David's Finest Hours

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow, U.K. | Category: General | Jun 1984

And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

(1 Sam. 17:29)

Indeed there was a cause, for the army of Israel was facing defeat. An enemy had appeared on the scene and before him all the men of Israel fled. Perhaps Israel knew that God could kill the giant, but David knew that God could do it through him. "Who is this uncircumcized Philistine," he said, "that he should defy the armies of the living God?" Faith wrought the victory that day, and David defeated the giant, when all the circumstances were against him. The God who enabled him to slay the lion and the bear was with him in the fight with Goliath of Gath. It was the first of David's finest hours, and through this victory he won the hearts of his people, and also of the king's son, Jonathan, who gave him his sword and his robe. Their hearts were knit together that day, and Jonathan loved David as his own soul.

There have been many men and women who have engaged in conflict with a greater than Goliath - Satan the Adversary. David's example in the Vale of Elah has encouraged many in their conflict with the Adversary and the powers of darkness. Indeed all who would serve the Lord must do battle with those "world-rulers of this darkness" of whom Satan is the chief. "The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4). Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 6:13, to "take up the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." In this chapter Paul shows what our armour is, and that with it we must engage in all prayer and supplication, praying at all seasons in the Spirit. These exercises are essential for us in the service of God, and in this spiritual conflict. If we neglect these, then our defeat is sure. We will be like the men of Israel who ran away from the conflict with Goliath.

Is there not a cause that our young men, especially, should engage in this spiritual conflict? There is indeed, for many die in darkness at their side, without a hope to cheer the tomb. "How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" (Romans 10:14, 15). Not everyone is sent, nor is everyone fitted for this service. But some of our young men are. Will they not say like Isaiah, "Here am I, send me" when the Lord's call comes to them? The two epistles of Paul to Timothy will be very helpful to them, as indeed the whole of the Word will be. As with David in the Vale of Elah, let the young men arise, for this is their day and opportunity to serve the Lord Christ, counting not the cost.

We turn now to consider another day in David's experience. About 48 years had passed since that notable day in the vale of Elah, and David was now nearing the end of his race. Soon the crown of Israel would pass to Solomon his son. For many years David had longed to build a house for God (Psalm 132:2, 5). He himself dwelt in a house of cedar, while the Ark of God dwelt within curtains (2 Samuel 7:2). David had given to Israel their first "hymn book", and had himself written many of the psalms for it. "The Spirit of the LORD spake by me" he said "and His word was upon my tongue" (2 Samuel 23:2). To this hymn book were added the great prayer-psalm of Moses, the man of God (Psalm 90), and the Messianic psalm of Solomon (Psalm 72), with the precious psalms of the sons of Korah, and others. But the aim of those later years of David's life was for "a place for the LORD, a tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob" (Psalm 132:5). David's desire to build the house was not granted to him (that was reserved for Solomon) but to him was shown the place for the building of the house, and to him was given the plan for it. "All this," said David, "have I been made to understand in writing from the hand of the LORD, even all the works of this pattern" (I Chron. 28:19). The material was in abundance. "The work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God" (1 Chron. 29:1).

Then were gathered together all the chief men and the leaders in Israel. To them the king laid bare his heart and told them of his longing for the house of God. Over the years he had prepared with all his might gold and silver and precious stones, and much else besides. And not only so, but in his affection for the house of God he have his own treasure of gold and silver - his all. Then he gave that warm-hearted call to his people:

Who then offereth willingly to consecrate himself this day unto the LORD?

(1 Chron. 29:5).

He was appealing not only for material things, but for the hearts of his people.

Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly... to the LORD:

and David the king also rejoiced with great joy" (29:9).

It was a great day for David and for Israel. The joy of Elah was equalled on this day, when the hearts of the king and the people were bowed in adoring thanksgiving to God. In a prayer of adoration David gave thanks to God in a paean of praise.

And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God.

And all the congregation ... bowed their heads and worshipped the

LORD, and the king (29:20).

Israel never had another day like it. Our own souls too are touched as we read the moving tribute of praise to God by the king and his people. It was the final of David's finest hours. How fitting it is that when the Lord comes to reign as King over all the earth (Zech. 14:9) David will be king over his people Israel (Ezek. 37:24).

We think of another great servant of God who yielded himself and his all to God. His words were "I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may gain Christ" (Phil. 3:8). Paul's dedicated life has been a great example to many to yield their lives to God. His call has gone throughout the world:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:1, 2).

Because they heard this call, the noble army of the martyrs and a multitude of men and women besides have yielded their lives to God. And is there not a cause? Surely it is that, "He died for all, that they which live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto Him who for their sakes died and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:15).

The poet Blane has well written:

And yet, 0 god! it seems no sacrifice,

When I behold what Thou hast done for me;

When thinking on my Saviour's dying cries,

Love smitten, glad I to the altar flee!

By His own blood made holy in Thine eyes,

Acceptable through Him, my God to Thee!

G. Jarvie, Glasgow, U.K. | Jun 1984
General