June 18, 2026

Two lessons found in chapters 24 and 26 include being careful who you listen to and take advice from, and sustaining the Lord's anointed.

Saul pursued David multiple times and David spared Saul's life each time when he found Saul asleep. David points out that Saul could be after him either because the Lord stirred up his heart to do so or because his servants told him to. Saul was listening to other men rather than the Lord, and that led to sin.

However, David sets a different example. While he could be greatly offended at the sin of the Lord's anointed because it deeply affected him, he chooses to forgive and not retaliate. By all counts, David has every right to be offended; he was hunted multiple times with the intention to be killed. Yet, he did not stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed.

God calls imperfect humans to do His work. We need to sustain them. That means especially in their human, imperfect nature. In fact, if they were perfect, they wouldn't need us to sustain them. When we see the imperfect side of a church leader, or any of our brothers and sisters, should we not remember that we too are imperfect? Let's build up one another and help each other grow through imperfection rather than condemning others or even trading our salvation for the right to feel justified.

I believe it's actually beautiful that God allows His leaders to make mistakes. It shows the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ, in action. If my Redeemer can use and sanctify other imperfect people, He can do the same with me - if I let him.

I wonder if the scripture "many are called but few are chosen" means something more like "many are called but few HAVE chosen".

Two people walk into a grocery store. One, and employee, the other just there to shop. They both hear an announcement over the speaker that a cleanup is needed on aisle 3. They both show up and help. Only one gets paid. Which gets paid and why?

Is it perhaps the one that has a covenant with the employer that they will be paid?

That said, given the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, it's more than reasonable to assume that the Lord will offer the same covenant to the shopper, even if the hour is late - but they must agree, accept it, follow the necessary onboarding path laid out in the offer, and endure to the end.

Matthew 7

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you