2021 – Year of the Lord’s Favour – Samuel | Sunday Service | Feb 21, 2021

We welcome all of you to the house of our God! We are glad that you all are here to hear from the word of God but trust it is not you who has come today, it is God, He who has brought you here.

We will continue with our ongoing series, “God’s Favour“. Today we are going to focus on the life of David.

But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.

And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’

David was a great king, a good soldier, warrior, guide and more importantly everything he did was successful because God’s favour was upon him.

Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

Today we are going to learn two things from the life of David about what happens when we walk in the divine favour of God,

And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord . Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

It appears that Saul was grown very wicked. Of what would he not be guilty, who durst think to kill Samuel? The elders of Bethlehem trembled at Samuel’s coming. It becomes us to stand in awe of God’s messengers, and to tremble at his word. His answer was, I come peaceably, for I come to sacrifice. When our Lord Jesus came into the world, though men had reason to fear that his errand was to condemn the world, yet he gave full assurance that he came peaceably, for he came to sacrifice, and he brought his offering with him; A body hast thou prepared me. Let us sanctify ourselves, and depend upon His sacrifice.

Thus says the Lord God : Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted. A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. This also shall not be, until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him.

He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord ‘s, and on them he has set the world.

We know what God can do. He will lift the needy people up and He will prove to people who object that God is on their side.

Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord , have helped me and comforted me.

When you pray, pray like David and trust people around you will be amazed to see what God can do in your life and people surrounding you will say that indeed God’s hand is upon him/her.

David’s brother never trusted what David could do. When David heard about Goliath who was cursing God and the people against who he wanted to fight, people didn’t trusted in David. His own people didn’t believed in him and made him feel like a reject and someone who isn’t able.

Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

The steps of a man are established by the Lord , when he delights in his way;

The wicked people reject God because the wicked want to follow their own desires and their own gods.

Like David, Job also kept on holding to the Lord and he was blessed abundantly.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.

Even though righteous people will face setbacks, but trust that these are temporarily setbacks, and that’s alright as they will see the victory of the Lord. When we day failures in our life, these are going to be temporary.

Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord – Margin, “established.” The word rendered “ordered” means to stand erect; to set up; to found; to adjust, fit, direct. The idea here is, that all which pertains to the journey of a good man through life is directed, ordered, fitted, or arranged by the Lord. That is, his course of life is under the divine guidance and control. The word “good” has been supplied here by our translators, and there is nothing corresponding to it in the original. It is simply there, “the steps of man are ordered,” etc. Yet there can be no doubt that a good or pious man is particularly referred to, for the connection demands this interpretation. The word “steps” here means his course of life; the way in which he goes.

And he delighteth in his way – In his course of life; and, therefore, he blesses him. The general idea is that he is the object of the divine favor, and is under the care of God.

Your life is not controlled by your job, money, kings, rulers, people but God and God alone.

And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

When you see obstacles in your way and you feel it is unfair, then understand that God is at work and you will be lifted up. All you need to do is keep on holding to God.

The favour of God will cover all aspects of your life.

There is a beautiful lyrics by one of the Bob Fitts‘ songs, which sums this all beautifully…

If you are feeling you are facing troubles and you feel rejected, then trust today God is talking with you. To get over all these obstacles you need the favour of God. And in order to have that, today is the day. Pray, surrender and hold on to Christ Jesus. Just like the life of David is one if the best examples of the favour of God, you will be blessed beyond abundance and immensely.

We hope you are encouraged with today’s word. May God’s peace and favour be upon you. We look forward to see you again next week. God bless!