Blessed Adherence

BLESSED ADHERENCE

And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him - 1 Samuel 18:5, 14, 30

Repeatedly the Bible mentions that David conducted himself wisely. As a result he enjoyed God's presence and help.  In Psalms David revealed that his secret was meditating on God's word.

 'Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.' (Psalm 98-99).

David showed wise behavior by maintaining a humble and sound attitude whether he was facing Goliath from outside or threats to his life from inside his camp. King Saul had marked David for death from the time women sang songs that ascribed greater praise to David (1 Samuel 18:9, 11, 25; 19:1, 2, 10).  David however demonstrated wisdom by:

1)      Keeping faith in God. David was unmoved in faith. No wonder, he wrote that one who meditates on Gods word is like a tree planted by streams of water which shall not be moved but bears fruit in season and its leaves are evergreen (Psalm 1). Situations that test faith produce powerful testimonies. For David, the stakes were very high. The tests threatened his predicted rise to the throne. David however stood firm on faith that God was in control and would reward those who diligently sought him.

2)      Keeping passionate love for God. David's heart was unmoved from pursuing God’s heart. He maintained love for God as well as for people. He kept his heart from the poison of negative spirit towards himself or others. He maintained a tender heart and tough skin. He loved God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself. He was able to overcome real or imagined offenses from people Instead of being bitter he built strong relationships that provided a strong support network which  kept him going in hard times (1 Samuel 18:3, 5, 20; 19:18). David was so favored by many people that when Saul instructed all his servants to kill him none obeyed (1 Samuel 19:1).

3)      Keeping focus on serving God. Like Paul, later did he pressed toward the mark for the prize of his high calling (Philippians 3:13-14). Serving God is about seeking his will and obeying his voice. David was unmoved in his focus to live according to God's purpose. He served God’s interests by doing good. He lived for God's glory and pleasure. He acknowledged God and feared him. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Bearing in mind that to hate sin is the fear of God (Proverbs 8:13).

More than from his covenant with Jonathan, David enjoyed the covenant God made with his people through Abraham and Moses. A covenant with God has two parts - the divine part and the human part.  In a previous message, we called what God brings to a covenant - blessed assurance. We can call the commitment his people fulfill as their part - blessed adherence. Assurance is God’s part to establish your spiritual reality. Adherence is your part in navigating the natural practical realities of your spiritual walk. We sing blessed assurance Jesus is mine. We should also sing blessed adherence Jesus I am yours. Anointed as king already, David had God's assurance. His practical reality was however not always easy and smooth. He nevertheless demonstrated blessed adherence through behaving wisely.  Covenant promises are as good as the character of the promisers. God keeps his promises. He is trustworthy and his part to a covenant is undoubted. The human side however tends to be unstable. From the experience of the nation of Israel their welfare  fluctuated with their faithfulness to God. Otherwise, God was always committed and ready to fulfill his part. 

Complete obedience is a condition for covenant blessings. Deuteronomy 28 is very clear that God’s blessings would follow his people if they obeyed ALL his commands (Deuteronomy 28:1, 15) .  They were to keep all of the law all of the time. Old Testament record shows how the children of Israel failed to meet the condition for God’s blessing. The result of failure to obey was a horrible menu of curses listed in Deuteronomy 28.  By their disobedience they deserved to suffer the curses. They often did go through difficulties but they deserved worse if God was not gracious. Any blessings they enjoyed were God's grace.

No one could keep all the law. That is the reason Christ came (Galatians 3:9-18). The good news for the Church of Jesus Christ is that full blessing comes before performance (Ephesians 1:3). Performance only confirms what the saints are and have. Paul told the Ephesians church that they were blessed with every spiritual blessing. This was impossible without complete obedience. It was however made possible on the basis of Christ’s perfect obedience. He was tempted in everyway but did not sin (Hebrews 4:15).  Totally undeserved, the Lord Jesus fulfilled the human side of faithfulness to the covenant with God. If you can still find reasons why Jesus loves you, you do not know his love. His love is puzzling, unthinkable, unspeakable and inexplicable. God’s people only need to respond by behaving themselves wisely in conduct worthy of the blessed. They build faith in Jesus and his word. They not only long for  a promise but celebrate the provision of the cross. They love God with all their hearts. They passionately obey and serve God.

A New Testament rendering of Deuteronomy 28 would read as follows. ‘It has come to pass now that Jesus has fully obeyed all the commands God gave, if you shall  believe in the Lord Jesus as savior and lord believing in his death, resurrection and soon return, the Lord thy God  will set  thee on high  above all nations  of the earth. You are comprehensively blessed in Christ. As a result, these blessings shall follow you. You will be blessed where you live, work, and where you play. Your enemies will be perfectly scattered from you. Your bank account and multiple investments will be blessed. You will be blessed in your fields and businesses. The works of your hands will be blessed and you will earn lots of fruit, profit, and good results.   You are blessed with children. Whatever you touch will be blessed. You will be blessed from the beginning to the end of your journeys, projects and transitions. You will have sufficient natural rain, divine favor and the Holy Spirit for bumper harvests. Because of your faith in Jesus, no curses shall ever follow you.

You will be above only - never beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). God is never beneath and his covenant takes you to his position and level. That means if pressed under you resurge to the top (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9).  You recover speedily. You rise above storms. You keep yourself under control. You have sufficient grace to handle any situation. You are not stressed. You are unstoppably finding your way to the top. You have freedom to obey God. You can walk in the fruit of the Spirit. You are free indeed from all forms of bondage and curses. Above only means you have dignity and respect whether people acknowledge it or not.  Your job, position on organizational structure and circumstances do no define you and your self-esteem. You are a first class person, fearfully and wonderfully made. In God’s first class cabin, there is room for all who believe.  Surely, you are above only and never beneath.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa