1 Sam. 19
How many of us, in David’s position, would have maintained the respect that David had for Saul as God’s anointed? Technically, God had already rejected Saul and anointed David in his place. Saul knew this, and so hated David, even though David had never wronged Saul in any way. But David never turned on Saul – physically, mentally, or emotionally. David loved one who by all rights should have been his enemy.
Ps 23
David knew sheep. And he knew what it meant to be a shepherd. There is a reason God refers to us as sheep so often, and why Jesus is said to be the Good Shepherd. David knew that sheep are totally dependent on their shepherd and that the quality of the shepherd’s care for them makes all the difference in their lives. We all act like sheep, one way or another. But the sheep who fully submit to their shepherd’s care make out the best. Those of us who continue to try to take care of things by ourselves, well, we just end up needing our Good Shepherd that much more.
Ps 59
What was David’s response, when Saul sent men to kill him? He prayed for God’s protection and vindication, yes, but then…he sang. “But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.” (Ps 59:16-17) Yes, in the midst of his life-or-death troubles, David chose to focus on God’s love and might.
Luke 21:1-19
The disciples seemed to be focused on when Jesus would fulfill his prophesied role as the conquering King – what we would call “the end times.” And we get focused on Jesus’ words about wars and earthquakes and such. But then Jesus says in Luke 21:12, “But before all this…” and proceeds to tell the disciples what is in store for them, saying, “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” I have never looked at this passage this way before. Looking at it this morning, however, it seems to me that Jesus is telling them not to worry about the end times, but to focus on the task they have been given – the task of carrying on His business as He has been teaching them.
And it’s funny, because right after he says that some of them will be put to death, he says that not a hair of their heads will perish. A contradiction? I think not. But, rather, a perspective that this life that we think we have is not the real thing; it is not the life that matters. Our real lives come after this “practice round” and are what we should be living for. When we stay focused on God and His Kingdom through whatever we face here and now, then, “By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (v 19)