Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 22; Psalms 17; 35; Matthew 6
The Secret Service Saint doesn’t keep his faith quiet,
just his faithfulness!
While David was running for his life, he learned the importance of solitude and secrecy. At this point in his story, not only was his life in danger but all those who stood with him were also in jeopardy. In those moments, David would retreat into his refuge, under the “shadow of His wings” (Ps. 17:6-9). Just as Saul’s life was an illustration of the symptoms and consequences of pride, David’s life shows us the signs and rewards of humility. Spiritual disciplines like solitude and secrecy are some of the ways we can keep our spirits humble and dependent on God.
Notice these disciplines are woven throughout the greatest message ever preached, Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. His big idea for this portion of His sermon was, be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them (6:1). This is how we avoid the pride of the Pharisees, who lived to impress others. When you give, do it as quietly and anonymously as possible (6:4); when you pray, don’t grandstand, go into your prayer closet (6:5,6); and when you are fasting, don’t announce it to others (6:16-18).
If we practice these signs of humility, we learn how to reflect the likeness of Jesus, caring for others with an eternal perspective instead of seeking selfish attention for ourselves on earth (6:19-21). We also protect ourselves from the god of this world, mammon, the love of money, which is the root of evil (6:24; 1 Tim. 6:10). When we focus our attention on God’s kingdom first, instead of on our own little world, we discover how to live without worry (6:25-34). As David learned, God will take care of us. He will defend us so we don’t have to defend ourselves (Ps. 35:24).
“Lord, I would like to be able to say with David as I face each new day, when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness (Ps. 17:15), hopefully through everything I say and do.”
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