October 16, 2022

DAVID: THE KINDNESS OF A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART

October 16, 2022

   Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Treating an enemy with kindness is very hard—but very rewarding if we actually do it, isn’t it? Can anyone share an experience when you’ve done “the right thing”?

These past several weeks have been challenging as we’ve studied—and hopefully are striving to learn lessons from—the life of David, the shepherd boy who became a great king. Knowing God Himself witnessed of David, “He is a man after [My} own heart,” gives us a standard of excellence that we need to absorb into our daily lives, putting into practice the examples which David left behind for us. As we examine his life, we also see that he exemplified the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22, which are not able to be separated from a life of intentionally seeking after a heart like God’s. Today, may we continue pressing on toward that goal!

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 24:20-22, 2 Sam. 1:11-16, 9:3-8, and Prov. 24:17-18.

Despite the attacks by Saul, David was willing to forgive

  • Read 1 Sam. 24:20. It is hard not to roll our eyes as we read yet again of Saul admitting defeat at the hands of David; why do we feel doubt that an enemy will keep his word after setting a precedent of going back on it? How does that make you feel?
  • Read 24:21-22. What did Saul ask of David? How did David respond? What fruit of the Spirit did David exhibit here? Why did David swear to let Saul’s kin live?
  • Why, do you think, had David made it his life’s goal to know God? What were some of the ways he was intentional about knowing God intimately?
  • How can we search for God until we know Him intimately? What part does His Word play in this? Will we all face some kind of attacks in life, as David did? What type of spirit must we have if we are to be like Jesus?

David would not celebrate when his enemy fell

  • Read 2 Sam. 1:11. When David later heard that the battle had gone against Israel and Saul and his sons were dead, how did he respond? Read verse 12. Being honest, would you have had a reaction like the young man who thought he was bringing David good news that Saul was dead, or like David, grieving over his king? What kind of spirit must one have to mourn for a fallen enemy?
  • Even while mourning Saul’s passing, David accepted responsibility as a king. Read verses 13-16. Does anyone know why David had the man killed? Read Deut. 25:17-19. Had David ever forgotten?
  • Read Prov. 24:17-18. How did David fulfil this passage? Why is it much better to seek the salvation of an enemy, rather than his destruction? What fruit of the spirit was David displaying here? Can you imagine having an enemy you prayed for stand near you before God, saying, “He/She prayed for me to be saved when I was his/her enemy”? Would that be possible unless you have a heart like God?

David was willing to honor his promise and extend kindness to a hurting family

  • Read 2 Sam. 9:3-5. Later, when David reigned over Israel, what did he remember? Why could he easily have forgotten his pledge? Does God take

vows seriously? How do you know?

  • Read verses 6-8. How do you imagine Mephibosheth felt when he heard he

was going to meet King David? How do you know David went the extra mile in keeping his vow? How did Saul’s grandson react?

  • How can we see ourselves and Jesus in verse 8, as Mephibosheth prostrated himself on the floor? Read Eph. 2:4-6. How is verse 5 like Mephibosheth, and how is it like us? How is verse 6 like us and him? Why is it imperative that we never forget how God showed grace to us—even when we were devising wicked plans for our enemies? Read Prov. 6:16-19. Why would it be a good idea for us to memorize these seven things that are an abomination to the Lord?

Close:

There is no easy way to get the edges sanded off our “earthen vessel” without some pain, is there? As we look back at David’s early life, there was not a lot that was easy for him. While keeping his father’s sheep, the first few times wild animals came to steal and kill the flock had to have been scary for the young boy, until he became confident in his trust for God to help him. As he was growing in strength, he was also growing in his love for the Lord and spending much time in close communion with Him. Later, it seemed his relationship with his brothers was not what it should be. Doesn’t he sound like everyone’s son as he asks more than once, “Why? What is it I’ve done now!?” Yet, he was chasing after God’s heart.

For him, the world was probably not so different than ours is for us. Evil has always existed, as Adam and Eve could witness to us. But today, more than ever, all the world needs to know they are loved. When you hurt so badly, when you feel no one is left who cares about you, you are more vulnerable to believing wicked plans that have been devised. Hate today is more prevalent than it’s ever been. No matter what you read on social media, the calmest of all posts still seem to be a magnet for hate-filled rebuttals. Hurting people want to hurt others. Who can help them? Only someone who truly knows that God’s Word has the answer to every problem, and who will minister to the lost, the broken, the helpless, the one at the end of his rope without doing so with contempt for the victim. Why are we being silent?

What can you do? Start with David’s life. Spend time every day walking and talking to God—the Holy Spirit took up residence in your life the moment you became a believer. If He’s indwelling you, being there for you hour in and hour out, shouldn’t you be comfortable with His presence, talking to Him “without ceasing”? It doesn’t have to be only when you need help! He values the intimate details of what you’re thinking, feeling, fearing, etc.! Get to know Him until you can’t imagine life without Him. As you are watered in the Word and your roots are firmly within His life, you will produce fruit—the Fruit of the Spirit. You will value every moment with Him.

 

/by