Developing a heart for God

The path of spiritual growth is seldom easy (1 Samuel 22:1-5)

Explanation: David has suffered a series of personal losses, and is now living in a cave. Even though he cannot see the positives, God is going to use this season of his life to grow him. His cave-dwelling days will strengthen his confidence in God, will grow him as a leader, and will prepare him for the struggles in his future.

This is not the training ground one would select if he had a choice, nor would one choose such companions. The text states that David was joined by those “in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul” (). It is hard to imagine the difficulties of meeting the physical needs of 400 men, much less keep them in some type of order. These were outlaws who had fled from Saul’s rule, so they already had a dim outlook on authority. And yet God allowed this type of men to be drawn to David, and God set David as their commander

Illustrate: The Bad News Bears was a collection of misfits and rejects that no one else wanted on their team. (difference: their coach was also a misfit; David was a godly man)

Argument: God has His own methods of developing His people. The path of personal discipleship can look very different for different believers. While the goal is the same: becoming more like Jesus; the path to that goal is not from a cookie cutter mold. There is no single, established path, but some of the features are the same. One of those features is the involvement of difficulty.

God is interested in building character, not just making smooth paths. As one has said, “the conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment, but the making of a saint is the task of a lifetime.”

Application: Ensure you have the right mindset. Accept the hard things as times you can grow in your dependence upon the Master

The one who develops a heart for God will be concerned about others ()

Example: David was not a leader who focused on himself. He was open to opportunities that involved helping others. It would have been easy for David just to focus on himself in that cave. It was not an easy existence, and he had his hands full just keeping order amongst the troops.

However, when David received news that a city of his own people were in distress due to a raid by the Philistines, David was ready to help. As a man of God, David asked God’s direction in this first. Once he got the go ahead from God, he was ready to go. His men, however, were not in favor of going to help out their countrymen.

David and his band were all outlaws and they all knew that Saul was looking for them. Their cave was located somewhere in the wilderness of the hill country and was somewhat hidden. It may not have been the greatest place, but it was safe! Leaving the cave and coming out into the open would expose them to the risk of being discovered. Also, and this was important, the Philistines were an organized fighting force while they were merely bandits in a cave.

Argument: Getting involved in helping others always carries risk. Meeting the needs of others will always involve sacrifice. And there will always be reasons not to help. It is too dangerous; it is too costly; it’s not our problem, etc.

In fact, it is very important to consider who truly had the responsibility to protect the citizens of Keliah. The responsibility was Saul’s, not David’s. Where was Saul? Why wasn’t he protecting his own people from the enemy. Saul had got so obsessed with revenge he could only think of himself, not others. He was willing to expend great efforts in an attempt to kill one man, but he was unwilling to protect an entire town.

Application: We should never get so focused on a singular objective that we fail to see the needs of those around us. While the mission is important, people matter. People matter to God, so they should matter to us!

The one who develops a heart for God will be focused on knowing God’s direction (, , )

Explanation: David did not go off on tangents without giving consideration to the will of God. When David heard the news of the raiding Philistines, his first move was to check with God (v. 2). When he advanced the idea of fighting the Philistines to help the Keliahites, and his men were against it, David went back and consulted with God again (v. 4).

David was able to motivate his followers to go with him because he himself was following God. And once David and his men were successful and enjoying to spoils of war (v.5), David once again is seen consulting God. Somehow, he gets wind of Saul’s plan to trap him and his men in a gated city so he turns to God for direction (vv. 9-12). Once God gives discernment about the future, David makes his plans accordingly and leaves the city with him men and returns to the wilderness.

Illustrate: Harper’s Ferry? The arsenal was easily taken by an invading force. They stayed at Harper’s Ferry and were in turn surrounded by the enemy because the place was not easily defensible.

Argument: David was successful because he wasn’t just acting on a whim. His priority was to know the Will of God and then to act. We must understand this is crucial for spiritual growth. If we do not spend time with God; if we fail to hear His voice, we will simply be re-arranging deck furniture on the Titanic.

Application: Jesus was serious when He told us that we cannot do anything of Eternal value apart from Him (). Jesus gave us the example with His own life. He declared that He wasn’t focused on doing His own thing, but that He did those things that He saw the Father doing (). The One who has a desire to develop a heart for God will want to spend time with God.

The one who develops a heart for God will learn to trust God, not his fellow man (1 Sam 23:12-14)

Explanation: The life of David is filled with twists and turns, and this incident includes one. David and his men had left the safety of their strong hold to save the residents of Keliah. They had gone up against a superior force and had been victorious. What a great day for all concerned!! A win - win!

Imagine what it must have felt like when David found out that the residents of this town were capable of turning him over to Saul. When David heard that Saul was on the way, he consulted with God and discovered that the townspeople would give him and his men up if they remained. What a disappointing blow that must have been. What ingratitude.

David shows no mean streak and he doesn’t respond with spiteful actions. Once again, he responds with dignity and compassion. He had come to save the residents, and even though God told him the residents could not be counted on, David simply rounded up his men and headed out.

This is important when you consider the caliber of David’s men. Remember these were the outcasts, the disgruntled, the dregs of society. They probably wanted to teach the Keliahites a lesson, and if David had given these 600 roughians a free rein they would have probably torn up the town on the way out!

Argument: David found his trust in God. His fellow man was capable of letting him down, but he just focused on following God. God is the only One who will never disappoint. As much as you want to believe a fellow believer will never let you down, it will happen. There is not a single person who was ever created with ability to satisfy all the needs of another. When we get off track and put that level of trust in others, we are setting ourselves up for failure.

And before we treat the Keliahites too harshly, let’s remember that they had an insane man for a king. Saul had just proven the extremes of which he was capable in his hunt for David. When Saul discovered that the priest Ahimelech had given David bread and a sword, he had all of the priests slaughtered in cold blood (). Saul killed 85 of the priests, theirs wives and children and their animals (vv. 18-19). The Keliahites knew that if they attempted to give David safe harbor Saul would slaughter them as well.

Application: Trust fully in God, and hope for the best with your fellow man. But also remember that we are all frail in our faith, and often we are the ones who disappoint others who are trusting in God. Have we always been willing to stand for God, regardless of the cost? Be quick to forgive the short-comings of others.

A godly leader keeps his guard up and does not let success go to his head ,,,,

A godly leader accepts the short-comings of his fellow man (1 Sam 23:12-14)