October 9, 2022

   DAVID: AS THE STORM APPROACHES, TRUST GOD

    October 09, 2022

    Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Can you recall a time when you met a friend who was in crisis mode? How did you react: serving them, running away, encouragement, counsel? Can you share?

Over the past several weeks we have studied the life of David, gleaning truths to put into practice in our own lives. We have seen many reasons why God called him “a man after [My] own heart.” In instance after instance, when David could have reacted with negative responses, his actions were evidence of a heart that desired to honor God. Today, we see David fleeing from the wrath and jealousy of King Saul, who wanted David dead—and David again responds with godliness.

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 24:1-7, Psalm 57:1-11.

When the enemy approaches, take refuge in God

  • Read 1 Sam. 22:1-2. David had spent a few years with King Saul, who had turned against him. Who now sought David in order to minister to him? Even though his king was seeking to kill him, was David feeling abandoned by God?
  • What are some of the reactions we’ve seen from David when he was attacked (physically, emotionally, or spiritually)? What is your first reaction to trouble?
  • Read Psalm 57:1. Where was David when he wrote this Psalm? What trouble was surrounding him at that time? How did he respond?
  • What are some ways we can take refuge in God? If David, anointed King of Israel, was attacked, does it follow that we, also, will endure much trouble?

The refuge starts in prayer

  • Read Psa. 57:2. If you have seen the caves in En-gedi or Adullam, can you imagine three thousand soldiers hunting for David? What emotions could he have felt? Instead of feeling sorry for himself, what did he do?
  • What are we acknowledging when we turn to God in prayer? Why is it impossible to never experience greater trouble than what God can handle?
  • Why should praying be the first thing we do when we sense trouble coming? Why does God want our hearts to turn to Him continually, as we live? Read 1 Thess. 5:16-18. Why does Paul use the words “always,” “everything,” and “without ceasing”? If we are exercising these instructions, in a time of trial can we be confident we are already safe in God’s arms?

It continues in trust

  • Read Psa. 57:4. Imagine David looking out of the cave, seeing the thousands of soldiers; do you think he has described them well? If he had focused solely on his circumstances, how could he have felt?
  • Read Psa. 57:3. How has David changed his focus in this verse? As David is aware (vs 4) that he is surrounded by “lions,” what is amazing about his trust in God? Has his circumstance changed as he praises God? Has his peace changed?
  • Read verse 4 again. What is so incredible about the second sentence? Was David’s trust in God such that he felt he could “lie down among devouring lions” and God would take care of him? Does that kind of trust come to those who pray only occasionally? We, too, have a lion who “seeks to devour us!” Will God keep us safe from Satan?

It is confirmed in worship

  • Read verses 5-11. David wrote this Psalm while in the cave, surrounded by King Saul’s army; what does his praise tell you? In verse 6, what happened to Saul’s men? Do you get the sense that genuine worship is taking place in his heart?
  • If you are faithful in prayer and worship, how will your heart be prepared for battles when they come?

Close:

You walk outside when you notice the wind is blowing, and watch as the heavy gray clouds, in shades from pale white to thick black, roll, swirl, and change shape. The sky is showing signs that a bad storm—or a hurricane–is coming. The rain begins to smell. You might pick up loose articles in the yard, so that nothing is blown away.

Other times, however, there is no real warning until suddenly a clap of thunder booms through the heavens as clouds release torrents of rain.  In real life, storms can sneak up on you just as quietly, and you may be completely blindsided! Your circumstances can completely change with one phone call: it may be health, finances, a move, a death… so many types of trials can shake one to the core. What do you do? Are you on solid ground with God, or have you not needed Him lately because “things are going well”?

If you have been drawing closer to God as the years go by, you will be ready for trouble. The storms will come, but you are already close to the Father, trusting in the shelter of His loving arms. You have friends who will uphold you in prayer, or who will come to your home to see if they can serve you. However, peace in your spirit does not come vicariously—you yourself must have a genuine trust that God is working all things out for your good (Rom. 8:28) each moment. If you have this trust, you are already one who is chasing after the heart of God.

Now, find someone you know who is going through their own tough time, but they have no idea how to do life when it gets hard. They might feel as though no one cares, they have been left to themselves, and life isn’t worth living. As a Christian, God has given you a special task: take the light of the presence of Jesus Christ with you and go minister to them. You don’t have to talk if you feel uncomfortable. Just minister. Serve. Answer questions. They are in your life for a reason. Maybe—just maybe–that reason is the trial they are going through.

 

 

/by