Perhaps you are wondering, ’Why it is that your Service always seems to SET YOU UP?’ I don’t know, but I’m Speculating. I’m not sure, but its possible that you might be puzzled as to Why your SERVICE ultimately SET YOU UP for FAILURE?
I can’t be absolutely certain, I have a sneaking suspicion that you might not understand Why your SERVICE eventually SETS YOU UP for FRUSTRATION? It might be just conjecture on my part, but I feel that you might not be able to fathom Why your SERVICE seems, in the final analysis, to SET YOU UP for FORFEITURE? I don’t know for sure, I’m just Speculating!!
But if my CONJECTURE is CONSISTENT with your CONVICTION, then perhaps you’ll CONCUR with my CONCLUSION. You can’t explain it, but to you MY CONJECTURE IS YOUR REALITY. Your SERVICE does in fact SET YOU UP! And up till now, you haven’t been able to perceive clearly WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT! IT IS A fact THAT You have been SET UP for FAILURE, FRUSTRATION and the FORFEITURE of all that which you have FORCLOSED! In practice, your FAITH has FAILED to FUNCTION in the FACE of SET UPS. YOU JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN SEATS BECOME SET UPS.
Thus, our Text becomes a Light in Darkness to you; a Hand to grasp while groping: for it FURNISHES YOUR FAITH FEASIBILITY. It demonstrates WHAT TO DO WHEN SEATS BECOME SET UPS.
Our Text also serves a High Purpose. It Fingers a Fact that transcends our noblest fancy. It raises our Hope to comprehend the truth that WHEN PEOPLE SET US UP, THERE IS A HIGHER SETUP: GOD HAS A SET UP FOR SERVANT SERVICE.
It is not my intention to be overly simplistic with complex truths; but just allow me to simply state a well-known Biblical Proposition. ALL SAINTS WHO SERVE THE SOVEREIGN HAVE A SEAT!!!
There is no need, then, for us to continue the futility of singing "Save a Seat for Me." That is doctrinally wrong, theologically perverse and ethically foolish. Nor do we need to concern ourselves with the foreign notion of A SEATING SHORTAGE in the coming Kingdom; for the truth of the matter is: ALL SAINTS WHO SERVE THE SOVEREIGN HAVE A SEAT!!!
Take comfort, then from our Text. The 25th Verse of our Text states very plainly that "DAVID’S PLACE WAS EMPTY"; which implies that DAIVID HAD A PLACE; HE HAD A SEAT!
Our Text also implies that EACH SEAT AT THE KING’S TABLE WAS ASSIGNED. It states that the King had a particular Seat which was By the Wall; that Jonathan the Prince, the king’s son, Had An Assigned Seat next to his father; that Abner, the captain of the king’s army, Had An Assigned Seat at the King’s Table; and that, David, the second in command of the army, Had An Assigned Seat, a Particular Place At the King’s Table. EACH HAD AN ASSIGNED SEAT, A PARTICULAR PLACE!!!
So it is in the Kingdom of God. Despite the density and immensity of the soon gathered number of whom John saw, EVERY SAINT WHO SERVES THE SOVEREIGN HAS A SEAT! None shall need to Stand in the coming Kingdom; FOR THERE IS YET ROOM!!
You need to understand that Salvation by God’s Electing Grace HAS SECURED EACH SAINT A SEAT; and yet, OUR FAITHFUL SERVICE as a result of that grace, SECURES OUR STATIONARY PLACEMENT ON OUR SEAT. Which is another way of saying that, OUR SERVICE DETERMINES HOW CLOSE WE SIT TO THE LORD!!
For it goes without saying that its an Honor to Sit at the King’s Table. On this side of Heaven, that honor is accorded to people of Might, Money and Mind. Several years ago at a Republican Fund Raiser, the Wealthy-Wretched paid over a Hundred Thousand Dollars Each for the privilege to Sit at the President’s Table. You see, the Amount they Contributed Determined How Close They Got to the President! They Sought the Honor of Seats. They Paid for the privilege to Sit With the President!
But in juxtaposed to that, THE PRIVILEGE TOPOSE WITH THE KING OF KINGS IS FAR GREATER: TO SIT AT THE KING’S TABLE IS THE HONOR OF HONORS!! However, it cannot be purchased with Money, nor obtained by Influence. The Good News is, it is the GIFT OF GOD’S GRACIOUS ELECTION. He Foreknows everyone He Calls.
Some Unknown, Unrecognized, Meek and Lowly Saints Have Been Chosen before God founded this world TO SIT AT THE KING’S TABLE. Perhaps, they have had barely enough to eat, scarcely enough to wear and hardly a place in which to live on this side; but in the coming Kingdom, THEY SHALL SIT AT THE KING’S TABLE!
GOD HAS PRE-CHOSEN THE SEATS AND THE SITTERS. For Jesus said to a couple of Seat-Seekers that to sit on His right or left hand was not His to give, but is for those for whom it is Prepared By His Father. None but those who shall be arrayed in Angel’s Garb and Godly Character Shall Sit At The King’s Table. Only Those who are the Called According To God’s Electing Purpose!
So I assert that OUR PLACEMENT IS PREDICATED UPON GOD’S PREFERENCE. DAVID WAS GOD’S CHOICE! NATURAL SELECTION chose a Saul, who stood head and shoulders over the people; but DIVINE ELECTION chose a David, who was small and overlooked. GOD CHOOSES DIFFERENTLY FROM MAN. Man chooses the OBVIOUS but God chooses the ACTUAL. He chooses things Foolish, Weak, Base, Despised and None Existent to bring to nothing things that are. Consequently, not many worldly-wise, not many mighty men, not many noble men are Called.
Thus, Saul was Man’s Choice but DAVID WAS GOD’S CHOICE. The Chooser of the Castaways by-passed conspicuous Jerusalem and came to obscure Bethlehem, to the humble home of Jesse to Claim His Choice. God caused Samuel to pass over ten of Jesse’s sons to get to the youngest called David; for the Lord said to Samuel, "Arise, anoint him: for THIS IS HE."
Not only was David God’s Choice, but DAVID’S SERVICE EVENTUALLY LED TO HIS SEAT. The Service of his earthly father’s sheep (Israel) Led to His Seat at the King’s Table. You remember,David tended faithfully Jesse’s sheep, when there came a Lion and a Bear and took a Lamb out of the flock. And this little shepherd boy went after the Bear, smote him and delivered the Lamb out of his mouth. After which, the Lion arose after David. He caught him by his beard and smote and slew him. This Tender Servant Slew both the Lion and the Bear.
And you remember, when the uncircumcised Philistine, Goliath by name, came against the army of the Lord; this, the Lord’s Choice, took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones out of the brook, put them in his shepherd’s bag, took his sling in his hand, drew near the Philistine in the name of the Lord of Host: He put his hand into his bag, took thence a stone, placed it in his sling, slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth dead. After which, Saul recruited him and made David Captain of the army, and gave him a Place at the King’s Table. Therefore, DAVID’S SERVICE LED TO HIS SEAT AT THE KING’S TABLE.
However, so many of us Want the SEAT WITHOUT THE SERVICE! We want:
the Position without the Preparation;
Kingship without the Bitter Cup and
Bloody Baptism;
the Office without the Offense
the Title without the Tension;
the Praise without the Performance;
the Crown without the Cross;
But, ITS THE SERVICE WHICH LEADS TO THE SEAT!!! Says
Jesus: "To whom that overcometh (Service) will I grant to Sit with Me in My throne" (the Seat). Says Jesus: "Be thou faithful unto Death (service), and I will give thee a crown of life"(the Seat). SERVICE LEADS TO THE SEAT!!!
You ought to stop murmuring and complaining and take the Towel of Service. You ought to leave your Seat to Serve a Cup of Cold Water. Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men. Turn your Pity-Party into Praise-Parties, and Serve the Lord with Gladness; FOR SERVICE LEADS TO THE SEAT!!!
The Script says that David Had A Place at the King’s Table, yet HIS PLACE WAS EMPTY! Although elected of God and Served as a Servant, yet the Script says " DAVID’S PLACE WAS EMPTY.
Now the question that entered my mind was WHY WAS DAVID’S PLACE EMPTY? It bothered me, so I had to ask myself, ’What would cause David to Miss Sitting at the King’s Table? What reason could he give that would justify His absence?’ For this is not an Ordinary Table; This Is The King’s Table!
The King’s Table. The most sumptuous and succulent of sustenance is served at the King’s Table. Superb dry white Chablis and white sparkling Champagne is on the King’s Table. The finest of China, the costliest of golden vessels, decorate the King’s Table. The very best of Music and Entertainment sets the mood and defines the atmosphere in the Chambers that house the King’s Table.
This is not an Ordinary Table; for the Who’s Who of the nation dines regularly at the King’s Table. Only the Majestic, Magnificent, Excellent and Elegant is deposited on the King’s Table. Now I’d like to know ’Why would David Absent Himself from all of this?’
So, returning to the Text, I searched for the answer. And in my searching, I PROBED the PYSCHE of SAUL. Verse 26 contains the CONJECTURE of SAUL.
This Dilemma of an Absent David Dogged
the King.
This Enigma of an Empty Place Enchanted
the Enemy.
So, as he Sat on his Seat by the Wall, SAUL SPECULATED. The Text says: "Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought."
For a whole day, Saul the King did not orally say one word, he only Thought and Talked with himself. Now Silent Sovereigns and Thinking Tyrants ought to arrest our attention. Mute Monarchs and Speculating Supremes should spur an investigation.
Here is a SPEECHLESS RULER consumed with Anxiety, so "He Thought." What Think ye, Saul, of David’s Absence? Since you have spent a whole day Speechless, while engaging in Personal and Private Speculation and Conjecture, what Conclusion have You reached, Saul?
Says Saul: ’My conclusion is this. "Something
hath befallen Him." Something has happened to
David. He surely must have had an accident; for
David is faithful and reliable; I can always count
on David being present, for he never missed sitting in His Place in the past. So my Conclusion is:
"Something hath befallen Him."
That’s the Cause,’ reasons Saul. ’And the Effect of his Accident,’ reasons Saul, ’is that "Surely He Is Not Clean."’ Saul figured David had SINNED and SOILED HIS SOUL.!!!
That’s always THE LOGIC OF THE LOVELESS, THE RATIONALE OF RASCALS, THE EXPLANATION OF EVIL, THE JUDGEMENT OF THE JEALOUS. Whenever the Righteous are Absent from their Place, the Enemies of the Righteous Conclude that WE HAVE SINNED!
Don’t let the Pastor miss a Sunday. The Conclusion will be that something happened which caused me to Sin; Voices will conclude "Surely He is Not Clean."
Don’t you dare miss being out of your Place; for someone will conclude that You Have Sinned. The Consensus will be, ’Surely He/She Is Not Clean.’
But Speechless Speculators are like that. They think the worst of us; they wish the worst for us. Saul figured that David had Sinned and Soiled His Soul. That was Saul’s conclusion as to why David was Absent.
But I couldn’t go along with Saul’s Conjecture.
For Doctrinal Correctness and Theological Evidence both assure me that ACCIDENTS DON’T JUST HAPPEN TO SAINTS. Freaks of Nature, Chance Evil and Senseless Things Don’t Just Happen To Saints. For there is a WISE PROVIDENCE THAT CONTROLS EVERY EVENT IN THEIR LIVES.
Perhaps Saul believed with Thompson in a "Lucky Chance that oft decides the Fate of mighty monarchs"; but David saw with Addison ’the art of the windings, and where confusion ends.’ David believed with James Russell Lowell that even though "Truth forever on the scaffold and Wrong on the throne; yet the Scaffold sways the future and behind the scaffold there stands in the shadows a Presence who keeps watch over His own." There is a Providential God who orders the steps of a good man. There is a Purposeful God who causes all things to work together for good, even SET UP SEATS! So, I can’t agree with Saul’s assessment.
I kept on searching for the Reason David’s Place Was Empty. I remembered the words of Edward Burke, who said: "By gnawing thru a dyke even a rat may drown a nation." So I concluded this nation of Lies, of which Saul is representative needed to be Drowned. So, I Gnawed thru the Dyke of Deception, like the Rat, and the Water of Truth broke to Drown the Supposition of Saul.
Why was David’s Place Empty? I found that the CAUSE of David’s Absence was AN EVIL SPIRIT, and the EEFECT was A JAVELIN.
Perhaps you haven’t considered this matter before, but its a fact that AN EVIL SPIRIT WILL CAUSE YOU TO MISS SUPPER; AN EVIL SPIRIT WILL TAKE YOUR APPETITE; AN EVIL SPIRIT WILL CAUSE YOU TO FOREGO TABLE ETIQUETTE.
Saul Was possessed With An Evil Spirit. Its not Good to Fellowship with an Evil Spirit. Its not Healthy to Sup with an Evil Spirit, no matter in whom it may abide; for Evil Spirits ARE DEADLY! Perhaps, some saint’s place is empty because of AN EVIL SPIRIT IN SOMEONE. Perhaps, YOUR SPIRIT has caused someone to Miss Supper; Some Saint to be Absent!!
And I’m really not sure if you know this or not, but Evil Spirits Love to Play Around with JAVELINS; they Love to Hurl Ballistic Spiritual Missiles. For Saul always had a Javelin on hand when David was in his presence. Three times the javelin was hurled at David. And every time the evil spirit came upon Saul, He Prophesied -- Evil Spirits Love to Preach; they love to Hurl Javelins in the name of Jesus!
Every time it happened, David was playing the harp with his Hands, while there was a Javelin in Saul’s Hands. Three times Saul hurled the Javelin and three times David escaped with his life. But after awhile Dodging Javelins will get old, and that’s when YOUR PLACE WILL BE EMPTY! For Harps do not always overcome Javelins; Music does not always Soothe the Salvage Beast!
So I submit to you that Someone is Absent because of:
the Javelin of Jargon.
the Javelin of Jealousy.
the Javelin of Jeering.
the Javelin of Jesting.
the Javelin of Judgmentalism.
David’s Place Was Empty because HE WAS SET UP!
Perhaps you might not have previously identified this matter, but the David story is designed to deal with the question of Being Placed in a Compromising and Dangerous Position by Trickery.
The Question raised is: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SEATS BECOME SET-UPS?
What Do You Do When:
Your Post Becomes Your Poison?
Your Position Becomes Your Peril?
Your Place Becomes Your Plague?
Your Title Becomes Your Torture?
Your Office Becomes Your Obstacle?
Your Function Becomes Your Failure?
Your Service Becomes Your Seducer
Javelins Await Your Joviality?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SEATS BECOME SETUPS?
Well, What did David do? What did You do, David? In Verse 24, David says that When His Seat Became His Set-Up, HE HID HIMSELF. "So David HID HIMSELF IN THE FIELD."
The Script says that when the New Moon came, the first day of the month; when the trumpets sounded as a memorial, and burnt offerings were sacrificed for an atonement for sins, DAIVID HID HIMSELF! When the king sat on his seat, and Jonathan in protest changed his seat, and Abner in cunning exchanged his seat; David’s Place Was Empty because HE HID HIMSELF! When others were present and seated, David was Absent and Hiding. When others were Set on their Seats, David’s Seat Became His Set-Up, So HE HID HIMSELF!!!
My friends, I submit there is a time to Stand Steadfast in the Whole Armour of God. But when EVIL SPIRITS SIT IN HIGH PLACES PLOTTING, and JAVELINS ARE IN THE HANDS OF MADMEN, ITS TIME TO HID YOURSELF! So, "DAVID HID HIMSELF IN THE FIELD."
I. SO ONE CLEAR IMPLICATION OF OUR TEXT IS WHEN SEATS BECOME SET-UPS, HIDE YOURSELF.
Now I realize that to some of us this advice might sound foolish and seem cowardly; but bear in mind that God’s Ways and Thoughts are not ours. Perhaps, to some of us Hiding would never occur to us as an option; but consider Who this is Hiding.
This is David, who as a lad did not consider Hiding, when confronting the lion and bear. This is David, who did not consider Hiding, when the Israeli were Hiding when he confronted and conquered Goliath the Giant. But now, He Is Hiding.
Why? Because the enemy now is the Lord’s anointed, and to slay him would mean death to David. The enemy now is a man who is a heir of hell and hell-bent on destruction; a man who is a Paranoid Schizophrenic; a man who cares nothing for life and who fears not death; a man who is a son of perdition; a cloud without water, a double dead tree, a wandering star. And people like that are Unreasonable and are Reserved for God’s wrath. Only God can deal with them. So, DAVID HID HIMSELF!
All thru the chronicle of David’s life, there are episodes of him Hiding himself. In caves and dens, in mountain rocks and rocky clefts, in dark valleys and death’s shadow, in countries alien and hostile, DAVID HID HIMSELF.
But David is not alone in the Hiding Strategy. All thru human history, God Has Executed His HIDING STRATEGY.
When Moses was born, God instructed the
mother of Moses to Hide Him for three months.
When the two spies who secretly searched
the promised land were in danger, God moved
upon the heart of a harlot, who Hid them with
the stalks of flax upon her rooftop.
When Jezebel was bent on eradicating the
voice of God from Israel, God ordered Obadiah
to Hide His prophets by fifty in a cave.
When Elijah’s life was in danger, God ordered
Elijah to Hide Himself by the Brook Cherith.
Even the Lord Jesus Christ Hid Himself from
the Jews, when they took up stones to cast at
Him.
So, When Seats Become Set-Ups, Its Alright to
Hide Yourself; because from God’s perspective,
TO HIDE IS TO EXPOSE! You might not realize it, but Your Absence Will Expose the Malice of Your Foe. Your Absence Will Expose the Heart of the Hypocrite. Your Absence Will Expose the Callousness of the Compassionless.
For David’s Absence Exposed the Malicious Heart of Saul. For verses 30-33 reveal that Saul’s anger turned on his own son, Jonathan. He cursed him out, and threw the Javelin at his own son to kill him.
So, JUST HIDE YOURSELF, FOR YOUR ABSENCE EXPOSES. It will Expose the Malice of Your Foe, the Heart of the Hypocrite, and the Callousness of the Cruel!!!
II. A SECOND IMPLICATION OF OUR TEXT IS THIS: WHEN SEATS BECOME SET-UPS COVER YOURSELF.
While Hiding, COVER YOURSELF. For the Field is an Open Place. Just to lie down in the field is not enough. Grandpa would testify:
"There’s No Hiding place down here."
So, You Need Some Cover. So may I suggest that while you are Hiding Out that you Protect Yourself by Covering Yourself with the CAMOUFLAGE OF THE SANCTUARY OF THE SHEPHERD.
Many times David wrote of the Sanctuary of the Shepherd in the Field of the world. In one place he testified that: "In the time of trouble He shall Hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He Hide me." In another place, speaking of those who trust the Shepherd, he wrote: "Thou shalt Hide them in the secret of Thy presence from the pride of man; Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."
And still in another place he testified of the Lord: "Thou art my Hiding Place." So, while Hiding, I believe David Covered Himself with the Sanctuary of the Shepherd.
Your Safety is linked with your entering the Sanctuary of the Shepherd. When the storms of nature arise to overwhelm, You will be Safe. When disease is all around, You will be Safe. When demons confront, Safe. When men threaten to harm, Safe. Even when death tries to unlawfully take you, You will be Safe, because You Have Entered the Sanctuary of the Shepherd.
No wonder David wrote: "He that dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall Cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust." Though others have Phobias and fears, "thou shalt not be afraid for the terrors by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday:" FOR YOU HAVE ENTERED THE SANCTUARY OF THE SHEPHERD!!!
So, while Hiding, COVER YOURSELF. For a THIRD Implication of our Text is:
III. GOD HAS PROVIDENTIAL LIMITATIONS ON OUR HIDE OUT.
We can’t Hide Out in the Field forever. So, the Field is just Temporary Housing for a Passing Emergency. The Field is only a Hiding Place and not a Holding Place; for there is a THIRD DAY!
The Third Day signifies Fullness of Testimony or Manifestation. David was to Hide for Three Days, and he did. In three days, there would be a Full Testimony of Saul’s Malicious Intention and a Manifestation of God’s Purpose.
So, David hid for Three Days, but on the Third Day, when Jonathan shot the arrow beyond where David was hiding in the field, David knew it was Time TO SHOW HIMSELF.
When God shoots the Arrow of His Judgment over and beyond where you are Hiding, IT’S THE THIRD DAY; ITS TIME TO SHOW YOURSELF, FOR GOD HAS PROVIDENTIAL LIMITATIONS ON OUR HIDE OUT. We have to wait for the Fullness of Disclosure; for someone might not be convinced that we have been Set-Up. We have to wait for the Full Testimony of our Enemies to come out; and it won’t take an eternity, JUST A THIRD DAY; FOR GOD HAS A LIMITATION ON EVIL - SO WAIT FOR THE THIRD DAY!!!
THE SAVIOR HAD TO WAIT FOR THIS THIRD DAY AFFIRMATION OF GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL LIMITATION ON OUR HIDE OUT. You do remember that CHRIST’S REDEMPTIVE SEAT, that is, His Office of SAVIOR, REDEEMER and SUBSTITUTE, BECAME HIS SET-UP, don’t you?
At every turn, Evil Spirits hurled malicious Javelins at Him. In the wilderness, in Synagogues, in the Temple, on mountain peaks, in valleys-low, in cities and hammocks, in tombs and bedrooms; HE DODGED JAVELINS.
Then HE WAS SET-UP TO DIE!!! Some Religious Leaders Possessed by an Evil Spirit SET HIM UP TO DIE.
Because of His Redemptive Seat, they mocked, scourged, spit on and crucified Him. But He, being Service-Centered, laid down His life, paid our sin debt and released us from guilt in His death. THEY
SET HIM UP TO DIE!!!
And they Buried him; They laid Him in a Field, rolled a Stone in place to keep Him Hid; and they even Staked-Out His Hide-Out; for soldiers guarded His Tomb.
But that THIRD DAY FACTOR KICKED IN. As it turned from midnight to the dawn of a new day, GOD SET HIM UP!! HE RESURRECTED JESUS. HE STOOD HIM UP. HE RAISED HIM UP FROM AND ABOVE DEATH!!!
On that Third day, as Jesus Hid by the Stone E’ZEL, God Shot His Arrow of Judgment Over and Beyond the Tomb, in which He was Hid; and Jesus Knew it was Time TO SHOW HIMSELF!!!
So after Three Days of Seclusion, Three days of Concealment, JESUS SHOWED HIMSELF.
To Mary Magdalene, He Showed Himself.
To Eleven fearful Disciples, He Showed
Himself.
To 120 Huggers of Hope, He Showed Him-
self.
That Self-Revelation Testifies that GOD HAS PROVIDENTIAL LMITATIONS ON OUR HIDE OUT, and that WHEN PEOPLE SET US UP, GOD HAS A HIGHER SET UP!!! HE’LL SET YOU UP:
in Heavenly Places,
in Positions of Power,
in Conspicuous View.
Somebody said:
"Over the head of my enemies,
Jesus Lifted Me.
Safe from all doubts and fears within,
Jesus Lifted Me."
Charles Gabriel said it this way:
"In lovingkindness Jesus came
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame
Thru Grace He Lifted Me.
From sinking sand He Lifted Me.
With tender hand He Lifted Me;
From shades of night To plains of light,
O praise His name, He Lifted Me!"
I want God to SET ME UP; So I pray:
"Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven’s tableland.
A higher Plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on Higher Ground."
But I believe Vernon Charlesworth put it best, when he wrote:
"The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we Hide
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide
A Shelter in the time of storm.
A Shade by day, Defense by night
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
The raging storms may around us beat,
We’ll never leave our safe retreat.
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm."
So, WHEN SEATS BECOME SET-UPS, SAY:
" Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me Hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure."
