Looking to God to Accomplish
The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's promises and timing, even when circumstances seem slow or uncertain.
K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of faith and patience in the journey of fulfilling God's promises, using David's life as a powerful example. Despite being anointed as king, David did not rush to claim his throne but returned to his humble duties as a shepherd. Throughout his trials, including evading King Saul and enduring hardships, David remained steadfast in trusting God's timing rather than taking matters into his own hands. Ultimately, David's faithfulness and restraint led to the fulfillment of God's promise in a way that honored Him. This sermon encourages believers to look to God and trust in His plan, even when the path seems slow and challenging.
Text
Sometimes walking by faith seems passive and slow in coming to pass. Look at David's life. In the book of 1 Samuel, we can see how David endured much, yet he never resorted to fighting to make sure the crown God promised him would be his. He had faith that God would fulfill the promises He had made.
David started out as a mere child taking care of his father's sheep. On the day the prophet Samuel came to anoint the new king, chosen from David's family, his own father didn't even regard young David as one to be considered. It wasn't until Samuel had passed over all the older sons that David's name was even mentioned. Then, when David was finally acknowledged and Samuel poured the oil on David's head, anointing him as the chosen king, what did David do? Go and demand the crown and begin reigning? Not at all! He went right back to his simple sheep-herding.
It was only later, when David brought food to his brothers who were fighting the Philistines, that God showed His favor upon him, giving David the victory to defeat Goliath. When King Saul found out about this, he didn't step down right then and say, "Alright David, now you are the king." No. David's journey of obtaining the promise from God was, from then on, filled with dodging spears, running for his life and living in caves in the wilderness, hungry and destitute. Even David's wife gave up on him, and several times his band of followers threatened to leave. Once he even had to pretend to be a madman just to escape his adversaries.
Finally, after many years, David had the upper hand. King Saul, unattended and alone, came into the cave where David was hiding. This was David's opportunity to kill the king who had so earnestly sought his life, or at least to capture him! All those years of running could finally come to an end. Saul's life was in David's hand and at his mercy. But God did not want David to act on the opportunity this way. The temptation to walk by sight must have been so great. Yet trusting in God and not choosing his own ways, David allowed Saul to escape so that God could fulfill the promise of making him king in His own way and in His own timing.
Sermon Outline
- Walking by Faith
- David's Example
- Faith vs. Fighting for What's Promised
- God's Timing and Way
Key Quotes
“He had faith that God would fulfill the promises He had made.” — K.P. Yohannan
“It was only later, when David brought food to his brothers who were fighting the Philistines, that God showed His favor upon him, giving David the victory to defeat Goliath.” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- We should trust in God's promises and timing, even when circumstances seem slow or uncertain.
- Waiting on God's timing allows Him to fulfill His promises in His own way, which is often better than what we could have achieved on our own.
- We can trust God by remembering His past faithfulness and relying on His character, even when we don't understand what's happening.