David and Saul - A step from death

“However, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” 1 Samuel 20:3

David left Samuel. He sought out Jonathan and asked, “What have I done to your father, that he seeks my life?” Jonathan was surprised with the allegation and said  to him, “my father does nothing without telling me. Why would my father hide this thing from me?” Of course, we all know lacking knowledge of truth does not invalidate truth. David replied, “Your father knows you and I are friends and wouldn’t tell you. However, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”

Like a true friend, Jonathan asked “what do you want me to do?”

So, they hatched a plan that involved David not showing up to the king’s table for a feast. The excuse being...David had to return home to his family. If Saul was fine with David’s absence, David was safe. If he got angry, David was in danger. Well, Saul inquired and Jonathan replied “David asked to be excused to go to Bethlehem so he could celebrate the feast with his family.” Saul was furious with Jonathan and he said, “You son of a perverse rebellious woman, don’t I know that you’re covering for David to your own shame? As long as David lives you will never become king. He is a dead man.” Jonathan angrily left the table because he was grieved his father had dishonored David.

Through an elaborate plan, involving shooting arrows, Jonathan informed David that he needed to flee for his life. They were the best of friends and it was a bitter parting...with both men weeping at their loss.

I can empathize with David...and Jonathan. I spent 14 months in combat and I know how it feels to be “one step away from death.” I lost my best friend and I wept. Being a person of faith does not inoculate us from tragedy. The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church witnessed the martyrdom of thirteen missionaries in Vietnam. The latest issue of Newsweek (2 April, 2019) states “The persecution and genocide of Christians across the world is worse today than at any time in history.” The article goes on to claim “Not only are Christians more persecuted than any other faith group, but ever-increasing numbers are experiencing the very worst forms of persecution...many are even hanged or crucified.”

David Horowitz, in his latest book Dark Agenda states there is an ongoing war to destroy Christianity in America. You and I face the real possibility of trouble ourselves but...the story of David and Jonathan is meant to offer encouragement. If God has plans for us, even the highest powers on earth cannot subvert them. On the other hand, when we have “finished the race,” as the Apostle Paul stated, God will bring us home. I don’t know what trouble you are facing but I know fear is a genuine human emotion that even David experienced. The good news is...for every David there is a Jonathan. David was destined to be king so, God would not let him die by Saul’s hand. Our destiny may be to raise our children, love our grandchildren or evangelize our communities. Jonathan died young...by any measure...but not before he realized his destiny to save David. Only God knows when we are finished. 

And that should be good enough because the next step is eternal jubilation with the saints in glory.

Live boldly out there today...

David and Saul: “When evil spirits come”

“But an evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul...” 1 Samuel 19:9

Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you. Find a hiding place and stay in seclusion. When I find out what the problem is, I will let you know.” So Jonathan spoke to his father he said, “The king should not sin against his servant David, for he has not sinned against you.” Saul accepted Jonathan’s advice and took an oath, “As surely as the Lord lives, he will not be put to death.” 

Then an evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul... 

Saul sent messengers to David’s house to guard it and to kill him in the morning. Michal, David’s We, was Saul’s daughter and learned of the plot. She warned David and helped him escape. When Saul’s messengers arrived to arrest David, his wife said, “He’s sick.” Saul said “Bring him up to me on his bed so I can kill him.” When the messengers found only an idol on the bed. Saul asked his daughter “Why have you deceived me this way by sending my enemy away?” Michal replied, “He said to me, ‘Help me get away or else I will kill you!”

She covered one deception with another. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

David had gone to Samuel and told him everything that Saul had done to him. This was reported to Saul so He sent messengers to capture David. When they saw a group of prophets prophesying with Samuel, the spirit of God came upon Saul’s messengers, and they also prophesied. This happened three times, to each cohort Saul sent. So Saul went Himself. The Spirit of God came upon him as well, and he prophesied before Samuel.

Verse nine of this chapter was the third occasion when “an evil spirit from God” fell upon Saul (16:15, 18:10). But, this time was different. The first two times it was Elohim, the God of creation, who sent the evil spirit. This time it was Yahweh, the God of Israel. This was personal.

The world can be an ugly place and it’s easy for people to explain bad experiences by saying “that’s just the way things are...” we can even be pious and attribute them to the God who created all things...even as we wonder why any God would do such a thing. We find a similar act of God in the New Testament when we are told “God gave them over to a reprobate (unprincipled) mind” (Romans 1:28). It explains why so many people refuse to follow God: they can’t accept a “good God who does bad things. Yet, in this account, Saul was inhabited by an evil spirit from the very God of Israel...the God of the covenant. How do we explain this? Of course, we know they are the same God but...the point is... in His role as a personal God he sent evil upon Saul.

We should understand from this incident with Saul that we aren’t talking about “bad things happening to good people” we are talking about “good people doing bad things”. God has limited patience with people intent on pursuing wickedness. God goes to great lengths to intervene, guide and direct but...when the time arrives where He determines all His loving discipline will not have any affect...God may decide to leave that person to follow their own inclinations. But it’s not just natural cosmic consequences...it’s “our God” stepping back. We should not construe this to mean God is damning such a person eternally. Rather, He has determined to stand back and watch their lives go off the rails. 

We believers are not immune to this danger. I have met many believers so intent on following their own desires that God has let them. Results are predictable. It is, however, true that we live in a wicked world and trouble sometimes finds us through no fault of our own. The next time we see our lives spinning out of control we should probably ask 
ourselves whose in charge. Am I the victim? Or am I the perpetrator? We may need to invite God back and give him the keys to the car. He will gladly oblige.

Live boldly out there today...