THINGS THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE
We’ve been discussing the things that made a difference in David’s life. What made David choose perseverance in adversity? Why was David so trusting and obedient during his times on the run from Saul? He didn’t get discouraged. David never thought of quitting or giving up. He just kept on confronting each of the situations God gave him. Why was he able to persevere in such adversity?
This past month has been a lot like David’s life for me. It does seem like I’ve been running from my own Saul’s. If you are in the same place, perhaps we would all benefit to know what made the difference for David. We are in the month of Cheshvan. It always means trusting God for the ability to keep moving through the dark places. He is there, we just can’t always see Him.
David believed God. When you believe, the whole picture of life changes. It is easier to trust that God will work out the right solution for whatever stage of life in which you are standing. The choice of perseverance in adversity seems to be the only answer.
BELIEVE
Many have stated the obvious and very simple facts. Either it comes down to believing in God or not believing in God. He is God and we are not. It is that simple, yet that complicated for most humans to translate this concept into action. If you want to do life your way, go ahead. As for me and my house, we are going to trust the One who knows the end from the beginning.
Saul knew David believed and trusted God. He knew this type of faith was what David had that he was lacking.
Little did David know the day that he took Saul’s spear when Saul admitted David was right and Saul was wrong, turned out to be the last time that David saw Saul alive. David had loved Saul to the best of his human ability. He could take comfort from the fact that he did all he knew to restore their friendship. They did not die enemies. Their last parting was good.
Many scriptures come to mind here. First I think of Psalms 29:14: The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
THE HARD WAY OR THE EASY WAY
When you truly love your enemies you are constantly seeking restoration. The easy path is just to avoid confrontations and run in the other direction each time your enemy approaches. Godly confrontations delivered with love and compassion usually work out better if you have the perspective of eternity in mind.
David could be relieved that he obeyed God, loved Saul, parted well at the end and did not take matters into his own hands. All of this had been tough and hard. It was never easy, but he had managed with God’s help to achieve the desired actions. David had done what he could do to bring Saul’s spirit back into alignment with God. The rest was up to Saul himself.
The New Testament words of Romans 12:17 – 21 had not yet been published, but the God who gave them to the author for these scriptures also shared them to David long ahead of their publication. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
A LIST THAT HEALS
If you wish to do something to reconcile with your enemies, make a list of those you need to speak to. Have an honest conversation that shows your love and compassion for them. Seek to restore those damaged relationships. Be like David. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Be the peacemaker.
Make a “before” list of your enemies then pray first. Ask God to help you to eliminate the list so that when you look at your “after” list later, you can take comfort in the fact that you did all within your power to reconcile with your enemies.
Can you imagine the peace David felt in his heart that last time that he walked away from Saul? It must have been well worth the risks involved. Saul had actually called him “son” again. That must have meant a lot to David. Perhaps it healed some wounds that needed to be healed for both men.
IN THE WAITING
David wasn’t sure how long this reprieve from Saul was going to last. He took his wives and six hundred of his men with their families and moved to Gath. As it turned out, Saul knew where he was but had decided to stop the pursuit. The Philistine King allowed David to stay in the land he ruled. David had managed to find peace with both Kings.
A time came when David had a conversation with King Achish and asked for his own property for his own men. Achish gave Ziklag to David. Ziklag has belonged to the Kings of Judah ever since. The word “Ziklag” is a Hebrew root verb meaning to “press someone or something to reveal what is inside.” The crushing of grapes comes to mind when I think of Ziklag. If you crush enough grapes, eventually you will have good wine. Here again, we see David’s perseverance in adversity.
TIMES OF CRUSHING
David was going through a time of crushing too. His true character was being revealed by God to the nations he traveled through. From Ziklag, David raided the towns of the northern Negev, suffered attacks from the Amalekites, and restored great wealth to the people of Judah (1 Samuel 27–30). All of these ancient peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt. Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to King Achish. For the next year and four months David dwelt there with his family and his men.
When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?” David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.” He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’”
This became the practice of David and his Mighty Men when they lived in the Philistine territory. King Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.”
Apparently King Achish had not heard the plans that God had for David. Time was unfolding just as it should. The day was coming for David to become King of Israel. In the meantime, the world was none the wiser.