When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 1 Samuel 17:28

The Bible does not give us the time lapse between David’s anointing by Samuel as Israel’s future king and the scene that took place in the Valley of Elah. We know, however, that David split time between his anointing and the battle against the Philistines between his father’s sheep farm and the king’s palace, where he played the harp to soothe Saul’s tormented heart.

Jesse’s three oldest sons –Eliab, Abinadab and Shammah, had left the farm and enlisted in Saul’s army. Their father was concerned with his sons’ well-being and sent David to check on them and bring them food. As we read on, we watch David arriving at the camp, just to find an entire army trembling in fear at the sight of its powerful enemy, led by a nine-foot-tall giant who dared shout blasphemies against Israel’s God.

They had forgotten Who led their army.

“Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.” 1 Samuel 17:24

David wanted to know more. So, he asked around for details of what was happening and how on earth Israel intended to stop the affront.

“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (v.26)

Eliab – Jesse’s firstborn – was standing nearby, looking at David contemptuously. Anger burned within. “What on earth is this arrogant brat doing here?” – he must have thought. He then took a step forward and decided to stop the nonsense.

“What are you doing here? Where did you leave the sheep? Why are you not doing your job? I know you think you are all that and your heart is wicked. You just want to watch us get a whooping, don’t you?”

You’ll see that my paraphrasing is pretty accurate if you read his words. There’s no question David is not Eliab’s favorite.

But, wait a minute. Think about it.

Jesse’s handsome firstborn had been close to becoming king. When Samuel visited their farm, Eliab was the first son paraded in front of the prophet. Samuel thought he was it. You can picture the prophet’s face light up when he saw the strong-looking, handsome man. Eliab almost felt the first drop of oil fall on his head when Yahweh stopped the prophet in his tracks, redirecting his attention to the next son. And then the next. And the next…

Seven times was Samuel instructed to look on… until his eyes fell upon little David.

To say Eliab resented David is an understatement. The anger in his words says it all. And David’s answer tells us more about this family conflict:

“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” (v.29)

What David really meant to ask was… “what have I done NOW?”

It certainly was not the first time Eliab showed dislike for his little brother. Likewise, by the way that their father almost dismissed David during the King selection process and Eliab’s disdain, there’s no question David was overlooked, underappreciated, and even scorned by his own.

Can you relate?

Have you ever felt unappreciated, neglected, underestimated, perhaps forgotten even? Have you ever thought… If I did not wake up tomorrow, would anyone even miss me? Does my opinion even matter? Will I ever be noticed?

Have you ever felt unappreciated, neglected, underestimated, perhaps forgotten even? Have you ever thought… If I did not wake up tomorrow, would anyone even miss me? Does my opinion even matter? Will I ever be noticed?…
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At work, school, and even at home, so many people live daily feeling like no one sees them.

They may be the last player chosen on a team, get passed over for a promotion, or sit alone at a lunch table at school. They may live in a house full of people… and yet, feel hopelessly alone.

They may walk the hallways of our churches, longing for someone to care. Wishing someone would see past their cordial smiles and into their broken lives. Within their hearts, a longing grows as they feel less and less connected to the world around them.

For some… the longing turns into depression, and the depression turns into despair.

“Will anyone ever see me? Listen to me? Want me?”

Can I tell you something?

If today you feel neglected, forgotten and unappreciated, you are in good company. The only character in the Bible who God called “a man after His own heart” (Acts 13:22) was overlooked, persecuted and underestimated too.

If today you feel neglected, forgotten and unappreciated, you are in good company. The only character in the Bible who God called “a man after His own heart” (Acts 13:22) was overlooked, persecuted and underestimated too.…
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He was small in stature, and that’s what the world focused on. He was plain in looks, and his profession was not glamorous. And still, Someone more important than his family, his friends and foe alike, saw him.

He.saw.him.

And that was enough for David.

David knew his limitations. He knew he was indeed not “all that.” But he knew the One he loved with all his heart was. And that’s what he anchored his mind and heart on every time the world turned against him.

Yes. That was David’s secret to victory. Whenever despair, persecution, or loneliness haunted him, he invited Yahweh to fill the void.

Yes. That was David's secret to victory. Whenever despair, persecution, or loneliness haunted him, he invited Yahweh to fill the void.
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It may be that you feel small today. Unwanted. Alone.

King David, the shepherd boy who knew rejection, loneliness and persecution, sings from the pages of Scriptures, reminding your broken heart today:

The One who made you and knows your heart… NEVER forgets you. And there will be times in life when knowing that truth must be enough.

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LINKUP is open. Today, I share encouragement for those who feel invisible and forgotten as David did before becoming Israel's great king. Join us and share your blog!
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The post Rising Above Rejection, Contempt & Betrayal {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

History is not left without certain data which give us a fair estimate of the actual number of people flooding Jerusalem for the most anticipated annual Jewish feast. According to the Roman historian Josephus, 256,500 lambs were sacrificed that year. Even at the very low estimate of 10 people to each lamb, the number of people assembled would have amounted to almost 2,700,000. That number does not even include the people who were present, but unable to be partakers in the sacrifice due to impurities ascribed by ceremonial laws.

Indeed, the astounding crowd represented nearly half of the population of Galilee and Judea. In other words, a large representation of the Jewish nation witnessed the popular, yet controversial Prophet entering the capital, riding, not upon a war-horse, but on a donkey, which was a symbol of peace.

The men and women who followed Jesus and witnessed his many miracles recognized the incident as a fulfillment of messianic prophecy. They responded by reciting the famous words: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Shouts of joy echoed throughout the hills and valleys of Jerusalem in response to Jesus’ presentation of Himself as King. However, as one studies the gospels, Jesus’ reaction as He saw the city from a distance looks nothing like the portray of a joyous king. Rather, according to Luke’s account in his gospel, when Jesus approached Jerusalem, where He would be crucified that Friday, He was moved to tears.

“He saw the city and wept over it,” Scripture says. He wept because the people received none of the spiritual blessings that He had come to offer and thus, judgment would come. While wailing in anguish, Christ delivered the prophecy concerning the destruction of his beautiful Jerusalem. The prophecy was fulfilled less than 40 years later, when the Romans besieged the city under the leadership of Titus, leveling buildings, the holy temple and most of the city wall. Over than 600,000 Jews died in the aftermath.

But I imagine Jesus’ sadness as he entered Jerusalem was also in response to a more personal understanding. He knew that the multitudes that waved palm leaves and praised God for the long-awaited Messiah would soon be shouting “Crucify him!”

Close friends — witnesses and recipients of many miracles, who feasted on the bread of life He offered — would soon desert, betray or deny Him. And many of those who welcomed Him would soon cast the votes which would send Him to the cross.

The foreknowledge of the pain of betrayal by those He loved… Could that have been yet a deeper sorrow, hidden behind the tears shed by the Christ? Could the emotional pain be what pierced His heart deeper than the nails driven into His hands and feet?

The foreknowledge of the pain of betrayal by those he loved… Could that have been yet a deeper sorrow, hidden behind the tears shed by the Christ? #MondayDevotional #HolyWeek #PalmSunday
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I believe so. Anyone who has experienced severe physical pain, as well as deep emotional sorrow, understands this truth: Nothing hurts quite as deep as the pain of betrayal. Whether it is the betrayal of a spouse, friend, sibling or child, nothing hurts quite as much or leaves uglier scars.

The knife in our back, driven by someone whom we shared our deepest secrets with…

The physical or emotional abuse promulgated by the most unnatural source – a parent or a spouse…

Things that leave us with scars that never disappear, much like the ones the resurrected Savior showed His disciples on his nail-pierced hands.

And yet, as He hung on the cross, He cried: “Forgive them, Father. For they know not what they are doing.”

His heart released the betrayer, even before Judas kissed his cheek. His loving eyes reached Peter, even before the rooster crowed that third time.

Jesus' heart released the betrayer, even before Judas kissed His cheek. His loving eyes reached Peter, even before the rooster crowed that third time. #HolyWeek #Easter
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And as Palm Sunday arrives tomorrow, and I gladly join the crowd singing Hosanna to my king, His tears on Jerusalem’s hilltop serve as a reminder that the Man of Sorrows understands each time our hearts are broken, and offers us the grace and strength to forgive those who hurt us, yet again.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday – April 12, 2019. 

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LINKUP is open! As we celebrate Holy Week, Jesus' triumphal entry and His tears while seeing the city from a distance made me reflect on the pain of Betrayal. Join us & share your blog!
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The post A Reflection on the Pain of Betrayal – LINKUP {The Atlanta Journal Constitution – Palm Sunday} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.