Patrick and I were blessed on Sunday to once again hear Joshua Harris preach at Covenant Life Church The sermon, entitled "David: Praising God in a Cave," revolved around King David's time in the caves during the season of his life when Saul tried to kill him. (1 Samuel 21:10-22:4)
I was a little distracted for parts of the service because Natalie was really wiggly and extremely chatty (side note: it's really difficult to keep a child from squirming and talking during church when everyone around you is furtively waving and making faces at her . . .), but the main gist of the message really struck home.
Christians are going to suffer. We all go through trials and tribulations, we all face the Valley of the Shadow of Death. How do we react in these times of our lives? How do we react to others as they battle difficulties?
David praised God throughout the lowest points in his life. Gath was the home of Goliath--he was in such danger from Saul that he had to flee to the home of the Philistine over whom he had triumphed in battle shortly before. During this time, David had to pretend to be a mad man in order to escape the wrath of Achish, king of Gath, hide in caves, and bring his parents to Moab to protect them from the pursuit of Saul. As far as things go, it was pretty bad for David. Humiliation and degradation characterize this period of David's history.
Still, he praised God. Read Psalm 57:
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth. Awake! Awake! I will sing and make melody~ I will give thanks to you, O Lord . . . I will sing praises to you . . . For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness is to the clouds.
What an amazing response to God. It wasn't written in a flower filled meadow, it wasn't penned in a lavish palace . . . it was sung in a cave by a wanted man, by a man who didn't know when his troubles would end.
I have had my own share of life-altering sorrows lately, and I was convicted once more of the need to continue to praise God through all things. You may be facing grave illness or the loss of a loved one or even a job. Perhaps it would seem that life is not being kind to you at the moment. Seek the Lord. He will never give us more than we can handle and He is there to bear our burdens and to comfort our grief and to heal our pain.
Josh Harris pointed out that we may not know when or if a certain trial will end. Do not let that rob you of your joy. David knew that, despite his current circumstances, he would eventually be king. If we trust in the power of Christ's blood, we also will rule in glory with the King. Look forward to the glory to come. Accept life's sorrows but do not wallow in them. Keep your eyes on the prize--eternal life with one Awesome God.
The sermon can be heard here.
I was a little distracted for parts of the service because Natalie was really wiggly and extremely chatty (side note: it's really difficult to keep a child from squirming and talking during church when everyone around you is furtively waving and making faces at her . . .), but the main gist of the message really struck home.
Christians are going to suffer. We all go through trials and tribulations, we all face the Valley of the Shadow of Death. How do we react in these times of our lives? How do we react to others as they battle difficulties?
David praised God throughout the lowest points in his life. Gath was the home of Goliath--he was in such danger from Saul that he had to flee to the home of the Philistine over whom he had triumphed in battle shortly before. During this time, David had to pretend to be a mad man in order to escape the wrath of Achish, king of Gath, hide in caves, and bring his parents to Moab to protect them from the pursuit of Saul. As far as things go, it was pretty bad for David. Humiliation and degradation characterize this period of David's history.
Still, he praised God. Read Psalm 57:
Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth
To the choirmaster: according to iDo Not Destroy. A jMiktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in kthe cave.
for in you my soul mtakes refuge;
in nthe shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
otill the storms of destruction pass by.
to God who pfulfills his purpose for me.
he will put to shame rhim who tramples on me. Selah
the children of man, whose vteeth are spears and arrows,
whose wtongues are sharp swords.
my soul was zbowed down.
They adug a pit in my way,
Awake, fO harp and lyre!
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth. Awake! Awake! I will sing and make melody~ I will give thanks to you, O Lord . . . I will sing praises to you . . . For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness is to the clouds.
What an amazing response to God. It wasn't written in a flower filled meadow, it wasn't penned in a lavish palace . . . it was sung in a cave by a wanted man, by a man who didn't know when his troubles would end.
I have had my own share of life-altering sorrows lately, and I was convicted once more of the need to continue to praise God through all things. You may be facing grave illness or the loss of a loved one or even a job. Perhaps it would seem that life is not being kind to you at the moment. Seek the Lord. He will never give us more than we can handle and He is there to bear our burdens and to comfort our grief and to heal our pain.
Josh Harris pointed out that we may not know when or if a certain trial will end. Do not let that rob you of your joy. David knew that, despite his current circumstances, he would eventually be king. If we trust in the power of Christ's blood, we also will rule in glory with the King. Look forward to the glory to come. Accept life's sorrows but do not wallow in them. Keep your eyes on the prize--eternal life with one Awesome God.
The sermon can be heard here.
1 comment:
Thank you. Your words and thoughts have ministered to me and probably many others. It amazes me that you find the time to write but am very glad you do.
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