TURN TO THE LORD WHEN DISCOURAGED

PROCLAMATION

“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.’”  1 Samuel 27:1 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

David had just spared King Saul’s life for a second time (1 Samuel 24:11 and 26:23) and Saul had said that he would not pursue David anymore. (1 Samuel 26:21)  However, because Saul had gone back on his word before, David did not believe him and felt that Saul would come after him again, and one day Saul would kill him.   This was a low point in David’s life when he focused on his current situation instead of focusing on The Lord God and remembering all that He had brought him through and protected him from.

APPLICATION

All believers have shortcomings and we all occasionally give in to our human emotions and weaknesses.  There are times when we walk through our own valley of depression and we get discouraged or despondent.  We worry and get depressed when we consider our situation from our limited perspective.  The Bible teaches us not to trust our own understanding but to trust in The Lord. (Proverbs 3:5)  This is the time when we need to remember The Lord’s model prayer.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)  We need to pray more and worry less.  We need to pray about everything and not worry about anything. (Matthew 21:22)

DO NOT HARM THE LORD'S ANOINTED PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness.  The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on The Lord’s anointed.  As surely as I valued your life today, so may The Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.”  1 Samuel 26:23-24 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

After David had spared King Saul’s life and Saul had thanked him, (1 Samuel 24:18-19) they parted company. (1 Samuel 24:22)  However, later the people went to Saul urged him to again pursue David and he did. (1 Samuel 26:1-2)  When Saul and his army had made camp and gone to sleep, David and Abishai crept into Saul’s camp.  Abishai wanted to kill Saul but David would not let him.  They just took Saul’s spear and water jug and left. (1 Samuel 26:8-12)  When he was safely some distance away, David called out to Saul and told him what he had done. (1 Samuel 26:13-16)  For the second time David had the opportunity to kill Saul but he would not harm The Lord God’s anointed King. (1 Samuel 24:11 and 26:23) 

APPLICATION

There are people in this world who wish to do us harm even though we have done nothing to them, nor have we wronged them in any way.  The Lord God will protect us and deliver us from those evil doers. (Psalm 18:17 and 18:48)  And, as hard as this is for us to do, we are taught to love and to pray for our enemies, those who curse us, those who hate us, those who despitefully use us, and those who persecute us. (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27, and Luke 6:35)  We are not to repay evil for evil. (Romans 12:17)  We are definitely not to lay hands on, hurt, or harm any of The Lord God’s anointed individuals. (1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15)  He will take care of all those who have wronged us.  “Vengeance is Mine, and I will repay, saith The Lord.” (Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30)  We also are not to rejoice when bad things happen to our enemy. (Proverbs 24:17)  Pray for them.

BLESSED FOR HELPING A MAN OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“David said to Abigail, ‘Praise be to The Lord, The God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.  May you be blessed for your good judgement and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.’”  1 Samuel 25:32-33 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

After the prophet Samuel died, David left Ramah and went to the wilderness of Paran. (1 Samuel 25:1)  There was a very wealthy man there by the name of Nabal.  David sent ten of his young soldiers to Nabal to ask him for food to feed his men. (1 Samuel 25:8)  However, Nabal insulted them, refused to give them anything, and sent them away empty-handed.  When David was told about this, he ordered four hundred of his men to take their swords and go with him because he planned to kill Nabal and all of his men. (1 Samuel 25:22)  But one of the servants told Nabal’s wife, Abigail, what happened (1 Samuel 25:14-17) and she prepared food for David and his men and took it to them. (1 Samuel 25:18-20)  David blessed her for her actions which kept him from killing her husband.  About ten days later Nabal died and David praised The Lord God for avenging him and keeping him from killing Nabal. (1 Samuel 25:38-39)

APPLICATION

The Lord God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to unfold.  He allows people to come into our lives for a reason, sometimes for a season, to be a blessing to us or to provide a lesson to us.  He allows some things to happen to block our plans in order to keep us from unseen hurt, harm, danger, or sin.  Things that happen to us which we perceive as bad at the time, may in fact be a blessing for us and work out for our benefit.  “All things work together for good to them that love The Lord God, and to them who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

JUST BECAUSE WE CAN DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE SHOULD

PROCLAMATION

“Then David went out of the cave and … He said to Saul … This day …The Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave … look at this piece of your robe in my hand!  I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you … I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.”  1 Samuel 24:8-11 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

As David fled from King Saul, he went into the wilderness in the hills of Ziph. (1 Samuel 23:13-14)  Saul continued to pursue David until a messenger told him that the Philistines were raiding his land. (1 Samuel 23:26-28)  Saul broke off his pursuit of David to battle the Philistines, but when he had defeated them, he returned to seek after David. (1 Samuel 24:1-2)  Saul went into a cave to relieve himself.  David and his men were far back in this deep cave and Saul did not see them.  David crept up behind Saul and cut off the corner of his robe, then crept back to his men. (1 Samuel 24:3-4)  After Saul left the cave, David came out of the cave and called to him.  He told him that some of his men had urged that to kill him, but he refused to do so. (1 Samuel 24:10)  David told Saul that he could have killed him, but he didn’t do it.

APPLICATION

Just because we have the ability, and the opportunity, and the desire to do something, that does not mean that we should do it, especially if we know that it is wrong or sinful.  When we know better, then we should do better.  We have the God given ability to choose between right and wrong.   We need to pray for God’s guidance and direction before we act or speak.  The steps of a good man are ordered by The Lord God. (Psalm 37:23)

DAVID PRAYED BEFORE HE TOOK ACTION

PROCLAMATION

“He inquired of The Lord, saying, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines ?’  The Lord answered him, ‘Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.’”  1 Samuel 23:2 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

While David was in hiding and fleeing King Saul, word came to him that the Philistines had attacked Keilah, a city in the tribe of Judah.  Before he took action, David prayed.  He asked The Lord God if he should go and attack the Philistines and save the people of God in Keilah. (1 Samuel 23:1-2 and 4)  Only after The Lord God answered him and said, “Go, …” did David take action.

APPLICATION

David knew what he wanted to do, but he prayed and asked for guidance because it was more important for him to do what The Lord God wanted him to do.  We can learn a lot from David.  All of our actions should be preceded by prayer.  “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)  We should pray before we act, and also before we speak.  We should pray to God about everything.  “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  We should make sure that our lives and actions are in line with the will of God.

BEWARE THE ENEMY IS EVERYWHERE

PROCLAMATION

“So, the priest gave him the consecrated bread … Now one of Saul’s servants was there that day … he was Doeg, the Edomite, Saul’s chief shepherd.”  “But Doeg, the Edomite, … said ‘I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob … he also gave him provisions …’”  1 Samuel 21:7 and 22:9-10 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

After Jonathan was convinced that his father, King Saul, really wanted to kill David, (1 Samuel 20:33) he went to the field where David was hiding (1 Samuel 20:35) and the two of them talked and cried. (1 Samuel 20:41-42)  Then David left Ramah and went to Nob to meet with Ahimelech, the priest. (1 Samuel 21:1)  But one of King Saul’s men, Doeg the chief herdsman, was in Nob (1 Samuel 21:7) and he saw David meeting with Ahimelech.  He reported this to Saul (1 Samuel 22:9) who had all the priests and their families, herds and flocks killed because they had aided David. (1 Samuel 22:16-19)  David knew that Doeg would tell Saul that he saw him, which is why he left Nob and went to Gath, (1 Samuel 21:10) but he did not expect that Saul would kill everyone in the city. (1 Samuel 22:22)

APPLICATION

The priests were killed because they would not help the enemy kill an innocent man.  When we as believers take a stand to help or protect the innocent, it is quite likely that we will also be attacked.  Doing the right thing by helping others will not make us popular with the people, in fact, it will probably make us very unpopular.  That is why when we take a stand for that which is right, we need to put on the whole armor of God and pray in order to withstand the attacks that will surely come at us. (Ephesians 6:11-18)  Beware, the enemy is everywhere.

OUR BEFRIENDING THE PEOPLE OF GOD WILL ANGER SOME PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, ‘… Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and the shame of the mother who bore you?’”  1 Samuel 20:30 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

The Spirit of The Lord God had left King Saul and had been replaced by an evil spirit. (1 Samuel 16:14 and 18:12)  Saul had initially loved David and took him into his home, but the more that he saw that The Spirit of The Lord God was with David, the more he feared him and wanted to kill him. (1 Samuel 18:29, 19:1, and 19:15)  Saul even got very angry with his son Jonathan for befriending David.  Saul was so angry that he threw a spear at Jonathan, attempting to kill him, when he questioned why Saul wanted to kill David. (1 Samuel 20:32-33)

APPLICATION

There are some people in this world who do not like The Lord God or the people of God.  They will even dislike or hate you for being friends with or being kind to believers.  It is good for us to be kind and good to the people of God.  The Bible records that Rahab, the prostitute, was spared along with her family because of how she treated God’s people. (Joshua 6:17)  People will be blessed for being nice to a man of God or just giving a child of God a drink of water. (Matthew 10:41-42)  The world will know that we are believers by the way that we show love to one another. (John 13:35)  We should not let anger or hatred rule our behavior.

PROTECTED BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“Word came to Saul: ‘David is in Naioth at Ramah;’ so he sent men to capture him.  But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, The Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied.”  1 Samuel 19:19-20 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

King Saul wanted to kill David (1 Samuel 19:1) but Saul’s son Jonathan intervened and saved David’s life. (1 Samuel 19:2-6)  During that time a war broke out with the Philistines, and David, who was now a high-ranking officer in the army, went off to war and slew the Philistines. (1 Samuel 19:8)  When he returned from the war, Saul sent messengers to his home to kill him. (1 Samuel 19:11)  David fled and took refuge with the prophet Samuel. (1 Samuel 19:18)  Twice more Saul sent messengers to kill David while he was with Samuel but The Spirit of The Lord God protected him. (1 Samuel 19:20-21)  Then King Saul went to Ramah to kill David himself but The Spirit of The Lord God again protected David. (1 Samuel 19:22-24)

APPLICATION

Three times King Saul sent men to kill David but The Spirit of The Lord God protected him.  Saul even went himself to kill David but again The Spirit of The Lord God protected him.  Just as The Spirit of The Lord God protected David from Saul and his men, He also protects believers today.  We may or may not know who or what is out to do us harm, but we know that The Spirit of The Lord God protects us from dangers seen and unseen. (Psalm 61:3 and 91:4)  We ought to be grateful and thank Him for blessing us and keeping us.

HATED FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING

PROCLAMATION

“And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and The Lord was with him.  Wherefore when Saul saw that he had behaved himself wisely; he was afraid of him.”  1 Samuel 18:14-15 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

After David had killed Goliath, King Saul took him in and would not let him return to his father’s house. (1 Samuel 18:2)  David was very successful in whatever Saul asked him to do and Saul gave him a high rank in the army.  This pleased the troops, the officers, and the people. (1 Samuel 18:5)  The women from all the towns of Israel sang praises to King Saul and to David.  They sang that Saul had killed thousands and David had killed tens of thousands, and this angered Saul. (1 Samuel 18:6-8)  Saul tried to kill David by throwing a javelin at him.  Saul was afraid of David because he knew that The Lord God was with him. (1 Samuel 18:10-12)  David behaved himself wisely before the people and in all that Saul assigned him to do. (1 Samuel 18:5 and 18:14)  Saul sent David to battle the Philistines hoping that they would kill him. (1 Samuel 18:17 and 18:25)  When Saul saw that David had killed the Philistines, he knew that The Lord was with him and he was even more afraid of David. (1 Samuel 18:28-29)

APPLICATION

Just as King Saul hated David, even though David had not done anything wrong, there are people in this world who will hate believers, even when they are doing that which is right and good.  Jesus, The Christ, told his disciples that if the world persecuted Him, then they would persecute us. (John 15:20)  He also said if they hate us, we should remember that they hated Him. (John 15:18)  It has been said that the more believers do for The Lord, the more Satan will attack them in order to stop them.   When an evil spirit is defeated, it will return with reinforcements which are usually more evil than the defeated spirit. (Matthew 12:43-45)  So, expect to be hated for doing the right thing and for doing God’s will.

WE NEED GOD'S HELP TO DEFEAT OUR GIANTS

PROCLAMATION

“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword … but I come against you in the name of The Lord Almighty, The God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied … David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.  Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead.  The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.  So, David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone … he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”  1 Samuel 17:45-50 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  The Philistine army had gathered to fight the army of Israel. (1 Samuel 17:1-3)  Their champion, a giant named Goliath, came forward and challenged the Israelites to send out one man to fight with him. (1 Samuel 17:8-10)  He did this for forty days.  David had only come to the battle ground to bring his older brothers some food, at the request of his father. (1 Samuel 17:17-18)  David heard the words of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:23) and he told King Saul that he would fight him. (1 Samuel 17:32)   David was not afraid of Goliath for he had fought and killed a lion and a bear while he was protecting his father’s sheep. (1 Samuel 17:34-36)  David refused to use Saul’s armor and relied instead on what The Lord God had provided. (1 Samuel 17:38-40)

APPLICATION

David knew that it was The Lord God who delivered him and allowed him to defeat the lion and the bear, and that He would deliver him from the hand of Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:37)  As we face our giant problems, we need to remember that The Lord God has helped us to overcome our problems in the past, and that He will help us with our current and future problems.  We also need to remember that what He has done for others, He can do for us.  We just need to put on the whole armor of God and stand our ground and watch as The Lord fights our battles. (Ephesians 6:11)  Some of the giants that we are fighting are not human and we need God’s help. (Ephesians 6:12-13)

CHOSEN BY GOD

PROCLAMATION

“… Then The Lord said, ‘Arise and anoint him; this is the one.’  So, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on The Spirit of The Lord came powerfully upon David…”  1 Samuel 16:12-13 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

After King Saul disobeyed The Lord God’s commands, it was revealed to Samuel that The Lord was displeased with Saul. (1 Samuel 15:10-11, 15:27-28, and 16:1)  Samuel was sent to meet with Jesse and to anoint one of his sons. (1 Samuel 16:3)  After seven of his sons had passed before Samuel and none of them were chosen, they called for his youngest son David. (1 Samuel 16:10-11)  Samuel was told by The Lord God to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse.  He was the chosen one.

APPLICATION

“Many are called but few are chosen.” (Matthew 20:16 and 22:14)  All believers in Jesus, The Christ, have been chosen, blessed with certain abilities, and given a job to do for The Lord. (Ephesians 4:7 and 4:12)  We are not all blessed with the same gifts, (1 Corinthians 12:4-12) talents, or abilities, (Matthew 25:15) but we are all blessed with whatever we need in order to accomplish that which The Lord God has for us to do. (1 Chronicles 28:20)  Each believer was chosen by The Lord God for a particular purpose.  We each must do as Jesus, The Christ, said that He must do, “I must work the work of Him that sent Me.” (John 9:4)  We are chosen for a purpose.

FEAR AND OBEY GOD NOT MAN

PROCLAMATION

“Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned.  I have violated The Lord’s  command and your instructions.  I was afraid of the men, so I gave in to them.’”  1 Samuel 15:24 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  King Saul had been told to punish the Amalekites for their past treatment of Israel. (1 Samuel 15:2)  He was told to destroy them, and all that belonged to them (1 Samuel 15:3) but Saul and his army spared the king and the best of his sheep and cattle. (1 Samuel 15:9)  When Samuel confronted Saul, he admitted what he had done. (1 Samuel 15:13-15)  This verse was Saul’s reply when he was asked why he did not obey The Lord God.

APPLICATION

Being popular and thought well of or being well-liked by people is not good when the cost is going against The Word of God.  It is not possible to please God and to please man at the same time. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  The high regard that one gets for pleasing man is fleeting, but the results of pleasing The Lord God is eternal.  Jesus, The Christ, said, “If you love me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)  Don’t be afraid to let the world know that you love The Lord.

REAL COMMITMENT

PROCLAMATION

“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said.  “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”  1 Samuel 14:7 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  At this point, King Saul had an army of about six hundred men (1 Samuel 13:15) but they had no weapons. (1 Samuel 13:19-22)  King Saul’s son, Jonathan, had a sword and he told his armor-bearer to come and go with him to the camp of the Philistines. (1 Samuel 14:1)  They had to travel over some rough terrain to reach the Philistine army outpost. (1 Samuel 14:4-5)  They were outnumbered but Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed twenty Philistines. (1 Samuel 14:13-14)

                                                                                                  

APPLICATION

This verse literally means that he will follow him wherever he goes.  Some people will tell you that they have your back, or that they will be with you till the end, through thick and thin.  However, most people really do not mean it.  It should be noted that this was not his friend.  The armor-bearer was more like his servant, he worked for him.  He was willing to go with him, over a hard road, to fight an enemy which outnumbered them.  He was willing, as the song goes, “to march into hell for a heavenly cause.”  Not everybody will help you fight “an unbeatable foe.”  Not all employees are this committed, and neither are all friends or family members.  There is only one that will stick by us through everything. (Hebrews 13:5)  He will stick closer to us than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)  He is committed to us.  He said that He would never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  He said that He would fight our battles. (2 Chronicles 20:17 and 32:8)  He said that He would direct us (Proverbs 3:6) and protect us. (Psalm 17:8, 61:3 and Proverbs 18:10)  The Lord God is truly committed to us, the question is, are we committed to Him?