An Unexpected Call (2)

Experiencing David’s Challenges

{agngalova/ Go[ Mu

“or2a-ov;ivnnyr Tavi;i Hyd

1 Sam 16:14-23

In his mission to look for a king, Samuel found Jesse and asked him to bring his sons. Jesse brought his seven sons. None of them was God’s chosen one. Jesse had ignored his youngest son David. After Samuel’s question if those were the only ones, Jesse mentioned:

“(well) there remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep” (16:11).

God had chosen that last one. It reminds me of Joseph, almost the last one. God does not look for appearance.

David came from the field.

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward” (16:13).

David accepted this. I am not sure whether he understood the enormity or magnitude of his commitment; nevertheless he accepted it.

What was David’s first mission?

King Saul was not feeling well. God’s Spirit departed from him. One of his servants suggested bringing the young musician David into the court to help heal the fearful king with his music. The evil spirit was terrorizing (tormenting) him.

How sad it is that the servants discerned Saul's problem and it is they who proposed the solution. Having turned his back on the Lord, Saul seldom saw anything anymore. The servants suggested that a harpist be brought to Saul's court.

One of the servants describes the qualities of David:

“Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite,

who is skillful in playing (musician),

a man of valor, a man of war,

prudent in speech,

and a man of good presence,

and the Lord is with him.” (16:18)

Wow, David had such great qualities and talents.

As musician and poet, he wrote many songs and poems (73 songs are found in the book of Psalms).

Besides being a warrior and poet, his heart was ready for the Lord, (and the Lord is with HIM). Here is the contrast that we have in this chapter. We had two kings anointed by God: one lost God’s presence, the other was with the Lord, and the Lord was with him.

God believes in giving chances. Saul did not repent. He continued in his condition finding excuses to cover his sins. David, as we read last week, sinned yet eventually repented of his sin, confessed it to God and asked for restoration.

David’s father Jesse sends his son:

“And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul” (16:20).

I love this image, how Jesse the father sends his son on a donkey with bread and wine and a goat for sacrifice.

Do you see a similar picture after many years?

God sent His only Son. He entered Jerusalem on a donkey, broke and blessed the bread and the wine and shared them with his disciples. There was no goat for sacrifice; he became the only and last sacrifice.

Saul was pleased

And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him” (16:21-23).

Saul was pleased with David. Whenever the evil spirit visited Saul, David used his music for comfort and healing. Unfortunately Saul was only healed superficially. Later we will see his healing was temporary and he became the worst enemy of David.

How can we apply this message in our lives?

1. Expect a CALL

God is sovereign. He is in control. He can call anyone of us anytime. In fact, He does. Expect a call from God.

I received a call from Him. I wanted to be a musician, yet He called me to be a pastor. Later I found that he wanted me to use my music in my pastoral ministry. I did fight many times with Him arguing why He sent me to pastoral work. God patiently prepared me for the ministry, and He continues doing that. He did not give up from me because of my complaints.

God calls anyone to use any means for the advancement of His Kingdom.

In the Monday Night Bible Study we were discussing about serving a neighbor.

For example you may be called for a simple ministry: one can bake cookies, and take it to the neighbor who is experiencing the pain of loss, or going through a tough divorce, or the bad news of cancer, or loneliness…. You name it. One can start a relationship with that person. You can also talk about God, about Christ. You can invite the person to a picnic, to the food festival, to Bible study, to the worship service…small acts.

Tune in to hear the call.

2. Expect an unexpected CALL!

His call can be also an unexpected one.

David was anointed a king. Most likely he thought he would be a warrior and a mighty king. Yet, his first mission was to play music for a distorted king. One could argue with God, “Can’t you find me a better “mission” for me?”

No service or mission to our Lord is small or unimportant. God may use any “small” act for His Kingdom as He used David’s music to confront evil.

3. God prepares us for His CALL

For many years David was in the wilderness. First he was with his sheep and goats. He learned poetry and music. After he was anointed by God, he went many times to wilderness or caves. God used this opportunities to teach him, to shape his character.

Where is your wilderness in your life?

Are you allowing to God’s Spirit to shape you, prepare you for His ministry?

4. God’s Music can heal you

I am a person who believes in the power of music. Besides classical or music of any genre, my focus is on Christian music and poetry.

Let me give you two verses from New Testament:

“And when they (Jesus and disciples) had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:30).

“… addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Eph 5:19).

I often find singing hymns is my healing. When you are down, or when you see evil things around you, go to a hymn book sing. Either sing them or listen to them on a CD. God will give you the victory over these “evil spirits.”

May we be receptive to whatever we learned today.

Amen