Refining the Man of God

Introduction

Psalm 34:19 KJV 1900

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: But the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Undoubtedly, every person (men included) suffers many afflictions. Some are internal, others external; some from family and friends and others from foes; some more directly from God’s hand, others more remotely through the Devil’s instruments. Yet, as believers, we should already know this will happen. Christ himself taught that we should expect persecution and afflictions. We would be much better off if we could grasp that we are simply pilgrims in this world who are passing through. Unfortunately, the things of this world have a way of drawing us in, so we tend to cling to what is temporal and forget what is eternal.

As we begin our study of David’s life again this evening, I want to give you this thought. David, throughout his life, experienced all kinds of situations. He was both poor and rich. He was a lowly shepherd living as the everyday Joe and a king ruling over an entire nation. He was an outcast and, later, the love of the country. He was lonely and, at times, surrounded by friends. He was righteous and tripped up by sin. David experienced the same things all of us experience today. It is fitting, then, that God gives him to us as an example for our lives. Even more remarkable is that David often expresses his ups and downs in the beautiful songs he wrote, such as Psalms.

Here is another thought as we begin our study this evening: God allows many things in our lives that seem mysterious and strange to us. Yet, later, we find that those things are the situations God uses to help us grow spiritually. What may seem strange or difficult to us is the very thing that God uses to help us grow closer to Him and learn to trust Him. God makes no mistakes.

So it was with David!

If you were at our last Ironmen Event (Men’s Breakfast), you know we ended with David and his men achieving a great victory over an invading Philistine raiding party. They protected the village of Keilah and rescued the inhabitants. Unfortunately, David and his men had to flee the town, as it was revealed to David that they would betray him to King Saul. Thus, we start our story with David again on the run.

1 Samuel 23:13–14 KJV 1900

13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. 14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

Don’t forget that David has learned a valuable lesson. Before, David was doing everything according to his plan and way. However, his actions didn’t work out very well for him. Doing things his way cost him a lot! However, now, David has learned that God must be His guide. In doing so, things are going much better. He is still on the run, but God bolsters David’s confidence as He surrounds David with warriors and gives him small victories. Each victory was an assurance that God was his shield of defense.

What does God wants us to know and understand from David’s time in Ziph?

We, as Men of God, must not...

Pursue Revenge!

What is interesting about verses 13 and 14 is this! David now has an army. In verse 13, it states that six hundred fierce warriors were at his side and under his command. Knowing his skill as a leader and having that many men at his command must have been a temptation to David. I am sure he was tempted to take things back into his hands and lure Saul into a trap, ending this feud between him and Saul. Instead, David is patient, walks in God’s way, and waits on God’s time.

Here is the lesson for us!

Proverbs 16:32 KJV 1900

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

I am sure that all of us have been there. We have experienced evil at the hands of others. Our enemies have mercilessly hammered us. And I am sure that there have been moments when you were also tempted to take matters into your own hands. However, let me remind you that we must trust God's promises even during such difficult times.

What are His promises?

Romans 12:19–20 KJV 1900

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

1 Peter 2:23 KJV 1900

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

You see, Christ himself suffered at the hands of many. Yet, He gave us the same example. He “reviled not” and “threatened not.” Instead, Christ committed Himself to God, who judges righteously. Our job as men of God is not to seek revenge! No, we are to rely on God’s ability to avenge. Instead, we are to do the opposite. We overcome evil with kindness. We feed our enemies and give them drinks. What is impressive is just how wonderful God’s ways work! Note the reaction to those who would do us harm when we show them kindness - “in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”

We, as Men of God, must...

Embrace God’s Refining!

Let’s continue with our story.

1 Samuel 23:15 KJV 1900

15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

Ziph is a significant place, and much happens there. The name “Ziph” means “a refining place.” It would seem that Ziph was a smelter and refinery. We will note later in this story that there was a mountain nearby. It is quite possible that the mountain was rich in minerals refined in Ziph, hence the name. Why is this significant? We know that God often uses circumstances and people to refine us. Of course, the goal is to draw out of us the impurities of our flesh and mold us into His image. It was no different for David. God uses Ziph as another type of refinery in David’s life. It becomes a spiritual refinery.

Refining Might Require Removing Something We Value

1 Samuel 23:16–18 KJV 1900

16 And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. 18 And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

This is the last meeting between David and Jonathan. There was undoubtedly a strong bond between these two men. However, this bond may not have been the best thing for David. Remember, God always knows what is best for us. This meeting comes when God is actively working in David’s life, helping David learn to trust Him and not others. And Jonathan was not exactly the most honest friend. What I mean by that is this!

Even though Jonathan loved David, he didn’t love him enough to abandon his father, Saul, and support David. Instead, he continued to support publicly his father, who was out to murder David. Jonathan was following a man who had no heart for obeying God, and God had rejected him. Jonathan is like many Christians today who compromise. They want to enjoy friendship with both believers and unbelievers. They lack the courage to stand up for what is right and holy. Instead, they secretly commit to what is right but openly live for what is wrong. These are not the people we need in our lives as men of God. So, God sometimes has to purge them out of our lives. I noted that this is the last meeting between the two. From here until Jonathan’s death on the battlefield, there are no more communications. God cuts it off, and David is much more the man of God for it.

Are there some things that God needs to purge from your life? Or are you a man who continuously compromises with the world? This is why we need to embrace God’s refining in our lives.

Refining Forces Us to Look Up

What happens now is momentous! Let’s read it and then come back for comments.

1 Samuel 23:19–28 KJV 1900

19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? 20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand. 21 And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me. 22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. 23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah. 24 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. 25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. 26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. 27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. 28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.

As you can see, the people of Ziph turn out to be David's real friends. I say that with sarcasm, for they were not his friends. They send word to King Saul that David is hiding nearby. They invite Saul to come and promise to deliver David into his hands. However, Saul is not so sure about their offer. He commends them for having “compassion” on him, but then he desires they give him information before he moves his entire army into the area. Saul’s request speaks more to David’s ability to outwit and outthink Saul. Additionally, having more details allowed Saul to prepare his tactics for corning David. Saul has learned that he must sink more time into strategy if he is going to capture David. Meanwhile, as this exchange is happening between Saul and the Ziph elders, David hears and retreats to the wild forests of Maon. David’s situation is growing more desperate. Eventually, David ends up cornered on a mountain in Maon. God now has David and his men in a place where there is only one way to turn: up.

Go with me to Psalm 54.

Note the description of this Psalm.

“A Psalm of David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?”

Thus, this Psalm was written sometime during this whole event. I believe David penned it while sitting on the side of the mountain with nowhere to escape. David was about to be captured. Now, with that in mind, let’s read what David wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 54 KJV 1900

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? 1 Save me, O God, by thy name, And judge me by thy strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers are risen up against me, And oppressors seek after my soul: They have not set God before them. Selah. 4 Behold, God is mine helper: The Lord is with them that uphold my soul. 5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: Cut them off in thy truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good. 7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: And mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

What do we learn from this Psalm and these events? God’s refining process resulted in David looking to God for salvation and help.

Psalm 54:1 KJV 1900

1 Save me, O God, by thy name, And judge me by thy strength.

David wasted no time. He was in a pickle, and there was no way out. So, what does he do? He gets straight to the point - “Save me, O God.” However, note that David also appeals to God based on God’s name. We must never forget that God is one of many perfect attributes, and one of His beautiful attributes is righteousness. Thus, David says, “judge me by thy strength.” In other words, God, you judge who I am and my sincerity to follow you. What a reminder to us that we must be sincere about letting God’s refining process work in our lives and not just simply looking for God to bail us out of another jam.

Psalm 54:2 KJV 1900

2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth.

One of the great things about God is that He is always near and willing to hear His people's sincere pleas. We must immediately turn to Him for our strength in every moment of need. We must go to Him and request that He help us.

Jeremiah 33:3 KJV 1900

3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Psalm 54:3 KJV 1900

3 For strangers are risen up against me, And oppressors seek after my soul: They have not set God before them. Selah.

By the way, this psalm is divided by the word “Selah.” The first half is David’s plea for God to intervene. This demonstrates David's acknowledgment of the refining process and his willingness to let God work in his life. The second half takes a different tone. Now, we see a man confident that God will answer and notes how God answers.

Psalm 54:4–7 KJV 1900

4 Behold, God is mine helper: The Lord is with them that uphold my soul. 5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: Cut them off in thy truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good. 7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: And mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

Note David’s confidence. God IS my helper. The Lord IS with me and WILL uphold my soul. God WILL reward evil unto my enemies. God WILL cut them off. Thus, David’s confidence turns into praise. Verse 7 then reveals God’s answer and deliverance—“he HATH DELIVERED me out of all trouble.”

How did God answer?

1 Samuel 23:27–29 KJV 1900

27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. 28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth. 29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at En-gedi.

God always answers in mysterious ways! I have learned that God never answers how I think He should or will. It is one of the reasons why I try my best to provide what I believe should be the answer and just let God answer. In this instance, God answered David’s prayer through Israel’s greatest enemy, the Philistines. He moved the Philistines to invade some of Saul’s territory, forcing Saul to turn his attention to them and move away from David. Thus, God delivered David and his men without one swing of the sword or the firing of an arrow.

What does it all mean?

It means that God allows circumstances into our lives to refine us. He is constantly using such things to mold us and make us into men of God. We must recognize this process. If we do, it makes things much easier mentally and spiritually when we trust what God is doing. For example, when I know that God is using circumstances and people to refine me, I do not need to lash out against them or seek revenge against them. I accept that God is molding me in every situation, good or bad. My simple responsibility throughout the process is to obey His commands (not seek vengeance, do good them to that spitefully use me) and trust whatever answer He has for me in delivering me from such things.

The promise from God is that does hear and answer the prayer of the faithful man of God!