Perseverance: David
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1 Samuel 23:15-29
1 Samuel 23:15-29
How many of us today have persevered through difficult times? When the enemy is attacking, where do we run to? What is perseverance? Merriam-Webster defines perseverance as “Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” Standing steadfast during impossible trials. Can we say that Gateway has persevered through difficult trials over the past? What about the last year? Jenefer and I had to endure our trials and had to persevere. Do you think God did not have a plan for each of us?
How did we get through these times? We rose and moved forward, trusting God in His promise to never leave us or forsake us. We lean into prayer and start seeing as God intended us to. Perseverance is not something we do alone; it is a corporate discipline in prayer. It is evoking our Father to help us. It is asking for help because we need His strength to carry on. How does our Father help us? He sends a brother or sister to our aid. But we also had someone God sent to us to encourage us. Perseverance is also allowing God to be the avenger. In this chapter, we read how Saul chases David because he fears losing the Kingdom and His legacy. We talked about legacy, which begins and ends with Christ. Saul was selfish and self-centered.
Our discussions about David's cleverness or bravery should be consistent with the central theme of this chapter. It's not about David’s courage but Yahweh’s adequacy in David’s weakness, a concept that should fill us with awe and reverence. It's not our strength that matters, but God's strength in our weakness. This truth should remind us of our complete reliance on God's strength.Understanding:
Prayer, as a conduit of divine understanding, is the key to perseverance. David's prayer life was not just a ritual but a means to gain profound insights revealed by the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word for 'saw' is ךאח (raah), which encompasses the meanings of 'see, understand, spy, expose, examine '. This understanding, gained through prayer, empowered David to persevere while being pursued by Saul. David had an inside track that God had given him in Jonathan, Saul’s son. Obedient to God, Jonathan went to him to strengthen or encourage him. This understanding, gained through prayer, was the source of David's perseverance.
Encouragement:
Encouragement:
Prayer and perseverance lead to God's sending encouragement. This can be done through Him encouraging your heart or using our brothers and sisters to speak encouraging words. Jesus taught us what to do before we begin something or when we are going against the enemy; He prayed and fasted for 40 days. Matthew 4:2
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
This is a powerful example of how prayer and perseverance can lead to God's encouragement, which can come in various forms, including the uplifting words of our fellow believers.
Jonathan went against his father to obey God and help his friend. Jonathan knew that David would be King of Israel, and that was what God wanted. Jonathan showed courage and trust in God’s plans over his father and his own. Jonathan was more concerned about God’s way for the people than his agenda. He brought strength and encouragement to David.
David's prayer life kept him from digressing in the face of adversity. Instead, God would send people to encourage and strengthen him. They would remind him of God’s promise, which allowed David to call out these promises He received from God.
Side note: This would be the last time David and Jonathan would meet before Jonathan was killed in battle. Jonathan’s last act for David was reassuring and encouraging him to hold fast to God’s truth. We, too, can be like Jonathan, allowing God to use us to encourage one another. Isaiah 35:3; 43:13 and Proverbs 12:25
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?”
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Jonathan reminded David of God's promise. David did not need to worry about Saul because his Protector was God the Father. God is his protector, refugee, and rock, which he could stand on. Seven reasons for encouragement for us are:
1. Blessing in the Journey of Life: Genesis 26:24
And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.”
2. Supplies for Famine: 1 Kings 17:13
And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.
3. Protection in Peril: 2 Kings 6:16
He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
4. Strength in Weakness: Isaiah 41:10
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
5. Companion in Trial: Isaiah 43:1
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
6. Overshadowing Care: Luke 12:32
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
7. Life Beyond the Grave: Revelation 1:17
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,
Covenant:
Covenant:
David and Jonathan made a covenant with themselves before the Lord. A covenant is a sacred kinship bond between two parties ratified by swearing an oath. These two were aware of covenants because they had had them in the past and were honored. 1 Samuel 20:8
Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?”
When we make a covenant, we are committing ourselves to fulfilling it. God has made covenants with His people called by His Name. God’s covenant and commitment are everlasting with His people. Think of the covenant with Abraham to make him a father of many nations, with David to have his throne forever (done with Jesus).
Protection:
Protection:
David persevered through understanding, encouragement, covenants (commitments) with trusted friends, and God’s protection. God’s protection of His people has made them persevere through the harshest treatments this world has ever known. Saul was in pursuit of David but could never overtake him. Why? Because God’s protection was on him. When we devote ourselves to faithfulness and obedience, following God’s will, He will be a hedge of protection around us so that nobody or any enemy can harm us. David knew this. You may ask how David knew this.
Listen to his prayer to the Lord for protection. David knew if he asked, God would deliver. That is a life committed to prayer, fasting, and devotion to scripture. Psalm 54
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “Is not David hiding among us?” O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might. O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them. With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
Commitment
Commitment
I want to ask you something. What is holding you back from committing to God and each other? I am going to ask you in a moment to come forward if you are willing to commit to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit leading this church, to each other, holding one another up, and lastly, to find your place here so we can prepare ourselves for the blessing God has for those who are called by His Name. I also want us to pray that God pay off this debt by June 15, 2025. We will pray like it depends on Him and work like it depends on us.