“David’s Devastation-sized Encourager”

July 19, 2009 1Samuel 30:1-10, 18-25    Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (wmv)

●    DEFENCE FROM DESPAIR

    ○    dark tunnels in life can be empty, intolerable without God

●    FAITHFUL SUPPORT TO AN UNUSUAL ALLY

    ○    David’s reputation earns him shelter under Philistine king (25:16; 27; 21:10)
    ○    diverted from raiding to participate in Philistine push against Israel (27:8; 15:10,23; 2Sam 15:18-21)
    ○    David’s faithful service a witness to his ‘boss’, earns praise (29:3,6,9; Col 3:22ff)

●    SUBJECTED TO A STRING OF DISAPPOINTMENTS

    ○    capture of family & flocks a devastating blow (29:2,10; 30:3)
    ○    distressed by talk of stoning, but found strength in the Lord (30:6; Ps 56:3f; Mt 10:28, 30f)

●    OBEDIENT RESPONSE...SURPRISING REVERSAL

    ○    inquiring of God leads to successful recovery of all that had been taken (30:7f, 10, 18f)
    ○    David gives credit to God, obligates sharing of plunder (30:23f, 26)
    ○    Christians ‘one body’ in Christ, given grace from the Head (Rom 12:5; Eph 4:7,4,15)

●    OUT OF THE DEPTHS - RAISED UP

    ○    inner-city experience with children ‘totally destroyed’ missionary, but restored sensing God’s heart and sharing with other believers
    ○    Jesus fills us because first descended before ascending (Eph 4:10)