Hardship, Like an Alarm Clock, or a Starting Gun
[6] Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the LORD lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. [7] So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” [8] And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” [9] And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’
1 Samuel 29:6–9 ESV Read More
Remember what an awful time this is for Israel as a nation. Saul was talking to witches, and David is serving in the Philistine army as the personal bodyguard of the king of Gath (hometown of Goliath the Defeated). Saul is as off-course as he has ever been. David is just starting to get a taste of living for his own kingdom. He’s been sacking towns, lying to the Philistine leaders, and making a pretty good name for himself.
Sometimes when things are going great in our flesh, God shows us a little mercy by letting them collapse. Even if a hardship isn’t brought on by the Lord, God still uses hardships and setbacks to train and discipline us like His own children (Hebrews 10!). David, the hero of Israel and soon to be the hero of the Philistines, about whom songs have been written, isn’t such a big deal to the other Philistine generals. They are actually wise in realizing that he can’t be trusted, even though the king doesn’t see it.
They reject him and force the king to send him home. This is a great work of mercy in the background. David has had 2 super-clear chances to kill Saul, and is about to go into battle against who-else: Saul! When it comes down to the line, David wouldn’t be able to strike Saul on the battlefield without a lot of guilt and inner conflict. The generals unknowingly save David from that and send him back to Ziklag.
There are a lot of setbacks that are big fat gifts from God. There are many times in scripture and in life that something doesn’t go the way someone planned, and years later they see God’s hand in saving them. In college, I really wanted to do drugs, but some friends didn’t think I was cool enough to do drugs and others thought I was so crazy they were afraid of what would happen! I was bummed but God was working salvation!
Job never got an answer for his setbacks, but he knew God deeper than all of his friends that had prosperous and easy lives. With explanation or not, surrender your rejections and denials to the One who loves you and makes you glorious.
You can get the Daily Bible Readings to your inbox via email every day by subscribing here. Join the discussion online on Facebook or Twitter.