The Unlikely Chosen

Last week, we looked at the obedient hearts of Samuel and David versus the disobedience of Saul.

Today, we will begin to look at how that obedient heart is used by God through David.

1 Samuel 17:20-51 – a powerful story of victory and faithfulness

But, let's take a look at this story a little more because there are some important things going on we shouldn't miss in this story we probably heard as a child

1 – David was the most unlikely person to go into battle

He was the youngest with no real battle experience.  His oldest brother chastised him for even considering such.  He thought he was doing it for himself.  His brother was obviously jealous of him.
In 17:33, Saul told David it wasn't possible because he didn't have the training and Goliath was a man of war for years – not to mention a force to be feared.
There was nothing about David that would lead anyone to believe this was possible.

2 – The Spirit of God was upon David

For me, this may be the most important message of the scripture.  In 16:13, we read that the Spirit was upon David from that day forward.
David wasn't fighting this battle alone!  David had God with him when he faced this giant.  He had no reason to fear because he was obeying God.

3 – No one around David understood the power of God – even though they are God's people.

The armies of God don't get it.  They are so clouded by their own fears and their own understandings of what is going on, they aren't allowing their faith to lead them. 
David isn't around a bunch of people who are cheering him on because they know the power of God.  They are shaking in the corner with fear (17:24).

4 – David isn't intimidated by the by the enemy because he has experienced the power of God.

In 17:34-37, David has faced many times of being face to face with danger – but he has also seen God work.  He knows that God can bring about victory – he has experienced it!

5 – David doesn't need what others tell him is right for the battle.

17:38-40, Saul tries to suit him up because that is what is needed for battle – but not for David.  This is God's battle, David just needs to be willing and obedient.

David even gets made fun of – Goliath is even insulted that he would come into battle with so little.

6 – David's obedience makes a huge impact because God's power is shown.  17:45-47 – David stated his purpose before the victory and gave God the glory.

This is KEY!  David is showing the power of God, not the power of David.  The Israelites and those around get a glimpse into the power of the living God!

How can you make a difference with the power of the living God in you?

Obedience

Growing up, I knew what it meant to be obedient.  I also knew that there were consequences to being disobedient.  That didn't always stop me, but it at least deterred me.  Today's scripture gives us a contrast of obedience vs disobedience

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Lots going on in this familiar scripture.  Samuel has been mourning the fact that God has rejected Saul as king of Israel.  Saul has made some really bad choices – he has clearly been disobedient…look back with me for clarity – 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

Saul was devastated, Samuel was mourning – it was a mess…but God had a plan.  God sent Samuel on a mission.  He was to go to present an offering and make sure that Jesse's family was there.  God wanted to show Samuel who the next King would be…

Note that Samuel is obedient in moving forward…He goes and finds Jesse and begins looking at his sons – all the while God reminding him that it isn't outward appearance.  Finally David is summonsed and he is God's pick…David who did become king…David who absolutely made mistakes but really had a desire to obey and do the right thing.

It is always interesting that we only want God to bless us in our lives but we don't want punishment for our disobedience to Him.  None of us desire to be punished BUT we do need correction from God – we should expect correction from the Lord when we go the wrong direction.

The important thing for us is that, like David, when we realize that we have gone wrong, we spend time in true repentance.  We don't try to lie or figure our way out…just admit and repent.  God provides redemption for the repentant, but for those who just keep running away from Him…sticking to their lie…there are consequences.  David is anointed as a young boy.  After the anointing, he had some amazing feats and some great challenges.  It didn't mean he would have an easy road.  He could have gone a different way and not been king because of the tough road

Think of all that would have been missed by being disobedient.  CS Lewis wrote: "Whatever you do, He will make good of it.  But not the good He had prepared for you if you had obeyed Him."

We are to be obedient to God, listening to His commands, following in His will and His way.  Disobedience has a price.  If we are on the wrong path, there is redemption which follows true repentance.  What will you choose?

Everyday Ordinary

Let's begin today by looking at a familiar scripture -

Acts 9:10-18

Note how God is working all of this out:

First, Saul is very well known but not for any good reason in Christianity.  He is a force to be reckoned with.  He is scary.  But, God humbles him in an instant.

We know that God has and will continue to humble him because of what he tells Ananias.  He tells him in vs 16 that he will show him how he must suffer many things for His name's sake.

Always remember that God has the ability to bring anyone to their knees and that he can confound the wise and give strength to the weak.  God knows what He is doing .

Next, the Lord gives Saul a vision of how he will receive his sight back – he will get his sight WHEN a man named Ananias comes and lays hands on him.

Interesting that if you notice that the Lord had already given this vision counting on Ananias to be faithful and say yes to what he needed him to do.

Now, we know that God is God and He knows what He is doing.  But, He also knows that Ananias is a faithful follower.  He knows that Ananias is a willing vessel.  He is a follower willing to do what He has been called to do – even if it means something 'out of the ordinary.'

Third, Ananias understands who Saul is.  He knows what he has been doing to Christians.  He knows that Saul comes with heavy authority to kill people just like him.

It is important to note that Ananias knows who Saul is because we begin to understand the faithfulness of Ananias.  He isn't just going up to someone God sent him to, to just lay hands on them.  This is a huge enemy in his world and to his faith system.  This is like going up to the leader of a major movement against Christianity.  This is a huge call for a follower.

Fourth, Ananias agrees and calls Saul "Brother".  Ananias does agree to go.  He doesn't let his fears stop him from following God.  He doesn't let it stop him from serving.

He had fears.  This was a huge deal.  But, he still agrees.  And when he arrives to where this man is, he doesn't take advantage of the situation.

Saul is weak – humbled – I'm sure he is a mess (blind, hasn't eaten in days, confused) – his world view has been shred.  Ananias could have taken advantage of it – but didn't.  He called him BROTHER.  That is exactly the right attitude. 

Saul is a brother in Christ despite his past.  Ananias doesn't let what he knows about him to stop him from being his brother.  That is huge.

Lastly, Saul becomes a strong force for the Lord.  God humbled, Ananias was faithful, Saul answered the call, the name of Jesus was spread to the Gentiles.

God's mission was and is accomplished because of everyday ordinary people who were faithful to the call.  Notice God didn't call one of the 12 disciples.  He called exactly who He needed.  Is He calling YOU?  I think so. 

Choices, Decisions, Changes

Choices, decisions, changes – Isaiah 6:1-8

CHOICES

We have many choices that we get to make in life.  There are all kinds of choices – some are easy to make…some much more difficult
It often depends on where our focus is as to what choice we will make.
In the scripture today, Isaiah gets a choice to follow God and deliver a difficult message to the people.  He can tell them of their sin or he can decline.  He can choose to deliver the message and still not do it God's way.  There is a definite path God has in mind.

Choices are difficult – but one of the most important choices we get to make in this world is whether or not we will follow God.  Will we give our life to Him or will we do what we want?  The choice is up to you and me.  We can't choose for anyone other than ourselves.

DECISIONS

From those choices, we make decisions.  When we make the choice to follow God, then our decision is to live for Him.  We have decided that living for Him is just that important to us.  We have so many decisions to make…today, Patrick made the decision to make the public confession of his faith.  This is a decision to show others that we will live for Him.  When we make the decision that we are going to follow Christ and live for Him, then we die to self – in a sense.  We are putting away the things that have held us captive and rise to a new life.

Isaiah is experiencing redemption from his sins and a new life by submitting and telling God that he is willing and ready to go!

Giving our life over to God doesn't mean we will always make the right decision.  There will be times when we will not do the right thing – we will follow temptations and slip.  We make mistakes, we sin, we choose the wrong path…but ultimately God helps us find our way back if we submit to Him rather than doing it ourselves.

These are steps along our journey…This journey that we are on is challenging and often overwhelming.  Since we do make wrong choices, we make the journey harder than it really has to be.  But, when we come back, we have the opportunity to have learned from the mistakes we have made in order to make better choices and decisions.

CHANGES

When we make see our choices, make the decision to follow, we are changed. 
Once Isaiah decided to go – he was never the same.  He was changed by the good decision he made. 
What good decisions can you make to change the life you are living?  Maybe it means that we do what Patrick has done and we show our new life in Christ
Maybe it means that we begin to follow with more passion.  Maybe it means that we willingly give over our lives to Him.  Maybe it means that we spend a little more time with the Lord.  Whatever it means, it may be time to see our choices, make our decisions, and change for him.