1 Samuel 26:1-25
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Trusting God in Times of Difficulties
Trusting God in Times of Difficulties
Christians may face wilderness experiences that takes us out of our comfort…Events and experiences that brings pain and suffering even when we do what is right. We don’t like it of course and yet God allows difficult times to happen to us. Not because he wants to harm us but because God has a purpose - to mold and test our character. For us to do what is right and pleasing to God and for us to be dependent upon Him especially in difficult times!
Think about the man after God’s own heart - David. He was a good man who loves God. But He was forced to leave a comfortable life in the city and hide in the wilderness like a fugitive. He suffered and went through painful experiences. He was betrayed by people he faithfully served (Saul, his father in law), betrayed by the people he rescues (in Keilah). He was not given respect for his hard work in protecting Nabal’s sheeps (chapter 26)…and it does not end there, God was not yet done in testing and teaching David.
So…Go with me to 1 Samuel 26:1-25, we will read and then we will pray.
Here in chapter 26 we read the David is again betrayed by his own clan (The Ziphites) and Saul who already promised not to harm him (chap 24).
Introduction (v1) - The Ziphites told Saul about David’s location.
The Ziphites were probably not happy with the presence of David and his armies in Ziph or they might be afraid that they will part of a collateral damage when Saul attacks David, so they wanted to be clear with Saul so they will be spared.
Was Saul enticed to attack David?
Problem (vv.2—3) - Saul and his 3 thousand men came to seek and kill David in Ziph.
Did Saul forgot his promised? (chapter 24) now that Samuel died, did he think he can now kill David? This is the 16th time that Saul tries to kill David.
David’s life is at risk. Will Saul succeed?
David only had about 600 followers (not trained soldiers)
Rising Action (vv.4-6) - David spied on Saul’s camp at planned to go inside Saul’s Camp.
Why go to the camp? It was a very risky move!
Was he sure that he will not be caught?
David might be thinking that he needs to show Saul that he is innocent.
David showed his trust in God to protect him because he is guiltless against Saul.
Climax: (vv.7-8) - Abishai saw an opportunity to kill Saul and he asked David if he could kill Saul at that moment.
Saul was sleeping in the safest place in the camp, surrounded by his top soldiers.
Will David take the opportunity to kill Saul? Was he tempted seeing the spear near Saul’s head? this is the second time that he had the opportunity to kill Saul.
Opportunities to avenge does not necessarily mean that it is from the Lord. (v.8)
We can help others avoid sinning and guilt by rebuking them when they plan to do a wrong thing. (v.9)
Resolution: (vv.9-20) David chose to stopped Abishai from killing Saul and then David confronted Saul to stop his evil intention.
David showed self-control and respect to God’s anointed.
David believed that only God can remove Saul (v.10)
The Lord protected David by putting all of Saul’s army into deep sleep (v.11) David’s survival and ultimate success are divinely overseen and directed.
The Lord works for the good of those who love Him (v.10, 23)
Only God can remove the threats and oppositions in our lives (v.11,24)
David faced Saul to clear his name and that he has no evil intention against Saul.
Conclusion: (vv.21-25) Saul admitted his sin and went to return to his place.
I am a fool! Indeed, Those who go against God’s will is a fool!
Was Saul’s confession of sin serious?
Well after this, Saul had resigned from harming David again. This is the last time they saw each other.
What: God delivered David once again from the hands of Saul and David did not dare harm Saul. David’s survival and ultimate success are divinely overseen and directed.
This story shows that God was with David (not Saul) and to show as well that David trusted God to do what is just for Saul.
Why did God allowed that to happen to David? Wala ba nahigugma ang Ginoo kang David? Tungod ba kay gipasagdan sa Ginoo si David? No! God has a purpose behind this - to mold David’s character and to make him ready for his role as a King later on. So that when David face difficult times as a King, David will continue to TRUST GOD.
Trusting God in Times of Difficulties
Trusting God in Times of Difficulties
I. Trust God to accomplish the purpose of the trials
David’s wilderness experience and the pain and suffering he went through was not a waste.
It polished his character to become a better person and King and it increases his dependence and trust in God.
Every suffering and pain has a purpose . James 1:2-4
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Application:
1. Learn the lesson. (when I lost my motorcyle and wallet stolen, I learned the lesson nga dili maayo to have materialistic mindset.
II. Trust God to rescue you - God is sovereign and he will intervene to rescue and vindicate you.
David was delivered by God from his enemies over and over again. Saul said sorry twice. It was vindication from God.
The Apostle Paul was delivered by God from his enemies over and over again until it was time for him to be home with the Lord when his mission was completed.
Application:
1. Do what is right even if it is painful. (Pastor Floyd’s experience in Dumaguete - vindication from God)
III. Trust God to give justice in the right time - God is just.
God’s judgment for Saul came and God took Saul’s life during a battle. A time when Israel badly needs a King because of the increasing enemy attacks. David was then ready to take the role of a King and David was able to unite all the 12 tribes of Israel.
Application:
Wait upon God’s timing. God’s timing is always perfect.
We don’t need to fast-forward God’s judgment.
The Gospel:
Three times in the wilderness, David has been tested. Each time the question has been: will David become a fool who grasps his kingdom through bloodshed? And each time (though the second time, only just), the answer has been: no.
This three-part wilderness testing echoes back and forwards in the Bible. Adam was tested. Israel was tested. Indeed, like David, Israel was tested in the wilderness.
David recapitulates the stories of Adam and Israel. He is tested in the wilderness, and in this way he is identified as the one who can represent God’s people. And he passes each test. Yet his taking of Abigail as his second wife brings the smallest note of concern. He passes, but he is not perfect.
More significantly, this story points forward to Jesus. Jesus was also tested in the wilderness; and he too was tested three times (Luke 4:1–13). In fact, the tests are very similar. They involve the temptation to fast-forward to glory and skip suffering; to take the throne without the pain. Later on, when Jesus tells his disciples he must suffer, Peter says: No, don’t do it that way. And Jesus says: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mark 8:31–33)—he recognises that behind Peter’s words are the promptings of the devil.
We have a king who suffered. A King who is like us who understands suffering. This is really important. Jesus did not go straight to being crowned. To be our Saviour, he could not even go straight from his baptism to the cross. He had to experience problems and pain so that he could sympathise with us in our problems and pain.
Hebrews 4:15–16 15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
