Tuesday, October 24

Heroes

Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.

I am a tree-hugging, peace-loving, hippie chick. I make no apologies for my softness. I am utterly and completely horrified by war, and I am disgusted by the people who wage war knowing they are not the ones who will be slain.

That being said, I am also utterly and absolutely in awe of people who risk their own lives so that I may live free. Soldiers, police, firefighters -- all of these people are truly my heroes, and I am humbled by their bravery and selflessness. I do not have the courage to do what they do. And I know that I would not be living this wonderful life without them.

David's brothers were some of those people. They followed Saul into battle (in a time, I might mention, when the king went to battle with his soldiers). Their father, Jesse, was willing to risk the safety of the baby of the family, David, to support and appreciate what the eldest sons were doing for the good of the Israelite nation. It was a whole family affair. It was a whole nation affair.

Today I write to thank all of you who have served, are serving, or love someone who is serving. Whether or not I agree with the politics that lead to war, I acknowledge that when we are at war, it is a whole nation affair. I support you. I appreciate you. Thank you.

Narrative Lectionary Text: 1 Samuel 17:12-23

Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. The three eldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle; the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest; the three eldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening. Jesse said to his son David, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers; also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See how your brothers fare, and bring some token from them.” Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.