Looking on the Heart
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7
Outward appearances can be deceiving. An airline captain who flew international routes also ran a small filling station near his home. Between trips abroad, he got a kick out of changing tires and pumping gas. One morning, dressed in his greasy overalls, he walked down to the local hardware store to pick up a new wrench. "What�s new?" the store owner asked. "Oh, I�m thinking of taking the Cairo run this month," the captain said. "I enjoy flying to London and Frankfurt, but I think the change of pace will do me good." He paid for the wrench and left. Another customer asked, "Who�s the world traveler?" Rolling his eyes, the store owner said, "Some nut who runs the gas station down the street. Thinks he�s an airline pilot!" Both men got a good laugh.
The prophet Samuel also learned that outward appearances don�t necessarily make the man. David�s brothers, who were first interviewed for the job of future king of Israel, were all kingly looking. God, however, knew their hearts were not right and rejected them. It was not until David was brought before Samuel that God found a man "after His own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14).
The most important responsibility Christians have is keeping their heart right with God. Physical exercise profits a little (1 Timothy 4:8), and there is certainly nothing wrong with looking clean and neat, but the real test in God�s sight is our heart. No matter how "together" we might appear, if our heart is not pure before the Lord, He can�t use us to accomplish His will.
Are you taking good care of your heart? If it has become spiritually out of shape, apply the 1 John 1:9 principle. Make sure that when God looks at your heart, He likes what He sees.
It�s the internal, not the external, that affects the eternal.
Last But Not Least
And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here." - 1 Samuel 16:11
A friend once told me that the moment he dreaded most in high school was when his classmates in PE chose sides for a team. Being the non-athletic type, he consistently was chosen last. The rest of the school day was usually clouded by the realization that in athletics, at least, he was viewed as the LVP (least valuable player).
Perhaps David felt the same way. While all his brothers were given responsibilities at home and their father�s attention, David was sent off to the lonely task of herding sheep on the Judean hillside. He probably was speaking from personal experience when he said, "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me" (Psalm 27:10). Yet the one whom others saw as a person of last resort, God considered a person of first choice. Even though David�s father deemed him worthy only of leading sheep, God saw him as the future leader of Israel.
How the world sees us is of little importance; of utmost importance is how God sees us. Heaven will be filled with those whom others considered to be of little value but whom God knew to be of supreme importance. What is hidden now will someday be revealed�if not on earth, then certainly in heaven. Many who humbly stood in last place in life will find themselves in that day at the head of the line (Matthew 19:30).
Don�t be discouraged if those around you do not hold you in high esteem. Little can they know the plans God has for you. You may be last in their sight, but you are not least in God�s sight.
Those whom man puts last God often puts first.
A Filling, Not a Flash
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. - 1 Samuel 16:13
In the days of electric trolley cars, it was common for the small wheel to jump off the power-charged wire overhead. When that happened, the connection was broken and the power was gone. Sometimes in the motorman�s efforts to get the wheel back on the power cable, he would make a false contact. There would be a flash of fire, but still the car was motionless. When the proper contact with the power line was made, however, the flashing stopped and the trolley would move forward with its load of passengers.
God knew that David would need more than just a flash of power. If this young man was to be the leader he needed to be, he required a steady contact with God through the Holy Spirit. To symbolize that experience, Samuel anointed David with oil and the Spirit came upon him "from that day forward." All that David accomplished of an eternal nature could be traced to this ongoing guidance from God�s Spirit. It was not a momentary occurrence; it was a lifetime experience.
Christians have many "spiritual flashes." It may be the exhilarating experience of a weekend retreat. Perhaps God gives an overwhelming sense of His presence in the midst of a worship service. These are wonderful encounters, but they are not meant to replace continual, daily contact with God�s Spirit. Be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). His steady influence is what you need to move forward on your Christian journey.
Don�t be satisfied with an occasional flash of emotion. Let the Holy Spirit take control of your life and experience His power on a daily basis. Confess your sins and keep in contact with Him. A flash can never replace a filling.
Steady contact makes for steady progress.
Are You Lacking?
Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him." - 1 Samuel 16:18
Dr. John Broadus, a distinguished professor and gifted preacher, was asked by a student to write in his autograph book. The young man was known as an outstanding scholar, but Dr. Broadus knew he was not a Christian. So the professor wrote in his book three Greek words that meant, "One thing thou lackest." Years later Dr. Broadus received a letter from an eminent medical doctor in Texas. In the letter the physician said that he had never been able to forget those words in his book and that now he had the one thing he formerly lacked. He had Christ.
David was a very gifted man as well. He was a talented musician whose psalms are still set to music today. He was a valiant warrior. The women of Israel sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" (1 Samuel 18:7). He was a wise counselor and a handsome person. But more important than all these was this fact: the Lord was with him. All David�s giftedness would have been for nothing had he lacked that one essential element - God�s presence.
People often look at others and admire them for their various abilities. They may wish they could play an instrument like their favorite musician, or that they could be as intellectually astute as their college professor. Rarely, however, do we ask ourselves, Does this person have God�s presence in his or her life? Would we really want to trade places with even the most talented person if he didn�t know the Lord?
If you feel left out in the giftedness department, remember that you can have the most important gift of all - Christ�s presence in your life. There are no auditions, no IQ tests, no talent contests required. All you need is an open heart to receive the Savior. Do it today.
If you have only one gift, let it be Christ�s presence.
Faithful in Small Things
David was the youngest. And the three oldest followed Saul. But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father�s sheep at Bethlehem. - 1 Samuel 17:14-15
Little things can make a big difference. In the 1968 Winter Olympics, Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy made a sweep of the men�s Alpine events, but it was nip and tuck. He won the downhill by 8/100ths of a second, the slalom by 9/100ths. By comparison, the giant slalom was a rout, with Killy coming in more than two seconds ahead of Swiss silver medalist Willy Favre. Small as they seem, those seconds, even fractions of a second, made the difference between winning and losing.
David also knew the importance of small things. The war between the armies of Saul and the Philistines must have been very exciting for a young boy. The fortunes of David�s family and the whole nation of Israel hung in the balance. Yet in the midst of such monumental battles, David didn�t forget about his father�s sheep back in Bethlehem. He never failed to leave the allurement of the battlefield when necessary and tend to what others might consider insignificant responsibilities like feeding sheep. He knew these tasks were as needful as the more glamorous duties.
It�s easy for Christians to respond to the attraction of exciting ministries. Involvement in mass evangelistic rallies is thrilling. Being part of a stadium filled with people enthused about Jesus Christ is exhilarating. These things make the chore of teaching a class of three-year-olds or photocopying the Sunday worship folder seem so small and insignificant by comparison. Yet we need to remember that our faithfulness to these apparently small tasks is necessary as well.
If you struggle under the load of what appear to be insignificant responsibilities, realize that God doesn�t rate the size of the task, only the faithfulness of those He calls to complete it. Be faithful to the duty and don�t worry about the dimensions.
Being faithful in small things is no small thing.
Standing Up for God
Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" - 1 Samuel 17:26
When my son, Tim, was about 14 years old, we were visiting my mother and father in western Pennsylvania. My father was outside on a ladder washing an upstairs window. Tim opened the window, stuck his head out and said, "Whatcha doin,' old man?" If there's one thing you never said to my father, you never called him "old man." He thought that was disrespectful. So what did he do? My father turned the hose on Tim! My son never forgot that lesson.
David felt the same way about the challenge issued by Goliath. The nine-foot-tall champion of the Philistines was not just making Saul's armies look cowardly for refusing to respond to his harassment; Goliath was showing disrespect toward the living God. When the Philistines taunted the armies of Israel, they were mocking the God of Israel as well. By throwing insults at Israel, they were implying that God was also weak and ineffectual. This was something David couldn't tolerate.
Our own honor is insignificant. When people do not show us the respect that perhaps they should, it matters little. God ultimately will make up for such oversights (Rom. 8:16-19). But when God's character is called into question, that's a different issue. When God is ridiculed or belittled, it is the duty of every Christian to object, whether we do so privately or publicly. We should never ignore those who dishonor God.
Do not be afraid to defend God's honor. God will sustain you if you are willing to take a stand for Him. Whether it is in the workplace, in the university classroom or in a social setting, let others know that God deserves their respect.
Honor God and He will honor you.
Be Yourself
So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. And David fastened his sword to his armor, and he tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them." So David took them off. - 1 Samuel 17:38-39
Students at Morningside High School knew Mr. Sullivan as a strict English teacher who would kick them out of class for talking. But on August 6, 1997, the Los Angeles County District Attorney�s office kicked Mr. Sullivan out of class. It was discovered that Mr. Sullivan was really Willie Clifton Wright, who was charged with numerous felonies for stealing the identity of a teacher at another Los Angeles-area school. The imposter was uncovered when the real Robert Sullivan retired. For the past ten years, Willie Wright had been posing as someone he really wasn�t.
With the best of intentions, Saul also tried to turn David into someone he really wasn�t. The young shepherd was clothed in a suit of Saul�s armor and given the king�s sword. But at this point in his life, this wasn�t who David was. He wasn�t a warrior; he was a shepherd. He wasn�t accustomed to heavy armor and swords; his battles were fought with a slingshot and stones. Wisely, David refused to pretend to be someone he wasn�t.
In the Christian faith, there are many outstanding examples of men and women who lived their lives gloriously for God. Hudson Taylor adopted the dress and culture of the Chinese among whom he ministered. D. L. Moody never closed a service without extending an invitation for salvation. Amy Carmichael rescued thousands of young girls from serving as temple prostitutes in India. But keep in mind, they are not you and you are not them.
Admire those whom God has used, but let Him show you how He wants to use the unique combination of gifts and talents He�s given you. Be yourself, and let Him make the best you that you can be.
The best person to be is yourself.
The Lord�s Battle
"Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord�s, and He will give you into our hands." - 1 Samuel 17:47
When King George VI gave his Christmas address to the British people in 1939, World War II had just begun. The German armies had conquered northern Europe and a long war lay ahead. In his speech the king quoted these words from a book by M. Louise Haskins: "And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, �Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.� And he replied, �Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.�"
As David faced the prospect of confronting a seasoned warrior nearly twice his size and vastly more experienced in battle, he also knew where to place his faith�not in the security of swords and spears but in the power of God. David knew that his skill would not save the day. Instead, the Lord would be the deciding factor. It was His battle.
Life is filled with giants that are bigger than we. Seemingly insurmountable obstacles can dog our every step. But when faced with overwhelming odds, it�s comforting to know that the outcome doesn�t depend on us. Of course, we must be obedient and do our part. Whatever skills or gifts that God has given us must be used. But having put forth our best efforts, we can be assured that God will be the One who ultimately determines the battle�s outcome.
Rest in the knowledge that the battle is the Lord�s. He is the One who gives the victory.
The Lord�s battle is our victory.
A Covenant Friendship
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. - 1 Samuel 18:3
Merriam Webster�s Collegiate Dictionary defines a covenant as a "formal, solemn, and binding agreement" and an "agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action." A covenant turns something ordinary into something very special. It is not an act that should be taken lightly.
A covenant relationship existed between Jonathan and David because Jonathan "loved him as his own soul." The word translated "loved" in the original language means "to have an affection for." This was not a sexual relationship, as some misguided people erroneously claim. Instead, it was a friendship rooted in a deep admiration for each other and sealed with a solemn agreement. According to this covenant, no matter what happened David and Jonathan would remain friends. Their relationship was a loyal commitment to look out for each other�s welfare.
Today, friendship is approached with a very casual attitude. Friendships are made and broken as the need arises. They are no more substantial than the fizz from a can of pop. It�s no wonder that leading psychologists and therapists estimate that only 10 percent of men in the United States have any real friends. It�s a shame that we struggle with issues of loneliness while all along God�s Word sets forth examples of committed friends like David and Jonathan.
While it�s not possible to have a covenant relationship with every friend, ask God to show you a friend who could be more than a casual acquaintance. And remember, if you want to have a friend, you need to be a friend (Proverbs 18:24). Establish a covenant friendship in which you commit to look out for each other�s welfare.
No person is more alone than he who is without a friend.
True Humility
And Saul commanded his servants, "Communicate with David secretly, and say, �Look, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become the king�s son-in-law.�" So Saul�s servants spoke those words in the hearing of David. And David said, "Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king�s son-in-law, seeing I am a poor and lightly esteemed man?" - 1 Samuel 18:22-23
Sammy Morris was a devoted Christian from Africa who came to America to go to college. Although his pathway to service for Christ was not easy, his difficulties never deterred him. Perhaps this was because he had learned genuine humility. When Sammy arrived at a Christian college in the United States, the school�s president asked him what room he wanted. The African believer replied, "If there is a room nobody wants, give it to me." How many other Christians would show such a humble spirit?
David felt this way about his relationship to King Saul. Saul had promised him his daughter Merab, but the king went back on his commitment and gave her to Adriel the Meholathite (1 Sam. 18:17-19). Yet instead of becoming angry, David professed his unworthiness to be the son-in-law of the king. Then he was promised Michal, another of Saul�s daughters, and the king�s servants urged him to accept this offer. But again, David did not manipulate circumstances for his own gain. He humbly questioned his suitability to join the king�s family. David refused to promote himself by marrying the king�s daughter. He was content to let God honor him, if He so chose.
Christians sometimes view their relationship with a person or an organization as an opportunity for their own advancement. They look for ways to turn their circumstances to their advantage. To them, people are stepping-stones to personal glory. This leads to pride, and pride leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18).
Take care that you do not use others for your own advancement. Be willing to wait and let God provide success in His time and His way. You�ll be glad you did.
Pride drives us to advance ourselves; humility bids us to wait.
Living on the Edge
Then David took an oath again, and said, "Your father certainly knows that I have found favor in your eyes, and he says, �Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.� But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death." - 1 Samuel 20:3
Some people live on the edge because they choose to. They bungee jump, sky dive and engage in other extreme sports just for the thrill of it. Others live on the edge not by choice, but because circumstances have placed them in dangerous places.
David fell into this latter category. He had sought to serve Saul faithfully and defend his country and his king with passion. But his success in these efforts only managed to arouse the king�s jealousy. When women came out of the cities singing David�s praises (1 Samuel 18:6-8), Saul became enraged and began to plot to do away with the young man he now viewed as a threat to his throne. David soon found himself only one step ahead of a king who was trying to kill him. But in the midst of these circumstances, David knew that God was with him and would preserve him (Psalm 34:6).
Many Christians today also live on the edge. They live in countries where the penalty for being a Christian is death. They live in nations where famine is claiming the lives of thousands. They live in drug-infested neighborhoods where drive-by shootings and gang killings are commonplace. Yet they also can claim God�s presence and protection (Psalm 34:7).
Perhaps you live on the edge. Though your life is not in danger, you may be living on the edge in terms of your job, your family or your marriage. Perhaps you feel that at any moment one or more of these could fall apart and leave you helpless. Put your trust in the God of David. Let Him provide what you need to move away from the edge.
Christ can take the edge out of living.
Company of the Unfit
David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father�s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. - 1 Samuel 22:1-2
When Gen. George Washington gathered his armies to fight against the redcoats, they came from every conceivable walk of life. Some were frontiersmen, while others were merchants, farmers and even slaves. But the overwhelming majority had one thing in common: they were not trained soldiers. Most of them had shot nothing bigger than wild game. Yet in spite of that glaring deficiency, they took on the disciplined regiments of British regulars, and after a seven-year struggle they won.
David�s army also was a ragtag band of misfits. Those who were in trouble, in debt or simply discontented were drawn to him. A more motley group of outcasts would be hard to find�hardly a fit army for a would-be king. Yet despite their many shortcomings, God used them ultimately to bring David to the throne.
God delights in accomplishing His will through those the world considers unfit. He always has been attracted to people who will make themselves available and let Him do the rest. He took a schemer like Jacob and made him the father of Israel. He took an escaped fugitive like Moses and made him a fearless liberator. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that He was able to take a group of unlikely malcontents and debtors and use them to establish a shepherd boy like David as king over Israel. Imagine what He can do with you and me.
Are you ill-equipped for the task that God has called you to? Then rejoice, because that means you have the primary qualification God is looking for. If you are willing to be used, God will do the rest.
God can make the unfit fit for His plans.
Safe Refuge
And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the Lord�s priests. So David said to Abiathar, "I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father�s house. Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe." - 1 Samuel 22:21-23
In 1939 the Nazis began their program of Jewish extermination in Poland. In the midst of the destruction, Oskar Schindler, a most unlikely hero, opened his Emalia factory in Krakow, which produced enamel goods and munitions to supply the German front. As the Nazis began in earnest the removal of Jews to death camps, Schindler was able to rescue 1,300 Jewish men and women to work in his factory. By designating their skills as "essential" and paying off the local authorities, Schindler provided a haven that kept these refugees alive through the Holocaust.
David provided this kind of refuge for Abiathar, son of the high priest Ahimelech. After Saul discovered that the priests of the city of Nob had given assistance to David, he killed not only them but also all the men, women, children and even the animals of the city. Abiathar himself would have been killed if Saul could have found him. In return for his father�s kindness, David offered Abiathar a place of refuge. With David and his army, Abiathar found safety.
Satan�s purpose for the human race includes the destruction of every living being, regardless of their age or gender. Only those who find a place of refuge can hope to survive. Like Schindler, like David, God provides such a place (Psalm 91:1-2). It�s in His Son, Jesus Christ. When we receive Him as our Savior, we are safe from the ravages of the evil one.
Are you safe in Christ? If so, give thanks to Him who provides such a refuge from the destruction brought by Satan. If not, trust Christ Jesus today and become secure in Him forever. In the midst of destruction, Jesus is a place of safety.
There is safety only in Jesus.
The Lord�s Anointed
And he said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord�s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord." So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
- 1 Samuel 24:6-7
Many motorists have had at least one encounter with the people whom truckers call "smokies." Their official name is the highway patrol. And when the red and blue lights on top of their car begin to flash, you know you had better pull over. Whether you have any personal affection for the person behind the badge or not, you still have to respect his position. He has been given the authority to enforce the rules of the road, and your feelings have nothing to say about it.
David had the same attitude toward Saul. It must have been difficult to muster any feeling of devotion for a man who was trying to kill him. Furthermore, the king�s motives and actions were often irrational. Still, Saul had not been removed from his position as the king of Israel. As a result, David had to treat Saul with honor as God�s anointed leader even though he could not approve of his actions. The position deserved respect whether or not the man did.
As we interact with pastors and other Christian leaders, there will be some with whom we might disagree theologically. Others may have methods that we think are inappropriate. Yet because they are individuals called to serve the Lord in a special way, we must respect their position even when we disagree with them personally.
If you are struggling to respect your pastor or another Christian leader, remember their position. You don�t have to agree with them, but you do have to treat them with the consideration due their calling.
If you can�t respect the person, respect the position.
Giving Good for Evil
Then [Saul] said to David: "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me." - 1 Samuel 24:17-18
A gentleman who had held many important positions in public life went to a friend in great anger over a real injury he had received from a prominent politician. He was considering how to react resentfully in the most effective manner. After relating the particulars to his friend, he asked if it would be manly to resent it. "Yes," replied his friend, "it would doubtless be manly to resent it, but it would be godlike to forget it."
David chose to let God be his example. When Saul entered a cave to attend to his needs, he didn�t know that David and his 400 men were hiding in the recesses of that cavern. David had him at a severe disadvantage and his men urged him to seize the opportunity to take revenge on his enemy. But David refused. Rather than seeking to repay Saul for the evil he had done him, he secretly cut off a piece of Saul�s robe (as proof of what he could have done) and allowed the king to leave without knowing how close he had been to death. Only later did Saul realize the mercy David had shown.
God�s way is to show mercy rather than extract vengeance. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Even while we were God�s enemies, He had compassion for us and provided a way of salvation.
Are you thinking about getting even with someone? Don�t do it. Try God�s way instead. Return good for evil. Someday you�ll be glad you did.
Evil for evil is man�s way; good for evil is God�s way.
God�s Payday
"May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord�s anointed." - 1 Samuel 26:23
After serving for 40 years on the African mission field, Henry C. Morrison returned home by boat. On that same boat, returning from one of his big-game hunts in Africa, was Theodore Roosevelt. Upon docking in New York, President Roosevelt received a great fanfare. Bands were playing, crowds were excitedly trying to get a glimpse of the famous president, and reporters were there to take down his every word. No one, however, was there to meet Henry Morrison and his wife. As he left the docks, he felt quite dejected. After all, Morrison thought, I should get some recognition for forty years in the Lord�s service. It was then that his wife reminded him, "But Henry, you�re not home yet."
David knew that God someday will repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness. This realization prevented David from slaying Saul when he had the chance. He could have taken advantage of Saul�s helplessness, but instead he did what was right. David chose the way of righteousness and faithfulness.
You can be sure that God is no man�s debtor. When we walk in righteousness and faithfulness, we can be sure that God will repay. It may happen on earth, but most certainly our greatest rewards will be when we get to heaven. If we seek to do what is right in God�s sight and to serve Him faithfully wherever He calls us, we can safely leave the rewards to Him. God will never disappoint us.
If you are discouraged by a lack of recognition or appreciation, remember that God will repay your righteousness and faithfulness. Even if He waits until you get to heaven, you can be confident that someday will be payday. Remember, you aren�t home yet!
God will have a payday someday.
Age Is No Excuse
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. - 2 Samuel 5:3-4
Someone once defined middle age as "a brief period of time between being too young to do something and being too old to want to." And there�s truth to that. It seems we spend the first part of our lives being told, "No, you�re too young to date. You�re too young to drive. You�re too young to get married." Then we spend the latter years of our lives being told, "No, you�re too old to start a new career. You�re too old to go back to school. You�re too old to live alone." In American society, age is often a critical factor.
I suspect when David began to reign at the age of 30 some said, "David, you�re too young to be king. We need someone older." By the time he had ruled for 40 years and reached the respectable age of 70, others were probably saying, "David, you�re too old to be king over Israel. It�s time to turn it over to someone younger." But in God�s sight, age is not really an issue.
Scripture indicates that God uses the very young. The prophet Jeremiah said, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth" (Jeremiah 1:6), but God used him anyway. Timothy, too, must have ministered at a very young age, because Paul admonished him, "Let no one despise your youth" (1 Timothy 4:12). On the other hand, there were men like Caleb, who at the age of 85 could still claim, "I wholly followed the Lord" (Joshua 14:6-14). The apostle John continued to minister and, according to tradition, wrote the Book of Revelation in his elder years.
Is someone telling you that you�re too young to serve the Lord? Don�t believe it. Is someone telling you that you�re too old to respond to God�s call? Forget it. With God, age is never an excuse. Don�t follow their advice; follow your heart.
Age is no issue with an ageless God.
Dealing With Disappointments
"When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." - 2 Samuel 7:12-13
Two paraplegics were in the news at about the same time. Kenneth Wright, 24, was a high school football star and later an avid wrestler. A broken neck sustained in a wrestling match in 1979 left him paralyzed from the chest down. The former athlete prevailed upon two friends to take him in his wheelchair to a wooded area where they left him alone with a twelve-gauge shotgun. After they left, he committed suicide.
The second paraplegic was Jim McGowan. At the age of 19, Jim was stabbed and also left paralyzed from his chest down. But he made news when he successfully completed a parachute jump. Jim lives alone, cooks his meals, washes his clothes and cleans his house. He has written three books, and he did the photography for America�s first book on the history of wheelchair sports. Two men with major disappointments: one chose to view life positively, the other didn�t.
David also had a major disappointment. He had his heart set on building a house for the Lord. But God said no. David could not, but his son Solomon would. David chose to respond to that disappointment by focusing on the positive. He thanked and praised God for the good things He was going to do in his life and that of his family (2 Samuel 7:18-29).
Disappointments always give us a choice. We can concentrate on what�s wrong, or we can find the silver lining. One way leads to despair, the other to fulfillment.
Are you focusing on the negative? Look instead at the way God is blessing you in spite of that disappointment. See His hand of good in everything that happens to you�even if it�s different from what you planned.
What you focus on is what you get.
Show a Little Kindness
Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan�s sake?" - 2 Samuel 9:1
Kindness thinks of others. British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler for correct dress�but apparently not at the expense of someone else�s feelings. A young man invited to dine with Mr. Rhodes arrived by train and had to go directly to his host�s home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there, he was embarrassed to find the other guests already assembled, wearing full evening dress. After what seemed a long time, Rhodes appeared in a shabby blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes but had put on the old suit when he heard of his young guest�s dilemma.
As David settled into his role as king, his thoughts also turned to others. He remembered his treasured friendship with Jonathan, who had died in battle along with his father, Saul, and his brothers. David yearned to do something to show kindness toward his beloved friend. To his delight, he found Mephibosheth, Jonathan�s son, and welcomed him as one of his family (2 Samuel 9:2-13). Instead of focusing on his own comforts, David demonstrated the importance of kindly thinking of others.
Everyone needs a little kindness. Whether it�s the checkout girl at the grocery store, the counter server at the fast-food restaurant or the person sharing the pew with you at church, a kind word or a thoughtful deed can brighten their day. Many people labor under heavy loads. Our kindness can mean so much to them. Don�t withhold a kind deed when it�s in your means to do it.
Have you had a kindness shown to you? If so, pass it on. Don�t let it stop with you when you have the power to lighten another person�s load. Make it a point to show kindness to someone today.
Kindness may not bring fortune, but it never brings regrets.
Beware the Sinkhole
Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king�s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
- 2 Samuel 11:2-3
In December 1985 an enormous sinkhole swallowed a house and carport and forced the evacuation of four homes in a retirement community in Florida. The hole was about the size of a pickup truck when it was discovered. Within three hours it had grown to 30 by 40 feet and had swallowed half of a small house. Two hours later it had expanded to more than 70 feet, and the house with its carport was gone. Authorities were grateful that it finally stopped growing without doing even more damage.
David discovered that sin is like an ever-expanding sinkhole. As he was walking on the flat roof of his palace, he saw a beautiful woman bathing. Instead of turning away, he stared longingly at her. At this point the sinkhole was small but expanding. When he inquired about who she was, the hole grew larger. And finally, when he sent for her (v. 4), he soon found himself and those around him swallowed up. What started out as only a look ended in tragedy for all involved.
The best solution for avoiding the danger of a sinkhole is to stay far away from it. The same is true for sin. A lingering look, a carnal curiosity and the sinkhole of sin can rapidly expand. And once it starts to grow, the damage can be extensive. Your marriage, your morals and even your relationship with the Lord can be swallowed by its gaping mouth. Before you even have time to realize what�s happening, everything you value might be gone.
Don�t lose what�s important to you down a sinkhole. Flee sin before it can swallow you and those you love. The farther away you stay from sin, the safer you are.
The sinkhole of sin is never satisfied.
Confess Your Sins
So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." And Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die." - 2 Samuel 12:13
Early in 1993 British police accused two ten-year-old boys of the brutal murder of two-year-old James Bulger. The two boys pleaded their innocence. During the two-week trial the young defendants responded to questioning with noticeable inconsistencies. The climax of the trial came when the parents of one of the boys assured him that they would always love him. Bolstered by the realization that he would not lose his parents� love, the boy confessed in a soft voice, "I killed James."
David realized that he, too, was caught red-handed in his crimes. What he had been able to hide from his friends and family was revealed to the all-seeing eyes of an all-knowing God. David would face humiliation and sorrow. His family would be afflicted and the whole nation would suffer because of his sins. Yet what sustained him through the whole ordeal was the assurance that he had not lost God�s love. He would face consequences, but upon confession he was forgiven and received back into fellowship with his Heavenly Father again.
The most amazing truth about God�s love is that He knows how wicked we are, yet He loves us (Romans 5:8). We can confess our most evil deeds to Him and still be confident that His love will not diminish. That does not mean that confession should be viewed as an "easy out" for our sins. It�s not a safety net that gives us the liberty to sin with abandon. Confession removes the guilt of sin, but it doesn�t remove sin�s consequences. It�s a comfort to know, however, that when we�ve "blown it," God still loves us.
If you�re buried beneath a load of sin, perhaps you feel that God�s love is beyond you. Satan may even have you convinced that God has turned His back on you. But that simply isn�t so. After adultery and murder, God still forgave David, and He will forgive you as well. Confess your sins and receive God�s love today.
God�s love is deeper than our sin.
The Sins of the Father
Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, "Indeed, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!" - 2 Samuel 12:18
The consequences of sin frequently affect more than just the one who is sinning. Unfortunately, children are often the victims. Some years ago a study was done at Harvard University that found six out of every ten juvenile delinquents had fathers who drank to excess, and many had mothers who did the same. Researchers also discovered that three out of four delinquents had parents who showed no interest in appropriate discipline. Four out of five had parents who took no interest in their children�s friends or amusements. Many wayward children came from broken homes, and few had religious training of any kind.
This same scenario played itself out in David�s life as well. It�s true that David suffered humiliation and shame. But he was not the only one to bear the consequences of his behavior. Sexual sin plagued his family. His son Amnon committed incest by force with his half-sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:14). Absalom sexually humbled his father�s concubines in the sight of all Israel (16:22-23). Even Solomon, in his latter years, had his heart turned away from the Lord by his 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). It is apparent that David�s sin found fertile soil in the lives of his children.
Even though our children must bear the responsibility for the sinful choices they make, our behavior as parents can strongly influence them in one direction or the other. When we justify sin in our lives, it is all the easier for those who look to us as examples to do the same.
If you are tempted to sin, remember that the consequences of your transgression can ripple down through the generations that follow. Ask yourself, Is it really worth it?
There is no such thing as private sin.
Beloved Betrayer
And a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom." So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee; or else we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword." - 2 Samuel 15:13-14
Betrayal is difficult to accept. Benedict Arnold betrayed his friend George Washington and his country during the Revolutionary War. As a result, many lives were lost and his name has been synonymous with betrayal ever since. No matter how many noble deeds he accomplished during his life, he will always be remembered as a traitor to his country.
To be betrayed by a friend is hurtful; to be betrayed by a close family member is tragic. Yet that was the situation with David. Of all David�s sons, Absalom seemed to have the most going for him. He was a handsome man with long, flowing hair. He was a gifted communicator and a natural born leader (2 Samuel 15:1-6). In addition, he was a man of patience who was able to control himself until the opportune moment (13:23; 15:7). But he also allowed bitterness to fester in his heart until he turned against his father. In the end, he not only lost his life but also broke his father�s heart (18:33).
Everyone has trusts. They may involve our job, our church or our friends. We may disappoint people or even anger them when we betray our responsibilities to these institutions or individuals. But the greatest trusts we bear are those within our family. When we break our commitments to those who are our own flesh and blood, we create wounds that are extremely difficult to heal.
Keep your commitments to your family. Treat them as your commitments to God. If someone in your family feels you have betrayed him, go to that person and ask for forgiveness.
If commitments are not kept, they should not be made.
Death of a Child
Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: "O my son Absalom�my son, my son Absalom�if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!" - 2 Samuel 18:33
The late Joe Bayly wrote about the death of the young from firsthand experience. He lost three children: one at 18 days, after surgery; another at 5 years, with leukemia; the third at 18 years, after a sledding accident complicated by mild hemophilia. Joe said, "Of all deaths, that of a child is most unnatural and hardest to bear." He did not underestimate the grief of parents. "When a child dies," he added, "part of the parents is buried."
David knew that experience. He had watched his young son Absalom grow up, the boy with the long, flowing hair. Perhaps he had been his favorite. Absalom had certainly shown great promise as a future leader, if not king, of Israel. Then came the tragic incident with Absalom�s sister Tamar and his half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:1-14). The young man turned bitter and eventually murdered Amnon (14:23-29). Later he plotted a rebellion against his father, which almost succeeded (2 Samuel 15:1-18:18). Yet despite all that, David mourned his boy�s death as though he had been the perfect son. The death of a child is a catastrophic blow even if he has the heart of a rebel.
God understands the pain every parent feels when he or she loses a child. He Himself had to stand apart and watch His beloved Son die on the cross. He walked the same valley of deep sorrow as every grieving parent. And God understands as well when the one you sorrow for has been a wayward son or daughter. Ezekiel 33:11 says, "'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.'" God grieves even when the wicked die.
If you are grieving for a child today, take comfort in God�s understanding. He will sustain you through each surge of sorrow. His loving arms will uphold you all along the way.
God is also a grieving parent.
Going On
"Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now." Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, "There is the king, sitting in the gate." So all the people came before the king. For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent.
- 2 Samuel 19:7-8
A page from John Wesley�s diary reads as follows: "Sunday a.m., May 19, preached at St. somebody else�s, deacons called special meeting and said I couldn�t return. Sunday p.m., May 19, preached on the street, kicked off the street. Sunday a.m., May 26, preached in meadow, chased out of meadow as a bull was turned loose during the services. Sunday a.m., June 2, preached out at the edge of town, kicked off the highway. Sunday p.m., June 2, afternoon service, preached in a pasture, 10,000 people came to hear me."
David had been hit with many heartbreaking experiences as well. His son had rebelled against him. His people had failed to support him. His trusted advisor, Ahithophel, had joined the enemy. His general and nephew, Joab, had disobeyed him and killed Absalom. In fact, life was probably at its lowest ebb for David. But he had a responsibility. He was king and he did not have the luxury to wallow in his sorrow. Life went on and so did David.
When you�re battered by continual disappointments and heartaches, it�s tempting to simply give up. But as Christians we don�t have that luxury. God gives us responsibilities, and until He calls us home we need to fulfill them. There is no promise in God�s Word that life will be easy, only that God will be faithful.
If you are tempted to give up, recognize your responsibilities. Until God gives the signal to pack up and leave, you must go on. In the meantime, rely on God�s strength. He will never fail you.
Life goes on�and so must we.
Get Even
And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man. And the king said to Barzillai, "Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem." - 2 Samuel 19:31-33
There are times when it's entirely appropriate to get even with someone-not, however, with those you think have wronged you, but with those you know who have helped you. David practiced this kind of "getting even" with Barzillai.
When the king fled from his son Absalom, he had been unable to gather the supplies needed to support himself and his followers in the wilderness. Hearing of this, a Gileadite from Rogelim named Barzillai and his friends brought "beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, 'The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness'" (2 Samuel 17:28-29). When the crisis was over and David was ready to return, his first desire was to "get even" with such kindness. He offered Barzillai the opportunity to feast at the king's table for as long as he was in Jerusalem.
What an impact we Christians would have for good in this world if we tried to get even with those who have been kind to us. Instead of taking for granted the blessings God brings to you through other people, seek a way to return that kindness with kindness. That's the kind of vengeance God approves of.
Have you been blessed today? Then get even. And if you can't get even with the one who blessed you, pass the blessing on to someone else.
Get even with someone today-God's way.
Giving Our Best
So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew
water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and
brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out
to the Lord. And he said, "Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this!
Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?"
Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by three mighty
men.
- 2 Samuel 23:16-17
In her book The Gospel in Leviticus, Eleanor Herr Boyd tells of a missionary in India who saw a woman standing at the water of the Ganges River. In her arms was a sickly, whining infant, while at her side stood a beautiful, strong, healthy child. When the missionary returned, he saw her with the sickly child in her arms, but the beautiful boy was gone. He knew she had thrown her child to the crocodiles in the turbid river to appease her god. He asked her, "If you felt you had to do it, why didn't you throw in the sickly little one?" The woman drew herself erect and proudly replied, "We give our gods the best."
David was committed to this same belief. On one occasion he had expressed a desire to taste the water from the well in Bethlehem. Since Bethlehem was occupied by Philistine soldiers at the time, this was no small challenge. Three of David's mighty men, however, broke through the enemy lines and retrieved the requested water. Yet it was so precious, bought at the risk of his men's own lives, that David couldn't use it for himself. It was the most valuable possession he had, so he gave it to the Lord.
God deserves our finest. When it was His turn to give, God gave the most precious gift He had, His only begotten Son. With such an example, how could a Christian do anything less?
Give your best to the Lord. Whether it's treasures, time or talents, God deserves more than your leftovers.
The God who gave us His best will not accept less from us.
Look at Me
So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, "Now go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the number of the people." And Joab said to the king, "Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundredfold more than there are, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king desire this thing?" - 2 Samuel 24:2-3
A man went to a shoe store to purchase a new pair of shoes. He was fitted with a very suitable pair and went away happy. Some weeks later, though, he brought the shoes back. "Don't they fit?" asked the store owner. "Oh, they fit fine," replied the man. "Weren't they of good quality?" the owner inquired. "Yes, they're fine quality." "Then why are you returning them?" the retailer wanted to know. "Because they don't have any squeak," said the man. "Why would you want a pair of shoes that squeak?" asked the baffled owner. "So when I go to church," said the man, "people will look up and notice."
Unfortunately, that same attitude took hold of David. In and of itself, there was nothing wrong with numbering the people. It was a convenient way to know who was available for war or what taxes to levy. But those were not David's motives. David undertook this task to bring glory to himself. Underneath an innocent-looking decision slithered the snake of pride.
Many times Christians do the right thing but with the wrong motive. They might give a large gift, serve on a committee or sing in the choir, but they do it so they will be noticed. Their desire is to glorify themselves more than to give godly service.
Ask God to reveal your true reasons for the things you do. It takes courage and discipline to do this, but it's worth getting to the bottom of your motives. Don't be guilty of doing the right things for the wrong reasons.
If your motive is wrong, your service can never be right.
An Oxymoron
Then the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. - 2 Samuel 24:24
An oxymoron is two words put together that seem to contradict each other. Our language is sprinkled with such paradoxical phrases, although we often are not consciously aware of them. For example, we talk about eating "jumbo shrimp," driving by a "sanitary landfill" or seeing something we describe as "pretty ugly." But there is another oxymoron that often exists in our thoughts if not in our language-it's called a "free sacrifice."
When David sinned by taking a census of the people, a plague ravished the land for three days. As the angel of the Lord stretched out his hand to strike Jerusalem, however, God stopped him and spared the city (2 Samuel 24:16). This took place at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. In response to this act of mercy, David was instructed to erect an altar to the Lord on that site (v. 18). When David went to build the altar and make the sacrifice, he was presented with what seemed like a great deal. Araunah offered to freely give him both the land for the altar and the oxen for the sacrifice. But David rejected his offer. How could he make a sacrifice that cost him nothing? The two were incompatible.
Too often when it comes to sacrifice, Christians are looking for a bargain. We want the most sacrifice for the least expense. We wants lots of gain but little pain. Yet such a combination simply isn't possible. A sacrifice is only worth what you pay for it.
Don't go looking for sacrifices at a discount. God will have no cheap sacrifices. Be willing to pay the full price if you want the full benefit.
If it isn't a sacrifice to you, it isn't a sacrifice for you.
Father Failure
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king"; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, "Why have you done so?" He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.) - 1 Kings 1:5-6
The sheriff�s office in a Texas city once distributed a list of rules entitled "How to Raise a Juvenile Delinquent in Your Own Family." If that is your goal, it suggests, "Begin from infancy to give the child everything he wants. This will insure his believing that the world owes him a living. Pick up everything he leaves lying around. This will teach him he can always pass his responsibility on to others. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child. He is a �free spirit� and never wrong. Finally, prepare yourself for a life of grief. You�re going to have it."
David apparently raised his son Adonijah by similar rules. Brought up in the pomp and ceremony of a royal court, surrounded by servants to do his bidding, funded by a nearly unlimited supply of wealth, Adonijah was a prime candidate to become a spoiled child. But what put the final seal on Adonijah�s fate was his father. It is said of David that he "had not rebuked him at any time."
Fathers play a vital role in the disciplining of children, especially sons. Even though the dad often does not spend as much time in direct contact with a child as the mom does, his influence should never be underestimated. David�s son Solomon wrote, "My son, keep your father�s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother" (Proverbs 6:20). The word command literally means "to teach with discipline." Apparently Solomon learned something from his father�s failures.
If you are a father, don�t shirk your responsibility to teach with discipline. Let your children know you love them by the guidelines you set for them. Don�t be a father failure.
If you think it�s hard to live with your father, try living without one.
Mind The Light
Then the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: "I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn." - 1 Kings 2:1-3
Years ago John Walker was the keeper of the lighthouse at Robin's Reef on Staten Island. He and his wife, Catherine, lived there four years faithfully taking care of his duty. One morning, however, he was stricken with severe pains and Catherine sent to the shore for medical help. When the physician arrived, he ordered John removed to a hospital at once. As he was being carried to the boat, he called to his wife, "Mind the light." The poor fellow never returned to the lighthouse, but Catherine stayed on to "mind the light." In fact, she carried out the duties so well that she was appointed keeper. For more than 30 years she stayed in that lonely spot, caring for the warning beacon to keep mariners from damage on the rocks.
As David was preparing to be gathered to his fathers, his final admonition to Solomon was "mind the light." That is, be faithful to the light of God's Word: to His statutes, commandments, judgments and testimonies. If you do that, David promised, you will prosper in all that you do and wherever you go. And he was right. Solomon became famous for his wisdom and wealth.
That truth has not changed today. Even though David has been dead for 3,000 years, God's Word is just as relevant to our lives as it was to his. The promise holds as well. When we are faithful to walk in the light of Scripture, we will find a prosperity of spirit that follows us wherever we go.
Be careful to "mind the light." Read God's Word and apply it to your life, and it will keep you from stumbling in the dark.
Those who keep God's Word faithfully will be faithfully kept.
From "Giants Of The Old Testament: Lessons On Living From David"
By Woodrow Kroll
Copyright �1996-2001
The Good News Broadcasting Association, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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