Lessons from David's Struggles with Trusting in God

Introduction

We last left David, fleeing from Saul and running to Samuel. As we know, Saul followed David resulting in God interposing. At first, Saul sent three messengers to arrest David. All three failed in their attempts. Finally, Saul himself went, only to be deterred by God. You would think that God’s divine intervention would have been enough for David to realize God had his back. Alas, it was not so. You see, David is a man just like us. We relish God’s intervention, yet, after He has intervened and we are left to ourselves, we often fall back into the same trap of trusting in ourselves instead of God.

As we continue with David’s story, David does something stupid. Instead of remaining at Naioth with Samuel under God’s protection, David decides to take matters into his own hands. Note the opening verse of 1 Samuel 20:1

1 Samuel 20:1 KJV 1900

1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

Why run to Jonathan? Without a doubt, God was protecting David. Yet, David abandons the place where God’s prophet dwells and goes seeking Jonathan. Some might say that it is pretty “natural” for David to seek out his close friend. That might be true, but the real question is this. Was it spiritual?

In fact, note David’s words again.

1 Samuel 20:1 KJV 1900

1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

Note the pronouns are “I,” “mine,” “my,” and “my.” David’s use of these pronouns reveals that his heart had turned from God to self. God is no longer in the picture. In His place was a complete self-focus on the circumstances. Note the rest of the conversation.

1 Samuel 20:2–3 KJV 1900

2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so. 3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

David’s last statement reveals much. He states, “There is but a step between me and death.” Now, think about that statement! Remember that God has promised David the kingdom. Samuel confirmed that promise by anointing him as the next king. It would seem that David lost sight of God’s promise, resulting in serious confidence issues. However, instead of relying upon the promises of God, David turns to Jonathan for answers. By the way, Jonathan could do nothing in this situation.

POINT: We must remember in all situations, we are to trust God.

Proverbs 3:6 KJV 1900

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

The last time we met, we considered David’s missteps that led him to this moment. Even now, David continues to do things his way instead of God’s. He encourages Jonathan to lie on David’s behalf.

1 Samuel 20:5–6 KJV 1900

5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. 6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Again, consider the missteps taken. The first was marrying Saul’s daughter. The second was leaving the prophet Samuel at Naioth. The third was seeking aid from a friend instead of trusting God’s promises.

If you read on, you will know that the two friends initiated a plan to ascertain Saul’s attitude toward David. Both men, David and Jonathan, enter into a covenant between the two. David then hides himself in a field. That evening and at dinner, Saul inquires about David. Jonathan repeats the lie that David suggested. Saul flies into a rage and makes this declaration in verse 31.

1 Samuel 20:31 KJV 1900

31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

Jonathan seeks further information on why Saul wants to kill David, which angers Saul more. Saul then takes his spear and throws it at his own son. We then see Jonathan meeting David later in the field.

1 Samuel 20:41–42 KJV 1900

41 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. 42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

The Roller-Coaster Ride of Trusting in God

The next chapter in David’s life begins with this verse.

1 Samuel 21:1 KJV 1900

1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?

It is interesting that David now turns to the High Priest. Is there not a sense of a spiritual roller coaster ride happening here?

Spiritual High - David is anointed.

‌Spiritual Low - David is disappointed with all of Israel as they face Goliath.

‌Spiritual High - David defeats Goliath.

‌Spiritual Low - David flees from Saul.

‌Spiritual High - David experiences God’s divine protection while with Samuel.

‌Spiritual Low - David seeks out Jonathan and convinces him to lie for him.

‌Spiritual High - David seeks out God’s anointed, the High Priest of Israel.

Why the roller coaster? Within David is the same struggle we all deal with daily in our spiritual journey.

Galatians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

In Romans, the Holy Spirit utilized Paul’s experience to illustrate this same issue we all face.

Romans 7:14–24 KJV 1900

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Within each believer, two “natures” work against each other. There is the “flesh” and the “spirit.” Whichever we allow to dominate or reign within us is the one that will determine our course of action. So we see this in David as well. David sometimes let God’s Spirit reign, leading him to take steps worthy of a saint. Yet at times, David was selfish and did those things which please the “flesh.” Herein lies our problem. The presence of our “flesh” hinders the “Spirit,” causing us to fall short of all God wants for our life. On the other hand, the presence of the “Spirit” often prevents the “flesh” from thoroughly having its way into our life.

Galatians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

This verse unlocks the mystery of living the Christian life. It also explains the checkered histories of many Old and New Testament saints. David had his struggles, but so did Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Peter, Paul, and many others.

As for David, there were many spiritually high moments, such as warding off the attacks of wild animals, his devotion to God’s house, and his engagement with Goliath. These events prove David’s trust in God in those moments, which led to tremendous courage and faith. Yet, around each corner, temptations and testings lurked that would try his faith in God. These seasons of testing were allowed by God into David’s life so that he might grow more in his faith. Living in Saul’s household, followed by Saul’s jealous rage against him, was one such a season. Those times resulted in David losing sight of God’s promises resulting in David’s faith diminishing as the fear of what man could do outweigh David’s trust in what God already proved He could do. Thus, there were times when David’s “flesh” had the upper hand. Yet, the tremendous promise of God to us as believers is this.

Romans 6:14 KJV 1900

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

We belong to God.

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

At the moment of our salvation, we are freed from the bondage of sin and the flesh.

Romans 6:15–18 KJV 1900

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Thus, it is a matter of which nature we allow to reign within us. Whichever dog we feed is the dog that becomes the strongest. If we provide for our “flesh,” we will live accordingly, and it will only grow stronger. Our desire to feed the “flesh” will rob us of many spiritual blessings and will cause us to fail in our duty as leaders in our homes. Yet, if we can learn to feed the “Spirit” within us, we allow God to use us in a mighty way for Him.

How do we feed the “Spirit?”

1 Peter 2:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Conclusion

In David's Journey to Refuge and Redemption, we can learn valuable lessons about trusting God. Throughout his journey, David faced numerous challenges and obstacles, but he never lost faith in God's plan for him. His unwavering trust in God allowed him to overcome his struggles and emerge stronger than ever before. As we navigate our own journeys, we can apply David's example to our own lives. By trusting in God and having faith in his plan for us, we can overcome any obstacles that come our way. No matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we can find comfort in knowing that God is with us every step of the way. So let us take inspiration from David's story and choose to trust in God's plan for us. Let us have faith that he will guide us through life's ups and downs and lead us to our own place of refuge and redemption.