Even in times of fear and uncertainty, we can remain faithful and trust in God's perfect plan, as demonstrated by David in 1 Samuel 21:10-14.
Good morning, beloved!
We’ve all had those moments when fear grips us, when faith seems hard to muster, and when the future seems uncertain. Even the greatest leaders in the Bible experienced these moments. Today, we're going to take a deep dive into a passage that beautifully captures these human experiences - 1 Samuel 21:10-14.
In this passage, we see David, a man after God's own heart, experiencing fear, demonstrating faith, and facing an uncertain future. Anointed as king, but on the run from King Saul, David finds himself in a precarious situation.
But David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said to him, 'Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances, 'Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?' And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, 'Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me?' 1 Samuel 21:10-14 (ESV)
In this scenario, David is fearful, yet he remains faithful. He's not sure what the future holds, yet he continues to trust God for deliverance.
This is reminiscent of what A.W. Tozer once said: "Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ."
Let's bow our heads in prayer:
Heavenly Father, as we explore the life of David today, we pray that you open our hearts and minds to what you want us to learn. Help us to understand that even in times of fear, we can remain faithful. And even when the future seems uncertain, we can trust in your perfect plan. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Now let's unpack this passage together...
In 1 Samuel 21:10-14, we see David, a man anointed as king, yet on the run from King Saul. This is a man who has been chosen by God, yet finds himself in a situation that is far from ideal. He is a leader, but he is on the run. This is a paradox that is not uncommon in the narrative of God's people. Often, those chosen by God find themselves in situations that seem to contradict their calling. This was true for Moses, for Joseph, for Esther, and it was true for David.
David's fear is palpable: He is "much afraid" of Achish, the king of Gath. This is a significant admission from a man who is known for his courage and bravery. David, the shepherd boy who defeated Goliath, the warrior who led Israel to victory, the future king of Israel, is afraid. This fear is not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to his humanity. It reminds us that even the greatest leaders, even those chosen by God, are not immune to fear.
David's fear is not unfounded: He is in enemy territory, recognized by the servants of Achish. His reputation precedes him, and this puts him in a precarious situation. The servants remember the songs sung about him, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands". This recognition is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it affirms David's prowess as a warrior. On the other hand, it makes him a potential threat to Achish.
David changes his behavior: He pretends to be insane, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting his spittle run down his beard. This is a drastic measure, a desperate attempt to save his life. It shows the extent of his fear, but it also shows his resourcefulness. David is willing to do whatever it takes to survive. He is not paralyzed by his fear, but rather, he uses it as a catalyst for action.
David is not driven away from God: Instead, it drives him closer to God. In Psalm 56, a psalm that David wrote when the Philistines seized him in Gath, he declares, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." This is the heart of a leader on the run. Despite his fear, despite his circumstances, David chooses to trust in God.
Fear is a bridge to faith: It is in his fear that he experiences the faithfulness of God. It is in his fear that he learns to trust in God. It is in his fear that he grows as a leader. This is the paradox of faith. It is often in our moments of greatest fear that we experience the greatest growth.
Not a sign of weakness: David’s fear is a sign of his humanity. It is a reminder that even the greatest leaders, even those chosen by God, are not immune to fear. It is a reminder that fear is not a barrier to faith, but rather a bridge to it. It is a reminder that even in our fear, we can trust in God.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when you felt fear, yet chose to trust in God, and how that experience shaped your faith and leadership.
Despite being anointed as king, David finds himself on the run from King Saul ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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