In His Hands

1 Samuel 23:14

"And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand."

Here we see how God cares for those who place themselves willingly into His capable hands. What better place to be?

The hands that formed you in your mother's womb, the hands that healed the lame, sick and blind, the hands that were pierced by Roman nails, ask because of love. The same hands to which Jesus committed His spirit. If they're good enough for Jesus, they are far too good for me. Yet still God takes us willingly, desires us to be that close.

It was during this time of fleeing Saul that David wrote many of the Psalms. Think of the millions who have found comfort and solace from David's prayers in that book. A book that never would've been written has David not committed himself to resting in God's hands.

Am I resting in the hands of my Father today? Are the trials of life driving me closer, to a deeper desire for the One Who holds my life in His scarred hands?

Fear and Confidence

1 Samuel 23:2-4

"Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand."

Where does boldness come from? Where does fear come from? Often, boldness come from what we know and fear comes from what we do not know.

David heard the words of God, telling him to go and fight. David's men could just have easily inquired of the Lord, but instead they chose to listen to their own words of fear. You will never know the right direction to go if you seek no other counsel than you own. Leaving God out of any equation is a recipe for disaster.

What am I afraid of today? Why am I afraid? Is there something I feel confident about? Where does that confidence stem from?

Standing Alone

1 Samuel 22:17

"And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD."

Far better to obey God rather than man. When the dictates of human authority conflict with that of God's authority, a Christian's choice is simple and clear. This choice may be plain and obvious, but it will be a difficult one.

Choosing to go against a human command may be one of the hardest things we ever do. The combination of peer pressure, threat of retaliation and more do a lot to push us toward the easy route.

But a Christian with a heavenly perspective will look beyond the here and now. Our eyes must be set on heaven and what our actions say regarding the location of our heart and our treasure.

What would I have some placed in the position if Saul's men? They very well could have lost their lives for their stand. What if all had gone along except yourself? Would you have the strength to stand alone? Where does strength like that come from?

All questions we must answer for ourselves. Because there will come a day your loyalties will be tested. Count on it.

Fill in the Blank

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth...."

Charity, love, is part of the definition of Who God is. God is love. We are called to be imitators of Him, to be like Him. Am I love?

Could I replace the word "charity" with my own name in this passage?

Love is the one thing every human being desires and needs. God uses us to show that love to the world. He left us an example of what that is to look like: self sacrifice.

Look at baby Jesus, sleeping in a feeding trough. Vulnerable, helpless. This is love.

Philippians 2:5-8

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Search Me First

1 Samuel 20:1 "And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?"

Too often we seek out the faults of another, assuming that the problem is with them, not with ourselves.

When we find ourselves in a troublesome situation, at odds with another, what is our response? Do we search our own soul looking for our own faults?

May we say with David, " Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Seek to be right with God and others before seeking to make others right with yourself.

Rise or Fall

1 Samuel 18:28-29

"And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually."

We live in a culture today that is obsessed with equality. Many proclaim that differences are harmful and when we can't ignore differences we must work to irradiate them.

Saul's obsession may not have been with equality in general, yet the difference between himself and David caused him to attempt murder of the man who saved Israel from the Philistines. The difference couldn't be tolerated.

Yet instead of attempting to work on himself, to make himself better, to draw closer to God, to become more wise himself, Saul tried to being David down. The cowardice and plain laziness of his jealousy is astounding.

Think of someone that you admire. Someone who you wish you could be like. Does the difference between you frustrate you and make you jealous? Or does it inspire you to work harder?

Jesus Christ is our supreme example. He is the One we should all aspire to be like. There is no way to "bring Him down to our level". And no way for us to make it up to His level. Yet we are called to be Christians, a reflection of the love that we have experienced.

Learning From His Inferior

1 Samuel 18:12,14-15

"And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul....And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him."

Wisdom and the presence of the Lord. When seeing these two qualities in another person inspires fear in your own heart, it is far past time to stop and consider where you are spiritually.

What caused Saul to begin to feel this way? Jealousy and fear. He saw David receiving more praise than himself, and he couldn't stand it. Instantly be saw a threat to his power and station.

What could have alleviated Saul's bad feelings? Sadly King Saul's decline started a long time ago, however it boils down to a lack of faith in God, and a misplaced confidence in his own self and ability.

What is my reaction when I see a wise person (perhaps one younger than me) who has the presence of the Lord? Jealousy? Fear? Or am I happy for them? What can I try to learn from them? There is nothing wrong with being convicted by seeing Christ reflected in another's life. It is what I do with that conviction that matters.

Follow Me

1 Samuel 18:5

"And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants."

What had David done to recommend himself to Saul's servants and all the people? One thing - he had taken down Goliath, allowing Israel to hold its head up high once again.

Not everyone can or should be a leader like David was. That is not how God has designed some of us. However the qualities that make a good leader should be everyone's goal. In your own life, you must be a leader by your example to ask those around you. Your character, words and actions are a large part of what define you in the eyes of others. A man emulating Christ will strive to showcase leadership character that will draw others to Christ.

Do I see myself as a leader? Why or why not? Is the way in which I live my life a way that others could follow and at the same time be following Christ?

Trust Him Enough

1 Samuel 17:52-53

"And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents."

The army that was literally shaking in its boots only moments before is now chasing down their enemy in total victory. No one would call it courage. They were merely picking up the pieces.

What caused this change from unashamed fear and cowardice to suddenly pursuing their enemy? The courage of one young boy. We cannot miss this point.

We have an army of men. Men who have seen battle, risked their lives, killed even. We have a king who is in charge of this army sitting in a tent wondering what to do. We have a giant warrior who challenges, mocks and defies Israel and their God. Everyone, to a man, is terrified into inaction.

And then we have a young man bringing cheese to his brothers. A shepherd, a youth, a nobody. And yet it is his courage that turns the tide.

David could not have routed the Philistines by himself. He could not have chased down the army by himself. But he could show a courage no one else had.

What is no one else around me willing to do? Am I willing to trust God enough, like David, to put it all on the line to make happen something that needs to happen?

Wasted Days

1 Samuel 17:39-40

"And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine."

When God calls me to do something, He uniquely prepares me to be able to do it. The things that happen in my life are all for a reason - to prepare me for what God has in store.

Days and days of watching sheep may have seemed like a waste of time to David. But it was largely through this time alone in the wilderness that David gave us the Psalms, a book that had been an inspiration, encouragement and balm to countless millions. It was also during this seemingly wasted time that David gained experience in battling enemies greater than himself (the lion and the bear).

What "wasted" times of my life can I look back on now and see God's hand preparing me? Is there something I should or could be doing right now to get ready for whatever God has next? Am I actively asking in prayer for God to use me?

My Reason for Victory

1 Samuel 17:46b-47

"....that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands."

What I do often find its merit in why I do what I do. David's insane bravery would've been immeasurably cheapened if his reason had been nothing more than a desire for the prize King Saul had promised.

But no, David's reason was to demonstrate the power of God. He wanted to show by his own actions that God owned everything, including human battles. He wanted everyone to see what God was able to do through a life of surrender and boldness.

Why do I do what I do? What is the motivating factor that drives me? Security? Fame? Riches? Selfishness? Lust and desire? These all come from my flesh, the world and the devil.

David could've gone out to fight Goliath and done it for the money and fame. But would he have walked away the victor? And if he had, would he truly have won at all?

Holding Back My Confidence

1 Samuel 17:42

"And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance."

1 Timothy 4:12

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Can you just picture this scene? The giant Goliath goes out ready to meet a champion, a challenge. He "looks about" and sees nothing then some movement below catches his eye. Looking down he sees a young boy, no armor, no weapon of war, dressed like a shepherd. You can imagine Goliath's face distorting from disbelief, to incredulity, to disgust, to anger and finally resting on pure disdain.

David however is completely unphased. His one and only confidence in his God that he had personally witnessed come through for him so many times before. Bring it on Goliath.

This young shepherd had learned a lesson the apostle Paul would teach young Timothy thousands of years later - don't let other's opinion affect you. Do what is right, be and example, let you very capable God handle the rest.

The only way to have that confidence is to know in your heart of hearts that you indeed are striving to be that example with nothing to be ashamed of. What in my life right now is holding me back from that confidence?

The Power in My Past, Working in My Present

1 Samuel 17:34-36

"And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God."

David's confidence in God is truly astounding. When a king tells you that something is beyond your ability, most would be inclined to believe him. However even more would never have made it to the kind, they would've stopped when their older brother told then to knock it off. However all but David stopped even before that - they stopped when the threat first appeared.

But David went all the way, his confidence leading him to meaningful action. What inspired this confidence? David's past. He had witnessed and recognized the hand of God before and had faith that He could and would do it again.

We have all seen God work in our lives. Do I forget those instances? Or so I allow gratitude to remind me of His power in my life?

The Principle of Ownership

I Samuel 17:36-37 “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.”

David understands something in this passage that Saul and the rest of Israel did not - the principle of ownership. When something is owned by the One True, Living God, it is controlled by the One True, Living God.

As a shepherd, David spent a ton of time observing the nature that God had created. He saw the mighty hand of God in the change of the seasons, in the power of storms, the flight of birds and the growing of grass.

If God owns all of this world that we see, does it not follow that He controls it as well? Things do not happen without a purpose. Beyond ownership, though, David also understood that God’s control did not alleviate David from responsibility to act.

What things in my life seem out of my control? Do I realize that no matter what, they are firmly within the control of the Creator? What responsibility to act am I afraid of?

As God to show you these things today. Ask Him for the strength and confidence that David demonstrated.

The Price of My Service

1 Samuel 17:25-27

"And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him."

Is David hard of hearing in this passage? After being told what will be done to the champion who defeats Goliath, he asks, "What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel?" At first it might seem he didn't get it the first time or perhaps was greedy of the prize and just wanted it to tickle his ears again. However the next sentence the young shepherd utters reveals his true heart,

"for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

It is almost as if David cannot believe that anyone would need or could possibly want a prize above and beyond removing the reproach from God and His people.

What is my attitude to doing what is right? Am I looking for the prize? Or is it its own reward? Are the smiles of my Heavenly Father enough?

Welcome

    There are countless promises in the Word of God. The first chapter of Psalms may contain some of the most well known of those promises,

    "...his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

    The purpose of Delight is to foster a love and desire for God, His Word and His presence.

    Join us as we seek to Delight daily in the God Who loves us more than we will ever know.