"safe And Sound With Danger All Around"

Title: “Safe and Sound with Danger All Around” Script: I Sam. 19

Type: Series on David Where: GNBC 10-13-24

Intro: Dr Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn were both kidnapped in Burkina Faso, after serving as medical missionaries for 44 years. Ken was 82 at the time of his kidnapping. The Elliots treated everyone who came to their clinic regardless of religion, earning them the respect of the majority-Muslim locals. When they were kidnapped, both Christians and Muslims from the community were outraged. Conditions in captivity were bleak, and Ken had no access to proper nutrients or medical care. His legs swelled up, leaving him in constant pain and unable to walk. He told the Keswick Convention: “I had seen only one case of scurvy in my medical career, and that was me.” His captors also insisted he convert to Islam, but Ken persisted in his Christian faith. “The Lord has been good to me,” he said, “there's no way I was going to dishonor Him by converting to Islam, or even pretending to convert." When asked if his years alone, bitten my scorpions in the sand, and unable to leave a dirty shelter which was hot in the day and cold at night made him doubt God he said: “Never. No. He was always there.”

Prop: David’s escape from Saul will help us to realize what actually delivers us from danger.

BG: 1. The purpose of 1 Samuel is to highlight two major events: the establishment of the monarchy in Israel (ch. 8–12); and the rise of David to be king after Saul (ch. 16–31).

2. God providentially and individually guided the lives of chosen people such as Hannah, Samuel, and David. Even the life of Saul was in God’s providential care (see 1 Samuel 9:16). God’s timing is always perfect (see 1 Samuel 9 and the end of 1 Samuel 23), for he is the Lord of history.

3. Today we learn how God can keep us safe and secure in dangerous days.

Prop: I Sam. 19 teaches us a lesson on who/what actually delivers us from danger.

I. Innocence Alone Will Not Always Deliver Us From Danger. Vv. 1-7

A. David was innocent in creating any offense with King Saul.

1. Many of us believe that if I just live a good life it will keep me from catastrophe

a. Many people I know live in a quasi “Lala Land” where if I don’t think of any evil and if I am innocent of creating any offenses I will have make us immune from terrors and traumas in life. Is that true? In my experience, no! (Illust – 2 weeks ago ICE hearing before Congress admitted that 13,099 illegal immigrants convicted of various levels of homicide/murder are living freely in the US outside of immigration detention. Sadly, a lot of “innocent” people are going to become victims in the days ahead.)

b. David had been 100% faithful and loyal to his king. Fought and won the king’s battles. No disloyalty. No disobedience. No slacking. Had killed giants, fought battles, guarded sheep, and been a music therapist to his king. David had demonstrated 100% innocence towards Saul. Did all of that matter? Nope. Saul simply had it in for David (vv.4-5)

2. David has a friend who intercedes on his behalf.

a. Everyone needs a friend like Jonathan is powerful, politically connected, courageous, and loyal. Prince Jonathan sees the error of his father’s maniacal thinking and speaks to his father the praises of his friend, David. For a brief period of time it seems as though Saul reconciles with David…but it won’t last. This is a temporary cease-fire at best in the king’s mind.

b. Vv.4-5 Notice what Jonathan says on his friend’s behalf: He appeals to David’s excellent service to the kingdom, his character, his profitability. David has been an awesome asset and the king would be a fool to kill him or alienate him. Illust: Xstian, make sure when people have put you in the crosshairs that you’ve been an excellent asset to others. Had David’ work performance been deficient, Jonathan’s appeal would have ringed hollow to the king’s ears. Illust: Daniel 6, when the satraps and high officials sought to bring down Daniel, they could find no fault in his work performance nor loyalty, so they had to create an offense in conflict with his religious faith.

B. David is Kept from the Dangers of his King’s Unwanted attention.

1. As Christians, are we kept from all dangers by simply living a good and moral life?

a. Will living a good and moral life deliver you and me from all dangers? NO! It certainly will deliver you from some but certainly not all. Good people have accidents. Good people get cancer. Good people get mugged. We live in a fallen and dangerous world in which we should be shocked and amazed that we don’t fall victim to accident or injustice daily. Illust: Isn’t that exactly what Jesus taught in Lk. 13 when He spoke of the fall of the tower of Siloam and the 18 victims of this catastrophe?