Love song

It’s a sad day indeed when leaders turn south. It is even a worse day when religious leaders are caught doing wrong or turn from humbly following God to a state of being puffed up by their own perceived accomplishments. In the book of first Samuel 15, God rejects Saul as the king of Israel. Deluded by his apparent grandeur, Saul loses his focus, direction and position with almighty God by turning to his own strengths for answers. Saul had been impatiently waiting for Samuel to return to sacrifice but as he can wait no-longer, he takes on the job of priest and a work he was not originally called by God to do. God begins to diminish Saul’s reputation as He anoints Jesse’s son, David, to be the next king of Israel.

David’s love for God and an unyielding character trait for repentance is the reason God refers to him as ‘a man after God’s own heart’. With David’s defeat of the giant Goliath, the women in Jerusalem begin to sing praise to David in the streets ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’. Jealousy and envy begin to send an already struggling king to hate this young man who is so desperately faithful and loyal to him.

Saul’s mind is already slipping away, as he spins yet another gear and attempts to pin David to a wall with his spear. The youth escapes to his home where his wife, Michal, encourages him to run away and save his life. Michal lowers David down the outside city wall by rope and dresses up an idol to fool the king’s men. She cleverly puts some of David’s clothes over the statue and goat’s hair for his head and lays the image in their bed.

It was on this occasion that David wrote psalm fifty-nine. David was very careful not to criticize Saul, who was the Lord’s anointed, a lesson we can all learn from. Too much criticism is running rampant in the church today. Many Christians today are on the look for wolves in sheep clothing when they really are better off encouraging the lost sheep of the flock. Many are in need of help and restoration which will lead them to produce fruit in God’s kingdom.

As David begins writing his song he frantically cries out for God’s help (have you ever been there before?). Remember, David has not done anything wrong but instead is faithful and loyal to king Saul who wants to kill him. In verses 8-10, David begins to remember who it is that he is praying to, an almighty, all knowing and all powerful God. “But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision. I will wait for You, O You his strength; For God is my defense. My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.”

As his song continues, David petitions God to defend him but not to destroy his enemy.  Remember that it is Saul who has sent his own countrymen to kill David. In verse 12, we see the origin of their sin is pride “For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, Let them even be taken in their pride, And for the cursing and lying which they speak.”

It has been said that it is possible to catch more flies with honey than vinegar. In Proverbs 10 verse 11 explains “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sin.” Peter puts it this way in 1Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’.”

As David finishes up his song he relaxes as he begins to realize who it is he is singing to. He begins flustered and frantic from fear but ends relaxed and confident knowing that it is God who is in control of all life. Psalm 59:16-17 records David writing “But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy.”

Thank God that it is He who will be doing the judging. The truth is, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can all be saved from our sins. Take the time, right now, to ask God to forgive you and turn you in the right direction. By believing in His covering, the blood of His One and only Son, you will be covered by His mercy forever!