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- Threatened Yet Undeterred
Threatened Yet Undeterred
There’s a guy I want you to meet. He’s not a believer but can teach us a lot about...
Steven Pawley
January 31, 2026
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There’s a guy I want you to meet and though he’s not a believer he can teach us some things about what believing is and does.
We get introduced to him in this amazing scene here in 2 Sam. 24:20-25.
Araunah was a stranger to and threatened by David and yet so generous at a particularly difficult time in king David’s life that it makes me wonder why I’m not more like him.
Have you noticed how some who don’t profess Christ act more like Him than believers?
“All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king”. The guy was humble.
“And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee” The guy was helpful.
He helped someone who could be a “threat” to his “kingdom” get right with the LORD at whatever the cost (v. 22). That sounds to me like what the gospel is and does.
The king of Jerusalem, before it was called Jerusalem, yielded what he had to another who needed to get to God – now! Like these guys did (oh to be like them).
Because this humble soul saw himself as a king instead of the king, he gave what he could instead of excusing himself from the need – like these guys (oh to be not like them).
1 John 3:16-19 almost says it all. It’s one that’s easy to read – then ignore!
Look again at (v. 20-23). This guy didn’t just reach into his pocket and offer some spare change. Like the good neighbor, and Jesus, he got invested in helping another to God.
He broke his back plowing, planting, laboring in harvest… then gave his oxen (his tractor) and his implements (farm tools) to a stranger and said, they’re yours, give them to God.
He’s a generous soul toward those in need. Jesus is like that. Have you seen 2 Cor. 8:9?
That’s what grace and our gospel looks like, right? It gives what is needed not deserved.
But then David did something every believer can learn from (v. 24).
Instead of saying, hey what a blessing, thank you! David says, I’ll pay fair market value, and then some because I won’t build my way back to the LORD off another’s back.
Worship is costly.
Because two people chose to be honorable, humble, and helpful, they both enjoyed the benefit of seeing God’s blessing (v. 25).
That’s how we point unbelievers to Jesus! I like how Rom. 13:8 says it.
This inspires me.
I won’t build my altar off another person’s back.
I can be generous in helping others get to God and toward those who’ve helped me.
I’ll seek to be an encouragement not an impediment to those who need a hand.
When others live what the faith I profess looks like better than me, I’ll choose to be motivated to up my game in how I represent what the gospel is and does.
How about you?
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GO DEEPER with Today’s Read:
This section is for a little more digging and reflection. Use it to bake the two-minute read a little more into your walk with God.
What about today’s read stood out most or provoked you in some way. Write down what it was and why you think (or know) that is. Take this honestly before the Lord in prayer and talk about it.
How costly is your worship? Have you been building it off another’s back? What do you believe is the most biblical path forward that reflects what the gospel is and does?
When you consider, “grace and the gospel give what is needed not deserved” what are some ways you can better represent the generosity of the gospel toward others trying to get to God? Who do you know that needs generosity or help getting to God right now?
What might you be (or are you) holding back in service or sacrifice to Jesus? Araunah said, “let my Lord the King take and offer all that seemeth good unto him”.
Could you say those words to Jesus and mean it? If not, why not? Be honest with God about it and let Him encourage you.
Here’s another verse about an altar worth meditating upon (Rom. 12:1-2). If you haven’t been there or been there in a while, when do you think would be a good time to go?
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