(Read 1 Samuel 21:7-14)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Yesterday we saw how David was so hungry that he was willing to lie to the priest in order to get something to eat. David wound up eating the holy bread (showbread) from the altar of the Lord. This goes to show you that David was not perfect and that people on the run, under tremendous pressure, will do just about anything.
David’s lies did not stop there. David asked Ahimelech if he had a spear or sword, because (here comes another lie), he said, “The king’s business was so urgent that I didn’t even have time to grab a weapon.” The priest replied, “I only have the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah. It is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. Take it if you want it, for there is nothing else here.” David knew that sword well, for he used it to cut the giant’s head off. David said, “There is nothing like it! Give it to me!” With that took off on the run again, this time to land of Gath.
The officers of king Achish of Gath were not happy that David was in town. They asked themselves, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one the people honor with dances, singing, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” They were not sure if David was the king of Israel or not, but either way, they did not take kindly to a foreign leader visiting unannounced. David heard what the people were saying and he was very afraid of what king Achish might do to him. David already had problems with the king of Israel and now he was about to have problems with the king of Gath. So, as a last-ditch effort to avoid being arrested or killed, David pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and allowing saliva to drool down his beard. King Achish said to his men, “Must you bring me a madman? We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?” Sure enough, before anyone knew it, David was on the run again.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. The heroes of the faith were not flawless. David was used of God to lead Israel, to write Psalms, and God Himself called David “a man after His own heart” (Acts 13:22). That picture of David seems far from the one we see in 1 Samuel 21, a man acting like he was crazy, scratching doors and allow saliva to run down his beard, all because he was afraid of the king of Gath. This a reminder of two things: 1) God does not require you to be perfect, and 2) God will be kind when mentioning you in history.
2. Being destined for greatness does not mean you will not face challenges. David had already been anointed by the prophet to be the next king of Israel and instead of his life getting better, it seems like his life went haywire after the prophet touched his head with oil. I see two points in this: 1) The fact that you are facing challenges does not mean you are NOT destined for greatness, and 2) The fact that you are destined for greatness does NOT mean that you are exonerated from challenges. As a matter of fact, oftentimes, the greater the assignment on your life, the harder the enemy will work to keep you from it.
3. There is a blessing waiting for you on the other side of the storm. David had to make it through all the challenges in order to eventually take the throne. I would like to tell you that once you give your life to Christ that you would never face another challenge, but if I did I would be lying. However, I can tell you that your blessing is waiting for you on the other side of the storm. David is a witness of this and so am I. If you are facing it, then you can take it, and once you overcome the challenge you will be able to receive what God has been trying to give you and what the enemy has been trying to keep you from. Just remember, since you are an OVERCOMER, God’s grace is on you to COME OVER every obstacle that comes your way.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for never leaving nor forsaking me. I have faced challenges and I know I will continue to do so, because You have destined me for greatness. You chose me, before the foundations of the world, to fulfill a particular assignment, and I declare by faith that I will complete that assignment before I die. I am determined to fulfill my destiny. Since I am destined, I know I will face opposition, and I know the opposition will sometimes be fierce. However, with Your help I have the grace to overcome everything the enemy brings my way. If I am facing it, then I know You trust me with it, and You have graced me to overcome it. You know I am not perfect and You do not require me to be. When I make mistakes, I am quick to repent, to receive forgiveness from You, to forgive myself, and to keep going. I refuse to allow condemnation to stagnate me. You made me the righteousness of God in Christ, by the Blood of Your Son Jesus, and I know I am righteous every day of my life. Since I am established in Your righteousness I never allow myself to wallow in condemnation and I keep going, even when my flesh wants to quit. I know there is a blessing waiting for me on the other side of the storm and I shall receive it, by faith, through grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
