KEY VERSE
“And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him.”
1 SAMUEL 18:14-15
Read 1 Samuel 19:9-10
“The king just tried to kill me… And not in secret or through the hands of another. No, he literally tried to kill me in front of everyone!” I can only image what thoughts must have rushed through David’s mind as he fled for his very life after King Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear (1 Samuel 19:10). David didn’t do anything wrong. In actual fact, he was busy in the service of Saul, playing gentle and soothing music on his lyre. David’s behaviour did not warrant Saul’s aggressive attempt on his life.
We tend to think that when God is with us, no evil will befall us. Surely if we are with God and God is with us, that means that nothing bad should happen to us. But I want you to note that even though 1 Samuel 18 shows that the Lord was with David, it didn’t guarantee the lack of trouble. The assurance we have as sons and daughters of God is not the absence of evil, pain, suffering, or strife, but rather that God will be with us through all these seasons of our life. God was with David as Saul tried to take his life, not once but twice!
Think in this moment of David’s conviction in his beautiful psalm, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). David knew that he could lean on the Lord through the tough times of his life because he knew God as a faithful God and a good Father.
Jesus, on one occasion, said the following, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Do you see what Jesus says? In this world, you will see trouble. Things will go wrong. At times, negative circumstances beyond your control will meet you. In this life, you will not escape disappointment, hurt, trials and troubles. Often at the hands of others, sometimes, as a result of personal decisions and life choices. However, Jesus makes it clear that in Him we will have peace. Peace regardless of what life may throw at us.
Like David, take heart.
In Jesus, you will overcome. After all, in Christ we are, “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
Author: Rousseau Moss - Elder, Living Hope Church, Isle of Man