Living by Faith In the Valley of the Shadow of Death

David’s sin

Guided Run

2 layers

In the valley of the shadow of death, we need to see opportunities to act within God’s sovereign love and we need to look to the reward of following the king well.

When evil ascends: Opportunities to Act inside God’s Sovereign Love

Ittai - Loyalty from a Gentile

The person who’s all in even when you don’t expect it or deserve it. Who are the people you are grateful for?

Priests - Trust in God not the Ark but a messenger system in place

The person who says you can’t lose if… Who are the people you need to redirect their perspective? Who need to see what you’re trusting in?

Hushai - Answered prayer about Ahithophel

Finding someone willing to serve in a difficult position as an answer to prayer

Ziba - Dealing with Betrayal - Maybe too quickly

Uses the opportunity for personal advancement by doing something that doesn’t cost him much

Seeks personal advancement by maligning someone else

Shimei - Dealing with Conspiracy and Hatred

The conspiracy theorist who’s conspiracy theories are confirmed (in his mind)

Who’s the person saying God hates you and here’s proof…?

Abishai -

Let’s take revenge… get rid of those we can

Barzillai et al. -

Generosity

God’s Sovereign Providence with Ahithophel

We are sons and daughters of the King. We also need to act even in difficult times depending on God’s sovereign love.

When the King returns: Looking to Rewards

Shimei - Has to sue for peace..no reward

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 ESV

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Ziba and Mephibosheth - Loyalty vs. Justice

Injustice dealt with loyally gives it own reward of displaying loyalty when weak

1 Corinthians 6:1–7 ESV

1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

2 Timothy 4:7–8 ESV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Barzillai - Contentment and Blessing

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 ESV

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

How will you help someone else cross the line?

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ittai vs. Israelites - Don’t argue about how loyal you are… Take up your cross and follow Him.

What will you do with Jesus?