How to Prepare for Opposition (1 Samuel 19) This chapter teaches several ways to prepare for opposition. 1. By expecting opposi...
How to Prepare for Opposition (1 Samuel 19)
This chapter teaches several ways to prepare for opposition.
1. By expecting opposition (19:1-3, 11-14)
Jonathan
and Michal warned David that opposition was coming. Jesus warned His disciples
to expect opposition, so that when it came, they wouldn’t be discouraged,
thinking some strange thing fell upon them (John 14-16). Are we expecting
opposition? Are we warning believers to expect it? Are we warning the lost of
their impending doom without Christ? We should prepare for opposition, by
expecting it.
2. By using heaven’s wisdom (19:3-17)
Saul became
envious when God gave David success against the Philistines. A distressing
spirit troubled him. James says bitter envy and selfish ambition are “earthly,
sensual, demonic”. Demonic influence triggers people with bitter envy and
selfish ambition. It makes people envious of the success God gives other. By
contrast, James counsels us to seek heavenly wisdom. Heavenly wisdom practices
good deeds in meekness, purity, and peace. Jonathan practiced heavenly wisdom.
He spoke well of David to Saul. He tried to reason with him and promote peace. David
behaved himself wisely. He lived a blameless life. He fought God’s battles by
faith. He did only good towards Saul. The wisdom that comes from above is the
counter for the demonic wisdom that troubled Saul. Practice heavenly wisdom in
purity, peace, and meekness (James 3). We should prepare for opposition by
using heaven’s wisdom.
3. By fleeing foolish danger (19:9)
It wasn’t that
David simply didn’t like the tone of Saul’s voice. Saul was actually trying to
kill him. He issued a public decree that others should kill him. He tried to
spear him to the wall. It’s okay to flee from unreasonable danger. Jesus walked
away from the midst of the crowd that sought to throw him off a cliff. He also
departed the region when Herod beheaded John. Paul left places when people
rejected the gospel and persecuted him. There’s nothing honorable about allowing
God’s enemies to take you out, if God opens a door for you to flee to safety. All
who would live godly will be persecuted. A great standard to measure godliness,
is by how much unjust persecution you’re suffering for the cross of Christ. We
should prepare for opposition by fleeing foolish danger.
4. By sharing excess burdens (19:18)
In his hour of trial, David consulted
a trusted, spiritual leader. The Bible says "cast your care on God, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). We're also told to "Bear one another’s burdens" (Galatians 6:2). We should prepare for opposition by sharing excess
burdens with those who are spiritual.
5. By wearing God’s armor (19:19-24)
What’s the meaning of all the prophesying that happened? The text doesn’t specifically state, but the end result was obvious. The Holy Spirit disarmed David’s enemies, and frustrated their plans. Saul was lying on the ground, naked. We cannot fight spiritual battles in our own strength. We must put on the armor of God. Christ disarmed the principalities and powers that opposed God, His people, and His plan of redemption. We should prepare for opposition by wearing God’s armor.
When David began following God, operating by the power of the Holy Spirit, and experiencing God’s success, opposition arose. The Lord operated in the power of the Spirit, as God’s anointed. He did all things well. The result was the religious leaders envied, rejected, and persecuted Him. In this, David is a type of Christ. All who want to live godly will suffer persecution. Opposition often arises through the envy of others. It can be prompted by demonic wisdom, bitter envy, and selfish ambition. We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers in the heavenly realm.
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