King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024
Chapters: I Samuel Chapters 26-27, Psalm Chapters 35, 63
Message: Patience Before Promises
Hello My Friend,
I got lost yesterday trying to find one of the stores that is not on my normal route, even the GPS could not determine the correct location. The store was probably not there to begin with as many of them have been rebuilt to another location or changed over to something else. So, there I was driving in the middle of nowhere trying to find a parking lot that I could just sit a few minutes to figure out what area I was in screaming out to God as to what purpose this job is because for the life of me except for a weekly paycheck, all it seems is like a waste of valuable time. Do you know what God said to me? “Be patient.” The one thing that I have very little of is the very thing that God wants from me. Well, it is said that I will receive what is promised for my patience, [Hebrews 10:35-36 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.]
Speaking of someone who was in need of a lot of patience, David, was a teenager when Samuel came to him, poured that oil on his head, and told him that God was going to make him the next king of Israel. Well, his patience was wearing a little thin as we learned yesterday when he almost took out Nabal out of anger. As we continue in the reading of 1 Samuel, we learn that Saul had not changed since David spared his life. David and his men are back in Ziph, it did not take long before the people of Ziph told Saul that he was there and pursued after David again. This time, David did not run, he actually searched where Saul was camped out and found him sound asleep in a trench.
[1 Samuel 26:1-5 And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? 2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed. 5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.]
[understood that Saul was come in very deed.] David, tracks Saul to see what he was up against, and while he sent the spies over to find out what he was up to, deep down he knew that he was after him. This is the biggest test right here, are we going to take things into our own hands or are we going to leave it in God’s hands? David, decided before making one more move to pray about it.
[Psalms 35:1-8 A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. 2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. 3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. 4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. 5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. 6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. 7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. 8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.]
[and let his net that he hath hid catch himself:] The angel of the LORD, is none other than Jesus Christ Himself, and He indeed did let Saul be caught in his own net. Jesus, actually does not need to ever lift one finger to catch anyone in their own net or pit, they do it to themselves. Jesus said this, [Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.]
Part of being patient before we receive promises is holding on to our virtues even when we there are people against us, we are to even be kind to our enemies. As David continues his prayer he recalls how he cared for not only Saul, but anyone else who had troubles, but where were they when he needs help.
[Psalms 35:13-19 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. 14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. 15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. 17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. 18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. 19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.]
[I behaved myself as though he had been my friend] We have all been there, given valuable time to help those who are not so kind to us, but showed hospitality only to have them turn on us. However, in our patience we will receive much more than what is promised. Jesus said this, [Luke 6:27-28,34-35 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.]
Although the people of God are often kind toward their enemies, quiet, and remain separated from the world, it has not stopped their enemies from devising deceitful matters against them. As David continues his prayer he asks God to rescue his soul from his enemies since it belongs to Him, he literally asks Him to claim it and save it!
[Psalms 35:23-28 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. 24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. 25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. 26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. 27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. 28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.]
[Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it:] We have all been there too, had people in our lives who would do anything to not only see us fall from God’s protections, but ruin our testimony. I am not going to lie, I have succumbed to the enemy a time or two, but the one thing I never did was let go of God. And to be honest, those who truly belong to Him cannot let go of Him because He never lets them go. Now, they may face some chastening from God, but it is impossible for Him to let go of us, [John 10:28-30 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.]
These men, Abishai and Abner, will play a huge part in David’s life, and will later discover what happens when they try to touch God’s anointed. God, had every intention of fulfilling the promise that David would be king, but just like everything else his patience would be tried and yet to prove that He is always there for him God, literally put Saul and his men into a deep sleep. After the spies came back and told David what he was up to and that Saul was just laying there asleep, that was when he and Abishai, sneak over to their camp.
[1 Samuel 26:8-12 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. 9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless? 10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go. 12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.]
[the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die;] David, did not go there ambush Saul or kill him, he knew that God would take him whether it was from some sickness, natural causes, or some heated battle. Again, we do not need to lift one finger against our enemies, we just need to trust God and wait for Him to make the move, [Romans 12:19-20 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.]
[because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.] Do not think for one moment that God does not know what is going on or that He is just going to throw us in the lions den and make us fend for ourselves. We who are saved, and born again, are Christ’s anointed, no one can touch us unless God has a purpose for it, [Luke 21:17-19 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls.]
There is that word patience again, and whether or not we care to admit it, persecution is a part of God’s way of teaching us patience while He is preparing us for what He has promised. There are times when God does tell us that we need to strike first, so to speak, so that we can prevent anything from happening to us. However, we cannot strike at the ones He places in charge of His people, and while they may not all be His anointed, He appointed them. So, while we may have all the power to retaliate, God forbids us to do so. David, knew that in God’s time He would deliver him from Saul. In fact, David was kind of upset that he was able to just go right up to Saul, and no one knew about it and after he gets to a distances he calls out to them.
[1 Samuel 26:16-20 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’S anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster. 17 And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. 18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? 19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods. 20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.]
[for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea,] In other words, David is saying that Saul is wasting his time and energy going after him when he has much bigger things to be concerned about. David, goes on to remind them of how foolish they were to make themselves vulnerable to an attack and that God is in control.
[1 Samuel 26:22-25 And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. 23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed. 24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. 25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.]
[so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD,] This is when we tell ourselves to let go and let God handle things. While we know in our heart that God is in control and that everything is in His timing, that does not always comfort our mind and spirit. This is exactly when we are to cry out to God, something like I did yesterday.
[Psalms 63:1-5,8-11 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.]
[my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land,] This reminds me of when you are so thirsty that you look for anything that will give you a little moisture on your tongue. Then once you get that one drop of water in your mouth it longs for more and seems you never stop soaking it up. So you can imagine just how dry and thirsty our spirits get when we are waiting for those promises. Well, still a bit discouraged, David, decided that the best thing to do at this point was to leave Israel territory, and made the strangest move ever, he took his entire troop over to Philistine territory.
[1 Samuel 27:1-5 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him. 5 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?]
[for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?] David, did not feel that being right there in the center of the city was advisable, but he did feel that he would be able to serve a purpose there. So, he gathered up his men and did something that the Israelites could never do, and that was rid the nation of Gath.
[1 Samuel 27:8-12 And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt. 9 And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish. 10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites. 11 And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines. 12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.]
[He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.] You know the saying, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” Well, Achish, thought that this was the best news ever, not only did he have David on his side, the rest of Israel will turn on him and he would never be king. It may seem like David made a the worse decision ever, but it was actually a good thing for several reasons; One; He was preparing David to be king, two; He used David to do something that should have been done centuries ago, and three; He took him away from was about to happen in the battle that was to come in Israel. We can ask ourselves why bad things happen to good people or why we need to suffer so much, and it is okay to ask God why, but we have need of patience for God will make a purpose out of it all, [Romans 8:27-28 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [1 Samuel 26:23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed.]
Today’s Prayer: God, It seems like it has been years since I chose to dedicate my life to Your Son, I know I have had my ups and downs, I have gotten discouraged, depressed, and sorrowful as I went through these hiccups. I have come a long way since then, and it is only by Your mercy and grace that I am who I am today. One thing is for sure, I see Your hand holding on to me wherever I go, and although You keep sending the hiccups, I will keep praising You through them because I know You are not only perfecting me, you are also perfecting those You bring into my life too. Lord, lead me and guide me, early I will seek You, my soul thirsts for You, my flesh too is dry and thirsty in this land. You have my soul tucked under Your wings, and it is perfect, fill me with Your mercy and grace, never let me cease from praising You, and keep me looking to You and holding on to the hope of what is purposed. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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