David was a prominent character in the Old Testament. God allows us a greater picture of David than He does most of the men of the Bible. God allows us to peer through the pages of history and see David from his great-great-grandmother Rahab the harlot, all the way to the birth of Christ. He was of the tribe of Judah, born the youngest of eight sons in Bethlehem. We then see him as an obedient son to his father Jesse tending sheep. Most of the books of I and II Samuel are about David. Scripture also refers to Jesus as the Son of David because Jesus came through that lineage of David with Mary and Joseph as His earthly parents. We are told about his ability in music in I Samuel 16:18 when he was summoned to play for King Saul. He also wrote many of the Psalms which were songs. Also, in I Samuel 16:18, he is described as a mighty valiant man, a man of war, a wise man, a good-looking man, and a man of God. This man was a man that was one to be admired and yet he, this man of tremendous faith, sometimes allowed fear to rule his heart. He went from having great faith when he killed the giant to having great fear when Saul was seeking to kill him.
Matthew 1:17 “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.”
I Samuel 16:18 “Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.”
In I Samuel 27:1, David concludes that one day, probably soon, he will perish at the hand of Saul. What changed this warrior who had enough confidence in his God to fight a giant with a slingshot and kill a bear and lion with his hands while tending sheep? It was fatigue, loneliness from his family, and lack of proper nutrition as he and his men forged for food wherever they could get it. It was being hunted like an animal by Saul and his army. Scholars believe it was about 8 years of running not knowing what tomorrow would bring. David was a hunted man!
I Samuel 27:1 “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 anymore in any coast of Israel: so, shall I escape out of his hand.”
What was the real reason David allowed, his faith to be replaced by fear? He no longer was believing God. Instead, he believed his circumstances were greater than his God. He chose to wallow in self-pity, to draw on his own strength, which physically was weak, rather than believe God would take care of him. How do I know that? Because in I Samuel 16:12-13, God had Samuel anoint David as the next king of Israel. God never left David; God never changed His mind. It was David that began to doubt God and the events of the past as being from God.
I Samuel 16:12-13 “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. 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 brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So, Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”
Finally, we see in Psalm 31:12-14, that David cries out to God. Psalm 31:12-13 “I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.” He feels defeated, broken, and fearful. He has heard many speak of taking counsel against him on every side. However, in verse 14 we get a glimpse of his confidence in God returning. This little, big, word “But” comes on the scene. This word changes his attitude and reveals his knowledge about his relationship with God. Psalm 31:14“But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.” David again gives us a great example of how we can overcome fear. It is by understanding that God will never forsake us no matter how bleak our circumstances may be. He loves us and He is on our side. He will fight for us in ways that are unseen to us. We need to trust His word and know that He is always in control. Fear is not of Him, it is a tool the devil uses when we are tired, weak, and burdened down with worry. God tells us to trust Him, not sometimes, but at all times. God gives us the answers to living above our circumstances, but we must be willing to place our complete trust in Him. In I Peter 5:7, he tells us “Casting all your care upon him.” In Philippians 4:6-7, he tells us to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God is in control, and we do not need to allow fear to rule our thoughts and actions. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” When we place our trust in Him our faith takes over and fear has to leave.
