(Read 1 Samuel 19)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” This week we went through 1st Samuel chapter 19 and we saw how God protected David from Saul’s continuous attacks. In this one chapter we saw God move through Jonathan and Michal, using the king’s own kids to take a stand against their father. And we then saw the Lord intervene directly, causing three waves of hardened Soldiers to prophesy, and then moving upon the king himself, causing him to prophesy uncontrollably as well. Saul even went to the extent of stripping his clothes. It must have been a ‘sight’ to see the king of Israel, stark-naked, on the ground, prophesying uncontrollably. I share this quick recap because I want to take the focus off of Jonathan, Michal and Saul for today’s lesson. Let’s think about David and how his reliance must have been on God the entire time.
In chapter 16 the prophet Samuel made an unannounced visit to Jesse’s house in Bethlehem and by chapter 19 David’s life was as different as it could be. David went from an unknown son of a nobody, to national hero, to fairytale wedding, to Israel’s most wanted within a matter of months. To say that his life was a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows would be an understatement. The changes David was going through and the pressure he must have felt because of them was enormous. It was certainly enough to make even a strong man give up. But David kept going. Why? Because of his relationship with God.
While David was out tending sheep he learned how to rely on God directly. God was there for David whenever a wolf attempted to take one of his sheep. God was there when David, just a teenager at the time, had to fight a lion and a bear with his bare hands. God was there for David when no one else was and David learned to rely on His God for strength and peace.
David did not have a Pastor he could call on speed dial. David did not attend weekly Bible studies for great fellowship, encouragement or instruction. David was not surrounded with a strong men’s group where he could share his struggles and get brotherly support. No, while all these things are good, David had to learn to rely on God directly.
So what does this mean to you today? Two things:
1. Learn how to receive from God directly. It has been my experience that many Christians today, maybe even most, don’t know how to hear from God or receive from Him directly. They can enjoy a good Word through their Pastor or enjoy good worship when the Praise team is leading them, but outside of a church service or Bible study, they don’t know how to receive from God directly. And then even in a service, where God’s glory is manifested and He is moving supernaturally, many Christians won’t receive from God unless someone (a human) lays hands on them or speaks a Word from God over them. I have seen God move supernaturally in a room and some receive from Him, while others are sitting around either clueless or waiting for a human to interact with them. David did not have the human-intermediary that many are accustomed to today. David learned how to receive from God directly and his life is evidence of the relationship.
2. Open yourself up to the supernatural. The God who moved on king Saul, causing him to strip naked, is still alive today. The God who caused the blind to see, lame to walk, dumb to speak, and dead to resurrect is still alive and He wants to move in your life in a supernatural way. But to see Him move supernaturally you have to do two things (at a minimum). First, you must establish an atmosphere where God is welcome to manifest His glory. In most cases this atmosphere will be established through worship. And then, once you are in the atmosphere where God is clearly present and He is manifesting His glory, you must open yourself up to receive directly from Him. Don’t wait on another human. Don’t think that God cannot touch you Himself. Open your heart and your spirit to God and you will experience the supernatural. Once you do, your life will never be the same. Once you are Born-Again the supernatural is supposed to become natural to you!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this teaching. I declare, by faith, that I get to the point where the supernatural becomes natural to me. I create an atmosphere of worship and praise in my home. I welcome You in daily. I also connect, spiritually, with the praise and worship at my church. I am committed to establishing environments where You are free to abide. Where Your presence is, Your glory will be manifested and Your power will be available. I learn to discern when You are present and on those occasions when I am in Your presence, I learn to receive from Your directly. I thank You for my Pastors and I appreciate all the spiritual mentors You have given me, but none of them replace my reliance on You. I hunger and thirst after You with my whole heart. I yearn to see the supernatural manifested in my life on a routine basis. I am Born-Again. I am filled with Your Spirit. I am supposed to be naturally supernatural and I declare by faith that I am. I am not limited to living my life by earthly realities. The supernatural is available to me and I learn to tap into Your heavenly realm on a daily basis. Thy Kingdom has come and now I declare that thy will is done… ON EARTH, as it is IN HEAVEN! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
