In First Samuel 18:8-18 and in chapter 19:9-10 we see the story of David. David was just a sheep keeper and a harp player for King Saul. David did some outstanding acts of grace and refused to act unwisely towards the King. Through David’s life we clearly see the blessings that can flow from acts of grace.
A) The Song of Grace
David was playing the harp for King Saul. He sought to bless the man of God who was jealous of him and who sought to kill him. Saul sought and attempted to kill David with a javelin while David was using his both hands to play the harp to minister to him. It happened twice. What are some precious lessons we can learn about the value of grace?
Firstly, Grace Seeks To Minister To Those Who Carry Javelins.
• Saul had the javelins of jealousy and resentment
• Others are javelins of gossip or trouble making
Sometimes the target is the leadership in churches today. The most difficult things in ministry are to preach to bless those who are mentally throwing javelins at you. With this most pastors and leaders of the churches have to leave or have a nervous breakdown. Pastors without grace or quality of grace of God cannot lead successful a church in today’s world.
Dear friends, do not yield to pressure from people. You may make the mistakes of your lifetime. When you have taken the wrong decision the same people will criticize you for making mistakes. People will push you into things but they will not support you when you are out there. This goes in your job area too.
Secondly, Grace is Mostly Easily Ministered From A Joyful Heart.
David’s heart was filled with songs of praise and worship. Many times leaders and pastors who received javelins threw back javelin of anger and bitterness. They used the Law which kills and only grace gives life. David sang in the Spirit of the Lord. Spiritual songs and making melody to the Lord is biblical in the New Testament.
• Be thankful for trial – I Peter 5:10
• Be thankful for everything. Speak to one another in psalms – Ephesians 5:19, I Thess. 5:18)
It is hard for bitterness to grow when your heart is filled with gratitude. David was so occupied with praising God and worshiping God (lips and hearts) and there is no time for javelin throwing. We can be hurt by javelins throwers, driven to tears when insulted instead of appreciated, made angry when our weaknesses and failures are exposed but the leaders of grace must continue to play the harp and they must seek to bless the javelin throwers.
Thirdly, Let Grace Deals With Situations That You Cannot Handle.
In I Samuel 24 David was running away from King Saul with his 3,000 men. David hid with his men in a large cave. Saul came to the cave to ease himself but David’s men found out and asked David to kill Saul. But David cut off a small piece of Saul’s coat and David felt he had done wrong.
What were David’s acts of grace?
• Grace was shown because Saul was the Lord’s anointed.
• Grace was shown because Saul would be judged by the Lord Himself.
• Grace allows us to look to God to judge and justify our lives.
• Grace must be shown for Christ’s sake.
Congregation must be careful how they treat God’s anointed leadership in church today. The Leaders must be careful in conduct and vice versa. Christians must be careful to treat each other with respect. Do not cut one another's coat off. Respect them for who they are. Christians are anointed people like Saul sealed with God’s ownership and God’s Spirit in their hearts.
All acts of grace are linked to the Lord Jesus Christ. The grace becomes sacred and holy. We must share the Grace of God. We show them to the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4:15,16)
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