In Whom Do You Trust

In Whom Do You Trust

Proverbs 3:5-7
1 Samuel 18-21

Today there are a number of groups that seek to remove the phrase, "In God we trust" from every symbol of the American culture. They see to remove the mark of Christianity from every area, past present or future, from the American way of life. It is our god-given responsibility to take a firm stand for those values which we hold near and dear. I want to encourage every Christian of voting age to get out and vote. did you know that if every evangelical got out to vote this year I voted together on the issues that it would sway the results by a margin of 15-20%. The evangelical voting bloc could easily make up more than 15million. Seeing how in 2010 only 90 million total got out to vote we can make a profound impact.
I know it's not a popular topic for a pastor to get political. I know I'm treading on dangerous water. I challenge you to ask yourself, who would Jesus vote for? Would it not violate your Christian values to vote for a arrogant, baby slaying, anti-Christian individual for any public office? I care little if they offer all kinds of change, and seem to have a good economic plan, if there morals are wrong than they will certainly not get my vote. Watch carefully who you chose to vote for because the choices they make if elected by your vote our the choice that you enabled them to make. As Christians we must not, nor shall we allow such vial practices to take place such as the violation of religious freedom by a health care law which requires churches and other Christian groups to purchase abortions that violate their beliefs. Our current president has even gone as far to say that churches must not decrement between male or female when considering a candidate for a pastoral role. I urge you rise up and remove those from offices which seek only to bring further shame to our nation. According to a recent poll 65 percent of democrats support gay marriage while less than 25% of republicans support it.
The question is in the midst of this uncertain world we live in, In whom do you trust?

Will you place your trust in man, yourself or in God. He is the one who will never disappoint.

Let us take a look this morning the people in whom David placed his trust...

I. David Trust In the Lord 1 Samuel 18

1. By Popularity vv. 18:1-11
   1. The way in which we respond to praise and alkaloids reveals our character.
   2. The same praise that seemingly humbled avid infuriated King Saul.
   3. Luke 6:26 (NASB) "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.
   4. Prov 27:21 (NASB) The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, and each is tested by the praise accorded him.
2. Through unfulfilled dreams vv. 18:12-16
   1. Commitment through demotion
      1. verse 5 tells us that avid was the head of Saul's personal bodyguards, but now we see that he has been demoted to only being over 1,000 men.
      2. Yet this did not change David! Even when he was treated unfairly and lost the dream job of a lifetime he maintained humility, and integrity.
      3. It only strengthened David in the eyes of the people and with God.
   2. Humility through disappointment
      1. Saul promised David his daughter Merab Lit. "compensation, or substitute." in a similar way as Laban who used trickery against Jacob.
      2. Later Saul took back this promise and gave her to another man. Yet David didn't respond the same way I would have. David remained humble through disappointment. I would have given him a piece of my mind and taken all my buddies to get her back.

II. David Trusts in Man 1 Samuel 19

Here we see David's faith in the lord begin to weaken. He turns from trusting in God to fight His battles to trusting in man's provision.

1. David trusts in Jonathan (vv. 1-10)
   1. Rather than trusting God to change the heart of Saul he devised a scheme with Jonathan to ensure his temporary safety.
      1. Words mean little where there has been no heart change.
      2. often times we as Christians settle for hearing the right words spoken. Be it when a lost person accepts Christ or when commitments are made.
   2. Words of the mouth mean little if not reinforced by the thoughts of the heart.
2. David Trusts in Michal (vv. 11-17)
   1. Michal who loved David dearly was offered to David not out of a benevolent heart but as a snare to him.
      1. Here we see that she was not a snare at all rather she was a lifesaver unto David.
   2. Yet the question that lurks in my mind is, what was a idol doing in their bedroom. How had David allowed a symbol of idolatry creep into his bedroom/
      1. David now relies on Michal to fabricate a lie in order for him to run. Could David not have stood up to the king as unto the giant?
3. David Trust In Samuel (vv. 18-24)
   1. This was a wise move on David's part.
   2. In our times of distress we would be wise to take the example of David ad run to a strong spiritual counselor.
      1. Samuel defeated Saul not with weapons, words, household idols, or lies. Samuel relied upon the Spirit Of God to fight this battle.
      2. David and us would do well to learn from this course of action.

III. David Trust in Himself 1 Samuel 20-21

1. David Trusts in His Wit (chap. 20)
   1. David and Jonathan made an oath and together fabricated a lie to tell the king. However clever it may have been it was a lie none the less.
   2. As a result of this lie Jonathan was nearly killed.
   3. Yet I do not know that I would have had the boldness to stand before the man who has tried to kill me multiple times.
   4. To cover ourself is our knee-jerk reaction. How much better it would have been for these two to have prayed together rather than device a lie
2. David lied to Ahimelech the priest (21:1-9)
   1. David may have had the best of intentions running to the temple
      1. yet good motives don't justify a lie.
      2. David claimed to be on business for the king
   2. Because of his lie it resulted in the death of hundreds of men women and children.
      1. How have our dishonest actions effected those around us?
3. David fled to the Enemy
   1. David has now reached a all time low in his faith. Because he was so fearful of man he fell into a snare. one that could have been the end of him
   2. David now was camping with the very enemy whom he had destroyed time and time again. Yet in order to be allowed safety he had to pretend to be a madman.
   3. "Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive"

How sad it is to see how quickly we as people of faith can become people griped by fear and unbelief. Anytime we get short sided, in a hurry, trust people, and trust in our own plans rather than trust in God before long everything will fall to pieces around us. When we walk out from underneath God's umbrella of grace and provision we open ourself up to numerous unforeseen consequences. I urge you all to walk in God's grace daily, there are some of you who may have not lived honestly with some people. There are certain individuals who aren't in church today because of dishonest relationships in the past. If you have offended someone seek out reconciliation. Trust in God's provision don't wait until they come to you go to them.

Will you trust in God alone today?