1 Samuel 23:1-14
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Depend upon the Dependable God
Depend upon the Dependable God
Just this week, PAGASA declared that it’s officialy a rainy season here in the Philippines. Pero, perti gihapon ka init no?.
Just like the weather conditions nga sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy, and sometimes rainy, ang atong kinabuhi moagi pud tag different conditions and phases.
There will be times in life where everything is okay (sunny weather). There will be times in life where we get to experience clouds of darkness over us and when it rain, it pours…we get to experience one problem after another. Financial needs, sickness, relationship problems, or people trying to put you down. Things that are out of your control. Things that seemed random or out of the blue!
When that happens, we get to feel confused and we ask the questions “why am I experiencing this? “where do i go? “What do I need to do?”
I believe that during difficult time is the best time to re-evaluate our choices and our decisions and asked ourselves the right questions:
Did I consult God in that decision that I made?
Was my choice pleasing to God?
Did I consider the good of other people in making that decision?
This morning, let’s look at the real-life story of David and how he made crucial decisions when he faced a difficult and life threatening situation that not only blessed Him but also blesses others.
Go with me to 1 Samuel 23:1-14.
Outline:
I. 1-4 - The Problem and the Opportunity to display David’s godly character and dependence in God.
I. 1-4 - The Problem and the Opportunity to display David’s godly character and dependence in God.
- The town of Keilah (part of Judah) was under attacked by the Philistines (they were robbing the threshing floors)
- David’s king like response - to help his troubled people.
- Godly man is a selfless man
- David inquired of the Lord. (twice)
David showed faith and courage and trust in God!
God assured David to come out victorious! (It is God who gives victory -v.4)
II. 5-6 - Victory and Deliverance
II. 5-6 - Victory and Deliverance
- David attacked and won against the Philistines and delivered the inhabitants of Keilah.
III. 7-8 - Another Problem - Saul displayed again more ungodly character. Unfit for a King.
III. 7-8 - Another Problem - Saul displayed again more ungodly character. Unfit for a King.
- Saul sought to kill David at Keilah by sending ALL his soldiers to Keilah.
“God has delivered him into my hand” - Saul (is he telling the truth or just plainly assuming? , how did he know that God delivered David to him?
He was willing to kill the Inhabitants of Keilah so they will give up David.
IV. 9-12- David displayed again His dependence in God. Fit for a King!
IV. 9-12- David displayed again His dependence in God. Fit for a King!
- This is the climax of the story: David heard about Saul’s plot and inquired the LORD for guidance.
Ephod - A sacred vestment originally worn by the high priest and made of “gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. - In the Ephod is the Urim and Thummim, the objects used in discerning the will of God.
- The Lord answered twice. “Saul will come to Keilah” , “The inhabitants of Keilah will surrender David to Saul” (out of fear!, not out of loyalty)
A fitting reminder for David that man is not totally dependable. They change depending on circumstances. but God, does not change. God alone is dependable!.
David’s son Solomon wrote Psalm 118:8
8 It is better to take shelter in the Lord than to trust in people.
V. 13-14 - David displayed care for the inhabitants of Keilah by moving away (para dili sila madamay!)
V. 13-14 - David displayed care for the inhabitants of Keilah by moving away (para dili sila madamay!)
- David left Keilah and escaped from Saul and he stayed in the wildnerness of Ziph.
- David listened to God and escaped together with his men.
- David was safe from Saul’s evil desire.
The conclusion of the story is found in verse 14 - “but God did not deliver him into his hand”
- Contrast to verse 7 - “God has delivered him (David) into my hand”- Saul
What: The author is telling the readers that God was with David not Saul, and is sovereign in protecting David from the threats around him including Saul and the Philistines.
Why: To show that God is the sovereign God who chose David as the rightful King of Israel who was already doing a King’s tasks in defeating Israel’s enemy (the Philistines) and saving Israelites in contrast to Saul’s enemy like actions.
Contrast: Godly King vs Wordly King
Contrast: Godly King vs Wordly King
David inquired of God
Saul did not inquire God
David was selfless (avoids the destruction of the city so he left) acted like a King
Saul was selfish (will try to destroy his city to capture David) acted like an enemy of the city
David has a godly priest
Saul does not have a priest
David has loyal supporters
Saul has fearful supporters (afraid of him)
Saul takes lives - Destroyer of lives
David saves lives - A Savior to his people (a foreshadowing of what Jesus will do to His people)
Our King Jesus gave his life to save undeserving sinners like you and me.
Jesus was selfless! He doesn’t need us. He doesn’t need to die on our behalf but He did!
3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Timeless Truths:
Timeless Truths:
A. God is sovereign over our destiny and of our salvation.
A. God is sovereign over our destiny and of our salvation.
From the human standpoint, Saul was more powerful than David. But it was God who really controlled the events.
God allowed full freedom of action to the Philistines and to Saul, but yet he overruled them so that God’s will prevailed at the end.
God is our ultimate deliverer and no one can do something to us apart from His approval.( v.14)
We can’t free ourselves from the slavery of sin, yet God is sovereign in the events in our lives. He made a way for us to know Him by opening our spiritual eyes (spiritual awakening) so that we can respond to the Gospel.
Application:
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation.
Trust God even in dark and troubled times.
There is no dark and troubled times with God. He can clearly see everything and He does not panic!
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
B. God gives wisdom and direction to those who ask from Him
B. God gives wisdom and direction to those who ask from Him
(v.2,4,11, 12)
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
It is man’s responsibility to inquire from God. It is man’s duty to seek wisdom from the source of wisdom - God. Simply because we have limited wisdom and God has unlimited wisdom.
We can only see what is in front of us today, but God sees our tomorrow.
Reflection:
Where do you get wisdom and direction?
Application:
Ask wisdom from God through prayer and meditation of His living Word.
Seek guidance from Christians who have experienced what it is like to be dependent on God.
Testimony: When I asked wisdom from God when to resign from Timex and go full time, and when to reduce my time at Restore (part time work only)
God’s word - 1 Timothy 4:14–16“14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”
Confirmation from others - Pastor Mel , IDMC conference (“our restedness in God is accomplished by re-aligning to God”) Expository Conference (no rootedness means no readiness to serve)
This is what I wrote in my notes: More time for ministry, Sacred calling - Preach the Word, God speaks through me, God will provide for me, fight your time for God, protect your rest!
God changing the situation - opening of Ka-Konsor outreach.
Comfort and Peace from the Holy Spirit.
Many times we experience setbacks and difficulties because we are too reliant on our own limited wisdom.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
C. It is God who gives success in life (v.4)
C. It is God who gives success in life (v.4)
It is repeated over and over again in the Bible that it is God who gives success in life.
18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
25 A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.
It is God who enriched and gives success to those who used their God-given talents and resources to bless others!
Success doesn’t mean a thing if it does not bless God and bless others!
The Biblical success is different from the world’s definition of success. Biblical success is “faithfulness” in whatever you do”. It is the only thing that matters to God. In the final analysis, when you are faithful to God, God will give you the ability to be effective in your calling to glorify God and bless others!
Reflection:
Do you think about God when you achieve success in your job or school?
Application: Since it is God who gives success…
Seek the good of others (selflessness)
Help without expecting anything in return.
We don’t do good to others so God will bless us. God has blessed us that is why we do good to others.
35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Conclusion:
Don’t waste your time and your life living independently from God.
The God of the Bible, the creator of heaven and earth is the sovereign God whom we worship and serve, He is a dependable God. He is a faithful God! He is the one who gives real success!
Seek Him and Seek His wisdom and guidance so that you will prosper and your life will bless others!
