February 7, 2025
Dear Friends,
This Sunday we will continue our sermon series on the story of David as found in 1 Samuel 24. David is a fugitive. David is a “wanted man” by King Saul, who has tracked the shepherd-king and his followers down to the caves of En Gedi oasis on the edge of the Dead Sea. King Saul is close but what he doesn’t know is that David is closer. One day David has the opportunity to eliminate his nemesis. The temptation is great to kill the King. Even David’s followers tell him that it is God’s plan that he cut the King’s throat. Instead David shows mercy and spares Saul’s life by cutting a piece of the King’s cloak. Wisely David still believes that Saul is God’s anointed King. David chooses to do good over the temptation to do something evil. David believes that God is the ultimate judge of Saul’s actions and moreover, that in God’s time something good will come of this experience. This episode of David’s life reminds us of another shepherd-king who was encouraged by his followers to take the throne of Israel by force. Jesus had to remind his disciples that this was not the nature of his kingship. It was not about taking life, but giving life, through his own suffering and death. It was Jesus’ ethic that his followers should “love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt 5:43-48) A strange ethic in a world that promotes revenge and retaliation over forgiveness and restoration. Perhaps David’s greatest success was not the killing of Goliath but that he spared King Saul. Perhaps this was one reason why God called David…”a man after God’s own heart.” So please join me on Sunday as we continue to explore this great story in a message entitled “Lessons From The Wilderness”.
I want to extend our congratulations to Evelyn Scott who is celebrating her 90th Birthday this weekend. Evelyn we are so glad to extend our wishes of good health and happiness on this great occasion. Happy Birthday!
February is Black History Month and we are planning a service on February 23rd to recognize and thank God for the contributions of people from the Black community in faith and service. Our special guest will be Rev. Julia Moses who is the pastor of British Methodist Episcopal Church and members of her congregation. BME have been using Glenbrook sanctuary for many years as their place of worship and I have a long relationship with Julia and her associate Glenda Lewis. I also want to thank the Agyemang family for the alter cloths that have been donated and used over the month of February.
Have a lovely weekend.
Pastor Ian
