A Psalm of David...

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4 ESV)
In the historical account of I Samuel, we find that when Saul was tormented by a spirit, it became an opportunity for someone to come share psalms with him, in order to comfort him.  The truth of God's word does that. This week, we I will be taking an interlude from Samuel to look at some of this great Psalms David wrote. Psalm 4 is one with themes that would definitely minister to a hurting heart like Saul's. His honor had been turned to shame. He had entertained lies in his heart. He had set apart godly David in his place.  But this psalm also contains words that will convict that he needed to hear: Be angry, and do not sin." Saul was prone to fits of anger and rage. He got where he was bu not being willing to trust in the LORD."  The LORD offered to him, and to us "more joy in my heart." Having trouble sleeping at night? This Psalm is for you.

Responsive to the call...

And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.
(1 Samuel 16:21-23 ESV)
David was willing to go anywhere he was sent to do anything to serve God and His people.  Whether it was out with the sheep, on the battlefield, or in the palace of a has-been king, he was willing to do it, responding to the need at hand.  Thus, his name became commonplace in all of Israel and in Christian households today.  The question never is "What big thing does God have for me to do tomorrow?" The question always is: "What does God want me to do today? How does He want to use me to minister to others, even if I blend into the background? Who needs me where?

The Right Court Counselor

So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.” One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.” Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. (1 Samuel 16:17-20 ESV)
God had allowed this troubling spirit to bother Saul.  But as with every bad thing God allows to come our way, He has a plan in motion.  Not only does He want to draw Saul back to humble obedience; He also is preparing a way to get David into the King's court.  His credentials are impeccable: David is also a man of valor and war - the type of guy Saul sought to surround himself with; he was good with words and people - something Saul (and some presidential candidates) struggle with; most of all: the LORD was with him.  Saul, his leaders, and the people of Israel needed someone who obviously was on God's side, and who God was on his side.  David's musical ability was a bonus and a blessing. He was a perfect fit. May we look for, and pray for the same in our leaders. And may we ask God to give us these qualities so we can serve Him well (and sing to Him, even if we do not have David's talents...).

Approaching a Loose Cannon...

Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him. And Saul's servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.”
(1 Samuel 16:14-16 ESV)
Saul's punishment for disobedience was two-fold.  First, he lost the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen and give him victory as king (since he refused to accept his dependence upon God, he experienced doing it on his own). Secondly, God allowed a tormenting spirit to constantly annoy him (causing him to cry out for comfort on a consistent basis.) In his anger, depression and jealousy, Saul was quite difficult to be around, both personally and professionally.  So his court court counselors  gently approached him on a "good" day and offered a solution, which was sold as what would make him feel better.  Saul was all about his "being well."  This also would make daily life, and the state of the nation, much more pleasant as well.   Our sin affects everyone around us.  The consequences of our sin affect everyone in contact with us, whether we realize it or not.  Have you become a loose cannon, ready to fire? Does your depressing disposition infect everyone around you? Come clean. Call out for God's help.  Admit your dependence on Him and confess the ways you have hurt those "dependent" upon you.  Take responsibility, and do your part to make sure "all is well" not only for you, but all those around you.

Interesting Qualifications...

Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
(1 Samuel 16:11-13 ESV)
As Samuel saw the final son of Jesse, he seems to get what God was saying. Though very different from what people saw when they looked at Saul; this young man had a lot going for him.  Rather than being big and tall, he was more of a scrappy guy, equally capable of persisting to victory.  Then there were his eyes - the gateway to the soul, full of life, vision, and compassion. And he wasn't bad looking - his appearance would not make people run away from him in fear. The main point was that David by his physical appearance would not overwhelm people. He would have to rely upon what, and Who, was within him to lead. God can use someone who is "average" on the outside to do great things.  Samuel was satisfied with God's choice, and returned home to let God transition leadership from one king to the next, knowing God knew exactly what He was doing. May we have such confidence in Him, and learn to look and see what God sees.

Seeing how God sees...

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
(1 Samuel 16:6-10 ESV)
Samuel had been despondent after Saul's failure as king. But God had promised a new king, qualified and hopeful.   But Samuel also did not want to be part of another failure - he had anointed Saul, and look how that turned out!  Each of the brothers had good qualities; each had names that described godly character. But Samuel could not see what God saw - the heart. The only question that mattered was this: "Is the heart of this man the same as the heart of God?" That is not something so easily perceived.  Thought processes, motives and desires can be seen through careful observation, but we are often too impatient to do so.  Don't jump to conclusions on first sight.  Patiently listen to God.  Be persistent.  Be a person of His Word, and you will hear Him speak, and see what He sees.

Who's trembling now???

Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
(1 Samuel 16:4-5 ESV)
Samuel had been afraid to make this trip, because he had to pass through the capital city of Saul. He knew how unstable Saul could be.  But when Samuel trusts and obeys God, notice who is fearful of whom: everyone is afraid of Samuel, the prophet who cut Agag to pieces. They wanted to make sure Samuel came in peace, not to cut anyone in pieces.  Often we fear so many people and situations where we should not. If we will fear God, and follow Him, they will instead fear God (and sometimes even us???) What these people feared might be a slaughter instead became a sacrifice to God and celebration of joy.