Lessons in resilience from the life of David - Lesson 3

Resilience is strengthened by sound relationships.

INTRODUCTION

Group dynamics fascinates me.

Forming, storming, norming, performing.

How much do you value the relationships in your Giant group? I would argue that the relationship dynamic in your group is the key element to the success of your group. The strongest group that I had on the Giant was the girls group of 2021. What made them bulletproof as a group was their unity of purpose, unity of mind, and unity of care. The trip wasn’t all smooth sailing, but in the difficult moments they rallied together and persevered. They were resilient! What made them resilient was the strength of the relationships within the group.

Mr. Broom has said it before, I am going to say it again. Relationships in this group are so important!

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was written to a collective, not to an individual. The church needed to collectively put on the armor of God and resist the evil day on the horizon.

Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

What was the purpose of Paul’s letter? Paul was concerned for the Christians in the Church in Ephesus.

The Roman empire was a wicked and nasty place to live in the first two centuries. Christians were viewed with suspicion both by the Jews and by the Romans, many of whom misunderstood the significance of the substitutionary death of Jesus and remembrance of his sacrifice in the ordinance of the Lord’s supper and thus called Christians cannibals for many years.

Christians formed groups called Churches that were to represent small pockets of safety where individual people could meet to learn about what God has done for them in Christ, but also to use their God given gifts more for the mutual benefit and edification of the Church.

Ephesians 2:12–22 ESV

remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

I think that it is fair to say that the only reason Christians survived the atrocities of the first and second centuries is because of their mutual commitment to the the cause of Christ and to each other as they gathered in Churches.

1) Relationships are the foundation of society

As in the Giant group, so in society. The strength of a society is its cohesiveness and group identity, its commitment to a cause, its commitment to people.

I would argue that the biggest threat to our society is not a nuclear war between western and eastern powers, it is not a pandemic, or natural disaster, it is not even loadshedding. The greatest threat to Western civilization is the destruction of the traditional family, specifically the destruction of the marriage relationship. A family is strong and resilient so long as it remains in tact. Where Dad denies himself and loves mom and protects and provides for his family. Where mom denies herself and loves Dad and cares for the family. Mom’s strengths complimenting Dad’s weaknesses and Dad’s strength complimenting Mom’s weaknesses. The family unit has always be and will always be the foundation of society.

This is why the God speaks so often to the importance of marriage relationships. But it isn’t just Christians that believe this. This may seem strange to you, but at least two Roman emperors (Augustus and Domitian) made adultery punishable by death because they knew that fruitful marriage relationships were the foundation upon which their whole empire depended. Adultery and promiscuity were outlawed because they presented a threat to the foundation of society.

Similarly, Grade 10’s, The biggest threat to your experience and success on the Giant is divisiveness within your group, it is something to watch out for and to seek to protect as much as possible.

2) Love of self destroys relationships / love of others builds them.

James and John coming to ask Jesus to sit one his left and one on his right when he comes into his kingdom.

Disciples grumble - there is unhappiness and dissension among the disciples. Jesus uses the opportunity to teach them and says.

Arguing about who is the greatest.

Mark 9:33–35 ESV

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

3) God gives us friends who are closer than brothers:

Proverbs 18:24 “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

David had two friends who were closer to him than brothers.

The first was Jonathon were such friends. Their bond transcended social and political boundaries, highlighting the importance of loyalty, trust, and love. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and David, a young shepherd destined to be king, formed a deep connection, with Jonathan even risking his life to protect David from his father's anger (1 Samuel 18:1-4, 20). Their friendship flourished through adversity, serving as a testament to the power of genuine human connections.

1 Samuel 18:1–4 ESV

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

Jonathan risked his life to save David’s life (1 Samuel 20).

The second was Joab. Joab is a complicated character to understand, yet he is a faithful servant and a loyal friend to David. Joab was a commander of in the Israelite army and sought to protect David from his enemies. He even went so far as confront David about his hyper-emotional reaction to Absolom’s death. His wisdom spares David’s reign as king.

1 Samuel 19:5–7 ESV

For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.

Consider Jesus

The Lord Jesus Christ served the people of Israel over the three years of his ministry. He healed their sick, raised the dead, made blind and lame people see. He spoke to them the words of God and the people generally loved him. At one point, it was hoped, would become King of Israel and banish the Romans from Israel, who was celebrated as he entered Jerusalem. He called, lived with, loved and provided for twelve men that we now call his disciples. Jesus poured himself out for the people he served. Yet, when Jesus was arrested the people of Israel shouted crucify him and the disciples fled. He was on his own during his trial, his torture and his crucifixion.

The worst part of his crucifixion was not his torture and death on the cross. It is seen when Jesus Shouts Eloi, Eloi Lema sabachtani (my God, my God, why have you forsaken me). When Jesus carried the sin of many upon his shoulders, even God turned his face away. It was then, that Christ was fully and finally alone.

Christ did this for the benefit of those who believe in him so that they aren’t alone.