And David Said, I Shall Now Perish One Day
David's story teaches us to trust in God's promises and omnipotence, even in the face of adversity and unbelief.
F.B. Meyer reflects on David's moment of despair, highlighting how even a man of faith can succumb to doubt and fear when surrounded by negative influences. Despite God's promises of protection and future success, David's mistrust led him to flee to the Philistines, resulting in regret and sorrow. Meyer warns against losing heart and encourages believers to focus on God's omnipotence rather than their circumstances. He emphasizes that God is always present to deliver and support His people, reminding them of His unwavering commitment. Ultimately, the sermon calls for trust in God's faithfulness, assuring that He will never forsake those who rely on Him.
Text
And David said, I shall now perish one day
by the hand of Saul. 1 Sam. xxvii. 1.
WHAT a fit of despondency and unbelief was here! We can hardly believe that this is he who in so many psalms had boasted of the shepherd care of God, who had so often insisted on the safety of God's pavilion. It was a fainting fit, brought on by the bad air he had breathed amid the evil associations of Adullam's cave. Had not God promised to take care of him? Was not his future already guaranteed by the promises that he should succeed to the kingdom? But nothing availed to check his precipitate flight into the land of the Philistines.
Bitterly he rued this mistake. The prevarication and deceit to which he was driven; the anguish of having to march with Achish against his own people; the sack and burning of Ziklag : these were the price he had to pay for his mistrust. Unbelief always brings many other bitter sorrows in its train, and leads the soul to cry,
"How long, 0 Lord? Wilt Thou forget me for ever?
How long wilt Thou hide thy face from me?"
Let us beware of losing heart, as David did. Look not at Saul, but at God, who is omnipotent; not at the winds and waves, but at Him who walks across the water; not at what may come, but at that which is ‑‑ for the gIorious Lord is round about thee to deliver thee. He shall deliver thy soul from death, thine eyes from tears, and thy feet from falling. He that has helped will help. What He has done, He will do. God always works from less to more, never from more to less. Dost thou not hear ‑‑ hast thou not heard ‑‑ his voice saying, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee? What, then, can man do unto thee? Every weapon used against thee shall go blunt on an invisible shield!
Sermon Outline
- I. David's Despondency and Unbelief
- A. The fit of despondency and unbelief
- B. The consequences of unbelief
- II. The Price of Mistrust
- A. The prevarication and deceit
- B. The anguish of marching against his own people
- C. The sack and burning of Ziklag
- III. The Importance of Trusting God
- A. Looking to God, not at circumstances
- B. God's omnipotence and deliverance
- C. God's promise to never leave or forsake
Key Quotes
“How long, O Lord? Wilt Thou forget me for ever?” — F.B. Meyer
“He shall deliver thy soul from death, thine eyes from tears, and thy feet from falling.” — F.B. Meyer
“Every weapon used against thee shall go blunt on an invisible shield!” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We must beware of losing heart and instead look to God for deliverance and protection.
- God's promise to never leave or forsake us is a guarantee of His presence and help in times of need.
- We must trust in God's omnipotence and remember that every weapon used against us will go blunt on an invisible shield.