GOING ROGUE. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE - 1 Samuel 27:1-2, 8-11

1 But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.” 2 So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath...

8 ...Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) 9 Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish.

10 When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?” David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.” 11 He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’” And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory.

OBSERVATION

This passage reveals a season of weakness for King David. Motivated by fear and lack of faith in God's promise to deliver him from Saul, David decided to make his own plan and live in Gath, among one of the many enemies of Israel. King Achish gladly offered him shelter and even gave him a city. In order to survive, David ended up raiding other lands with great violence and bloodshed. During the entire chapter there is no mention of God. David is not seeking God's instruction. He simply moved according to the reasoning of his own heart.

Few years later, when David tried to build a temple for God, the Lord did not allowed him because of violent past and the blood in his hands. I personally believe that God's judgment here is not about the many times David fought Israel's enemies under God's direction, but about seasons like this while David lived in Gath and went rogue.

APPLICATION

Going rogue may look very courageous but it has its consequences. In the case of David it did not took the kingdom away from him, but it took away the privilege to fulfill a personal dream (the temple). David was able to defeat his emotions in the past while being persecuted by Saul, but in this ocassion his guard was down, he relied only in his reasonings, probably had one way conversations with God, and made decisions motivated by fear.

I believe there are times when we need to lead courageously, bring change, go against the status quo, and take a maverick stand. However, we must be aware that in these circumstances we must depend on God more than any other time. Going rogue blurs the lines that keeps us away from a rebellious heart, and if we are not careful, rather than changing the status quo, we end up camping with the enemy, receiving its favors, making emotional choices, and behaving out of control.

Currently I have in front of me a couple of situations in my spiritual family that need bold leadership to bring change in a way that is both courageous and discerning. But bringing such necessary change is not easy, mostly because the decision making process rests upon a large group of people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and styles. It's normal for this process to be slow and frustrating. While being in this process, I'm surprised, even disappointed, to see some of my brothers reacting emotionally with much courage but very little discernment or consideration of the consequences. They are going rogue, and they have a following. Rather than being part of the solution, they are becoming part of the problem. But what is worst, they may be forfeiting the fulfillment of one of their dreams. Because of their rogue behavior, God may say, "You will not do this because there's blood in your hands." I wish I can stop them and speak good sense to them, but it seems they have made out their mind to continue in their renegade stand. All I can do is pray for them, and to set an example with my own life of how to be a maverick and change agent.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, you are my example of the most effective change agent and maverick in history. When you came from within a system that lack effectiveness to restore our relationship with God, you did not rebelled against it, but you embraced it, fulfilled it, and reformed it. You proclaimed the truth boldly, and even caused commotion when chastising the money changers. But you remained faithful to the end until every single part of the law was fulfilled. Instead of bringing change by pressure, I want to bring change by faithfulness. Don't let me ever dwell in the reasoning of my own heart. Please warn me when my emotions and hurt and frustration becomes the fuel that motivates me to bring change. Let me be not only patient, but more than anything meek. Have mercy on my spiritual family and lead us according to your perfect plan.