Will We Be Davids?

Spiritual Lessons

Will We Be Davids?

David ran his fingers down the golden strands. Not so long ago he played this very same melody under a starry sky, alone in a wilderness. But now he played for the King.

He looked up at the monarch and felt his heart sink. Saul sat with an evil expression furrowed into his face. Peace could not penetrate this man's soul.

David looked back at the floor and concentrated. God had used King Saul. Saul had made a kingdom out of a nation, raised armies and fought many battles. More importantly, King Saul was the Lord's anointed. No matter if Saul no longer trusted him. He would honor the King.

Saul was hounded by an evil spirit. It caused him to be afraid. The longer he watched David play, the more the anxiety built. The Lord was with David. And Saul knew it had departed from him. Somehow David's melody seemed to chant the very words the women sang with their tabrets, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

 Instead of releasing tension, the music seemed to attack him. Anger throbbed through his whole being. It was unfair that David was both given the spirit from the Lord and his kingdom. David had already been anointed with oil by Samuel. The prophet that no longer would fellowship with him. Jonathan, his own son, had knit his heart to this young man, even in the knowledge that David would take Jonathan's rightful place. With a surge of just indignation Saul stood to his feet and threw his javelin at the minstrel, David.

At that moment David had a choice.  

God wanted to make a King out of David. But instead of handing him the Kingdom, He crushed David. And He used a man to do it: King Saul. Saul was undoubtedly mad, even haunted by an evil spirit. He threw spears and claimed the right to do so. And yet, he was the Lord's anointed.

David knew this. When Saul threw his spear, David had a choice.

1. To stay, in risk of being killed.
2. To throw the spear back.
3. To flee

We also have “Sauls” in our life. Kings, God has put in our life. Some of these men have hurt us. We are given the same choices David was. We might have the right and ability to throw the spear back. No-one would have blamed David.

Except God. God allowed Saul to mistreat David. And He used it to mold David into a man after His own heart. God will do the same in our lives. He will use the Sauls in our life to crush the Saul in us!

David accepted it. He didn't bad-mouth Saul. David allowed God to change him. Being hunted will change us. Being wounded will scar us.

We can have pure motives and a righteous stand and still be crushed. God sometimes uses pure and righteous men to do it. Sometimes he uses mad men. Either way, we have a choice.

David tried to stay. But more javelins were thrown. Self prosperity is not conceit. Self defense is not pride. David fled. And yet David left alone. He didn't take a band of men with him. He was willing to go by himself. This solitude and hounding, the lies, deceit, and maliciousness crafted David into a man that is now known as the world's greatest comforter. David could sing before, but now his Psalms are echoed by thousands in every generation.

People will misunderstand you. Joab did. Why wouldn't David kill the King when he had the chance? The Kingdom believed Saul and had no way of hearing “David's side”. The kingdom misunderstood David during a time where it should have seem him not only an innocent man, but their future king.

Friends, dear friends, will be parted from you. Friends are often made because of what you hold in common. But sometimes, in these kind of trials, our friendships will be tested in the areas where we can't be in common. Jonathan's heart was knit to David's. And yet they could no longer fellowship and sing in the palace as they once had. They wept. Grief is natural. But Jonathan also allowed David to leave, and "strengthened his hand in God.” (1 Samuel 23:16).

 If we are Jonathans we must remember to let go of our Davids. Our friendships don't have to change when Kings throw spears. We can still be friends. But allow David to go in peace. If we are Davids we must remember how hard it is for the Jonathans that have staid behind. We too must learn to let go. David never spoke ill of Jonathan's father. David did cry “What have I done? What is mine iniquity...?” But David did not tell Jonathan to come away. David did not berate King Saul to Jonathan. Neither expected to be sympathized with as a victim. Neither depended on the other as their savior. Pray for your friend. Do not defend your character to them. But do not feel guilty for fleeing. Do not feel guilty for being Saul's son. Jonathan fought a whole garrison of Philistines without David. God placed you there on purpose.

David refused to disrespect Saul. God knew Israel didn't need another powerful king, but a broken and humbled man. Good men can do evil things. Who are we to determine if our king is a David or a Saul? To Urriah, David seemed to play Saul. The people in your life today, the ones who hurt you, malign you, and throw spears, might be Davids. They might be men after God's own heart.

Is it our responsibility to go to war against our king? Not likely. Will we have to flee? Possibly. Will we become “David's” – people after God's own heart? Only though much breaking and tribulation.

To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:10

Satan would have us stay in an unforgiving position. It is his device to keep us weak. And why? So he can either attack us or render us useless.

This is not a crafty ploy, though countless Christians have fallen on swords of unforgiveness. Satan doesn't hold us captive. We have sentenced ourselves and freedom is our choice. Obviously there are times it is humanly impossible to forgive, but this is why Paul forgave in the person of Christ.

Forgiveness doesn't look like sympathy. It doesn't mean we must put ourselves continually in a defenseless vulnerable place. David hid in caves. He did not continue to place himself before the king and his javelins. Forgiveness doesn't look like trust.

But forgiveness is unwilling to keep an account of wrong-doing. Forgiveness will pray for those who hurt him. Forgiveness is willing; forgiveness is open minded towards reconciliation; forgiveness understands Satan's devices. A forgiving heart is unwilling to gossip. Forgiveness is strength. Forgiveness is freeing.

Christian, we once determined to follow Christ, though no one else followed. No turning back. Though friends forsake us. We started this journey counting the cost. When it is required of us, will we give up? This is a race. The first half-mile was hard. The second half was exciting. The third seems impossible. It's how races go. Don't give up brothers and sisters. Satan would sift us, but ultimately we are given a choice.

Will we be Davids?  

The Sword of His Will

Spiritual Lessons

The Sword of His Will

“Yet more and more this truth doth shine

From failure and from loss,

The will that runs transverse to Thine

Doth thereby make its cross:

Thine upright will

Cuts straight and still

Through pride and dream and dross.”

 W.M.L. Jay

This is something I'd like to call "The Sword of His Will". Which is, to present yourself before the Lord in full surrender and allow Him to tear away from your heart whatever you hold within you that crosses with Himself. It is a painful undertaking, but a worth while one! It bleeds and stings like nothing else, but the result is a sweet savor. It is to be committed all the way. To put place yourself completely in His care. To trust Him with everything. And nothing is more sweet, more precious, or dear to Him. Nothing can compare to the bonding it forms between me and my Saviour. And nothing is worth holding onto that separates that closeness. I hope this is a blessing, dear reader, and that you wouldn't hesitate to open your heart completely to the one who first opened His heart to you. 

I lay myself down on the cold stone

I asked Him to place me here.

But as a once silent prayer becomes my reality,

All I can sense is my own gripping fear.

My heart within me pounding

Like a heavy drum, it beats;

With every part of me shaking in terror,

My Great Physician meets.

“My child, it is time to cut through this dross

So to replace it with the best;

Someday you will yet come to understand the reason,

But for now, be still and rest.”

He knows just where to place the knife,

Cutting deep, the right incision He makes.

Clear through my dearest desires and dreams,

My heart, He deliberately breaks.

The pain within me, overwhelming

How it aches and stings and bleeds!

But still one thought returning,

“Lovest Thou me, more than these?”

How the sorrows of loss compassed me!

My eyes, heavy laden with tears;

Weary and wounded, I cry out to Him-

Only silence; Yet, I could sense His presence near.

Still He continued to tear me

All earthly pleasures severed and crushed;

The hopes once hidden away in my heart,

Like blood from my veins, now rushed.

Such silence disquieted my soul

But His touch was still gentle and sweet.

For no one else knows me like He does,

All my deepest needs, He alone can entreat.

His smile towards me was reassuring

Though His face with anguish seemed worn.

I felt secure in His strong grasp; But still wondered,

Why, with such heaviness of tears, He did mourn?

For behold, He too was standing there bleeding!

All my pain and grief to bear;

And it was then, I knew that He loved me

What great compassion! My death to share!

Lord Jesus, You gave all Your life blood,

“The Man of Sorrows”, became for me;

And so through Your grace and by Thy power,

I'll lie here and bleed for Thee.

Still, He won't leave His helpless victim,

Lying shattered and lifeless and wasted to be;

But He comes in quite different apparel

Jehovah-Rapha- "I am the LORD that healeth thee."

Such peace floods my soul!

He's a healing balm to my open wounds;

What joy overflows me; He mends the broken heart again!

Whatever the losses I feared, my thanksgiving now consumes.

It is good that He did afflict me

For He only is able to fully use;

Those things which are willing to be sacrificed,

And a heart that is broken and bruised.

     -Lynea Bickish   January 2014-