Amen. Let's open our Bible once more at 1 Samuel chapter 27, as we continue to move towards the throne and the footsteps of David. We have been learning many lessons, and one of which we are occupied with in our thoughts over these few Sundays, the fact that It is very often when things apparently are going quite well for us that often our greatest struggle with self and with selfish ambition comes into play. Many of the lessons that are found in this book revolve around the waywardness of David's mind and heart, even though being subject to severe pressure in terms of Saul's desire to destroy him and prevent him from reaching the throne. And in spite of the many victories that God has given him, proving to him over and over and over again that the purpose of God will not be thwarted or disturbed or destroyed. Yet David seems to apply very often his own agenda. finds that the will of God is not so easily interpreted or understood when we try to intervene and try to put our own particular slant upon it. We're going to see that again briefly this morning, but let's take a moment to unite once more for prayer. Father, we stand in awe again this morning as we gather round the scriptures Your word confirms that the word of God is forever settled in heaven. You do not speak your word into our heart and then secure it in a resting place in the eternal purpose of God, but rather the word comes to us from that predetermined, preordained plan and purpose of the Almighty. What you have decreed, you will perform. So as we see reflected in these passages of Scripture, the nature of the heart of man, we are challenged as we recognize that many of the definitions of selfishness that we see in David, we also see in our own hearts. Help us today to be honest with ourselves. Help us to Feel and sense and know that you are speaking directly into our lives. And as you do, may grace flow abundantly to draw us closer to Jesus. This we pray in our Savior's name. Amen. Now in the 26th chapter, we have noted in our study last Lord's Day, that David is developing almost a sense of confidence. And in the actions that we see in the chapter where he and one or two of his specially chosen, not only companions and soldiers but also members of his own family. We find that David has a certain degree of boldness that has been lacking for many of the chapters that we have read previously. A little bit like when he was in the cave, remember, and he cut off a little piece of the garment of Saul. David now finds Saul in again a vulnerable position. Even though he is sleeping in the camp surrounded by his men, he is still in a delicate position and could very easily be overcome. But David once again takes a spear, an indication that he had travelled so close to Saul that he could have vented his vengeance upon him, but didn't pursue that course of action, even though Abishai, his nephew, was wanting to execute Saul. And going off to some distance, we find that David then confronts Abner, the captain of Saul's armies and challenges him with not keeping a proper vigil over and thereby protecting Saul from any danger. We note that in the end of chapter 26 it is brought very clearly out that Saul recognises this fact that David has not reciprocated evil for evil but rather he has shown him good instead of ill. And we know that the biblical principle, that of heaping coals of fire upon the head, that is established in the book of Proverbs and then again re-emphasized in the New Testament scriptures. And we discovered that the principle of scripture is that very often returning good for evil will create an atmosphere and environment for grace to be witnessed and exercised. And so it is in the life of Saul, you recall in verse 21, that he acknowledges, I have sinned Return, my son David, for I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes. Indeed, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly." And very often it is the expression of grace that turns the hard and stony heart toward the things of God. And we need to bear that in mind when we are seeking to witness for Christ in an ungodly environment. We noted that verse 25 then records what become essentially Saul's final words to David. Then Saul said to David, may you be blessed my son David, you shall both do great things and also shall prevail. So David went on his way and Saul returned to his place. And as we concluded last Lord's Day, one would assume and have a certain expectation that David would now lay down his cudgels of war and would resume that steady move towards the throne, confident that God has finally dealt with the enemy and that Saul has now laid down his arms, he decided he will pursue David no more, and so David now is going to have a free and easy course as he makes his way towards the throne of Israel. But we are in for another disappointment. In fact, we're in for several before we come to the end of this first book of Samuel. Instead of his faith getting stronger, we find that it appears to be getting weaker. Look at verse 1 of chapter 27. David said in his heart, Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. But Saul has been trying for some time. And each time God has intervened. God has stepped in. And now Saul in verse 25 of chapter 26 has acknowledged he will pursue David no more. He is given in to the mighty purposes of God. But you and I no doubt can identify with this phase in David's life, for very often, even though we have been confronted by the interventions of God into our own experience, there are those times when our faith fails. And instead of us growing stronger in the grace of God, we somehow become easily agitated when things go wrong. Turn with me for a moment over to the New Testament Scriptures of Luke's Gospel, chapter 1. Luke chapter 1. And we'll read first of all in verse 5. This is a very well-known Christmas passage. But we do well to acknowledge the lessons that are to be learned in these first verses. Luke chapter 1 and in verse 5. There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea a certain priest named Zacharias of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Now there are a lot of things in that text which time does not permit, but a little bit like many of the enemies of David back in 1 Samuel, the Ziphites, for example, and Nabal, who were direct descendants of Caleb, there is a godly heritage in the family line of both Elizabeth and Zacharias. So they have a history of understanding in terms of the providential outworking of the purposes of God right down through the years. But in verse 6 and 7 we read, they were both righteous before God. That is that they were not only in a particular position involved in a ministry of righteousness to Israel, but they were both righteous before God. That is, they practiced what they preached, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. So in the external nature of their witness, no one can point a finger and say, you err in your judgment and in the practice of your life. They were honorable in the sight of God and of man. But then verse 7, we read this little note. But they had no child. One would have to pause here for a brief fleeting moment and ask, why is this little thought, this practical detail placed here in the context of their honorable behavior and their walk with God and the attitude of their heart towards the things of God? What difference will this make to what we have read in the previous verses? Verse 7, But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. Now we'll skip the narrative because it's familiar to you all, but let's go over to verse 13. But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard. Now, the significance of this, of course, is that even though they are upright, righteous, observing the commandments of the law of God, there is one thing that is tormenting their mind and their heart. They have no children. And so it becomes a constant prayer. But the angel said, Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard. And your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. He is obviously praying for a miracle. ever find yourself in that position? Well, let's see what happens. We go down now to verse 20. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place. Because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their own time." Though the vision tarry, what must we do? Wait for it. David knows the vision. He knows what will eventually happen. But David is impatient. And so instead of that faith leading him to a quiet result, he sets about plotting his own destiny. So instead of going stronger in faith, his faith appears to be getting weaker. Now let's go over to Acts 12. Acts 12. And we'll read verse 12. The first verses of the chapter speak of Peter in prison. Not only in prison, but he's bound, he's chained. A fairly hopeless position and condition. Verse 12, So when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, Many were gathered together praying. What are they praying for? They're praying obviously for Peter's release from prison. But let's read what happens. Verse 13. As Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness, she did not open the gate. but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, You are beside yourself. Yet she kept insisting that it was so, so they said, It is his angel. Now Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. I wonder what would happen in some of our prayer meetings if we really believed that God was going to answer our prayers. If we felt deep in our heart that as we pray God begins a movement of grace and mercy. Yet even before we call, He knows the need. He hears our cry. And He is determined to fulfill the purposes that He has planned for His people. And He answers prayer. Would we not be rushing out to get to the prayer meeting? Would we not be wanting to come together to pray, to see God in action, to witness God at work? Would our prayers not become more fervent, more eager, more intense? Would we not feel the need to pour out our burdens to the Lord, knowing that He cares for us and He's a God who hears and answers prayer, particularly when we have an understanding, as we have learned in the past in our studies on the Wednesday evening, that prayer is not the means whereby we get from God the things that we want, but rather prayer is the means that God uses to bring about the answer and the things that he wants. And what a joy it is to be an instrument of grace as God brings His people into the intensity of being co-workers with Christ. And as we pray together, seeing God at work. But how often have we come into the place of prayer and we've asked, but we haven't believed that God is interested or God is able to meet that need. In 1 Samuel chapter 26, look at the second part of verse 24. Here's David's prayer. And let him deliver me out of all tribulation. That's his prayer. May God deliver me out of all tribulation. But then look into verse 25, the last part. So David went on his way. That's often the problem, is it not? We bring our needs to God. We petition His throne of grace. But then we rise from our knees and we leave the presence of God and we go our own way. And as we read into chapter 27, we discover that the way of David was not God's way. Let's just very quickly note how this comes to pass. David went on his way and two things happen. The first part of verse 27, he falls into depression. Ever gone home from a prayer meeting depressed? Ever fallen on your knees and ask God to intervene and then rise up depressed? If you do, you're not casting your care upon the Lord. You're playing tug-of-war with Him. We can't hand it over and take it back and hand it over and take it back. David said in his heart, now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. David, what have you just prayed? That God will deliver you. And now you're sitting here all worried that you're going to fall into evil hands. But note the second thing that happens in verse 1 of 27. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines. And Saul will despair of me to seek me any more in any part of Israel, so I shall escape out of his hand. David's story could very well have ended here. But here is the good news. It doesn't all depend upon David. You see, God has given a promise. And that promise will not only benefit David, but it is for the benefit of Israel. And even though David may struggle in coming to terms with the outworking and the unfolding of the plan and the purpose of God, yet God will ensure that ultimately his purpose will be accomplished. And so it's not up to David. Cometh me over into Sam. 73. Psalm 73. In Psalm 73, notice in verse 2 these words of David. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled My steps had nearly slipped. If it's all left to David, well, he's going to fall over. It won't take much and it certainly won't be long before David is not only on his knees, but he's flat on his face. But it's not up to David. Come down into verse 21. Thus my heart was grieved and I was vexed in my mind. I was so foolish and ignorant, I was like a beast before you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You uphold me by my right hand. You will guide me with your counsel and afterward receive me to glory. If it was up to me, I would fail. But it's not up to me. You uphold me. You strengthen me. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside You. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Remember the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12, when speaking about the thorn in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12. Note verse 9 and 10. And he said, To me my grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly, I will boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." You and I, if God has placed his hand merciful and graciously upon us, can lay our hope in this confidence, these precious promises of God, that even though our foot may slip and we may easily fall, He will uphold us because He has promised that He will. And the day will come when having been perfected without fault, we shall be presented before His throne of glory. You'll find in Psalm 103, and we won't take the time to read this morning, but in verses 6 to 18, you'll find David's personal testimony. But let's return to 1 Samuel chapter 27 for a moment. And I want you to note that David has reached the end of his troubles with King Saul, but David has not reached the end of his troubles with David. You see, we can get away from the enemy, we can remove ourselves from temptations, but we can't get away from ourselves. And very often the problems that we face in life are the result of ourselves. You'll find that David doesn't quite fully understand or appreciate this. And he loses faith and he takes now what become essentially steps into the backslidden condition. I want to just outline these this morning. Look first of all, the first part of verse 1. We've referred to this text already, but underline the first step he fell into unbelief. He begins to doubt the promises of God. What happens when we begin to doubt the promises of God? Well, we don't find it so easily and so readily put upon us to read the Scriptures. We don't find it in our heart to pray as often as we have. We begin to lose that sense of confidence that God will accomplish his promise to us. And before we know it, unbelief has crept into our heart. But notice in the second part of verse one, he now trusts his own understanding. What does the Bible tell us in Proverbs 3, verses 3 to 5? Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not upon your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." So having taken the first step into one belief, we then begin to apply our own understanding, and that's what David is about to do. And you'll find in verses 2 and 3, the third step Because no man is an island, we now find that David draws into the vortex of his temptation and disobedience, he draws 600 others plus their families. So he ensnares others in his folly. David arose and went over with the 600 men who were with him. Verse 3, David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each man with his household. And so the scene is set. The picture is growing worse. Notice the next step in verse 5. He begins to live a double life. David said to Achish, If I have now found fever in your eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?" He is given this home in the country. And in verse 6 we read that he was given Ziglag and he stayed there. for some 16 months. And he was able to do this because when the prince of the Philistines, Ekesh, asked him what he was doing when he was going off to fight his battles and so on, he would tell the king or the prince that he was actually seeking out and destroying, on a search and destroy mission, all those who were aligned to the people of Israel. When in reality, he was searching out all those who were enemies of Israel, and he was destroying them. And as you read down through the chapter there, you'll find that this cloak and dagger lifestyle was meant to do two things. It was meant, first of all, to appease his new friend, Achish, to make him feel good that David was on his side. While at the same time, it was an exercise to try and ease his own conscience. He was killing and slaying Those who were enemies of God's people. So, he was playing one side against the other. What does the Bible tell us? You cannot serve God and mammon. So, what happens in the end? Look at the first two verses of chapter 28. Now it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for war to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, you assuredly know that you will go out with me to battle, you and your men. So David said to Achish, surely you know what your servant can do. And Achish said to David, therefore I will make you one of my chief guardians forever. He is playing both sides, but there comes a point where he now must decide. And he has been so long on that slippery road into a betrayal of his just cause in God, that he now finds it easier to stand in the battlefield with the armies of the Philistines than to stand with the people of Israel and defend the cause and rights of Jehovah God. That's what a backslidden heart will do. It begins very easily with unbelief, no longer agreeing with or adhering to the promises of God. It leads us to exercise our own right in governing how we live and the decisions that we make. We feel that we know better. It brings others into that environment. It leads us to live a double life. And eventually it will force us to take sides. We haven't read the worst of what's to come. Chapter 28, we move into the area of the occult. We find that David is still struggling and Saul is still searching out for ways of recognizing and being reinstated somehow to the blessing of God. But we will be discovering that these issues are not only placed in the crucible of time, but they are set within the boundaries of eternity. And the decisions that you and I make today may not only have an effect upon us and others in the here and now. They may very well be decisions that will be anchored in the outcomes of the counsels of God in eternity. We don't liberally read the Bible. We don't liberally set it aside. We take this as a rule of life, because herein are the words of life. We neglect them. We ignore them. We despise them. We cast them aside to our own peril, because ultimately God is working out His purposes. And if you're a child of God this morning and you feel in your heart that somehow you've been drifting into this state where your love for God is not as strong as it once was, your enthusiasm for the things of God is not as keenly felt in your heart. You find it much easier now to stay at home than to be involved in the things of God. And you find that even the friendships that you're forming outside the church are now becoming less and less godly and more and more worldly. And as you examine your heart in the light of this 27th chapter, you're discovering that you are already well down the path, taking these steps towards a cold and hard heart. You need to fall upon your knees, get back into the scriptures, search God, call upon Him for mercy, plead the merits of Christ over your soul, confess that your feet are slipping, and you need God to raise you up with His right hand. And in His mercy find grace to help you in your time of need. God is a God of amazing grace and abundant mercy. And these next final chapters of 1 Samuel will confirm that once again to our hearts. Let's pray. Our loving Father, we draw near again as we have been at your throne of grace, sitting under the sound and the influence of your Word, feeling the breezes of heaven and recognizing that in its challenge, the Word of God is drawing us to reexamine our lives and to ensure that we are in the faith, that the flame burns brightly upon our heart and all those with whom we mingle have a recognition of our true character and our position in terms of the things of God. Forgive us for days of compromise. Forgive us for losing faith, for taking our future into our own hands, for leading others astray. Forgive us for the times when others have thought less of Christ because of our attitude, our actions. But Father, we come today to plead your mercy and your forgiveness, we come to plead Christ's merits. We do rejoice that we are saved by grace alone. And we ask that in these moments, as you draw near to us, you will strengthen our heart. Like one of old, we would say, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. So, Father, in the ministry of your love to us, may we be drawn closer to Jesus. And may your Word become more precious to us. And may we readjust our priorities so that we put Christ first in all things. And this we pray in our Saviour's name. Amen.