Which Path Will You Choose?

Have you ever stared into someone's eyes and for some reason found it hard to hold your gaze? What would happen if you did the same exercise with someone close or trusted, for example, with someone you love? Keeping your gaze on someone you love, although challenging, will probably become a very special moment. Today, we can be sure that keeping our gaze fixed on Jesus will probably be challenging and have a personal cost, but the reward will be like no other.

Let's take a look at the lives of David and Saul. When we read their stories in the Bible, we can see that they had a couple of things in common: both were anointed men and were also called to prominent positions (1 Samuel 10, 16). However, only one decided to know God intimately. 

In 1 Samuel 30:6-8 (NIV) we read: 

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” 

See what David did? He decided to fix his gaze on God. I believe he knew that there was no better decision than to turn to Him and prostrate at His feet, whatever the cost. 

Later, in the same chapter, verses 18-19 we read: 

“David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back.” 

On the other hand, although Saul had seen the power of God in his life, he chose not to fix his gaze on Him, refusing to obey Him and know Him intimately. As you may know, choosing to go the easy way will never bring a happy and eternally rewarding ending. Unfortunately, that was the case with Saul; his life ended in a tragic way as we continue reading: 

“So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.” (1 Samuel 31:6) 

Many years ago, I heard this question: “Did you know that there is something more important than us just knowing about God?”  

When I thought that over, God helped me understand that He longs for people who not only 'know Him', but who know Him intimately, so that He recognizes them. 

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’" (Luke 13:24-27)

Cultivating an intimate relationship with God is not easy, but throughout my life, I have discovered that there is no better place than to surrender at His feet and fix my eyes on Him. Today, I invite you to meditate on this question: Which path are you on—Saul's path or the path that David took? 

Here’s a prayer anyone can pray if their desire is to know God intimately:
Lord, today I want to make the decision not to settle for just knowing about You but instead, just like David, I want to always put You first and have an intimate relationship with You. I long to reach deeper levels in Your heart and please You at all times because I recognize that there is no better reward than knowing You intimately. Amen.

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Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.