1 Samuel? ?27:1-7? ?
“And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand. And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath. And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife. And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him. And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee? Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day. And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.”
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Then over to chapter 28:1
“And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.”
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?Then finally over to chapter 29:11
“So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.”
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1. In 1 Sam. Chapters 27-29 we see David in a way we can’t imagine As David turns from Israel against the Israelites & not only joins the philistines but actually rises in the ranks & finds favor in the king if Gath where he remains for about a year & a half
2. These are without a doubt David’s Darkest days, during this time period he writes no Psalms, we are not told of any good that David does
3. It’s like David has been sucked into a dark black hole why? What happened? What went wrong?
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1. Well there’s a number of things I want to note, a few lessons that we can learn from this time period in David’s life
2. First the best of men are still just men at best!!
3. I think everyone would agree & include David as one of the best to have ever walked a true hero of our faith the giant slayer the harp player the shepherd boy the writer of some of the most beautiful words of praise ever written by human hands
4. But we need to remember he is still just a man at best the scripture says there is not one righteous.... we all like sheep.... for all have sinned.... our righteousness is like filthy...
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1. We often put mere men on pedestals like they are at the level of God but they are not even close
2. We talk about Noah the one who found Grace in the eyes of the Lord built a boat in a land that had never before seen rain simply because God told him to now that’s faith, the preacher of righteousness Peter calls him but we forget the party he had so wild he passed out naked on the ground
3. We talk about Abraham the friend of God who believed God & it was counted to him as righteousness the one who left everything he had & went in search of a city with foundations who’s builder & maker is God the one who was willing to sacrifice the sin he had waited on for many years again that’s great faith but we often forget The Hagar moments or the lies he had his wife tell & that he told as well
4. We think of Peter the best friend of Jesus the leader of the early church the bold & brave Peter that also denied even knowing Jesus & then on the mount of transfiguration suggested building three temples instead of just one
5. Listen there is only one Jesus “hear ye him” follow him only, put your hope in him alone
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1. Second often after a spiritual high comes an emotional low
2. In chapter 26 David has just experienced a mountain top moment in not killing Saul the anointed of God & he left there feeling good only to fall right into the chapters we just read
3. I have come out of Revivals feeling like I was above cloud 9 only to run straight into a brick wall where everything starts to go wrong
4. I think of Elijah up on mount Carmel calling down fire I love that story expound but what happens next he’s running for his life from Jezabbel where he ends up in a cave saying to the Lord just kill me now I want to die
5. I think of Moses who had 40 days on the mountain with the Lord receiving the Ten Commandments only to come down & see the people dancing around a golden calf & he breaks the Ten Commandments
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1. Listen up the apostle Paul tells us “be careful when ye think ye stand lest ye fall” basically watch out when you think you’ve arrived because that’s when Satan is going to hit you the hardest
2. Again keep your eyes upon Jesus
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1. Thirdly long battles produce ugly bruises
2. David has been in a very hard battle for years now & it’s really starting to take a toll
3. Listen this Christian life is hard I’ve often said this Christian life us the hardest.....
4. If we take our eyes off of Jesus for just a second that’s when we will fall
5. I can’t even walk without....
6. Sometimes we just need to sit down or better yet kneel down & have a little talk with Jesus, go to the well so to speak & get refreshed & revived
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1. Fourthly tribulations can tempt us to change locations
2. David basically said I’m out of here I’m tired of Saul chasing me down when I haven’t done anything but be nice to him if that’s how it’s going to be in Israel I’m just going to change sides
3. How many times have you heard someone say if that’s how Christians act then I don’t want anything to do with them
4. People mess up a church a denomination an organization messes up & in return someone walks away from the Lord Why? That just doesn’t make sense but it happens in fact it happened with me explain
5. I want you to hear me sometimes the enemy will use God’s people or @ least situations that happens with God’s people to try & convince others to walk away from the Lord
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1. It was the Jews who demanded pilate to crucify Jesus & John Wesley was kicked out of every church in England
2. I’ve said it many times people will let you down religion will let you down but a relationship with Jesus never will
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1. Fifthy the heart of every matter is really a matter of the heart
2. In that first verse I read it says that “David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul”
3. Listen God has already promised David would be king but now David in his heart is doubting or not trusting the promises of God
4. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us
5. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
6. ??then proverbs Proverbs? ?14:12? ?Says
7. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
8. Listen I’ve said many times if Gods word says do it.... & you can’t stop prophecy don’t wonder don’t question don’t doubt just trust & obey
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1. I really believe we are living in the days where things are going to get scary & it will be tempting to give in or give up but we must know that Gods word is true & his promises are for sure
2. We’ve got to know that in our heart & believe it with everything we’ve got
3. Let me ask you where is your heart at that’s what it all comes down to
4. Scripture tells us that “where our treasure is there will your heart be Also”
5. So maybe a better question might be where is your treasure at
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1. I have a song to sing & as I do this altar is open for whoever & whatever maybe it’s sins that need taken care of maybe it’s for needed strength maybe it’s just to tell Jesus you love him whatever the case might be just be obedient to the Holy Spirit
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1 I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands.
I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand
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Chorus:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
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2 I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.
I'd rather be true to His holy name [Chorus]
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Chorus:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
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3 He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs.
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead [Chorus]
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Chorus:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
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