• There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts his foot down he finds a rock beneath him (F. B. Meyer)
• It's exciting to live in complete oneness with the will of God. It is never dull or static because it is not a one-time, once-for-all commitment. It is something we have to work at constantly, moment by moment (Evelyn Christenson)
• If you feel stuck, bring your whole self to Christ, not just the problem, but you. Ask God to change your heart. Commit yourself to pray to that end. It's God's heart to give good gifts to His children (Sheila Walsh)
• We are  much more sensitive to  what we might lose in the future than to what we might gain (P. Graves)
• Sometimes God has to take away what we have so that He can give us what He wants us to have.

There are some aspects of David’s character that bring out qualities that are certainly very admirable.   David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons was inculcated in himself a very responsible attitude.  He could not allow his father’s sheep be destroyed by wild animals.  In the presence of life threat, David learnt that God was worth trusting as he depended on Him for enablement to fight the lions and bears (1 Samuel 34-37).  It is important to note that God did not make the bears disappear; He gave David enabling power to kill them. David knew from firsthand experience that prayer to God was not a ritual or formality but a talk to a living and present God.  No wonder God knew David as the person suitable to rule Israel as King on His behalf; a person who was already in fellowship with him. David’s story is an encouragement to anyone who has had little share of parental love, having no outstanding qualities to be recommended for a good post in the industry, yet knows God’s power in the ‘small’ field. God, who is your source of strength in your hidden place, knows where you are and no one can take your place.  However, the period between the anointing and enthronement, David had very indomitable trials that may make some people seeking God’s anointing change their mind.

ATTRACTING HATRED BECAUSE OF GOD’S BLESSING

God’s hand on David meant victory over Goliath, and that attracted praise that aroused the King’s anger. For all practical purposes, Saul had ceased to be God’s representative. Melancholic, demon possessed, bouts of depression is what characterized the King.  An ordinary employee or member of the church, used of the Lord to bring the desired results can result in praise from the ordinary but deep hatred by the powerful.  When a man or woman in whom the spirit of God dwelt allows jealous and envious spirit to invade, he or she becomes a real threat.  A pulpit that was used to pronounce God’s blessing can become an armory for throwing all kinds of unkind words meant to hurt the one you are jealous of.

As a result of God’s anointing on David he had to seek refuge among the Philistines, the Goliath people. That must have been hard.  Not just that him….his family was in danger of being destroyed! Samuel 22:3). It was not just him who was to be a fugitive, but his parents as well.  Jesse’ family, good citizens were dislocated because of David, their son’s anointing.  The threat on his life became so persistent, that at one time he had to pretend to be a mad man so as to be given refugee status.  What did David make out of God’s anointing on him as he kept dodging Saul’s enduring attacks (1 Samuel 19:12), moving from one wilderness to another, hungry (1 Samuel 21: 2-6), one cave to another (1 Samuel 22:2)?  Might you be feeling discouraged because of the many attacks you have to endure not because of anything you have done, but because of your dependence on God? 

 SOME GEMS FROM DAVID’S LIFE

David’s total trust in God in the midst of the attack on him (Psalm 13) – David knew of God’s omnipotence and seems not to have doubted even when the battle against him raged. As H.H. Pope Sphenoid III comments, ‘we should not allow tribulations to come between us and God that keep His love from us; rather, we should bring God between us and tribulations so that He keeps their pressures from us’.

David did not have to manipulate his way into the palace because he was sure of his anointing - It is so good to learn from David that if we have God’s promise, it cannot fail however odd and strange the circumstances. David is willing to wait for God’s timing.  He allowed the Lord to open the doors for him ‘David was none of your strutting peacocks who cannot be content unless all eyes are upon them; he sang God’s praises as the nightingale will sing in the dark when no human ear is listening and no eye is admiring. He was content to bloom unseen, knowing that the sweetness of a renewed heart is never wasted on the desert air. He was satisfied with God alone as his auditor, and he coveted not the high opinion of man’ (Spurgeon).  Do you feel like it is taking too long for God to bring to pass what he has promised you?  Someone has said, ‘This isn’t waiting time, this is training time’. Listen to Red path say ‘To educate and refine the flesh so that it may become profitable in His service is never God’s plan. He insists on the sentence of death upon everything that you and I are in ourselves . . . There is only one place for all that is ‘self’ - on Calvary.’ Do you wonder whether it is you who missed out on what God told you or could it be that he has changed his mind?  Do not give up hope while struggling for survival in the wilderness of life. The one who anointed you and appointed you is watching over you and in due season, you will get to the promised place.

David had deep respect for God’s anointed (1 Samuel 26:12) – David would not react to Saul’s madness by seeking to revenge particularly because he was innocent. Opportunities availed that David could use to have destroyed Saul and anyone could understand it was self defense.  However David’s security was in God not in his strength. Do you get tempted to gossip about the boss who is mishandling you and persecuting you? Learn from David.  Even when David learned of Saul’s death he did not rejoice and take a sigh of relief, instead he mourned him, killed the one who brought the news to him. Do you have respect for people that God has used even when they have fallen out of God’s favor and become an embarrassment to the kingdom?

David would never aid the Philistines in their battle against Israel -While acting as a friend of the philistines David still so totally destroyed the Philistines that he left no incriminating evidence behind. Though a refugee, he knew his identity and was true to whom he was, an Israelite. When you find yourself thrown out of fellowship by jealous people, are tempted to join the enemy in destroying God’s people. Do you talk negative things about other Christians to those who do not share in the faith? Learn from David.  

It would be incomplete picture of David’s waiting and learning experience’s time if we do not listen to his cry for help, and his prayer for total annihilation of his enemies.  David was honest in relating with God, others and himself (Psalm 17; 57; 60; 108).   David cried to God, and expressed his fear and feelings against those who were pursuing him. There were times he felt lonely and wondered whether God had left him. David was a man like us who got tempted to wish destruction for those who hated him and wanted to get rid of him. He however had deep trust in God and in his ability to protect, shield, and defend him. Any kingdom seeker experiencing tough times! Be encouraged in the Lord.  David’s life as he went through learning experiences or tribulations before ascending to the throne confirms that no human power can sabotage God’s plan for his anointed.  Saul did everything he could to eliminate David, but he had no power to do so.  Saul’s power inconvenienced David and made his Godly character be revealed. David served the purposes of God in his time and generation. Part of that purpose included showing kindness to one who was bent on killing him. The purposes of God included running from cave to cave, being so hungry that he ate the consecrated bread while fully aware that he had oil from God’s messenger Samuel  anoint him physically. Do you have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ that makes you know that you have his protection?

‘How firm a foundation  ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word . . . The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake’ ( John Rippon, 1787).