1st Samuel 16:14-23 PROVIDE A MAN There is often more than depression that brings highs and lows to a person who lives by the sudden impulses of the fleshly nature. Such people may be affected more by the circumstances of life that by the guidance of God through them. If everything is favorable to them, they seem happy and positive. When things are difficult, they have a negative, critical attitude and are angry about the events around them and sometimes toward people when there is no cause for that anger. Some of the reactions may be similar to that of Saul who when he had not been willing to act under divine authority, had removed from him by God the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit. In its place God allowed an evil spirit to torment him. Like some people today, when he got upset, he started throwing things.
There is judgment for disobedience and there are consequences to unwillingness to submit to God or to those who do not even believe God is real. There is a darkness in the spirit of those who are dead in trespasses and sins that is not lifted by psychoanalysis or attempts at rehabilitation by human endeavor. The calming influence of music does work temporarily if it is soothing rather than raucous tones that are not much more than organized noise. Noise can agitate and aggravate a dejected person to the place where they have to flee for solitude to try and find peace. Saul found temporary relief when David played skillfully on his harp and probably sang some of the psalms and spiritual songs he wrote.
Saul was anxious that a man be provided to bring peace to his troubled soul. Even in this extremity of frustration he did not seek for the Lord nor call upon His name. The ending of this king's life and reign is an account of the deterioration of his mind, the despair that settled over his soul and the agitation that came upon his spirit. The downward course of a life is usually impossible to stop unless one faces honestly the problem of their guilt and the sin that causes it. Repentance toward God is where one must start if there is going to be a lasting solution found for the problem. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not just wishful thinking, but a wholehearted trust in Him alone to meet our need.
On the bright side of this historical account there comes into the picture David, the man after God's own heart. Much of what we know of David is very positive. He was a faithful shepherd who could be trusted to care for the sheep of his father. Wherever he was he seemed to be able to make melody in his hear unto the Lord. It seemed like in whatever situation he was found; he could write a meaningful poem. Some of the ones he wrote were up-lifting and some were words of despair. He could put into words the thoughts that were in his heart. Even today people read his writings to find comfort and understanding in the circumstances in which they are found. As a mighty warrior who is most noted for his defeat of Goliath under the strength of the Lord, he made it plain that it was in the Lord alone he had placed his trust. When he became king over Israel after fifteen years of waiting and wandering, he opened ip the golden age of Israel's history. All of this is found in the biblical account of David's history.
However, David was not a perfect man. The same Holy Spirit who moved the pen of the writer to give the positive things about David, also moved the pen to write about his failures. He was a betrayer. a liar, an adulterer and even a murderer. All of these failures including being that of father who did not do a good job of parenting, did not change him from one who had unshakable belief in the faithfulness of God. He knew God to be a forgiving God and he was quick to confess his sins.
By nature, we seem to want to avoid the consequences of sin by trying to hide behind dishonesty, or in some other way excuse ourselves from facing sin, rather than confessing our sin to God and experiencing His forgiveness. Wise people learn from their mistakes and failure and the consequences that follow. We learn from Saul the failure of the flesh. We learn from David the remedy for sin. In the life of David, we see the outworking of God's grace. The Holy Spirit left Saul but returned with David. It is the Spirit of God who makes us conscious of sin. We need to be willing to honestly admit to, and confess, our sin. Even though forgiveness does not remove the consequences of sin, it brings us back into fellowship with God who we trust completely and that leads us to worship Him in faith.
A number of people loved David, usually each for different reasons. Saul loved him for what he got from him. Jonathan loved him and would do anything for him, but would not commit himself to following David. Michel would risk her life for David but not her pride of place. The only one who loved him for who he was, was Mephibosheth. He owed everything to David and was willing to surrender all to him.
One of Saul's servants aptly described David. "Cunning in playing" indicates David was not satisfied with being mediocre about even the small things in life. "A mighty valiant man" reveals the fact that he was known for his bravery. "A man of war" is a person who has been trained well and know what needs to be done and how to do it. "Perfect in speech" is a testimony to the fact that he was articulate, could speak well and could say what needed to be said. "A comely person" is one who knows who he is and yet does not take pride in that over which he has no control. Above all of these personal attributes is the fact that it was known to others that "the Lord was with him." These are about the finest descriptions of a person for which one could hope.
Saul wanted him to come to be with him, and he was willing to go, but not without gifts. "A man's gift maketh room for him." He had experienced God in his life personally and secretly. Now he was called upon to go public with all he knew of God, and he did it in a way that could hardly be refused. He testified in "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs." Heavenly music rises well above all the noise and clamor of earth and the storms of life. When we find ourselves in times of tumult and tension, we should "Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice." To know how to pass on truth effectively and appropriately takes wisdom and discernment on our part. It is always wise to think about what is the best way to approach difficult people and circumstance before we say anything or act in haste.
A MAN What do we need when we are uncertain about life?
What do we need when all around us is strife? What do we need when our burdens are hard to bear? What do we need when in our grief no one is there? We need the Man who God provides.
When things seem to have gone completely out of control When there is nothing around that brings peace to our soul When we're personally "finished" and yet there's more work to be done When we call but there is no one who is willing to come. We need the Man who God provides.
When people seek to change truth into convenient lies And nothing works in spite of everything one tries When lawlessness seems to daily be winning over grace And fearfulness invades people in every place We need the Man who God provides.
When our prayers rise heavenward to the grace-throne on high And we find that it is only on God's promises we can rely When the harvest is ripe and more laborers are needed to gather And the present seems to stretch out forever and ever. We need the Man who God provides.
"Father, as an intercessor on behalf of Thy people here, and in every place where we know the present need - by Thy grace silence the voices that demands their way ; bring peace to those who are troubled by family strife; give a calm spirit to those who are suffering ; give comfort to those who are grieving. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."