Wednesday, June 28, 2006
“Spiritual Slumping” 1Samuel 27-30
Many NFL Football players fall into a slump – often the solution lies in getting back to basics, your running, catching , kicking, concentration… as a believer we also may get into a spiritual slump.
Do you ever feel like a Yo-Yo Christian? On top of the world one day then walking in the pits the next.
Maybe you’re struggling to live a consistent, Spirit filled life yet often finding it difficult.
The greatest men in the Bible experienced seemingly insurmountable difficulties, yet overcame them.
How? What was their secret? Where does God fit into the picture?
James 1:2-4 tells us our trials and difficulties should be producing greater maturity in our lives, is it?
Spiritual Slumping – Spirituality is NOT a matter of the absence or presence of Problems.
Its how you handle the promises before they handle you.
I. CAUSE of Spiritual Slumping… (Lasted 16 months with David, 27:7)
1 Samuel 27:1 But David thought to himself, "One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand."
SELF - Centred not GOD Centred “But David thought to himself…”
Humanistic viewpoint that began with David “thinking to himself”. Focusing upon himself and not Lord.
The essence of sin is basically “self-centeredness” Not trusting God but depending upon yourself.
FATALISTIC not Faith filled. “…One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul…”
David exhibited pessimistic reasoning, negative thoughts, I should just throw in the towel.
I’m tired, I’m sick of running, I’m weary, I quit, I, I, I, self-centred negative reasoning Sight NOT Faith!
As much as 77% of everything we think is negative and counterproductive and works against us. People who grow up in an average household hear “No” or are told what they can’t do more than 148,000 times by the time they reach age 18. Result: Unintentional negative programming. Shad Helmstetter in Homemade, Jan., 1987
CONVIENCE NOT COURAGE “…The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines…”
· In David’s thinking, I’m as good as dead with Saul hunting me down…I’ll go where Saul won’t – Philistines.
· David took (he thought) the “easy” way out – the easy way out lasted 16 months out of fellowship with Lord.
· We sometimes look for the “easy” way – the magic spiritual pill looking for convenience rather than standing.
The story of David is one of
Weakness by Discouragement
Look at how he fled from his situation.
Weakness by Backsliding
Look at how he used ungodly means to acheive what he thought would be the ends of security. He chose the wrong means for the right ends. he should have just trusted the Lord and seen where He lead him.
Instead he fled again to Achish. He went to Gath (the home of Goliath and his brothers).
False Sense of SECURITY 27:4
1 Samuel 27:4 When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.
After being hunted like an animal for possibly 10 years or so, coward Saul stayed clear of this region.
David’s self-deception and self-centeredness brought temporary relief from Saul’s pursuit.
Thinking we’re OK with God, yet our lives can be one big mess spiritually.
We may also have a false sense of security, I’m OK, I can get away with it, It’s not hat bad, Everyone is doing it mentality. I just “feel” peace all the while you’re violating God’s Word. A False sense of security!
A school teacher lost her life savings in a business scheme that had been elaborately explained by a swindler. When her investment disappeared and her dream was shattered, she went to the Department of Fair Trading.. “Why on earth didn’t you come to us first?” the official asked. “Didn’t you know about the Department of Fair Trading?” “Oh, yes,” said the lady sadly. “I’ve always known about you. But I didn’t come because I was afraid you’d tell me not to do it.” The folly of human nature is that even though we know where the answers lie—God’s Word—we don’t turn there for fear of what it will say.
COMPROMISE with the Enemy. 27:5-7
1 Samuel 27:5-7 Then David said to Achish, "If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?" 6So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since. 7David lived in Philistine territory a year and four months.
David and his mighty 600 men packed up their families and possessions and went to king Achish of Gath.
David compromised his integrity, he yield to walk in the flesh not in the Spirit, walking in carnality/old nature.
David submitted to the enemy. Are we engaged in compromise with our enemy? The world, flesh, & devil.
Your dabbling with sin will be dealt with – either now or later after you die and you meet your Creator.
Sin is never satisfied – there will always be an attraction for more, it will always affect those around you!
Deception, Cover-up and LIES. 27:8-12
1 Samuel 27:8-12 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) 9Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish. 10When Achish asked, "Where did you go raiding today?" David would say, "Against the Negev of Judah" or "Against the Negev of Jerahmeel" or "Against the Negev of the Kenites." 11He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, "They might inform on us and say, 'This is what David did.' " And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. 12Achish trusted David and said to himself, "He has become so odious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant forever."
David made Achish believe he was killing Israelites, in reality he wasn’t – David was deceiving Achish.
On the surface David looked good to Achish – while David lied, covered-up, and deceived.
David is in a spiritual slump – we don’t see praying, or much joy in his life for these 16 months.
Do we have a tendency to try to “look good” on the outside while inside we’re a mess with the Lord?
We’re trying to cover-up the truth of our lives while our little world around us falls apart.
III. CONSEQUENCES of Spiritual Slumping (Bring up to speed with the story)
David Lost His IDENTITY. 29:6-8a
1 Samuel 29:6-8 So Achish called David and said to him, "As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until now, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don't approve of you. 7Turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers." “But what have I done?" asked David.
David found himself a man without a country – even the Philistines refuse to go to war with him (lacked trust)
Being in a slump will cause us to doubt our salvation, to question God, to trust in yourself, lose our peace.
Some here this morning may have lost your identity. Not sure if you were to die, if you would go to heaven.
A Spiritual slump will find you in limbo land – one foot in the world and one foot with the Lord. God doesn’t want fence straddlers but those who are fully committed to Him walking in confidence and assurance.
David Lost His PEACE. 29:8
1Samuel 29:8 “But what have I done?" asked David. "What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can't I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?"
Disillusionment sets in he becomes grumpy, miserable, cranky, lacking true inner peace that only the Lord can produce. David’s life has more questions than answers… He lost his peace – God is distant to him.
Jessica Hawn, former church secretary who committed immoral acts with Jim Bakker (former host of the PTL Club), and later brought down the PTL empire, said today (9-28-87) that God gave her “real peace” about granting an interview to Playboy magazine and posing for topless pictures.
The Bible speaks of two types of peace: peace with God, Salvation and peace of God, comfort.
Away from the Lord we lose out identity, our peace…
Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.
David Lost His PROTECTION. 30:1-4
1 Samuel 30:1-4 David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, 2and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. 3When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.
His home front now is totally destroyed in flames; their families and loved ones are taken captive.
Can you see the heat being slowly turned up on the pressure cooker? All because of David’s rebellion to God
Exhausted, weeping with no more tears to weep… now see what happens next.
“Safety consists not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.”
Weakness by Sorrow1 Sam 30:1 David and his men arrived in Ziklag on the third day. The Amalekites had raided the • Negev and attacked and burned down Ziklag. 2 They also had kidnapped the women and everyone in it from the youngest to the oldest. They had killed no one but had carried them off as they went on their way. 3 When David and his men arrived at the town, they found it burned down. Their wives, sons, and daughters had been kidnapped. 4 David and the troops with him wept loudly until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had also been kidnapped.
Weakness by Rejection1 Sam 30:6 David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over [the loss of]their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
David Lost His RESPECT. 30:6a
1 Samuel 30:6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.
David’s loyal followers now turn on him, grumbling in mutiny – Let’s kill David!
David’s sin not only affect him and his family but everyone around him.
There are consequences to your sin – it will destroy you and damn your soul to hell forever.
Don’t we have a great God!? He is always there to welcome us back to Him!
IV. SOLUTION & RESULTS
David RETURNS to the LORD. 30:6b
1Samuel 30:6b “…But David found strength in the Lord his God.”
When you experience forgiveness, it’s like having a new lease on life, the weight and burden of sin is gone!
David found strength, he found forgiveness, he found peace, he found meaning to life.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
IN SOLITUDE SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND TELL HIM EVERYTHING
IN SINCERITY SEEK THE PEOPLE OF GOD AND SHARE THEIR JOYS AND SORROWS
IN SURRENDER TRUST THE PROMISES OF GOD FOR HIS WORD NEVER FAILS
IN SECURITY REMEMBER THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD< FOR ALL HIS DEALINGS ARE ALWAYS WITH GRACE AND DIVINE PURPOSE
God brings FORGIVENESS and RESTORATION. 30:18-20
1 Samuel 30:18-20 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. 19Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. 20He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, "This is David's plunder."
Remember God will forgive the vilest offender, but there still will be consequences / scars from past sins.
David’s spiritual slump lasted 16 months, how long has it been for you? Tired of drifting? Lacking peace?
Who is in the driver’s seat of your life?
Lament. 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Do you ever feel like a Yo-Yo Christian? On top of the world one day then walking in the pits the next.
Maybe you’re struggling to live a consistent, Spirit filled life yet often finding it difficult.
The greatest men in the Bible experienced seemingly insurmountable difficulties, yet overcame them.
How? What was their secret? Where does God fit into the picture?
James 1:2-4 tells us our trials and difficulties should be producing greater maturity in our lives, is it?
Spiritual Slumping – Spirituality is NOT a matter of the absence or presence of Problems.
Its how you handle the promises before they handle you.
I. CAUSE of Spiritual Slumping… (Lasted 16 months with David, 27:7)
1 Samuel 27:1 But David thought to himself, "One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand."
SELF - Centred not GOD Centred “But David thought to himself…”
Humanistic viewpoint that began with David “thinking to himself”. Focusing upon himself and not Lord.
The essence of sin is basically “self-centeredness” Not trusting God but depending upon yourself.
FATALISTIC not Faith filled. “…One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul…”
David exhibited pessimistic reasoning, negative thoughts, I should just throw in the towel.
I’m tired, I’m sick of running, I’m weary, I quit, I, I, I, self-centred negative reasoning Sight NOT Faith!
As much as 77% of everything we think is negative and counterproductive and works against us. People who grow up in an average household hear “No” or are told what they can’t do more than 148,000 times by the time they reach age 18. Result: Unintentional negative programming. Shad Helmstetter in Homemade, Jan., 1987
CONVIENCE NOT COURAGE “…The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines…”
· In David’s thinking, I’m as good as dead with Saul hunting me down…I’ll go where Saul won’t – Philistines.
· David took (he thought) the “easy” way out – the easy way out lasted 16 months out of fellowship with Lord.
· We sometimes look for the “easy” way – the magic spiritual pill looking for convenience rather than standing.
The story of David is one of
Weakness by Discouragement
Look at how he fled from his situation.
Weakness by Backsliding
Look at how he used ungodly means to acheive what he thought would be the ends of security. He chose the wrong means for the right ends. he should have just trusted the Lord and seen where He lead him.
Instead he fled again to Achish. He went to Gath (the home of Goliath and his brothers).
False Sense of SECURITY 27:4
1 Samuel 27:4 When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.
After being hunted like an animal for possibly 10 years or so, coward Saul stayed clear of this region.
David’s self-deception and self-centeredness brought temporary relief from Saul’s pursuit.
Thinking we’re OK with God, yet our lives can be one big mess spiritually.
We may also have a false sense of security, I’m OK, I can get away with it, It’s not hat bad, Everyone is doing it mentality. I just “feel” peace all the while you’re violating God’s Word. A False sense of security!
A school teacher lost her life savings in a business scheme that had been elaborately explained by a swindler. When her investment disappeared and her dream was shattered, she went to the Department of Fair Trading.. “Why on earth didn’t you come to us first?” the official asked. “Didn’t you know about the Department of Fair Trading?” “Oh, yes,” said the lady sadly. “I’ve always known about you. But I didn’t come because I was afraid you’d tell me not to do it.” The folly of human nature is that even though we know where the answers lie—God’s Word—we don’t turn there for fear of what it will say.
COMPROMISE with the Enemy. 27:5-7
1 Samuel 27:5-7 Then David said to Achish, "If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?" 6So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since. 7David lived in Philistine territory a year and four months.
David and his mighty 600 men packed up their families and possessions and went to king Achish of Gath.
David compromised his integrity, he yield to walk in the flesh not in the Spirit, walking in carnality/old nature.
David submitted to the enemy. Are we engaged in compromise with our enemy? The world, flesh, & devil.
Your dabbling with sin will be dealt with – either now or later after you die and you meet your Creator.
Sin is never satisfied – there will always be an attraction for more, it will always affect those around you!
Deception, Cover-up and LIES. 27:8-12
1 Samuel 27:8-12 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) 9Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish. 10When Achish asked, "Where did you go raiding today?" David would say, "Against the Negev of Judah" or "Against the Negev of Jerahmeel" or "Against the Negev of the Kenites." 11He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, "They might inform on us and say, 'This is what David did.' " And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. 12Achish trusted David and said to himself, "He has become so odious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant forever."
David made Achish believe he was killing Israelites, in reality he wasn’t – David was deceiving Achish.
On the surface David looked good to Achish – while David lied, covered-up, and deceived.
David is in a spiritual slump – we don’t see praying, or much joy in his life for these 16 months.
Do we have a tendency to try to “look good” on the outside while inside we’re a mess with the Lord?
We’re trying to cover-up the truth of our lives while our little world around us falls apart.
III. CONSEQUENCES of Spiritual Slumping (Bring up to speed with the story)
David Lost His IDENTITY. 29:6-8a
1 Samuel 29:6-8 So Achish called David and said to him, "As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until now, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don't approve of you. 7Turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers." “But what have I done?" asked David.
David found himself a man without a country – even the Philistines refuse to go to war with him (lacked trust)
Being in a slump will cause us to doubt our salvation, to question God, to trust in yourself, lose our peace.
Some here this morning may have lost your identity. Not sure if you were to die, if you would go to heaven.
A Spiritual slump will find you in limbo land – one foot in the world and one foot with the Lord. God doesn’t want fence straddlers but those who are fully committed to Him walking in confidence and assurance.
David Lost His PEACE. 29:8
1Samuel 29:8 “But what have I done?" asked David. "What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can't I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?"
Disillusionment sets in he becomes grumpy, miserable, cranky, lacking true inner peace that only the Lord can produce. David’s life has more questions than answers… He lost his peace – God is distant to him.
Jessica Hawn, former church secretary who committed immoral acts with Jim Bakker (former host of the PTL Club), and later brought down the PTL empire, said today (9-28-87) that God gave her “real peace” about granting an interview to Playboy magazine and posing for topless pictures.
The Bible speaks of two types of peace: peace with God, Salvation and peace of God, comfort.
Away from the Lord we lose out identity, our peace…
Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.
David Lost His PROTECTION. 30:1-4
1 Samuel 30:1-4 David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, 2and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. 3When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.
His home front now is totally destroyed in flames; their families and loved ones are taken captive.
Can you see the heat being slowly turned up on the pressure cooker? All because of David’s rebellion to God
Exhausted, weeping with no more tears to weep… now see what happens next.
“Safety consists not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.”
Weakness by Sorrow1 Sam 30:1 David and his men arrived in Ziklag on the third day. The Amalekites had raided the • Negev and attacked and burned down Ziklag. 2 They also had kidnapped the women and everyone in it from the youngest to the oldest. They had killed no one but had carried them off as they went on their way. 3 When David and his men arrived at the town, they found it burned down. Their wives, sons, and daughters had been kidnapped. 4 David and the troops with him wept loudly until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had also been kidnapped.
Weakness by Rejection1 Sam 30:6 David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over [the loss of]their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
David Lost His RESPECT. 30:6a
1 Samuel 30:6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.
David’s loyal followers now turn on him, grumbling in mutiny – Let’s kill David!
David’s sin not only affect him and his family but everyone around him.
There are consequences to your sin – it will destroy you and damn your soul to hell forever.
Don’t we have a great God!? He is always there to welcome us back to Him!
IV. SOLUTION & RESULTS
David RETURNS to the LORD. 30:6b
1Samuel 30:6b “…But David found strength in the Lord his God.”
When you experience forgiveness, it’s like having a new lease on life, the weight and burden of sin is gone!
David found strength, he found forgiveness, he found peace, he found meaning to life.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
IN SOLITUDE SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND TELL HIM EVERYTHING
IN SINCERITY SEEK THE PEOPLE OF GOD AND SHARE THEIR JOYS AND SORROWS
IN SURRENDER TRUST THE PROMISES OF GOD FOR HIS WORD NEVER FAILS
IN SECURITY REMEMBER THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD< FOR ALL HIS DEALINGS ARE ALWAYS WITH GRACE AND DIVINE PURPOSE
God brings FORGIVENESS and RESTORATION. 30:18-20
1 Samuel 30:18-20 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. 19Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. 20He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, "This is David's plunder."
Remember God will forgive the vilest offender, but there still will be consequences / scars from past sins.
David’s spiritual slump lasted 16 months, how long has it been for you? Tired of drifting? Lacking peace?
Who is in the driver’s seat of your life?
Lament. 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
# posted by Groseys messages @ 5:38 PM 
