1 Samuel 18:10,11

Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul’s hand. And Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from his presence twice.

1 Samuel 18: 10,11

The Lord’s presence and blessing don’t guarantee an easy life.

David had now become a regular part of Saul’s retinue and was permanently at court. This raised the level of danger for him, while at the same time, he shone even more brightly as the Lord prospered him. Clearly, God was with David and had been since he was anointed to succeed Saul. This blessing – especially as it was recognized by the public - only served to anger Saul more. The verses above indicate how far Saul was prepared to go to rid himself of David. And these were just the first of Saul’s attempts in a seven-year vendetta against David.

The text says “an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul.” We have already been told that God had forsaken Saul. This spirit is no doubt a demon that was allowed by God (as He allowed Satan to attack Job) to influence Saul’s thinking. But note that the result of this allowance was the accomplishment of God’s will in both David and Saul. No doubt a large part of Saul’s on-going frustration was that every plot he hatched for David’s destruction was turned by God for good. (Rom. 8:28) The result of this was that Saul spiraled downward from suspicion to anger and ous intentions to fear and, eventually, to dread. (vv. 9-15) It was clear that God was with David and that Saul’s destructive designs were being hindered.

What had David done to deserve this kind of treatment? Had he sinned in some fashion and so was subjected to this kind of abuse? Had he suddenly lost God’s favor? No, these circumstances were also part of God’s loving providence in David’s life. His next seven years as a fugitive, hiding in caves and running for his life, were ordained by God for David’s sanctification and for God’s glory. Now, many modern Christians would say that if David had simply had enough faith, he would have been able to avoid or nullify these difficult situations. They believe and teach that faith is the guaranteed route to a disease-free, wealthy, well-adjusted, abundant life. Yet the Bible reveals a much more robust and realistic life of faith in which God protects His people – not by removing them from their difficulties – but in the midst of those very difficulties. We have only to think of the three Hebrew children in Daniel to see a vivid example of this principle. For, you see, God often receives greater glory when His people go through the fire in faith than He would if they never faced adversity.

So, it is Biblically incorrect to gauge the Lord’s blessing by the external circumstances of a believer’s life. This was the mistake made by Job’s comforters – a mistake for which they were rebuked by God. And it is a mistake we often make ourselves as we interpret our own circumstances. When confronted by difficulty, we are tempted to ask, “What did I do wrong?” But such a question misrepresents the working of God in our sanctification. God easily could have removed David from these dangers, but these trials were working out God’s plan for his life. These difficult circumstances were trying David’s faith and building his endurance. (James 1:2-4) They were making him into the warrior God needed to unite Israel - a warrior both skilled and wise. They were teaching him about God’s faithfulness in trials (which is a lesson we can learn from David’s experiences as we read through the Psalms). And they were actually increasing his prominence within Israel, laying the groundwork for the day when David would be king. But David knew little of this at the time. All he knew was that he was dodging spears and that his life was in jeopardy.

In all of these trials, David was enabled to escape and to “prosper in all his ways” because “the Lord was with him.” (v.14) God was with him IN the trials, not DESPITE the trials. The trials and difficulties were God’s goodness in David’s life. He was preparing David for the role he would later play as king. This is how God trains leaders – through trials and pain and loneliness and waiting. Once again, we see reflections of our Lord Jesus here. He also “learned obedience through the things that He suffered.” (Heb. 5:8) He also lived a life full of trials and difficulty. And just as David’s trials resulted in the sweetness of the Psalms, so Christ’s trials issued in the far greater sweetness of our redemption. And if the King of kings did not bypass this kind of life, we who are His covenant people should not expect to be “carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease; while others fought to win the prize and sailed through y seas.”

The plain truth is that if you live a godly life, if you walk by faith, you will have enemies. You will also experience your share of trials as you “fill up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” (Col. 1:24) This is part of the cross His people are called to take up daily. But our comfort is that this is the path that leads toward Christlikeness. And, as we walk this path, we are following in the footsteps of “the Author and Perfecter of faith.” (Heb. 12:2) Press on with hope – you will experience God’s protection in the storm even while you are being prepared by your trials for greater usefulness in Christ’s Kingdom.