Last week we ended when David successfully slayed the giant, Goliath. One smooth stone was enough to do the job. In spite of David’s supposed inadequacies and weaknesses, God called him, equipped him and used him. God’s grace was sufficient for David and it is sufficient in your life as well. David didn’t have long to “bask” in his glory before he found himself on the run from King Saul.
We cover many years in David’s life this week, beginning with Saul’s jealousy of him and the many years Saul tried to hunt David down and kill him. After David trusted God and His power in his life, he ended up having to escape the powerful King Saul and seek survival however he could. This hardly seems fair, does it? Perhaps you have difficulties and uncertainties in your life right now that don’t seem fair. You may not be running from a powerful King, but even the most basic life situations often present many trials and difficulties. John 16:33 tells us that “in this world you will have troubles.” However, Jesus has overcome death and this world and because of Him we can have peace in our lives, no matter what the external situation might be. Many of the beautiful Psalms David wrote were written as he went from cave to cave in order to escape Saul and his men. They were honest words written about honest and hard situations. Some are basically “fussing” at God, others express his deep trust in the character of God. What Psalm or song could you write this week - no matter what the circumstances of your life? Have you ever thought of writing your own Psalm? This year--and the pandemic--has thrown a curve ball at everyone and we are finding we must put feet to our faith in ways perhaps we have never had to do before. Are you seeking “refuge” and “cave time” with Jesus? Is He your “sanctuary” as David writes in the Psalm we look at this week?
INVITATION: Join in as we enter the life of David while he is on the run from King Saul.
MONDAY: I Samuel 18:10-16: Saul was jealous of David. Jealousy causes much strife and evil in the hearts of men and women. James 3 tells us if “you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts...” that it is earthly, unspiritual and of the devil. Is there any jealousy in your life or relationships? Is this an area you might need to have some confession and forgiveness time with the Lord about?
TUESDAY: I Samuel 19:1-10: For Saul, what may have begun as competition quickly spun out of control on a slippery slope, downhill from envy to attempted murder. Competition, like many words in English that refer to human relationships, begins with the Latin prefix com, meaning “together with.” In competition, the “together with” can be wholesome or it can be very unhealthy. What does competition look like in your life and relationships? Are you willing to be open to God showing you if there might be any unhealthy aspects of it in your life? How can you take the words and the concept of “together with” into your life today?
WEDNESDAY: I Samuel 19:23: Soldiers were sent to capture David but failed in their assignment, because the Spirit of God invaded their hearts. So it is with two other groups, and finally Saul himself decided to handle the matter. However, he too was caught up in the “Spirit power.” God kept intervening on behalf of David, in spite of uncomfortable and scary circumstances in his life. Recall the feelings that accompanied a profound spiritual experience you have had in your life - perhaps an awakening to God, a sense of God’s call, your conversion experience. What commitments did you make in such a moment? Did you share your excitement with others? How long did you keep reminding yourself that something special had occurred? How have those feelings and commitments changed since then? In what ways do you now seek the Spirit’s refreshment in your life and circumstances?
THURSDAY: I Samuel 20:42: Jonathan was Saul’s son, yet he loved and protected David. Who is a special friend in your life? How might you thank God for that person today? Perhaps you feel called to let that person know about their meaning and help in your life? Scripture commands us to “encourage one another daily….so that our heart not be hardened by sin.” Who can you encourage today and thus help your own heart in the process?
FRIDAY: I Samuel 21:10-22:2: David began his flight from Saul and ended up in Gath - the very place Goliath was from. He must have thought he had hit rock bottom to have to act insane in order to protect himself from the King of Gath. However God ends up providing people for David and he actually becomes their leader. How has God brought people into your life through common needs or common causes? Or perhaps even uncommon needs and uncommon causes? How has this been a gift in your life in recent months? Are you willing to be open and honest when you need the help of others?
SATURDAY: Psalm 63:1-11. This is one of the Psalms written while David was on the run from King Saul. He paints a vivid picture of his desire for God: “My body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Having seen God in the sanctuary, his life is saturated with love for God. Even during night watches and living in fear, he is compelled to meditate on God’s comforting presence. How can you focus on God’s comforting presence today in your life?
Bernard of Clairvaux wrote that love for God is “an affection, not a contract…It has its reward in what it loves.” How fervent is your desire for God? How do you see God in the sanctuary of your heart?