2021 – Year of the Lord’s Favour – The life of David | Sunday Service | Feb 07, 2021

Good Morning Church!

We are happy to see you all back to honor the house of our Lord. God has enabled us to praise and worship him yet again and we praise God for that.

We have been learning about the Favour of God. Especially David since past three services. Today again, we will learn about “God’s Favour” in the life of David.

And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

Trust, it is God who has chosen you just like He chose David. David on the other hand, had a longing for God.

For a long time David was kept in continual apprehension of falling by the hand of Saul, yet he persevered in meek and respectful behaviour towards his persecutor. How uncommon is such prudence and discretion, especially under insults and provocations! Let us inquire if we imitate this part of the exemplary character before us. Are we behaving wisely in all our ways? Is there no sinful omission, no rashness of spirit, nothing wrong in our conduct? Opposition and perverseness in others, will not excuse wrong tempers in us, but should increase our care, and attention to the duties of our station. Consider Him that endured contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds. If David magnified the honour of being son-in-law to king Saul, how should we magnify the honour of being sons to the King of kings!

Be assured, everything will be alright because God is sitting on the Throne.

Today, from the life of David, we will learn about two very important things when God favours you.

Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord ‘s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father’s clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”

1 Samuel 18:17‭-‬18

If we read from the story of David, we will all understand that people doubted his ability. However David was confident because he relied on God and faithful towards God.

David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul

David duly experienced persecution as well.

And Saul eyed David from that day on.

As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.

And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

Along with the success of David, Saul wasn’t very happy about it. There was a feeling of jealousy. Daul thought that David will fight and may die in the war, inspite if this, David was victorious.

And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?”

Similar to these, the verses in 1 Samuel chapter 18 and the verses 15, 17, 21 and 28 talk about the same. Saul was angry on David. However, David relied on God as he knew that it is not men who can move David, but it is God.

What is the favour of God? It is the Grace and love of God that counts. Don’t count the promotions, advancements in money, count the presence of God as His blessing.

There is nothing in this world you have owned, can be compared with the presence of God. God says, “I will not leave you nor forsake you. I will be with you!” Amen!

Why do we have to face persecutions, troubles and difficuilties? Thats because God wants us to be in a place He has decided for us to be and trust that His place is incomparable to any pleasures this world can offer.

The biblical success is not about avhieving things or having more things. Rather it is faithfulness towards God and His faithfulness towards us.

Jonathan, instead of just going ti his father, he warned David. thats what we call a free spy service. This man tipped David. Even Saul’s daughter helped david. Prophet Samuel helped david. The priest helped David.

David’s troubles not only immediately follow his triumphs, but arise from them; such is the vanity of that which seems greatest in this world. It is a sign that the Spirit of God is departed from men, if, like Saul, they are peevish, envious, suspicious, and ill-natured. Compare David, with his harp in his hand, aiming to serve Saul, and Saul, with his javelin in his hand, aiming to slay David; and observe the sweetness and usefulness of God’s persecuted people, and the barbarity of their persecutors. But David’s safety must be ascribed to God’s providence.

Can you see this, it is only God who has made this possible. When favour of God is upon you, you will find success and He will raise up people who will stand for you.

Your families may fail you, friends may fail you, the business cards with big names you have in your wallet may fail you. However, God will never fail you and only through Him you will find favour, peace, joy and more importantly have eternal life.

You think you are facing troubles in your life? You think you are troubled beyond repair? You think there is no one to hear your plea? If your answer is a “yes”, then today is the day to go down on your knees and pray and seek God’s favour in your life. Be faithful towards God and God will be faithful towards you. You will have His favour.

We hope you are encouraged with today’s word. We are glad that you joined us and we look forward to see you all again next Sunday. God bless you!