Several of my blogger buddies had an idea last week. Their idea was to hold a Blog Carnival where we all choose one topic (Obedience) and then post about it on our blogs on the same day. To see the other installments, you can visit my friend Peter’s site. He’s our host and his wonderful blog is known as “Rediscovering the Church.” (I LOVE that theme!)
And now, on to the show!
This week, forty or fifty ladies from my church and our daughter church will begin a six-week study on David. Each week, we’ll have a lesson together in the large group. Then, we’ll split into small groups to discuss the lesson. For better or for worse, I’ve been asked to be a small group facilitator. (Facilitator means that I talk little and listen much. Believe it or not, I can do that.)
Even though I won’t be teaching the lessons, I decided that it really wouldn’t hurt to study up a bit on David. It’s sort of my way of “marinating” my brain in the Word so that when I am standing in front of that group of ladies, I’ll be ready. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about David over the next six weeks, but at this point, I’m just reading and enjoying with the occasional highlighted underline or jotted note in the margin. No pressure to learn or apply. I’m just marinating.
Today, I was in the ladies’ room at work, studying a drip of dried soup on my blouse when, out of the blue, I was captivated by a thought. God sent David into battle over and over again. God could have easily won those battles without David’s help, but God made David fight them anyway.
My mind was boggled by that realization and suddenly, my thoughts turned to prayers.
Lord, why did you make David fight?
The same reasons I make you fight.
Before we ever meet David in the pages of the Bible, we meet another man who was called and anointed by God to be the king of Israel—Saul. In 1 Samuel 15, God gives Saul an assignment—an order—to attack God’s enemy, the Amalekites. God told Saul to kill every single Amalekite and even to slaughter their livestock. But Saul didn’t do what God had ordered him to do. Instead, when the fighting began, Saul and his men spared the life of the Amalekite king and then took whatever livestock and treasures they wanted. Then, Saul headed to Mount Carmel to build a monument in honor of himself.
The scripture says that Saul—a man called and anointed by God—“refused to obey God.” Instead, he did whatever he wanted and then offered to make it up to God by sacrificing the stolen animals to Him. When Saul rejected God’s instructions, God rejected Saul’s kingship and called and anointed another to be king instead—David.
God called and anointed David just as He had called and anointed Saul. God gave David assignments and orders. And David followed the orders he was given.
The Bible says that David was a man after God’s own heart and when I started thinking about it, I realized why. From the very beginning, David had a shepherd’s heart. As a boy, he fought the lions and bears to protect his father’s sheep. As a king, he fought men and armies to protect the Lord’s people. He loved God and that placed within him an instinct that made him this way.
John 14:21 says, “He who has my commands and obeys them is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father. And I too will love them and will show myself to them.”
I have never liked to fight. I’ve never enjoyed confrontation. But as I thought through all of this today, I realized all over again that when God gives me assignments or orders, it’s for a reason. And there’s too much at stake to ignore Him or refuse to obey Him. I wanted to be the called and the anointed. And I also want to be a child after God’s own heart.
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Great thoughts on David. Is it okay if I feel a little sorry for Saul?
I think we all identify with him in some areas. But at the same time, he really asked for it. And when you read on through 1 & 2 Samuel, he just asks for it again and again and again and… Well, you get the picture.
Great post, Sarah.
Wow, when I get a spot on my blouse, I don’t receive these incredible revelations!
Great post, Sarah. I love the different directions I’m already seeing people share…
And, it is when David withdrew from joining the battle, he made some of his biggest mistakes. Thank you for bringing that out.
Yeah. When I stare at a spot on my blouse, all I ever think about is “Why on earth am I wearing a blouse???”
Other than that I can completely relate.
This was awesome Sarah – I’m with Bridget as I don’t get such revelations either (but will listen more carefully next time).
I don’t think I had ever asked the question before “Why did you send David to fight?”
Great post, Sarah… and I love that you have reminded us once again that God calls us to do things for good reasons and if we are obedient we will learn and grow in ways we could never have imagined!
Okay, dang…
That was 10 kinds of awesome. And I love David, so imperfect – yet “a man after God’s own heart”. Gives me hope.
Could have fooled me re: your dislike for confrontation: You are right – we are called to fight and sometimes it’s really not what we want to do.
David is by far my favorite Old Testament character, just because he was so flawed but tried so hard not to be. I love the point you make here. Life is all about joyful battle, isn’t it?
great post Sarah, thanks for reminding us of David. the difference between him and saul is in the area of obedience. both were divinely called, both were anointed by the same prophet, both had their great moments, but they differed in the way they responded to God’s commands. David obeyed, Saul made excuses.
and may i just add that David also knew how to repent! (psalm51)
i agree with russel holloway, the only time david’s life went wrong was when he wasn’t busy obeying God, like sleeping in his chamber while his men are in the heat of battle or walking on rooftops with a clear view on the ladies’ bathroom, but that’s an entirely different topic.
Thank you for sharing and bringing out the point of David and obedience. I remember…”Obedience is better than sacrifice”
I love the story of David for lots of different reasons. That book alone has taught me so much, and now you’ve added to my understanding through your insight about being called by the Lord to fight. In Him we are more than conquerors.