Centreville Presbyterian Church
Christians sometimes say, Live by faith, not by fear! But is fear ever a good thing? This week in our study of the life of King David we meet two Kings. One was just what his people needed and the other struggled constantly. The difference was in what they feared most. Intrigued? Join us Sunday and we’ll take a closer look.
1 Samuel 16:1, 6-13 ESV
The Year is 1,000 BC. Roughly 800 years have passed since Jacob and his family fled to Egypt…
1) It is a time of “Judges”
2) A time of struggle.
3) A time of low faith…
In those days there was no King in Israel. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Judges 21:25
4) A new desire arrises in Israel.. the hunger for a King.
Saul… Was everything you want in a leader, except… he was afraid.
1 Samuel 9:1-2 ESV
1 Samuel 10:21-22 ESV
Saul had a condition called “Fear of Man”
…Deep within us there is a longing. We long for the glory that people can give us and fear the loss of their approval. When they like our decisions we feel good about ourselves. When they don’t like our decisions we cannot be at peace, even when our choice was sound. At times this can make us perform at the highest level. But over time it leaves us hesitant, needy, always living with one eye on “them”, quick to abandon a moral conviction or key life decision. We constantly adapt to the expectations of others… Our life is a performance and they are the audience.
David was outwardly unqualified to be King except in one way, his strong heart.
Proverbs would say David has “Fear of God”
…You rejoice in the people around you. You love them, respect them, believe them worthy of your sacrifice and investment, But the glory you long for in this life is something that cannot be given to you by a human. The glory you long for is to know God, enjoy His blessings and be used by Him in this world. People around you might describe you as steady and strong, clear in your self worth and quick to bless. But this is the real truth… the whole time you have been living with one eye on God. His love anchors you. His truth guides you. His strength secures you. His peace is in your eyes. Because of this you are free before all men. You are in awe of God.