Beyond the Letter of the Law
Verse: 1 Samuel 21:6
"So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the Lord, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away."
In this passage, we see David, a man who had a deep and intimate bond with God, eating the showbread that was only meant for the priests. This act may seem like a trivial thing, but it highlights an important aspect of our relationship with God. The perfect sphere of spirituality is not just about following rules and laws, but about having an intimate bond with God and leading a life with His guidance. Everything we do, every decision we make, every step we take, should be guided by our relationship with God.
But, we know that this is not always easy. There are times when we struggle to find our way, when we grapple to understand God's will, when we feel lost and alone. It is in these moments that the laws and rules that God has given us become important. They provide a framework, a guide, to help us stay on track, to help us stay in God's purview. These laws may seem hard to grasp, or they may seem menial, but they are an important part of our spiritual journey.
However, as we see in David's case, there are times when these laws may need to be set aside. David, who had an intimate bond with God, was not discouraged by the fact that he was eating the showbread, which was only meant for the priests. He knew that his actions were not motivated by a desire to disobey God, but rather by a need to survive. And, he knew that God would understand, that God would see the intentions of his heart.
This is an important lesson for us. When we have a true bond with God, we will have the power to follow His guidance, even when it seems difficult or contrary to the laws and rules that we have been given. We will not be bound by the letter of the law, but rather by the spirit of the law, which is to love and obey God with all our hearts.
David's complete focus was still on God, not on the permissibleness of breaking trivial laws. He knew that his relationship with God was more important than any law or rule. And, he knew that God would guide him, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
As we reflect on this passage, let us remember that our relationship with God is not just about following rules and laws, but about having an intimate bond with Him. Let us seek to cultivate this kind of relationship, where we can hear God's voice and follow His guidance, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Prayer:
Dear God, help us to cultivate a deep and intimate bond with You, where we can hear Your voice and follow Your guidance. Help us to understand that Your laws and rules are not a burden, but rather a guide to help us stay in Your purview. Give us the power to follow Your guidance, even when it seems difficult or contrary to the laws and rules that we have been given. Amen.