1 Samuel
Let us briefly retrace the history of David. Simplicity of faith keeps him in the place of duty, and contented there without desire to leave it, because the approbation of God suffices him. Consequently, he can there reckon upon the help of God as thoroughly secured to him. He acts in the strength of God. The lion and the bear fall under his youthful hand. Why not, if God was with him?
He follows Saul with equal simplicity, and then returns to the care of his sheep with the same satisfaction. There, in secret, he had understood by faith that the Lord was with Israel. He had understood the nature and force of this relationship. He sees in the condition of Israel something which does not answer to this, but as for himself, his faith rests upon the faithfulness of God. An uncircumcised Philistine fails like the lion. He serves Saul as musician with the same simplicity as before; whether with him or when Saul sends him out as captain of a thousand, he gives proof of his valor. He obeys the king's commands. At length the king drives him away but he is still in the place of faith.
There is little now of military achievement, but there is the discernment of that which became him when the spiritual power was in him, but the outward divine authority was in other hands. It was the same position as that of Jesus in Israel. David does not fail in this position, its difficulties only the better bringing out all the beauty of God's grace and the fruit of the Spirit's work, while very peculiarly developing spiritual affections and close relationship with God, his only refuge. It is especially this which gave rise to the psalms.
Faith suffices to bring David through all the difficulties of his position, in which it displays all its beauty and all its grace. The nobleness of character which faith imparts to man, which is the reflection of God's character, produces in the most hardened hearts feelings of natural affection, and the remorse of a nature which awakens under the influence of something superior to its malice. It is something which sheds its light upon the darkness that encompasses the unhappy sinner who rejects God.
It is because faith dwells so near God as to be above evil that it withdraws nature itself from the power of evil, although nature has no power of self-mastery. But God is with faith, and faith respects that which God respects and invests one who bears something from God with the honor due to that which belongs to God. It recalls God to the heart with all the affection that faith entertains for Him, and all that pertains to Him.
This is always seen in Jesus and wherever His Spirit is. And it is this that gives such beauty, such elevation to faith which ennobles itself with the nobility of God, by recognizing that which is noble in His sight, and on account of its relationship to Him, in spite of the iniquity or abasement of those who are invested with it. Faith acts on God's behalf and reveals Him in the midst of circumstances, instead of being governed by them. Its superiority over that which surrounds it is evident.
What repose to witness this amid the mire of this poor world! But, although faith—in the place it gives us in this world—suffices for all that we meet with in it, yet, alas! communion with God is not perfect in us. Instead of doing our duty without weariness, whatever it be, because God is with us and when we have slain the lion, being ready to slay the bear, and through this more ready still to slay Goliath; instead of faith being strengthened by victory; nature grows weary of the conflict. We then lose the normal position of faith; we debase and dishonor on ourselves.
What a difference between David, who by the fruit of grace draws tears from the heart of Saul, reopening (at least for the moment) the channel of his affections, and then David unable to raise his hand against the Philistines Whom he had so Often defeated, boasted himself ready to fight against Israel and the king whose life he had spared!
My brethren, let us abide in the place of faith, apparently a more difficult one, yet the place where God is found, and where grace—the only precious thing in the world—flourishes and binds the heart to God by a thousand links of affection and gratitude, as to One who has known us, and who has stooped to meet our need and the desires of our hearts. Faith gives energy; faith gives patience. It is often thus that the most precious affections are developed, affections which, if the energy of faith makes us servants on earth, render heaven itself happy, because He who is the object of faith is there. He fills it in the presence of the Father.
Nature makes us impatient with circumstances, because we do not sufficiently realize God, and draws us into situations where it is impossible to glorify Him. On the other hand, it is well to observe that it is when man had thoroughly failed, when even David's faith had been found wanting and, departing from Israel, he had thrown himself among the Philistines, it was then that God gave him the kingdom. Grace is above all failure. God must glorify Himself in His people. J. N. Darby