The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 17:1-11, 26-32, 38-51 (day three) 

“What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?” 

One can make a case that this question is actually rhetorical—that David is exposing these concerns as paltry diversions and absolutely beside the point: “The enemy commences with chest-pounding triumphalism against a God-delivered and God-shepherded people, and the best you can do is drool over the wanted poster?”  Saul had proven himself unwilling or unable to provide any spiritual context for Israel’s predicament.  Spinning fantasies of rewards and glory for some imaginary hero was all that kept Saul’s scared soldiers from deserting.  David stepped into the breach, clarifying the issue: The biggest danger they faced was not the end of their self-governance, but the end of their knowledge of God.  Fear Goliath, and Goliath is all you’ll find.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 17:1-11, 26-32, 38-51 (day two) 

“For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” 17:26b

This is really another way to view what God told Samuel in chapter 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

The size of the king did not matter to God, so why should the size of the enemy? Surely there was no one more qualified to answer that question than David. The anointing of God was given because of his heart, and he knew that if you stood in opposition to the will of God you would surely fall, regardless of size. His confidence in the Lord was his shield, his sword, and his armor. How could he fail? Are you still looking at the size of the problem, or are you trusting the size of your God?

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 17:1-11, 26-32, 38-51 (day one)

Notice the contrast?  David’s older brother says of him, “I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is”–v 28.  The Lord says of David, “He is man after my own heart.”–Acts 13:22.  Which opinion is true?

Same thing happened with Jesus.  The Father saw a “beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”–Matthew 3:17.  The leaders of the Jewish nation thought He was dangerous and demon-possessed.

“To me it is very small thing that I should be examined by you. . .but the one who examines me is the Lord.  Therefore. . . wait until the Lord comes who will bring to light what is hidden and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”–1 Corinthians 4:3-5.

To follow Christ I must be prepared to face the negative judgements of the world.  I must be satisfied with the Lord’s opinion of me, and it only.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 16  (day seven)

Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well. 1 Samuel 16:16

As Saul’s kingship spiraled out of control the only calm he found was David strumming the harp.  Typically, a harpist would be relegated to the background, left in the halls to fill the court with idle notes, but not David.  David’s music healed.  I hope when we step into worship this morning we are expecting to be healed through the music.  Our music is not meant to be idle or merely entertaining, our music together is more. The music speaks to the glory of God and teaches our theology note by note.  Do not overlook the music as a moment for growth and healing.  A song may be just what you need.

1 Samuel 16 is pivotal in many ways, but perhaps the most profound is that David is a type of Christ for us. His heart and kingship is a symbol of greater fulfillment to come in Jesus. David clearly has the kind of heart that God is looking for; a heart that is devoted to knowing, loving, and obeying Him. (Acts 13:22) We are desperate for more of a heart like that, right?!

How can we know when our hearts are sick, or not in the right place? What can God do with sick hearts? Only he can make all things new.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 16  (day five) ¹³ Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

It was a momentous occasion. Anointed to be king!  As the oil rushes over David’s head, the Spirit of God rushes on him.  What comes next?  Robe and crown fittings? Elite leadership training?  No.  Samuel goes back to Ramah and David returns to tending the sheep.  David must wait and trust in God’s timing.  And we know that God used the time in the pasture as preparation for David’s future.  Skills to be learned.  Attitudes to be formed.  Character to be developed.  God uses our regular everyday routines and tasks to prepare us for His planned future.  School, singleness, marriage, parenting, and work (just to name a few) are all “pastures” that the Lord will send us to and through to develop character, patience, integrity, discipline, devotion, and servanthood.  If God is developing those things in us, what could God’s future plan look like?

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 16  (day four)

“For I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.”  (16:1)  Israel thought it was their idea to have a king.  There was surely a plan for succession to the throne.  Where Israel thought they were in charge, we discover God’s fingerprints are already there.  Where was Jesse from?  Verse 1 tells us he was from Bethlehem.  Coincidence?  Fast forward over 1000 years…Joseph and Mary are going to Bethlehem to register for taxes.  This long, treacherous trip was because Joseph was of the house and linage of David.  God has had a plan for all of time!  He is sovereign…He is unchanging…He is omnipotent…He is all-knowing.  What an amazing, loving God we serve!

Why is it that we try to take control of the events of our lives?  Do we honestly believe that our plan is better?  If we look closely, we will discover God’s fingerprints are already there.  If we listen carefully, we will hear His Spirit guiding our steps.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 16.  (day three) 

“How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.”

When the king lives in fear, no one is safe.  The man who lives in fear will use every ounce of energy to stave off the dread until there’s no strength left to seek the welfare of the weak and the small.  Fear is the soul’s Dead Sea.  Energy flows in but nothing flows out.  And nothing can live in or near a life like that.  No wonder Samuel kept his distance from Saul.  The whole nation was increasingly at risk of descending into anarchic madness because of the ruler’s rising fear.  In those dark days, Samuel braved Saul’s deadly wrath to shepherd the David’s ascension to the throne.  The hard work of courage is the only answer to the influence of fear.  Pray.  And rise.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 16.  (day two) 

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” vs. 7

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.” Luke 1:52

If there is an underlying theme that we can pull from the grand narrative of scripture it might be that God’s ways are not like ours. What we value, what we honor tend to be vapid, shallow, and very often narcissistic. God is always about the long game. What withers and fades is of little use to an eternal God bent on the everlasting future of his children. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, then, when his choice of leader, his direction for our lives, his ultimate plans deviate from ours. Our best recourse is to recalibrate our hearts to his.