공동체와 양육

Strength for the Journey (1 Sam 23:1~29)

2017.10.29P. Stephen Cha

In the wilderness, God strengthens us through renewed prayer, faithful friends, and a wider perspective. Even when we cannot see how it will end, our lives are in his hand, and he prepares us to run the race well.

Return to God in honest, continual prayer (vv. 1-5)

David had stopped praying while he was running from Saul. Now he asks the Lord about everything: whether to go out, whether to attack, and how to act. We too must learn to pray in discerning God's will. Before we can seek his will together with others, we need to come back to God, pour out our hearts honestly, and be renewed in our relationship with him. Only then can we walk with him and know that he is leading us. If we do not guard our time, even good church work can crowd out time with God.

Friends who strengthen us in God (vv. 16-18)

When David was hunted and betrayed, Jonathan came to him at Horesh and strengthened his hand in God. He did not offer easy comfort or promise that things would soon improve. He reminded David of what God had spoken and of God's faithful covenant. Jonathan helped David put his hand in God's hand. We need friends like this who will stand with us on the journey, and we must also become such friends to others, pointing them to God's word and promises.

Seeing God's hand in control and taking the next step (vv. 14, 19-29)

David was pursued by Saul in the wilderness, yet Saul could not put him into his hand, because God's hand was protecting him. God is sovereign even when his people must run. David did not only pray for God to act; he kept moving and did what he needed to do. Then a messenger told Saul that the Philistines had raided the land, and Saul turned back. God used the enemy to deliver David. When we are in trouble, we should remember that God is in control and keep doing the next thing he has set before us.

Trusting God until the spring comes

The wilderness is like winter before spring, a season where God is at work even when we do not see it. Psalm 54 moves from crying for help, to confidence that God is our helper, to a vow to give thanks, even before deliverance has come. David trusted that God would turn the situation around and display his faithfulness. Scripture shows that suffering comes before glory, as it did for Christ. God allows us to go through hardship so that where we carry our cross, Christ's life may flourish and others may come to know heaven through our obedience.

Apply to Life

  • Let us return to God in honest prayer and make time to listen before we ask for direction.
  • Let us seek God's will together with our brothers and sisters in prayer.
  • Let us be friends who strengthen others by pointing them to God's word and promises.
  • Let us keep in step with God, trusting that our lives are in his hand even when we cannot see the way ahead.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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