Sermon Central
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The Success Of King David - Part 4 Series
Contributed by Dag Heward-Mills on Oct 23, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: Learn how to become successful by following the example of one of the most successful men of all times - King David.
Principle # 13 The Principle of Allowing God to Work Things Out
And David said to Abishai, DESTROY HIM NOT: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, AND BE GUILTLESS?
David said something that I think everyone should learn from. In this passage, David reveals his inner thoughts. He said, "Even though King Saul is fighting against me, I will not kill him myself." However, David was not stupid!
He knew that for the prophecies to come to pass, Saul had to die. However, he was not going to be the person to kill Saul.
The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
He gave several options about how the prophecy concerning his kingship would happen. There was no way that David could become king as long as there was a king on the throne. David gave three options about how his dream of kingship and freedom could come to pass.
David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, THE LORD SHALL SMITE HIM; or HIS DAY SHALL COME TO DIE; or HE SHALL DESCEND INTO BATTLE, AND PERISH.
First, he said that the Lord would strike Saul down supernaturally. The second possibility was that Saul would eventually die naturally. David said, "His day shall come to die."
The third possibility was that the king could be killed in a battle. It is interesting to note that the Lord worked out the plan for David's kingship through the third option. Saul was indeed killed in a battle. The point that I am making is that David did not get invloved in the implementation of God's master plan. He left it to God and kept his hands clean!
Everyone could see that God was doing His own thing. We need to trust God for His perfect plan to materialize.
When you get involved and try to help God, you create Ishmaels who rise up to challenge your Isaacs.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, STAND STILL, AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. THE LORD SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU, and ye shall hold your peace.
Exodus 14:13, 14
Pastors must know that if God wants certain people to be in their churches, there is no need to steal them from another congregation. Perhaps the Lord will bring them to your church through one circumstance or another. Just leave it to God. Do not get involved in any unethical dealings with another pastor's church members.
If God wants you to marry that man, it will work out. Ladies, there is no need to throw yourself at a man for him to notice you.
After four years of marriage, one man told his wife, "You forced yourself on me! I never even had the chance to think about it properly." Perhaps this man would have found her anyway. But because she forced herself on him, he was wondering whether he made the right decision. It is time to allow God to work things out Himself. Keep your hands clean!
Principle #14:The Principle of Not Allowing Rebels into Your Life
One of the interesting events of David's life was when he put to death the man who claimed to have killed Saul in battle.
And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for THY MOUTH HATH TESTIFIED AGAINST THEE, SAYING, I HAVE SLAIN THE LORD'S ANOINTED.
2 Samuel 1:15, 16
Another remarkable event was when he executed the men who killed King Ishbosheth.
When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: And DAVID COMMANDED HIS YOUNG MEN, AND THEY SLEW THEM, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it…
2 Samuel 4:10, 12
Everybody knew that King Saul's existence prevented David from fulfilling his dream of becoming king. The people who claimed to have killed Saul and his son Ishbosheth thought they were doing David a great favour. I believe that one of the major secrets of David's success was to eliminate those people immediately. Once a "king killer" always a "king killer". Remember that he who criticizes others to you, will criticize you to others. David knew that these people would be dangerous to have around him. They had the ability to kill their leaders.
