SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 27
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’ ” And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. [1 Samuel 27:11] This chapter hardly seems worthy of being called “the Word of the Lord”. It describes how David deceives Achish, and murders villagers to cover it up. If I had to preach on this passage, would I say “be like David?”
He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ [Luke 24:44] Jesus says that everything written about Himself must be fulfilled. This implies there is stuff that doesn’t relate. As we read the old testament, we look for hints and glimpses of Jesus. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them [Matthew 5:17]. Jesus has fulfilled it. His cry, “It is finished” introduces the new covenant (testament). We still read the old testament, but we read it with great caution – it is not equally applicable for us today as it was then.
So what does this have to do with David in this chapter? David is a hint of Jesus (the Son of David) but he is still sinful and human. God uses this flawed, sinful human for His purpose, using his strengths despite his flaws. David is a hint of Jesus, not a pattern for godly, Christ-like living. What David does here is wrong, and he does many more wrong things. But its amazing to me that (1) God records this stuff, He doesn’t gloss it over. (2) God works through flawed, guilty, sinful humans to establish His Kingdom.
Today’s reading shows me WHY we need Jesus, a perfect Messiah. We need Jesus because no one else – not even the best this world can produce, is without sin. We should not shake our heads and say, “shame on David”, instead we should be humble enough to recognize that we are no different than David, that we have our own flaws and weaknesses, and yet God is willing to use us too. It makes me think that if my life as a Jesus-follower were recorded and studied by future generations, they too would find stuff that would lead them to say, “shame on Norman”. And all I could say in return is ‘amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me’.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for reminding me that I am not better or worse than others, that we are all equally sinful, equally in need of mercy, and equal recipients of Your amazing grace. Thank You for using me despite my flaws.
MATT 7:1″Do not judge others and you will not be judged.”
JAMES 4:12 “God alone, who gave the law, is the judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbour.”
LORD, forgive me for the times when I have been judgemental. I need to worry about the log in my own eye.
Indeed, amazing grace! Thank You for the assurance and promise that David’s life journey brings to us. Thank You LORD for Your Word. PS 119:103 “How sweet Your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.”