorted to GOD Who guided him. Hence, David encouraged and strengthened himself by demonstrating faith in his GOD! He refreshed/refueled himself by seeking GOD’s counsel, and following Lord’s leading. He and his men went out and got back their families whom the Amalekites had taken. It is such a rich story to read and be fascinated by.
While reading the Sixth Chapter of I Samuel, we get to see similarities between David and Jesus. During His stint on earth hailing from the purported Nazareth ghetto and traveling to various towns, Jesus, too was under constant oppression and persecution by the ‘powers’ that existed then. But, in and through it all, Jesus stayed in constant contact with His Father receiving strength and determination to complete His mission/purpose for which Father-GOD had sent Him.
Okay, so I hear some saying, “well both David and Jesus were chosen by GOD to do big things, I was not and I am not.” But, believe it, YOU ARE CHOSEN by GOD to be here and to live in such a manner that others can see, hear, and experience GOD through you! So, what would you do (WWYD) in similar situations? (Romans 8:1, 28; Matthew 6:10; 26:42
Around the world in various countries and cultures there is plenty of concern regarding the constant discomfort, and violence that is prevalent everywhere.
"YOU ARE CHOSEN by GOD to be here and to live "
