1S21-22: Embracing Uncertainty – David’s Faith in Psalm 56

Let’s get our bearings on where we’re at in our study of 1st Samuel.

The situation is that David is on the run from King Saul.

He fled from Gibeah to a town called Nob where what was considered the most legit priesthood was located (at least according to the northern tribes).

While in Nob, David succeeded in getting some food and a weapon.

Afterward, he fled to a place called Gath, which was Philistine territory.

We’re not sure why he thought he’d be safe there, since the Bible doesn’t tell us what he was thinking.

But when he got to Gath, he was taken prisoner.

It was at this time that David composed the following Psalm:

“For the leader. Set to “The Silent Dove in the Distance.” By David; a mikhtam, when the P’lishtim captured him in Gat:

Show me favor, God;
for people are trampling me down —
all day they fight and press on me.
Those who are lying in wait for me
would trample on me all day.
For those fighting against me are many.
Most High, when I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God — I praise his word —
in God I trust; I have no fear;
what can human power do to me?
All day long they twist my words;
their only thought is to harm me.
They gather together and hide themselves,
spying on my movements,
hoping to kill me. Because of their crime,
they cannot escape; in anger,
God, strike down the peoples.
You have kept count of my wanderings;
store my tears in your water-skin —
aren’t they already recorded in your book?
Then my enemies will turn
back on the day when I call;
this I know: that God is for me.
In God — I praise his word —
in Adonai — I praise his word —
in God I trust; I have no fear;
what can mere humans do to me?
God, I have made vows to you;
I will fulfill them with thank offerings to you.
For you rescued me from death,
you kept my feet from stumbling,
so that I can walk in God’s presence,
in the light of life.
-Psalm 56:1-14″

There’s a definite prayer pattern here I wanna examine.

First, David is making it very clear what he wants to happen.

He is being pressed on all sides by enemies and wants deliverance from them.

Second, David expresses complete and absolute trust in God’s ability to rescue him.

In this Psalm, he says twice…

“In God I trust;
I have no fear”.

Ya gotta admire his faith.

Now notice I said David trusted in God’s “ability” to rescue him…

And not that God would one hundred percent for sure rescue him.

This is an important distinction to make.

The Lord ain’t like some genie from Aladdin’s lamp.

David is leaving room for God’s sovereignty to reign.

If he is not rescued, David is willing to accept that it was by God’s divine choice and not by lack of ability.

There’s a huge takeaway here.

We often get upset when things don’t go our way or as expected.

Here’s the thing.

For His own good reasons…

God may choose NOT to rescue us from our troubles…

Or if He does deliver us…

It may be in a manner unexpected…

Or the timing may be much later than what we hoped for.

See, here’s a problem I see with a lot of believers.

They’re always searching for some divine formula for health, wealth, and prosperity.

But such a formula doesn’t exist.

You may be greatly blessed on this earth if you obey God’s commandments.

Or you may be greatly persecuted…and even killed if you obey God’s commandments.

The same actions may result in opposite actions.

David didn’t offer a surefire prayer formula to fulfill our greedy desires.

Such a Scriptural template doesn’t exist.

We must obey God always, even when uncertain of the outcome.

I gotta be honest with you.

This is a Biblical principle I don’t like very much.

Why?

Because I want guaranteed results in whatever I set out to do.

But that’s not how reality works.

The business plan fails.

The girl says “no”.

We come down with a fatal illness…

And so on.

I’m sure you can relate.

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“Father, if you are willing,
take this cup from me;
yet not my will,
but yours be done.”
-Luke 22:42

^“I am not saying this because I am in need,
for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need,
and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content
in any and every situation,
whether well-fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do all this through him
who gives me strength.”
-Philippians 4:11-13

NEXT TIME WE BEGIN 1ST SAMUEL CHAPTER 22