Sermon - Trinity IX 2023 - 2 Samuel 22:26-34

King David, Peter Paul Rubens, 1616

The Lord saves His humble little Christians

1. The Lord rescued David.

2. The Lord rescues us.

How do you react and what do you do when it seems like everything is falling apart and breaking? When you were a kid this usually just happened when your tower fell down that you were building. But upon growing up the stakes are higher and the things that fall apart are much more significant. A marriage falls apart, children apostatize, friends leave you, you lose your job, a major project ends up a complete failure, the list could go on. Sometimes we blame others for our problems, but other times we blame ourselves and feel like failures. Maybe I’m not good enough, smart enough, young enough, strong enough; maybe I have the wrong personality, the wrong ideas, the wrong everything. Sometimes it was our fault that things fell apart, but other times it’s just something that happened, and here we are now.

So what do we do? How do we react? We respond in faith. The Lord saves His humble little Christians. “You save a humble people,” King David prayed. The Lord does rescue His poor and lowly little Christians. Have no fear, but be of good courage, God looks upon the lowly estate of His people and plans their rescue.

Consider King David. The Old Testament reading was a song that David sang to the Lord when he was an old man nearing the end of his life, with the luxury of looking back on his life and seeing how God had cared for him time and again. David may have been a king but his life was far from idyllic.

David was the youngest son in his family and the runt. His brothers were all handsome and strong men, who went to war to win their family glory, but David stayed home and tended the flocks because he wasn’t physically cut out for war. Nevertheless, when it came time to fight a giant, David’s brothers cowered and David took the battlefield. David was victorious over Goliath not because he brought a slingshot to sword fight, but because God gave him the victory against his enemies.

After this battle David seemed to come out on top, since King Saul welcomed David to live in the palace. David got to be the king’s musician, writing songs, playing instruments, and singing all day, and his best friend was the prince! What a life! Until an evil spirit entered king Saul and David had to flee for his life, living on the run until Saul died. But David was merciful with Saul, so God showed mercy to David, and upon Saul’s death David was crowned the king of Israel. 

Things were comfortable for many years after this, until one of David’s sons, Amnon, did a horrible thing to one of David’s daughters, and then David’s son Absalom took revenge into his own hands and killed Amnon. After this series of tragedies Absalom, who was young and handsome, unlike his elderly father David, decided to steal the kingdom from his dad and once again David had to flee for his life. In the end the Lord spared David, but at the expense of losing his son Absalom.

With all that behind David he was able to sing: “For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall… This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless.” Amidst the ups and downs of life, when David was on the run and hiding from the king who wanted to kill him, practically losing his kingdom to his better looking and charismatic son, David recalled that God lightened his darkness. When David was in a dark place, fleeing for his life or wallowing in his sins, God rescued him and brought him salvation. Though his obstacles appeared insurmountable, by the strength of God he could leap over a wall!

The Lord rescued David and the Lord has promised to rescue us as well. In a way, David’s troubles are very similar to what every Christian faces throughout life. Goliath was a pagan, a heathen, very representative of the heathen world we must face daily. In many ways worldliness is a gargantuan enemy, decked out in worldly wisdom and splendor, and we Christians are puny and poor in comparison. Yet, with a Stone, namely the Cornerstone of our faith, Jesus, we can prevail against the world! 

King Saul was at one time a devout follower of God, but in time he maintained the appearance of the faith but in reality forsook God. Saul is very similar to the Pharisees, outwardly looking like God’s people, but not inwardly. Very similar to those who outwardly appear Christian, or like good and decent people, but inwardly have forsaken the faith. Goliath, the world, is easy to fight because it’s obvious that it’s our enemy. Saul, fake Christians, are much harder to fight because we love them so much and you can’t outrightly attack them. David was merciful and kind to Saul in spite of Saul’s attacks, likewise we are often very nice to fake Christians (partly because we don’t necessarily know they’re fake), yet we must put up with their attacks. In the early church these fake Christians were the worst persecutors of the church because they knew how to hurt Christians the most, they knew how to do the most damage. This is still very true today. Nevertheless, by God we can run against a troop of fake christians; God is our shield and refuge, and in the end we meek Chrisitans will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Absalom was spoiled and filled with pride and lust for power, nevertheless he was one of David’s beloved sons. What’s harder to handle than fake Christians, but unbelieving family members. It’s one thing when fake christians persecute you, but it’s another thing altogether when it’s your own flesh and blood. David was blinded by his affections for Absalom such that he was willing to lose the lives of his entire kingdom if it meant not having to accept the reality of what his son actually was. There’s no easy or pleasant way around this, but God preserved David and his kingdom against the evil schemes of Absalom. David cried for Absalom, we cry for our unbelieving family members, yet we trust God to be our lamp in this darkness and lead us through.

So we respond to calamity in faith. In spite of all the troubles that surround us, we remember: “This God - His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.” What do we do when everything seems to fall apart and break? We follow the way of the Lord and trust that the Word of the Lord will prove true. When all is darkness, God’s word shines as a lamp to brighten our footsteps. Perhaps the scriptures don’t give us the easiest way forward, or some sort of magic wand to fix all of our problems, but God’s word does give us the wisdom and direction so desperately needed.

More than the scriptures though, God promises to be merciful to us, a refuge in our time of need. Some of our problems in our lives are our fault, and in Christ Jesus God forgives us. We may have to suffer the earthly consequences, yet God holds us blameless since we are purified in the blood of Jesus. God is merciful, even when it’s very much so undeserved.

With that in mind, knowing that God lightens the darkness, gives us the strength to run against a troop and over walls, forgives our sins, shows us the way, and is merciful in time of every need, be bold in your faith! Do not let the trials of life overwhelm you! “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” God is faithful! He hasn’t left you, He hasn’t forsaken you, He shows you what is right and leads you through the darkness. The way of the Lord will prove to be true, even if you’re mocked and hated for a time, even if things appear to be broken. Don’t let appearances deceive you, God is victorious, and He saves His humble little Christians. David had lost the kingdom, Jesus had lost His life, and yet David reigned as king for many years and Jesus lives and now reigns as King forever. These troubles are for just a little while. God will see you through them. In the end, you will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus lives! He won! Victory is ours!