Circle of Life

Pastor Darryl Bentley

Midland SDA Church

May 14, 2011

Homiletical Idea: When we take a look at the life of David we see a circle of sorts.  David had a solid upbringing that kept him close to the Lord, God of Israel.  That close walk with the Lord saw challenges at times and even periods when David followed after his own heart thus making mistakes that displeased God.  However, David came full circle eventually and reconnected with the God of his youth.  At his death David was right with the Lord.

The Runt

                Being born last in a string of eight sons was no easy road to walk.  Although we were not the richest from among the tribe of Judah we were quite successful.  I often spent time tending the flocks.  No, it was not a job of high honor, but honor was not what I sought.  Rather, I wanted to make my father and our family successful among the tribes.  My honor or standing had to come secondary to that of the family.

                Besides, spending so much time tending to the family flocks taught me many valuable lessons about God and how He works with us.  Just as it was my privilege to protect, provide for, and lead the sheep so our Lord does this for us.  He gives us every provision we need.  He protects us from our enemies that would seek to destroy us, and certainly He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

The Anointing

                Although I never really minded being the least in my father’s house, I did not like missing out on some of the gatherings that my elder brothers took part in.  One day Samuel the priest and prophet of God came to Bethlehem to offer sacrifice to God.  He gathered all of the people together and my father, Jesse, was asked to bring his sons before Samuel.  Apparently God had sent Samuel to anoint the future king of Israel and he began his search in my father’s house.

                Each of my brothers were marched before Samuel, but none of them were chosen.  Was I ever surprised when the messenger came running and summoned me to appear before Samuel.  I was shocked to say the least.  But I came as I had been instructed to do so.  No sooner had I appeared before Samuel did he arise and began to pour the oil over my head.  Right there in the assembly he announced that I was to be the next king over Israel. 

                I instantly felt the Spirit of God come down upon me in a mighty way.  How invigorating that the Lord would use me.  How honored to be chosen to serve God and His people.

An Armor Bearer

                Not long after my anointing, King Saul summoned me to the royal palace to play my harp for him.  Poor king Saul. He was such a great and mighty man of God at the beginning of his reign.  But the king took his eyes off the Lord and trusted in his own ways.  I was glad that my playing soothed King Saul.  What a shame to see such a mighty man loose his way.

                I did not realize just how much the king had lost his way until Israel was camped out in the valley of Elah to face the Philistines in battle.  Now there’s a group of ungodly heathens if I ever saw any.  When Saul and the Army went out to face them I took the opportunity to go back home and help my father.  My three oldest brothers had left with Saul to battle the Philistines so he father needed help.  By this time he was very old.

                But as was often the case father was concerned for my brothers who had gone to battle so he sent me with some supplies to go and check on them.  Just as I approached the battle lines Israel was marching out to meet the Philistines.  I arrived just in time to catch the battle.  I was so excited that I left my belongings with the baggage keeper and ran to my brothers.

                But just as I came to them a giant from Gath named Goliath began to shout and ridicule our God and His army.  When Goliath roared all the mighty men of Israel fled in his presence.  I was astonished to see this.  Astonished and sickened all in the same breath.  I began to question my brothers and the other Soldiers about why no one would fight Goliath and what would the reward be if someone did kill him.  Riches, honor, and Saul’s daughter were the promised reward.  The king soon learned of my arrival and sent for me.  I went straight away to him. 

                What I found in the king’s tent troubled me even more.  Instead of seeing Saul readying himself for battle there he was cowering in his tent.  Can you believe it; God’s anointed cowering in fear before a godless heathen?  After much convincing King Saul allowed me to go out and face the giant from Gath.

                I rushed out to meet him with only my sling and the Spirit of God.  Stopping only long enough to gather five smooth stones from the valley brook, I ran toward Goliath.  He thought it was some sort of joke to see me coming out against him.  He kicked back his helmet and roared laughter, taunts, and obscenities toward me.  That was the only target I needed.

                I hurled one of the stones toward him and God guided it to strike him right on the forehead.  The shot was enough to take Goliath down.  I had no sword of my own so I had to run over and use the Philistine’s own sword to remove his head.  Saul and all of Israel were greatly impressed, but it was not by my might or power, but by the Spirit of God that victory had come.

Friendship and Jealousy

                After the victory over Goliath I was summoned to stay at the palace full time.  Saul’s son, Jonathan, and I became fast friends.  We shared a love bond that few have known.  We treasured each other’s friendship more than gold. 

                Even as a youth Saul set me over the men of Israel as their commander.  One day after we had returned from Elah some of the ladies were singing.  They said Saul had killed his thousands and to me they ascribed ten thousands.  When King Saul heard this he became very angry and from that day forward he was suspicious of me.

                Saul’s jealously of me intensified and he even tried to kill me on more than one occasion.  Yes, I had chances to kill him and just end his foolish jealously, but how could I lift up my hand against the Lord’s anointed.  After all, he was still the king.  I just praise God that Jonathan and I were friends.  It was his friendship and God’s protection that spared my life on many occasions.

Death of a King

One day my troubles with King Saul came to an end.  It had been years since Saul had been connected to the Lord, God of Israel.  Any battle he fought he tried to do it on his own.  It was sad really to watch his demise.  One day while fighting the Philistines again Saul was hit by arrows and he and his sons were overrun.  Saul asked his armor bearer to kill him so that the Philistines would not capture and make sport of him.  He refused so Saul took his own life by falling on his sword.

Anointing of a King

Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was set as king over Israel and I became the king of Judah at the age of 23.  We fought each other for years.  It was obvious that God was with me because my house became stronger and stronger with each passing year and battle.  Eventually, after the death of Abner, God set me as king over all of Israel.  The years that followed were mostly good.  I had the Ark of God brought to Jerusalem.

Building of Houses

                After things finally settled down a bit and my cedar house was built by the workers from the King of Tyre, I realized that it was not fitting for me to dwell in such a grand estate while the Ark of God sat in a tent.  I wanted very badly to build God a temple.  At first Nathan, the prophet of God, told me to move forward, but God showed him that I could not build the temple because I had been a man of war and blood was on my hands because of it.

                But even though I was not allowed to build God’s temple, He promised me that my descendant would.  My heart was gladdened by the promise and I laid all the provisions to build that temple so the work would not be hindered.

Fall of the Anointed

                As the Lord moved and blessed all my efforts I felt so tremendously blessed.  So much so that sometimes I took my eyes off the Lord and looked at what had been given to my hands.

                One day, as I walked on my roof to enjoy the evening I saw something that had escaped my view before.  There below me was a creature of rare beauty bathing in the evening light.  From my perspective her beauty was fully revealed.  After inquiring I learned that her name was Bathsheba; the daughter of oath.  I was so captivated by her beauty and the form of her figure that I lost control of my senses.  I sent for her to be brought to my palace and there I committed an act that brought me temporary joy and long-term heartache.  I violated my marriage vows and caused her to do the same.

                I learned soon afterwards that Bathsheba had become pregnant.  I had to think quickly so I sent for Urriah her husband to be brought from battle.  My plan was to give him a brief furlough home so that he could lay with his wife and think she had become pregnant by him.  But he was such an honorable man that he would not even go to her while the rest of Israel’s warriors were deprived of such pleasures on the battle front.  I even tried getting him drunk so he could be persuaded to go into her, but even under the influence of wine he was more honorable than me.  Urriah slept by the door of my house with the servants.

                I knew that my only recourse was to have Urriah sent to the front lines of battle where he could be killed.  With him out of the way I could then legally take Bathsheba and marry her myself.  At my command Uriah was sent to the front lines where he perished.  After her period of mourning I took her in as my own and she bore me the son conceived in sin.  I knew I had sinned, but I was sure that I had gotten away with it.

Nathan’s Visit

                That is until Nathan came to me.  He cleverly told me a story of a rich man who had much wealth and great herds and a poor man who had but one little lamb.  Nathan said the rich man took the single lamb from the poor man instead of selecting from among his own herds.  I was furious that such a man would act in this way.  To my horror Nathan told me I was that rich man.  I had taken Urriah’s lamb when I had him killed to cover my sin with his wife.

                Nathan proceeded to tell of a curse that would then be upon me and Bathsheba. He said that because of my sin evil would rise against me from within my own household.  He also promised me that my child of sin would die and this too came to pass.

Repentance of a King

                I could spend a lot of time telling you about all the trouble that came in the wake of my sin failure, but I am not here today to glorify failure.  But suffice it to say that much trouble and grief came upon my head and my household because of my sin.  If only I had kept my eyes on the Lord and not Bathsheba’s beauty.  But despite my failures I realized how I had left the side of my God and it saddened me that I had let Him down.

                Even when Nathan was speaking God’s message to me I repented in my heart.  After the days of my evil the Lord showed me favor again.  I knew without any doubt that He was my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.  He is the horn of my salvation and truly He is worthy to be praised (2 Samuel 22:1-3).

                As I look back on my life I see a vast circle of life.  I was reared in a home where we taught from babes to love and fear the Lord, God of Israel.  There was no question in my heart about our God and His ability to deliver us from our enemies.  Truly I was used my Him in mighty ways to work out that deliverance.  But in my splendor and ease of life I took my eyes off the God of my youth and allowed them to follow evil.  No, I never fully walked away from God as did Saul, but I walked far enough away that evil crept into my heart and it took one sin to cover another.

                But God be praised that He welcomed back with open arms.  I was born serving Him, I left His side for a while, but I came full circle and had the Spirit of God renewed in my life.  I prayed that God would create in me a clean heart, that He would restore a steadfast spirit within me, that He would not cast me from His presence, and that He would use me to turn other sinners from their wicked ways.  I longed not only to be connected to my God, but I wanted to make sure He used me to disciple others.  This the Lord did and much, much more.  Yes, my life came full circle.

Appeal & Wrap-up

                Yes, God continued to use me and He fulfilled all His promises to me.  Where is your life today?  Have you too gone astray and let the beauty of this earth draw your eyes from the Lord, God of Israel and the world?  Why not let today be the day that you too come full circle? 

                Maybe you too began your life devoted to the cause of God, but you strayed and walked away from the Lord.  Maybe you never knew Him as a youth, but came to Him later in life.  No matter the past, no matter the nature of our upbringing, God can reach down and lift us up right where we are today.  He longs to do for you and me what He did for David of old.

                God longs to guide our steps in the paths of righteousness.  He longs to give us His Spirit.  He wants so much to save us.  Yes, friends, He wants so much to bring us full circle all the way back to Him.  Isaiah told us that “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us have turned to his own way, But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” The prophet is speaking about Jesus of course.

                Today as we come to this table, friends you and I have need of a Savior.  Today as we come to this table we need to come full circle and return fully back to Jesus.  Some of us here may need to come to Him for the first time.  No matter your beginning today should be the day that we all return unto Jesus.  Today can and should be the day that we ask of God the same things that David did in Psalm 51:10; “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.  ¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  ¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.  ¹³ Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.” 

                If this is your desire today, friends, won’t you come forward and make your recommitment to the Lord?  Won’t come forward and come full circle with Christ?  Let us pray together.