SAM14x - Following Man

1 Samuel 17:13–20 KJV 1900

And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Beth-lehem. And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

The three eldest followed Saul

But David returned to feed his father’s sheep

For 40 days, David’s 3 older brothers were on the battlefield with Saul

While David walked the fields with his sheep

David was supposed to be the next king

Shouldn’t he be in battle?

Why is he alone in the fields?

This seems odd, but I believe it was according to God’s plan

Too often we are busy following man

And we do not take time alone with God

Older brothers followed man

Saul was their king and leader

But a man out of God’s will!

God had separated from Saul

But these men were following him

To battle or wherever

Let’s look at what these men accomplished in those 40 days:

They stood around watching Goliath curse God

They did not fight

They grew in fear and

They became used to the enemies of God

And their sin

And dishonoring the Lord

Psalm 101:3 KJV 1900

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

When we sit and watch wickedness and do nothing

We become used to it - Normal(chaltikaa)

We are not sensitive(sanvedan-shil)

1 Timothy 4:1–2 KJV 1900

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Our conscience(anta-karan) becomes seared

This is the danger of watching TV

Not just naked people(naa’ge) and adultery

Cursing and bad language

Talking(hasyaauli) and joking(ThaTTaa) about sexual sin

We lose sensitivity

We learn to ignore(upekshya) the Holy Spirit

Dangerous thing!

They did nothing!

David went home and continued in obedience

David was faithful to the work he was given

Watching the sheep

Carrying food to the brothers

Many may thing this is boring

But God calls us to faithfulness

Not excitement(uttejanaa)

Not noise

Not bright colors

Maybe David was wondering what he was missing?

But let’s look at what David accomplished in those 40 days:

Praised the Lord

Practiced with his sling

Opportunity to grow in faith

Opportunity to grow closer to the Lord

Prepared himself!

And when David came to the battle

He was full of faith

His conscience(anta-karan)( was sensitive and strong!

He was ready to obey the Lord

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Who do we follow for:

Example

Correction

Direction(dishaa)

Wisdom

Vision(darshan)

Encouragement(prot-sahit)

When we follow man:

(Pastor, teacher, boss, co-worker, politicians, bosses)

When we spend all our time with man

We learn from man

We often grow in doubt and uncertainty(anischitataa)

We start to listen more to man and his opinions

When we spend time with God:

We grow in faith

We grow in obedience

We grow in knowledge of God and His will

2 Peter 3:18 KJV 1900

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

We can hear him more easily

We grow in readiness(tayaari) and willingness(raaji-khushi) to obey

2 Peter 3:8 KJV 1900

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

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Stop following man!