1 Samuel 30 (Part 1) Bible Study - Pastor Daniel Batarseh

This is not our final study. In 1st Samuel, we're almost

there but this is the second last study and we will be

exploring together. First Samuel chapter 30, And oh,

1 Samuel 30 · chapter mention

what an encouraging chapter. This is Bless my soul.

Deeply studying it. Notice, it's a lengthy chapter

and so we're not going to cover all of it.

But there is sufficient for us in the verses that we will.

We will cover today. Don't you love the word of God?

It's the Living Word. And Lord we thank you as we pray

coming to the scriptures with great anticipation and

excitement because we believe that you speak, we believe that

you speak primarily through your word and it is sufficient for us

and we thank you for this house. We thank you for people who have

come because of a love for your word.

And Lord made that love. Not be a love for me or

knowledge. May be a love for the person

that we are discovering and maybe a love.

That's so impressive us that it causes us to love in like

manner. We ask Lord that you would give

us wisdom that you would cancel all confusion that Lord, as his

word is delivered, it would not be delivered with stammering

lips. There be Clarity of thought,

there'd be even discussion. More importantly, though.

We pray that this would cause us to worship.

If you even as we sit here today and silence, we pray that the

word washed over us would cause us to worship you.

And to adore you too, love you. We thank you for this chapter

and we trust that you will speak to us.

Now, in Jesus name we pray, amen.

Last week, you and I examined how God's providential kindness

interrupted. David's pursuit of further

disobedience, And it was a reminder for us how the lord

always provides a way of Escape in every Temptation.

Remember that. And every Temptation whether

that is Temptation to be severely angry and to explode,

whether that's temptation to lust with us, temptation to lie

with us, temptation to steal. No matter the category of sin.

There is one thing they all share in common.

There is an exit door ordained by God.

Every time. But more than that, we also

learn that God in that moment. As David is trying to make his

way to fight against his own people and against the one that

he said he would never touch with his hand.

The Lord overflowed Mercy on David. and is because we learned

in part because David showed Mercy in so many ways,

especially in his struggle against all, God shows Mercy to

those who are merciful And so remember that for the rest of

your life, be merciful Jesus himself, said it that those who

are, merciful are blessed for, they will obtain mercy.

And so continue to be a person who displays compassion and

understanding, no matter, no matter who says, what or who

does want, and we would imagine that after such an obvious

intervention from Heaven, that David would be awakened from his

spiritual Slumber. And would realize, would realize

that God is The indeed of my entire devotion and would make

way back to where he belongs to. That was the promised land.

You would think that as you see this before you, that there

would be an alarm in your conscience.

This is God, this is God. Putting an obstacle even even as

you're attempting to disobey him.

But we don't see any indication of that.

The only thing that we see really is the end of the chapter

in. 29 verse 11. What do we read?

So, David set out with his men, early in the morning to return

to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to

Jezreel. That's it.

We don't know why he's going back there.

I mean his home is there. That's all we know but we don't

know what he's planning to do. Is you plan to pack his bags and

go home? Is he plan to stay there longer

and wait for the war to just finish so that they can come

back and he can continue. Hopefully thinking that's all

will die in that war we have no idea what's going through his

mind. But what we will know is that as

we come to this chapter, we will discover that this Interruption

by God, the rejection of the commanders of the Philistines.

Played a part in a much grander scheme.

Of God's attempt and trying to Rouse up his servant back into

total Devotion to him again. And so, let's read here in verse

1 of chapter Thirty. Now when David and his men came

to ziklag on the third day, the amalekites had made a raid

against the - and against ziklag, they had overcome ziklag

and burned it with fire and taken captive, the woman and all

who were in it both small and great, they Killed no one but

carry them off and went their way.

It was a three-day journey to head back to ziklag.

Remember ziklag was the town that he's the king of the

Philistines had given to David and his men and so for quite

some time ziklag was home. It was their headquarters and

these people, as they came back, the Israelites with David They

saw it, a distance smoke rising from the Horizon and you can

imagine the Panic that ensued in their hearts as they realize.

That their town has been rated that their homes have been

invaded. And what we can see here is that

the amalekites must have had some Intel that David and his

men had left to join the Philistines to fight against

Israel. And so they thought this is the

perfect opportunity to invade a defenseless home base.

And one reason why we think that David comes against or rather,

the amount has come against dick, like and particular is

because remember, while David was in zick, like he was making

raids on who the enemies of Israel, including the

amalekites. We learned that in chapter 27.

So this was Revenge. This was this was to get back at

David and his men. And it is here that we learned

something. So important concerning God's

providential dealings with you and I, yes, you and I even

today. What is that?

Remember chapter 29 when God was obviously making it clear that

David had to turn back and he was almost even forcing him to

do. So, there was more than one end

in mind in the mind of God. Hey, the primary reason was

obviously to rescue David from committing a sin that he would

regret for the rest of his life, which is a glorious thing.

But we also see, secondary reason, and it is what.

Well, while David is, a three-day Journey away from

home. The amalekites have come in and

have kidnapped his wives and his children with the other six

hundred men and God was trying to get David back to ziklag in

order to deal with the issue. Think about that.

What if what if God had delayed What if David had lingered?

What if, what if David had his way and move forward into the

ranks and start fighting with the Israelites?

Obviously, that's the worst outcome.

But there were also been a worse outcome in his own personal life

with his wives, and his children, who were taken as

slaves time was of the essence. And so, even the timing even

when he's was like, you got to leave by the morning from a

human standpoint, that doesn't seem to have any kind of

inclusion of a great Our problem at hand, but in God's mind, he's

orchestrating this. And he's bringing back David,

where he needs to be. Yes, he's redirecting him from

not doing what he's supposed to do, but he's also reserving him

to fight for what really matters.

And I think that's one of the most encouraging things

concerning God's leading in our lives.

As we just sang about Because the hostility that David

experienced though, it may have offended him.

The rejection might have might have heard him, but it was the

necessary means to bring him where he was supposed to be.

God didn't speak in chapter 29 from heaven with a booming

voice. David ziklag has been invaded.

You must hurry back and rescue your family.

That's what we always want. We want the booming voice, we

want, the audible leading You know what?

God used to get David where he was supposed to be the rejection

of people. Ready for this closed doors.

A change of plans overnight, you spent three days?

Walking all the way here? Well, you got a three-day walk,

all the way back. Normal events that you and I

have experienced throughout our lives.

But all of them necessary pieces to the providential puzzle of

God's purpose in your life. Do you believe that you must

believe that you must believe that?

Because that is, that is that is our inheritance as children of

God that is God's promise for each of us here that he moves

things around to bring us to certain Post in life and that is

the sweet sweet experience of what you.

And I have heard so many times throughout this book and that is

Providence Providence often pushes us To a certain

assignment or certain need that God has in mind and you and I

have to trust the transitions that get us there even if

they're painful, even if they're disappointing.

Even if they might hurt regardless you and I as we walk,

this walk with the Lord God like he does with the man after his

own heart uses. Things that seem normal on the

surface but have a supernatural purpose in the background.

I can't think of any other way to no peace in this life.

That's a really believe that that is opportunities Slam in my

face, that as things forcefully moved me to a different

location. Whatever the case may be, I know

one thing there is a God in the background who has a story

writing, And it's for his glory ultimately, and that's what

David is seeing here. We don't see any song written

about God's Providence. Bringing him back here at the

certain time but we can praise God over it because we have the

commentary as we read it right here.

So we read now in verse 3 and when David and his men came to

the city, they found it burned with fire and their wives and

Sons and Daughters taken captive, then David and the

people who were with him, raise their voices and wept until they

had no more strength to weep. Have you ever cried like that?

Weeping until they were exhausted.

I mean, there are already bone tired from walking three days.

And now, instead of coming home to a warm welcome and a warm

meal, the only thing warm is their houses.

Burnt ash And they are so distraught that these grown men,

these Warriors fall to their knees and they heaving.

The weep to the point where it makes them even more exhausted

than when they arrived. It would be wrong to assess the

Brokenness that David is experiencing or the pain as an

example of how the righteous suffer greatly from time.

To time, it wouldn't be right to interpret it this way, nor would

it be right to primarily make this about how you and I should

depend on the Lord and trust him in all things?

Why is that I argue because the reason why David is even

experiencing this heartache, is a result of God's discipline.

God's loving chastisement in David's life.

It is impossible. For a genuine child of God to

remain and persistent sin without God, stepping in as a

loving dad to do something about it.

And David has been outside of the will of God for a year and

four months and all he seems to have been experiencing was good.

He was flourishing, he was safe from Saul.

He was gaining much spoil. He was getting favor from the

Philistines and the script changed.

Because when you and I are born again, we'd only get heaven, we

get a Heavenly Father, And this heavenly father is the perfect.

Father. Perfect and wisdom perfect in

his provision. Perfect in his chastisement.

And I want you to see at least two things about God's

discipline. What I mean, discipline, I mean,

and active, and an intentional Affliction upon you and me in

order to bring us somewhere. Here's the first thing.

God's discipline in a Christians life.

Is not implemented without patience.

God is extremely patient. Very patient.

When we hear about God's discipline, sometimes people get

nervous because they interpret it in the lens of the

discipline. They might have experienced from

their own parents and that can be very, very muddy.

Because even the best of dads can get it wrong, even the best

of moms can can allow their anger to infiltrate their

discipline? They do it out of frustration,

more than out of love, they can be excessive.

They can even be wrong, all together.

But God does not treat our sin evenly, he does not overreact,

he'd never loses control. He is not Reckless.

When God disciplines he knows exactly what to prescribe at the

right time and David here has been again outside of the will

of God for almost a year and a half.

No sign of God's heavy hand, no, no, God, even waiting as he

often does with you and I waiting and allowing your Since

to do the work with all this sermons, that you have heard and

all the podcasts that I have listened to, to allow the truth

that has been residing within to.

Hopefully do its work or maybe even as we often, have

experienced God's mercy being dispensed, even in the midst of

our disobedience. Allowing his provision, and his

goodness to kiss us instead of experiencing The Sting of his

Divine Rod immediately. And so, there are times in which

God just Waits And he sends a kind warning.

And and and he just allows even sometimes the natural

consequences of sin to wake us up.

But eventually, when nothing seems to get our attention.

He knows exactly what to do. And that is the second point of

God's discipline. It is what God's discipline is

painful. God's discipline in Akron.

I'm not talking about non-believer.

Like you don't want it, wasn't what God does.

When a non-believer? Yes, you can convicted them but

when they persistence in he doesn't discipline and he lets

him keep going in their sin. He doesn't do that with a

Christian. He doesn't do that with a child

of God. God's discipline is painful.

Notice here in verse 4 again, what do we read then?

David and the people who were with them raised their voices

and wept until they had no more strength to weep that hurts.

That hurts. And the reason why it is painful

is because in pain, there is corrective power.

Could have God getting David's attention some other way.

Could he have prohibited the amalekites from invading?

Could he have kept his family from being kidnapped?

Absolutely. But what is God trying to do

with someone who's clearly been in such a season where he is not

responding to even the mercies of God?

He allows sorrow. And he wants the sorrow to be in

connection to the sin for what reason for the same reason why a

good father would discipline his son or his daughter so that you

would never make that mistake again, that you would never

entertain that sin again. That you would be trained by

that discipline in order to cause you to walk in the

direction that your heavenly father desires for you. and

God's methods of discipline very They do.

Sometimes they include loss like David.

He lost a lot and God can allow permit even actively cause a

loss in our lives, a loss of finances, relational loss.

Even something to do with our own bodies can be affected when

God disciplines. If you don't believe me, read

1st Corinthians 11 but a bunch of Christians from Corinth.

We didn't respect and Revere the table of the Lord, some of you

are weak. Some of you are tired.

Some of you even died. Where is that coming from Satan?

No, it's coming from God. But here's, here's what's so

important. No matter how severe God's

discipline is in our lives. It never occurred never exceeds

or goes beyond the purpose of sanctifying us.

It is always for a good. It never is never meant to

destroy us, to embarrass us to demean us.

When God looks Upon a Child who's walking Wayward and he

does something intentional, he causes some kind of Affliction

in our lives. It is meant to do what?

Hebrews 12 tells us, remember that passage, maybe you haven't

read it. So read it with me and Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:10

12 verse 10. It is one of the most clear

passages about how God disciplines us.

It is not mentioned much. It much Christian conversation.

Have you ever heard somebody ever say to you as a Believer?

He had. God discipline me.

Anybody. It's very foreign. it's very

foreign, but look at what Hebrews 12 10 says, Speaking

about Earthly fathers for they disciplined us for a short time

as it seemed best to them, but he being God disciplines us for

our good that we may share his holiness.

For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than

Pleasant. So here's an understanding in

your walk with the lord. It's not always going to be

pleasant to the to the flesh. There is going to be pain

involved if we are true children of God and not because Satan got

ahold of us that he's slipped through God's Sovereign hand and

poked at you and now you're in pain.

No, sometimes there. There is a pain that is directly

coming from God himself. but later a yields, the peaceful

fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it, And

so yes, we're being told you're plainly that there is certain

pain in our lives. That is a result of God's

response to our sin. Now have a question because we

have to ask questions to text in order to receive Revelation.

That's the best way. When you read your Bible, you

ask that have a conversation with the Bible.

You know what my question is? Whenever I think about the

discipline of God, How do I know when he's disciplining me?

Right. How do I how do I decipher

between this is God disciplines me.

That's why I'm experiencing this Affliction or this is God

testing your this is a trial or this is spiritual warfare.

How do I make that distinction? Because I don't want to say that

God is disciplining me when he really isn't and I don't want to

fail to see God's discipline me when he actually is.

Is that a valid question Anybody have an answer.

Or at least a possible answer. That's a good point.

What does the Affliction lead us to?

What is the result of that affliction?

Hebrews tells us that it will yield peaceful and righteous

fruit, righteous fruit. Yeah, that is one way I believe.

but I might push back and say well just because God

disciplines us does that automatically mean that there

will be peaceful and righteous fruit, have you ever discipline

a child and not see the result that you hope for some parents

can say, yes But that is a good observation.

I will say so yes, anything else.

Sure. So same idea it will make us

more holy. So the end result, the end

result will prove about how do I know.

Or at least have a greater idea that even as I am undergoing the

pain that this is God's discipline.

If you want to come one step closer to understanding whether

or not a certain pain or Affliction or trouble in your

life, is an act of work of God. Here's what I believe is the

main way to bring Clarity examine yourself.

Is there a sin in my life that I am refusing to repent of and

choosing to hold onto? And if there is something

obvious, if there's something in your life, that is so clear.

So, so obviously against God's word you've been fighting, even

your conscience about it and for some coincidental reason, there

is also this turbulence in your life.

You can make a safer connection. It would be wrong to make a one

size fits all about about suffering and say that it is

always God's discipline because that is not the case.

But we are One Step Closer by asking the simple question by

meditating, by reflecting in our hearts, is their sin.

And if God is good father and you come before the Lord with

that question, those should be obvious already.

Do you think that he would not give you the answer?

You'd be amazed to know how he will awaken your conscience or

how he will speak or highlight something in your life most of

the time. It is obvious anyway and so that

is true that is so important to understand but as we look here

While we are enduring that certain chastisement, we are

also in the same verses and courage to have hope within it.

And how comforting is that how assuring it is to know that as I

am experiencing some kind of divine Rod, it is meant to lead

me back to where God wants me to be.

And if I respond to it appropriately, then I can

actually know a Righteousness. By rejecting the very sin that

put me in this position to begin with.

And so God is getting his, his servants attention back in first

Samuel, 30 by causing a great great trial to be so obvious,

because he doesn't let his children keep going in sin

without doing something about it.

So, we come back to First, salmon 30, And what do we see

verse 6 and David was greatly distressed for the people spoke

of stoning him because all the people were bitter and soul each

for his sons and daughters. But David, strengthened himself

in the Lord, his God. Okay, David's in a lot of

trouble here. One, your family's gone.

They've been kidnapped and most likely, they haven't been killed

because they're going to be used as slaves now. and what that

tells me is, David's family had to pay for David's in because

David is they'll the head of the house.

He's the leader of the home because of his failure to lead

right. His wives.

So weird to say wives when the Old Testament though his family.

Pay the price. Secondly, on top of that, the

men who were supporting you, now want to Stone you How comforting

is that? And the reason why is because of

David's in again, David LED them to this place.

And now these men are embittered, because of the

failure of the one that they put their trust in.

And that is, that is a disappointing thing.

Because what we realize here is that, as you can imagine the

smell of Ash and burned, wood is filling the air mixed with the

sound of the voices of trusted men, wanting to murder you and

trying to manage the gut-wrenching.

Anxiety, that you're feeling because you have no idea what

happened to your babies. What are you going to do?

We read it. David strengthened himself.

In the Lord, his God. That discipline did some good

work? Very, very quick work to David

Soul. It's been a year and four months

and there was no indication during that time that David did

anything with the Lord. Affliction has a very strange

way of winning back, our affections to God.

Psalm 119. Verse 67.

I would encourage you if you want homework.

Here is an assignment one of these days.

I've done it in a blessed. Me so much read Psalm 119 and

one sitting just read it in one sitting and you feel like you

drank out of a fire hydrant. It's so overwhelmingly good.

This is one of my favorite verses in that giant of a

chapter all to do about the glories of the word of God and

Psalm 119 verse 67. What is the psalmist say before

Psalms 119:67

I was afflicted I went astray. But now I keep your word.

Before I was afflicted, I went astray.

But now I keep your word implying, your Affliction, drew

me back to an abiding of the word of God and the word of God.

The Affliction also implying was caused because I've strayed away

from the word of God, but there is some intentional Act of God

that cause severe pain in my life.

That brought this strength st. Back to the feet of the Master.

Affliction, does that. There's a wisdom in it misery

can bring a momentum to us again.

Because how true is it that we are often in the worst spiritual

condition when everything is going well.

But oh, isn't it amazing how we hit our knees, man?

When we get the news. When the slip comes in and you

no longer have a job. When a loved one is stricken

with some kind of sickness. There is an Affliction from God

that brings us back to him with hearts that are swelled with

love and dependency again. And when you come back to David

situation, that's exactly what he is experiencing.

But I want to say this, Affliction doesn't have to be

the reason for your affections to be awakened for God doesn't

have to be it's one way, but David could have avoided this

all together, but we agree on that.

Could have David avoided. All of this.

What critical point should have David encouraged himself,

strengthened himself in the Lord.

First Samuel, 27 verse 1, when he was saying in his own heart

1 Samuel 27:1

sauce, still going to come after me.

I gotta get out of here. I gotta move locations.

I argue David. That's when you should have

strengthened yourself in the Lord.

You could have you could have avoided so much.

I here's my question, studying it.

What would have that year and almost six months would have

looked like if at first Samuel 27:1 you you consoled and you

1 Samuel 27:1

got before God even though everyone was around.

You ready to kill you? What could have that look like

for you? David.

So don't just pray in crisis, don't just read the word in

crisis. Don't just attend and serve in

crisis. Avoid the crisis, avoid the

crisis and let your strength being the Lord day by day. when

you feel like you shouldn't pray is when you should actually pay

the most When you feel like everything is so wonderful and

you could ignore this word and God speaking into your life,

that should be the time in which you open that Bible, crack it

open, and put your face in it. But regardless David was aware

of the goodness of God. He was aware of the kindness of

God and he knew that even though it's been a year and four

months, in that moment he can cry out to God.

Is not what we see verse 7 and David said to Abby and are the

priest, the son of a hi Malik, bring me the ephod.

So I Bea Arthur brought the ephod to David and David

inquired of the Lord. Shall I pursue after this band?

Shall I overtake them? He answered him, he answered.

Him. He answered him on the first

phone call. You try ignoring your best

friend for a year and four months don't answer their text

messages. Don't answer their emails, don't

answer the knock door. And see how that turns out.

He answered him pursue for you shall surely overtake and shall

surely rescue. Let that touch your heart.

It's been almost a year and six months.

No prayer. Life know.

Psalm written nothing. And when you're in trouble, you

can look up to heaven, call upon God, and God is willing to

answer you. Now, this will not move our

hearts. If we view God as some divine,

Vending machine. Where if we just push the right,

buttons will get the right product.

But it will minister to us if we view God, as he is as a person

with a mind with a will with emotions, this is a mega display

of practical love from our God. I praise God.

That he does not show Mercy as men would show.

Mercy. I praise God, that he's not like

the common man, even the best of men, God's Mercy is greater than

10 million men combined. What if God was counting tabs

here? And reserves his benevolence

because of the way, David treated him for a year and four

months. Oh, you think you can just pray

whenever you want, where you been No, such thing.

Great is his love. Great is his Mercy, greatest,

his friendship, it's unlike any other friendship.

You will ever know. As David just Falls in his

Brokenness and humbly just speaks to the Lord.

God sees him in that moment and he answers immediately.

When is Satan's greatest lies to you and I've seen it throughout

Ministry, is when people fail greatly.

And they feel as though they cannot crawl the way back to

God. If you do that, you are no

different than Peter who refused at one point for Jesus to wash

his feet. What did you just say?

You don't have a part of me. If you don't allow me to do

this. They were already washed.

They're already washed signifying how God that his

saving work and then but as they walk throughout this world and

picked up, dirt Christ also wanted to wash their feet.

Would it be mind-boggling to you to believe that Christ is just

as eager to sanctify, you as he did, when he justified you Or do

we think his love was reserved on the cross?

And now he has to deal with a bunch of inconsistent Christians

with Sigh every time. What a display of love.

Now, it is here that I want us to consider the evidence of a

changed heart. This is a turning point in

David's life. And in this time, we see, I

think, at least three marks of a man who is truly experience the

mercy of God in such a way, that it had its effect or even beyond

that who's truly been trained by the discipline of God.

It was very quick and it should be And here's how you know,

somebody is in the right place with the Lord.

Here's how you know that a heart is healthy and holy even though

like David, it has been calloused and crusty because of

a season of Walking with your back towards the Lord.

And the first thing I would say, it's not just in the fact that

David did pray, but how he prayed, Look at, he says here in

verse, verse 8, and David, inquired of the Lord shall I

pursue after this band, shall I overtake them?

Yes. That's kind of obvious.

Your family has been kidnapped. Why are you asking, why would

you even, why would you even consider that?

As as a, as a thought? You know what?

I see here, though. I see a man who hasn't inquired

of the Lord who hasn't sought the Lord for a year and four

months. And once he was just showered by

the mercy of God mixed with the obvious discipline of God.

This man is, is displaying a childlike earnestness and a

dependency on the Lord again. There are things in the Bible

that are so clear. You and I don't have to pray

about whether we should do it or not.

Lord, should I forgive my enemy? That's not.

Why are you even doing that? Don't do that.

It's there. But there is something beautiful

here. About someone who longs to have

God's blessing and Direction. And all things, there is this

sense of invitation in all matters.

There's a sense of committing, all that you do all your

projects, all your decisions, all your desires to the Lord.

Just like you would want to invite that person that you so

enjoy and trust and love. And our right heart in the right

place. Joyfully imitates such a posture

in their own walk with the Lord. Do you do that?

Is that true of your own life that you can?

You actually look at your past thoughts and your past prayers?

And is there an active communing and consistent longing for God's

wisdom and for his his Fellowship to be known and all

that you do. Even sometimes in the obvious.

Or is he just the emergency guy? Do you invite God into your

decisions? Do you see God for what he would

reveal for the best outcome in a Crossroads?

Those things that that kind of, that kind of knowledge of, of

your heart, really reveals? That it is in a good place.

But we read on and we see something else in verse 9.

So David set out And the 600 men who were with them, and they

came to the brook of the brook before, where those who are left

behind stayed, but David pursued, he and 400 men 200

stayed behind who are too exhausted to cross the brook.

Now, what we see here is that this is a side note.

It's interesting to notice that the same men who wanted to Stone

David now, want to support him all over again.

Just just like that, isn't it amazing?

And as a leader, David's walk with God, I believe what this is

showing influence, his men for the better.

It's amazing. What a man in a certain

position. Can do to others with their

personal decisions and David here as a leader has won his men

over to obedience to God again. Remember God says, yeah, I

pursue them and you will succeed and his men now are joining in

on that. But David influence has been

another way. Remember when he was pursuing

the Philistines or with the Philistines the Israelites.

Now here's what's amazing. The extent of his Disobedience

went even Beyond his his 600. Men can I prove that to you?

This is why we need to know the entire scripture as much as

possible. The scroll over the first

1 Chronicles 12 · chapter mention

Chronicles chapter 12 and look what we were told.

There were told something about this scene that we have not been

told in this chapter or the prior chapter In first

1 Chronicles 12:19

Chronicles, 12 verse 19 and now wait till you turn your Bibles

there, I love stuff like this because it shows I can't skip on

a book that Chronicles are going to miss something that I read in

1st Samuel. And 1st Chronicles 12:19 and the

retelling of this scene, we read.

Some of the men of Manasseh deserted to David when he came

with the Philistines for the battle against Saul did, he did

not help them for the rulers of the Philistines took counsel and

sent them away saying at Peril to our heads, he will desert to

his master Saul. What do you get out of that?

the as David was ready to fight against Saul and Israel, some of

the men of Manasseh heard about it and they joined to help him

This guy was ready to start a civil war.

It just one decision with a group of a few men that is just

a small fraction of an entire nation.

And there's some people from Vanessa, the tribe her, David's

going to fight against all, wear it in on this and they wring

their hands and they move forward.

And so never ever ever negate the possibility of how our

personal decisions can touch somebody else and either

direction. And the more position we have,

that can be anything from a father mother older brother

pastor. The greater the consequences and

that can be greater and good, or greater in evil.

But praise God, he turns around we read in verse 20 as you went

to ziklag these men of Manasseh deserted to him adna Joshua bed

and it lists the names and verse 21.

They helped David against the band of Raiders for.

They were all Mighty Men of Valor and were commanders in the

army. Things switch real easily, and

men's emotions as well. Remember, when Paul, or when

Paul was preaching with Barnabas and Acts chapter 14, and in one

Acts 14 · chapter mention

verse, it says, they praise them.

Like they were God's. Remember they start bringing out

sacrifice and they're ready to worship them as though, they

were Gods incarnate and Palmer? No, no, this is not why we're

here. We're here to turn you away from

this vain worship. Then the juice come in, they

whisper, in their ears and in the very next X versus the same

ones that were ready to worship Paul wanted to Stone him.

So, especially if you're a leader, be careful on, allowing

your Devotion, to the Lord. Be determined on how men feel

about you. God help you.

If you do. So fickle.

And so now these men are following David, they're all now

supporting him, they put their Stones aside and said man we

will use these Stones against the amalekites, okay?

But that's not the point. Besides the point, we remember

we're talking about evidence of a change heart, notice this?

How many end up going with David?

600. No 400.

Why 200 were exhausted? And rightfully.

So you can imagine you just been walking walking three days and

then you are Weeping your eyes out and you can't even imagine

another Day's Journey or mile or whatever the case was.

And so two hundred men. Stop walking.

David looks back. And they look and they say boss,

we're tired. Can we stay back?

Can you imagine saying that when your wife and your children have

been kidnapped? Can you imagine doing that when

you're about to engage in combat?

And the more, the merrier, So one-third of your men, want to

take a break and stay back, that's not encouraging when

you're about to fight a war. And this could have given David

much reason to be angry. Discouraged, disappointed

frustrated kicking the dirt. What do we read here, in verse

10, but David pursued, but, David pursued, he and the four

hundred other men that were willing to go.

And here's the point that we gather from this here lies,

another Mark of a changed heart, a heart that is in, right

standing with got a heart that has been softened by the

discipline of God. By the mercy of God, there is a

firm unshakable trust in God's word even when your faith is

challenged. By unfavorable outcomes while

you walk, the path of obedience. your faith is firm even when it

is challenged by the circumstances that might

discourage you from moving forward, with the Zeal and the

consistency that God is calling for I read that and I thought to

myself, well let me apply to my life.

Let me apply it to this Church's life.

Because we're not here going to war with other people groups,

but we are going to war with a spiritual enemy.

So what will we do? My brother and my sister, if one

third of the people who regularly attend the prayer

meeting, don't come anymore. Do we still pray?

What are we doing? Friday's what are we doing

Sunday's of people? You know, this Bible studies too

much Bible. too much word of God, preached on Sunday and have

to church goes, do we preach Do we continue do we give ourselves

to the Lord? We move forward by the grace of

God. We do, we do. we do because

David does And he shows that here 200 out of this 600 move

his side and it says, David pursues.

Anyway, he moves for it because he's not doing it.

He's not doing it for the praise of these people.

He got a promise from God. He got a word from God.

He's doing it for God, he's doing it for the ones who need

his service, his family, his wives, his children, the others,

he's doing it for them. You have to believe that you

have to live like that, you have to serve like that. as this man

obviously does So that's the second sign.

This is the driving force of your devotion.

Truth must be on the driver's seat of your devotion truth.

Now how you feel truth, Truth. That's a healthy heart.

That's a healthy heart. I've learned over time that

emotion isn't the best indication of devotion.

I have learned that I've learned that people Jesus, we love You

give me the one. Why do they cry or not ours?

Consistent with the Lord then I'll show you a heart that

really loves him. Let's look at the third, Mark.

Shall we verse 11? They found an Egyptian.

In the open country and brought him to David, and they gave him

bread and he ate, they gave him water to drink.

And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of

raisins. And when he had eaten his

Spirit, revived for he had not eaten bread or drunk water, for

three days, and three nights. The third and final, Mark not

limited to this obviously. But in this case of a heart of a

heart that is in good standing, that is healthy.

That is Holy that has been softened by God's discipline and

mercy that has come to a realization that the Lord is

worthy of my total devotion is seen in this warm act of

kindness that he demonstrates with a man who was suffering in

the wilderness and was discovered We were all given a

detailed account of the treatment of this man, right?

I mean, look how detailed it is here, Brad and he ate and there

was water to drink, and he gave me a piece of a cake of figs and

two clusters of raises. I mean, why the details it's the

show is to show the account of the tenderness that was given to

this man. And there is not one indication

that David was offering such compassion with the intention of

receiving something in return. There is no clue.

Even hear that Dave. I knew that this man was

somewhat connected to the amalekites and so he wanted to

get some information from, none of that, it was a one-way

transaction of Mercy. Do you want to know if your

heart is in right standing with the Lord selfless, giving

selfless sacrifice selfless serving and excitement to do

that, which can bless others with nothing in return.

That's how, you know, your heart is there that God has done a

work in there. The way you view others, the way

you prioritize others, the way you treat others, the way you

honor others. I mean, this is the king to be.

This is a man on a mission. There are.

There are children and women. Who are, who knows, what with

vicious men and that is priority.

But even in the pursuit of this man's plan, he still has time to

stop on the side of the road and to give some mercy, somebody who

is in clear and obvious need of it.

Makes you wonder doesn't it doesn't it?

Make you wonder that if David was so quick to show this

kindness because he just drank a fresh dosage of God's mercy for

himself. Just like in his prayer that

earnestness I see here in earnestness to take, any

opportunity that is given to be able to be practical in your

righteousness. And the more the Holy Spirit

influences us. The more selfishness is drained

from us. And David shows that here.

He brings this man, his spirit is revived, he rescues him, And

we read in verse 13. And David said to him to whom do

you belong? And where are you from?

He said, I am a young men of Egypt servant to an amalekite.

A my master left me behind because I felt sick three days

ago. Very similar to how Satan treats

his servants. He uses them and he gets rid of

them when they do the job. Verse 14, we had made a raid

against an egg up, then he goes on to say in verse 15 and David

said to him, will you take me down to this band?

And he said, swear to me by God, that you will not kill me or

deliver me into the hands of my master and I will take you down

to this band. You know what, I see here,

something that you've heard pounded, I'm sure throughout the

study and first Samuel. Sweet.

Sweet Providence. Isn't it wonderful to see that

in this? Act of Grace without interest or

return on investment in mind. Was the the very Insight he

needed to get to where he needed to be.

And what I see here is a principle that we all should

live by that. You've heard so many times, we

even heard it in the Book of Ruth.

I'm reminded of Ruth when I read this, That Providence is in our

favor on the path of obedience. If you want God to orchestrate

your life, with the Symphony of his sovereignty, Just walk

according to his word, that's it.

And watch as you bear fruit and watch as you obey and watch as

you serve and act act, humbly and treat others.

In a certain Manner and free all these things.

Watch how These things have a disguise of blessing.

Not that. That's why we do it from time to

time. God will surprise us through his

Providence and move us from one step to the next on the path of

faithfulness and trust in him. I want that for my life.

I hope you want that for your life and the way to see God

unfold and to reveal his goodness.

It's the simply. Trust and obey.

And that's what David does. I don't want to think too far

into this, but it makes me wonder.

What would have happened to David?

If he had just ignored the man. What if he had just shoot away

the, the obvious opportunity to be like what Jesus said and that

was the Good Samaritan. I'm sure God would have had

mercy on him still, but makes you think, what would his

journey been a little bit more difficult?

More complex, more delayed. I don't know.

I don't want to, I don't want to speak into the text.

But I do see something. That's something you and I can

apply to our own lives. Just just walk as he walks abide

in his word. Remain there.

No matter how difficult it is, no matter how challenging it is,

no matter how inconvenient, obedience maybe like, it was at

this time and believe that God will lead and his Providence

will be in our favor for his glory.

Can you say Amen to that? Amen.

Let's pray. Lord with what a thrill to get

an insight into your mind. And to see how you have given us

this story. Not merely To be moved

emotionally. Or to have our intellect

stimulated. Father, we thank you that you

are the same God. The same God who governs our

lives today. And what we think about how your

mercy is so available. Your kindness, is there ready to

be engaged with as we simply stop.

And give up. On our Silly Ways.

We thank you that we can cry out to you and sincerity, and you

will consider that prayer immediately.

We thank you o God that you discipline us.

And you do not treat us as the wicked are treated.

By giving us up to our own ways so easily.

Lord tonight in this Bible study, we are overwhelmed by

your love. And Lord a study like this.

We ask that it would excite us unto obedience afresh.

Lord, perhaps there are some in this place tonight.

World trying to obey you but I find it very difficult to do.

So May they be reminded of your purpose and your promises in

their lives. Or perhaps, there are some here.

Who have not yet been awakened by discipline. but you are using

this study to get their attention before you have to O

Lord, may they respond appropriately?

May not have to take a severe blow.

For them to be soft and again. And Lord help us trust your

leading in our lives. as we heard in the beginning of this

study, That the rejection and the closed doors and the

inconvenience, all had a purpose.

Help us believe that in all seasons.

But we worship you. We sincerely give, thanks to

you. We love you with everything

within us. We Adore You, O Lord, that

you've not left us to ourselves in this life.

Lord, this life is difficult as it is.

We cannot imagine it without you and so we praise you for

rescuing us. and for giving us the assurance that you are with

us, Be blessed by our worship now as it comes from a heart of

genuine Thanksgiving. In your name, amen.

In your name, amen.