I didn't have class today, and spent much of the day at home doing homework, working on a computer science project, and cleaning the apartment. We've been cleaning up a lot of stuff recently, and making our living room look nicer. Today I went and cleaned up the kitchen, reorganizing and cleaning up things.

Things feel a lot comfortable when things are clean.

At 4:30, we went to the RSF and played volleyball for two hours with our intramural team. It was kind of for fun and kind of for practice for the upcoming IM matches.

At 7, we had small group at our apartment. Henry bought us all pizza for dinner from cheese board, a place that only sells a single type of "gourmet" pizza per day.

Small group consisted of fellowship, sharing, and prayer.

After small group, dustin, tommy, sean, joseph and I walked over to Unit 2 and studied in the study lounge there until about midnight. Joseph and I walked home first while the other guys stayed a little longer.

Devotion time:

1 Samuel 30

Why would they think of stoning David when it was the Amalekites who carried off their families? What can I learn about human nature from this incident?

They felt helpless because of what happened, and felt wanted someone to blame for their troubles. It's easy to rally behind a leader when things are going well, but when hard times come it's easy to turn that same leader into a scapegoat. We need to trust in God more and not be as quick to blame other people.

Contrast their response to the way David handles this stressful situation.

Instead of looking for someone or something to blame, David inquires of God. Normally, we wouldn't think twice about something like chasing after people who kidnapped our family members, but David inquires of God even for something like this.

What does it mean to find strength in God?

We realize that God is sovereign and in control of all things. When we grasp this in hard times we can rely more on God's strength and less on our own.

How can I learn to find strength in God for my life today?

Do my best and work my hardest in everything, but trust God in whatever the outcome of my efforts or struggles may be.

How did God’s provision for David come through the Egyptian?

David had not eaten or drank for three days and three nights, meaning he was on the bring of death. They found the Egyptian in a field, and the Egyptian revived David by nourishing him with food and drink.

What is the worldview of “the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers” who did not want to share the plunder with those who were “too exhausted to cross the ravine?”

Contrast their response to David’s response in vv. 23-24. What is behind their different responses?

David views their success and victory has God's work, but the evil men and troublemakers viewed it as their own. If success was completely their own, then they had the right to decide whether or not the men who didn't fight deserved any of the plunder, but since David acknowledges that the victory was God's, he shares the plunder with all God's people.