Trust & Obey

As believers, we are promised many different things - eternal life, forgiveness of sins, peace, God’s instruction and comfort, renewed strength, and many other gifts and blessings from our heavenly Father. One promise that is often overlooked by many Christians is the promise of suffering.

We all suffer and face trials in this life. Every single one of us will suffer in some capacity at some point. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, loss of income, slander, persecution, or even the loss of a beloved pet. It can be easy to overlook the promise that we as believers will suffer.

Although God can handle our anger, frustration, and despair, that does not have to be our response. Through tears, we can trust and obey. Amidst all the pain, the Lord calls us to find joy in suffering (James 1), to endure to the end, and to run the race set before us.

How can we respond rightly to suffering? By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can respond to trials as David did in 1 Samuel 24 and 26 when he was being pursued by Saul, who was seeking his life. He was in the midst of a great trial, yet in both passages, David refused to take things into his own hands, even when he had opportunities to strike Saul down. When everyone around David told him to deliver himself by killing Saul, he refused.

I believe this is a perfect example of someone who has prepared himself to trust and obey regardless of the circumstances. David trusts that the Lord will bring deliverance and that He is the one who is in control. As chapter 26 concludes, David declares to Saul: “The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation” (1 Samuel 26:23-24). David is trusting that God will deliver and reward him. As we see in the following verses and chapters, the Lord does deliver David from Saul and rewards him by making him king over Israel. David does not resort to despair but walks in obedience, trusting that the Lord is in control.

So, how can we prepare ourselves to respond as David did?

First, we know from reading the Old Testament, especially Psalm 119, that David loved God’s Word. He desired it, filled himself with it, and meditated upon it constantly. I implore you: feed upon God’s Word daily, immerse yourself in His promises, know the truth that He has declared, memorize His great deeds, reflect on how He has upheld His promises. We must saturate ourselves with Scripture to be able to respond rightly when trials come. If we do not have the truth within us, we will falter.

Second, surround yourself with the body of Christ today that they may encourage you tomorrow. In chapters 24 and 26 we see David surrounded by those who encourage him to sin but earlier in 23:15-18 we see Jonathan encouraging David. Jonathan knew that David was under duress and oppression, so he sought him out to strengthen him. We are not made to be alone, and we need the encouragement and company of believers to strengthen us. As you draw near to the Lord do not neglect to draw near to His people. Seek them out, strengthening their hand in God and make yourself available to be sought out and strengthened.

Third, remember how the Lord has worked in the past, remember His promises, and remember the hope that you have as follower of Christ. Your hope is alive (1 Peter 1:3-9)! In 1 Samuel 17:33-37, we see David preparing to take on Goliath. As others seem sure he will fail, he remembers and proclaims how the Lord delivered him from the lion and the bear. He remembered how God had been at work in his life already and trusted that the Lord would continue to do so. May we likewise remember how the Lord has been sovereign over our own lives as well as in the lives of others. When we remember who God is and what He has done it enables us to endure trials and respond with trust and obedience.

May you do these things today, not waiting for calamity to strike, but equipping yourself today! Fill yourself with God’s Word, surround yourself with His people, and build patterns of remembrance in your life. May you, like David, trust and obey during the suffering, holding fast to the truth of the Gospel.

To learn more about David’s life and trials, check out our sermon series in 1 Samuel.