I helped set up the koinonia table at 9:30 in the morning, and then went back to the apartment and got a little more sleep. In the afternoon I got some stuff done at the self-paced center for my 1 unit computer science classes, then had a big lunch with joseph, ditha, lynn, christina, and wei wei at the asian ghetto.

Joseph, ditha, and I sat around for quite some time in the afternoon at our apartment, and then walked over to wei wei's place for dinner.

In the evening we helped Kairos set up for their welcome night, then had a small group meeting in our apartment.

This morning I woke up with a mosquito bite close to my eye. Luckily, it didn't get me directly on my eyelid, so my eyelid didn't swell until it was closed. After my short nap, I had a few more mosquito bites... I need to find that mosquito and... deal with it.

Devotion time questions:

1 Samuel 24

Reflect on David’s amazing self-restraint here. Although all the arguments would have been in the favor of the advice given my his men in v. 4, and the time to act was immediate, David is able to reject their advice to kill Saul. What non-negotiable principle must David have already adopted to be able to make such a quick and firm decision at such a time when circumstances and the advice of his men seemed to all point in one direction?

David refuses to act unless the Lord directs him to do so. In this case, he refuses to take these matters into his own hands, trusting that God will deliver the kingship to him in due time.

What spiritual and ethical non-negotiables have I adopted to guide me during pressing times when persuasive-sounding arguments and opportune circumstances can conspire to lead me astray?

Always putting church and devotions before other things, even when I feel like doing otherwise.

What about David’s personality is revealed from the fact that, though he did not intend to harm Saul, he still “crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe?”

Joseph and I didn't know how to answer this question. We're going to cover it in small groups tonight. Tommy answered that it might show that David displays a dark side that intended to humiliate Saul before feeling remorse. I'll followup here later...

Okay. So I'm sitting here right now in small group with derrick, joseph, tommy, dustin, sean, aaron, and our small group leader henry. We're discussing this question currently. Here's what we're talking about:

David seems to show a boyish brashness and a sense of adventure, something that might have made him loved by his men. However, after he cuts of the corner of Saul's robe, he understands that what he did was dishonored the Lord's anointed.

How does David’s refusal to lift his hand against Saul demonstrate his trust in God?

Even though it appears that the kingdom is one quick sword trust away from his reach, David patiently waits for God's timing.

What’s the relationship between what David is like and his trust in God?

His humility allows him to put God's will and glory before his own.

What can I learn from David’s speech to Saul?

To respect authority figures that God places in my life.