David's Example of Doing Things Our Way vs. God's Way
Ironmen of Calvary 2022 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
We are studying the life of David each time we meet at Ironmen of Calvary. My hope is David’s life will challenge us to be Men of God even as David was a great man of God. As we know, David’s journey was an incredible journey with many highs and lows. I believe all of us can relate to David. David eventually became a great king. We may not be great kings in this life, but we do have the opportunity to influence people just as David did. The question is how do our wives, children, co-workers, and neighbors see us? Do the see a man determined to follow God and live for Him? Or, do they see a man only interested in himself and what please him? The world has way too many men who are living for themselves and who are bad examples to their loved ones. It is one of the big reasons we have the issues today that we are experiencing in American society. What we need today are fearless men who will stand upon the promises of God’s Word and stand for righteousness.
In our study of David, we pick up where we left off last time. He still on the run from Saul.
Relying on Self Leads to Great Personal Fear
Relying on Self Leads to Great Personal Fear
10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
It is interesting that just before this, David was with the High Priest. It was there that David asked for a weapon. The only weapon available was Goliath’s sword. The same man who stood before a the giant Goliath with nothing more than a sling and two stones was not running from a much smaller man. In doing so, he was no longer relying upon God’s strength but in his own. Thus, he readily takes Goliath’s sword. Now, as we see in our text, David is still running in FEAR. Now, David runs to Israel’s enemy seeking refuge.
David had no business in Gath.
7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
Fear causes us to always be concerned about what MIGHT happen. It is always highly suspicious. Instead of confronting Saul and trusting God for the outcome, David is running from his problem thinking he can escape it. Thus, it makes a wise man mad. Now, we find David in enemy territory and it is obvious that David hoped that he would not be recognized while there.
The man of God who abandons following God and begins to rely on his own wisdom will often attempt to blend into the world hoping that he is not recognized as a follower of Christ.
It is a cowardly way to live for Christ. We see this evidenced in David’s life.
11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
One of the things we often forget is God is always at work in our lives. We see it here in this verse. David thought he could hide, blend in, and not be noticed. Yet, God intervened. He did not let David remain incognito.
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Men, if you are true man of God, you might try to blend into this world, but let it be known that God will not allow it. Abraham was discovered when he tried the same stunt. Peter was discovered when he tried warming himself by the fire as Christ was on trial.
God will not have His own to settle down and enjoy friendship with His enemies.
Now, note something else about fear in this story of David.
12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
Fear always occasions greater fear. When we fail to live God’s way and not be responsible, greater fear comes into our lives. David was afraid of Saul. He ran, without thinking, into enemy territory. Now, the great King of Gath, Achish knows David, the slayer of Goliath, is within his reach. Yeah, at this point, David is doing a bang up job handling things his way instead of Gods.
Here is an interesting verse that puts things in perspective for us.
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Who are bold as lions? Those who are righteous. In other words, men who do things God’s way living obedient to His Word are the ones who stand bold. Those who do not are the ones who cower in fear.
Now, remember, David is doing things his way, not God’s. Everything is spiraling out of control at this moment. Achish, the King of the Philistines, finds out David is right under his nose. David realizes that he is found out and Achish is coming. What does David do? You would think David would come to his senses and turn to the Lord, right?
13 And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
Later, in life, a wiser David would, under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, write the following Psalm 118:9
9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.
Relying on Self Leads to Great Public Humiliation
Relying on Self Leads to Great Public Humiliation
Note the reaction of Achish and his warriors.
14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
15 Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
Anytime, we, as men of God, make our own plans and abandon God’s Word as well as the leading of His Spirit, it does not go well for us. We end up looking the fool. So it happened to David. Here is the greatest warrior of Israel, the slayer of the giant Goliath, no longer mighty in spirit and strength. No, instead, he looks completely insane with spit running down his beard acting the fool. David probably thought this was an ingenious plan in his own mind. But what did it really demonstrate to the enemy? It showed a man devoid of God’s grace who was no longer mighty, courageous, and ready to lead others.
Too many times we come up with all kinds of ingenious plans we think will bring about peace and security into our lives. Yet, those plans are designs of our own mind and have nothing to do with God. Thus, they are completely void of His grace, and always result in our disgrace. We have all kinds of example of men in the Bible who relied upon self only to suffer public humiliation. Men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Peter, and Ananias.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
God’s instruction to us are as follows.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
Anytime we lean unto our own understanding we end ashamed knowing that we did not follow God’s wisdom. Think about this. David was not only bringing great shame to himself, but also to his family, nation, and, more importantly, the God of the Universe.
It is interesting that even in our folly, God does not abandon us. He is always standing by waiting to help us pick up the pieces when we finally turn to Him again.
A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalms 34:1
Abimelech here is recognized as the same Achish, King of Gath. God again intervened in David’s live even when David was not following the Lord as He should which another testament of God’s wonderful grace.
It is interesting when you read this Psalm that David does eventually recognize that he needed the Lord.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
If you are man whose life is governed by fear and shame, then do what David did and seek the Lord. He is always there to hear you and deliver you from all your fears.
I am reminded of Peter. Peter once sailed with the other disciples across a great lake. Christ did not go with them. During their journey, a great storm overtook the boat they were in. During the storm, they saw Christ walking to them on the lake. Peter got excited and wanted to walk on the water to Christ. Christ told him to come. Peter hastily jumped out of the boat and walked on water. He did something no other man has ever done before. However, his ability to walk on water without feat only came as he obeyed Christ and kept Christ the center of his attention. The story goes on to depict how that Peter as he was halfway to Christ took his eyes off Christ and got them on on his circumstances. Instantly, Peter was overcome with fear and began to sink. However, point I wish to drive home is the fact then even when he began to sink, Christ was there. As soon as he cried to Christ, Christ stretched out hand and lifted him up and they walked together back to the boat.
Christ will do the same for you. God did the same for David.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.
When we go back to doing things God’s way, He steps in and delivers us. Note something else found in this great Psalm.
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth Round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: For there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: But they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Instead of fearing men, we must learn to do God’s will and fear Him. The rest of that psalm talks about how God protects those who seek Him and His righteousness. However, it is only those who abandon their own ways, humble themselves before, and seek to draw nigh to Him that He protects and helps.