(The Lord - Merciful and Gracious) 5. the Triumph of the Poor and Needy — Roy Hession

The merciful and the gracious was always on the side of the poor and needy. And I've discovered a verse that I might well have quoted when we were on that one. I'm looking for that verse, Pam knows it, she often quotes it.

Where are we? It's one of the songs of degrees. If the Lord had not been on our side, then had we been swallowed up quick. It's one of those Psalms 130 somewhere. Well, you find it. It has that word about being on the side.

The Lord on the Side of the Poor and Needy

If the Lord hadn't been on the side of the poor and needy, then had we been swallowed up quick. For we had adversaries too strong for us. But he is attracted to us in our poverty and need. It's not our liability, but if confessed, it's our only asset.

All I had to offer him was emptiness and strife. And we saw Jehovah, the merciful and gracious, on the side of the sinner, the failing saint who admits he's a failing saint, and taking his part in saying, who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?

It is Christ that died and so on. Beautiful. And then yesterday we saw that we considered the needy when he cries. Yes, he's on the side of the poor and needy, but they have to cry. And sometimes only a cry is enough to bring this great, merciful and gracious one into the arena on our behalf.

The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

Now this morning our subject is going to be the triumph of the poor and needy. And if I had to put one text more than another, not a passage over this morning's, I'd just put that text in Matthew 5, verse 5.

The meek shall inherit the earth. The meek shall inherit the earth. They're going to come out on top. Will the meek ones be? So said Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. But the passage I especially want to read is this great story of David.

Because if there's one man more than another in the Old Testament, who habitually described himself as poor and needy, it is David. Most of the references to the poor and needy are from the Book of Psalms, not entirely so.

But it certainly is there in greater numbers than in other parts. And we're going to think about the poor and needy, David himself, this morning. I want you then to read as an initial passage 1 Samuel, chapter 18, verse 5.

We break into the story when the stripling David has surprised everybody by daring to go into the Valley of Elah against Goliath, and with nothing more than a sling and five smooth stones to bring down that great giant who was threatening the people.

And had he not been brought down, Israel would have become the slaves of the Philistines. But our David, too, has done that. By weakness and defeat, he won the Medan crown, trod all our foes beneath his feet by being trodden down.

And he's come out victorious. He's been introduced to Saul and Jonathan. And Jonathan and he struck a tremendous bond of love and friendship. They made a covenant one with another. And David is appointed to Saul's staff as one of his generals and so on.

And prospered tremendously in that place which was given him. Verse 5,. And David went out with us, whoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely, or prospered. And Saul sent him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistines, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing to meet King Saul with tapets, with joy and with instruments of music.

And the women answered one another as they played and said, Saul has slayed his thousands and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth. And the saying displeased him and he said, they've ascribed unto David ten thousands.

To me they've only ascribed thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul died David from that day and forward. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house, and David played with his hand as at other times, and there was a javelin in Saul's hand, and Saul cast the javelin, for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it.

And David avoided out of his presence twice. And he continues, prospering in all that he undertakes even more, to the greater displeasure of Saul, who was possessed with a terrible jealousy, which was going to continue in his life, for the rest of his life.

Verse 29,. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David, and Saul became David's enemy continually. Now we've said that the poor and needy are often in that condition, because of their own fault, because of their own folly, their wrong choices.

They've got themselves into a jam through sin and mistakes, and now they can't get out. As we've said, we have limitless power to commit sin, but once it's committed, no power at all to recover the loss, or to atone for its guilt.

We're not only needy but poor, and as I say very often, it's because of that. On the other hand, we can also be poor and needy, not only in that way, but also just through the adverse, painful circumstances of life.

And you have to look upon a person, you know they're poor and needy, because of their adverse circumstances, the pains they've had to go through, the troubles, the poverty, the being laid off from work, and that little family, are poor and needy, as regards their circumstances.

David Hunted by Saul

But there's another way in which the poor and needy become such. It's not merely when it's their own fault, it isn't always. Not merely through general adversity, but because of their enemies. And this was certainly the case with David.

He declared himself again and again, poor and needy, with no one to help him. And he was in that state, because of his enemies. I've tried to list the number of psalms, where he's writing about his enemies, his enemies, his enemies!

Chief of which, was King Saul. Chief of which, was King Saul. And those that were in association with Saul. Oh, how he suffered. Innocently. Hadn't done a thing to deserve it. No one more loyal to Saul, than he.

And yet, Saul was jealous of him. Saul hated him. And the interesting thing about David is this. In his youth, he suffered, at the hands of a king, King Saul. And that time of suffering, I've worked it out, lasted no less than ten years.

He was a fugitive on the run. He said, one of these days I'll get a perish, by the hand of Saul. There's but a step, he said, between me and death. You know something of the story. Yes, he suffered in his youth, at the hands of King Saul.

And in his old age, now king himself, he's suffering, at the hands of another king. Absalom. His own son. Who raised a rebellion against his father, and took the throne from his father. So that David, in his old age, suffered once again.

This time at the hands of a king, but it was his own son. And he, and some few hundred faithful followers, had to flee the city. And he was once again, a fugitive. And it was because, of these sufferings, that he described himself as poor, and needy.

He wasn't up to it, certainly not in his youth. He was a man, who felt he had no helper. Not only needy, but poor and needy. Especially, as it begins, with the sufferings he received, at the hand of King Saul.

Quite obviously, the reason, for Saul's insensate, hatred, of David, was he was jealous of him. He was jealous of him. At first he was glad, that this young champion, had saved the people from Goliath.

He ought to have been able to do it, but he was so glad, there was one who did. And when later, his son Jonathan, is remonstrating with him, he said, thou sawest it, and was glad. Wherefore now, thinkest thou evil of him?

Well the reason was this. Of course he knew, the verdict of God, had gone out against him already, because thou, in another matter altogether, hast rejected the word of the Lord. He also hath rejected thee, and he is going to rend the kingdom from you, and give it to a neighbor of thine, who is better than thou.

Who the neighbor was, he didn't know. And he had no intention, of stepping down in favor of anybody. But when this young stripling comes along, with whom God so obviously works, who is so widely appreciated, and the girls, foolishly, had that little song, they sang, Saul has slain his thousands, but David, David, David, his ten thousands.

That wasn't very pleasing, to Saul. They're ascribing to him, ten thousands, and me, only thousands. And though it sounds very naive, and puerile, that's what jealousy is. Something like that is quite enough, to get you wrong.

And it was quite enough. And, and Saul, eyed David from that moment onwards. He hated to see him prospering, he hated to see him being praised. And he conceived this bitter hatred, for this sweet, young boy, who'd done nothing but good, who had saved the people, from their adversary.

And then he had one of those terrible fits, of depression, an evil spirit came upon him, and they'd found in the past, the only thing to cool him down, was music. And they'd found this beautiful harpist, this country boy, as he then was, David.

And those were the occasions, when, in those moments, David would play upon his harp, and the fit would pass away. And one such fit came upon him, at this particular time, when jealousy, was growing up in his heart.

And David, as usual, got going on his harp. And suddenly that, king got a hold of a spear. And he cast it at David, who ducked just in time. And there was the spear, quivering in the wall, which was meant to transfix David.

And it didn't happen only once, it happened twice. And that night, Saul was so intent on the death, of the man who he thought was his rival, David, that he had the house surrounded. And they were to enter it, and take him.

And it was only the, ingenuity, of his wife, Michael, that saved him. He got him out of a window, and put a, a dummy or something, in the bed. And they found, that their victim, was Flo. And for that day, from that day, for ten years, he never slept at home.

He slept wherever he could. His life was in, constant peril. His one, redeeming feature, so to speak, in the situation, was the friendship, the dear sweet friendship, between himself, and the son of Saul, Jonathan.

His one ally, his one friend, at court. Because there were others, I'd expect too, who were jealous of David, and wished him no ill. And oh, how that, young, fellow, suffered. And so he and Jonathan say, we must check this out.

We can just really find out, is he really intent, on such a thing. David, Jonathan says, so foolish, when you went against, the Philistine, you took your life, on your hand. He saw it, and was glad. Why now this?

And he couldn't believe, his father really intended it. And so he remonstrated, with his father, it's a lovely passage, the arguments he uses. And his father says, you son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do not I know, that you have chosen, the son of Jesse, to thine own confusion?

For as long as, he lives on the earth, you will never be established, as a successor to the throne. He knew, who now was the neighbour of his, whom God said, was better than he, and who was appointed by God, to take over from him.

And so they had to part. And those two, when at last the verdict, was quite clear, that Saul was determined, and nothing less, than the death of David. They had to part. He had to leave the court. And Jonathan and David, wept on one another's shoulders.

And they made that lovely covenant. And David went out, into the wilds. And I worked it out. That period in David's life, lasted ten years. He was hunted, like a partridge, in the mountains. Sometimes Saul, mobilised as many as, two thousand men, or was it three thousand, to hunt this boy down.

And his few, faithful followers. And it was this experience, that rendered him, poor and needy. For I, am poor and needy, in this situation. Oh, but thank God the Lord, thinketh on me. And all the time, he was being driven, as a poor and needy one, to the merciful and gracious one.

And never found him to fail. And he's written, these wonderful psalms, to encourage others, who suffer at the hands, of their fellows. To have recourse, to the same merciful and gracious one. And to find the same testimony, that David did.

Suffering Caused by Others and the Sin of Jealousy

Because some of us, have suffered at the hands of others. If in any degree, your condition, either now or at other times, could rightly be described as, that you're the poor and the needy. You're having such a hard time.

Sometimes, it's due to others. It's to others, that don't wish you well. To others, that are your enemies. And perhaps, as I've known some have, when you've suffered in that way, you've sought to be reconciled to that one.

But nothing in the world, seems to satisfy them. You try to think, what in the world you've done. You repent of everything, you can repent of. And still, there's no response. And you ask them, what is it you've got against me?

And they won't tell you. They won't even express what it is. Sometimes. Sometimes they will. But even then, you'll feel there's something more in it, than what they are telling you. And if you ever, find yourself in a position, when you're suffering at the hands of another person, by the attitudes they adopt, the words they say, or anything else.

And there, it's implacable. Do what you will. You seem unable, to be reconciled. You humble yourself on everything in the world, you can think about. All to no effect. You can always be sure, in such a case, the real reason, is jealousy.

They're jealous of you. And if you don't know, why you have a strange coldness, an aversion to another, I'll tell you, probably jealousy is the thing. Terrible thing, jealousy. Someone has said, it's the only sin, that gives no pleasure.

But it can give a lot of hurt, to other people. And you find, others are motivated. All I can say, that's my, reading of the situation. And if that's, the situation you're in, at the hands of another, is almost certainly, jealousy.

And what are you to do? Bear it. Bear it. Jesus suffered, at the hands of jealousy. Pilate knew, that for jealousy, the priests had delivered him. Just bear it. And go through it, with Jesus. Until God, in his goodness, sees fit, to touch the other person's heart.

Yes, you need to be changed too. But baby, you've done all that you know how, to adjust your attitude, and everything, and still, without result. And you just have to bear it, and you are in the condition, perhaps of great pain and suffering, of one of the poor, and needy, even as, David was.

And as I say, it, chapter after chapter, tells us the story, of how he had to escape here. It wasn't only Saul, that was the trouble, it was the people, among whom he was trying to live, as an exile. This town, the Ziphites, and the others.

And he thought, they were friendly towards him. On one occasion, in the inhabitants of Keilah, he'd done them a service, and saved them from their enemies, his little band of followers had. And yet, when he consulted the Lord, he said, are they going to be, is Saul going to come?

Yes, was the answer. You know, they had the ephod, which was a way by which, men could consult God. And he had a priest, among his followers, and he brought with him an ephod. No one quite knows, how the ephod worked, but it was a way, by which, God communicated his mind.

Is Saul going to find me here? Is he coming? Yes. And will the men of Keilah, give me up? Yes. Then I can't stay. Then the Ziphites did the same. They sent off to Saul, he's a monster's here. And can you believe it, this went on, for ten years.

For a time, he and his followers, lived in the cave of Adalom. And that was a sweet time. But it's hard. And after time, it wasn't safe for them to stay there. And this was a grievous, a grievous challenge.

A grievous pain, hurt. You know, you can read the story, it's just one of these stories, and so on, you see. We don't realize, what he went through. It's only when you read the Psalms, especially the titled Psalms.

Some Psalms are titled, telling us when he wrote it, when he was in the cave. Can you believe it, in the cave of Adalom, he had his tablet. And this dear poet, who couldn't but speak, in words of beauty, he was so gifted, would express his sorrows, in Hebrew poetry, and his cry to God, and confidence in him.

Ah, you can't express it. It's very easy, to read stories like this, but not always to understand, how much he suffered. Now, what I want to ask, is this question. Why was it, do you think, that God allowed, the one whom he had had, secretly anointed with a future king, to suffer in this way?

God’s Discipline and the Saul Within David

And I want to suggest the reason. I'm indebted to various writings, and others, for this insight. But I know it's true. In order to kill the Saul, in David. So that when at last, David did become king, and met a similar challenge, in another, that Saul received from him.

He would not act toward that other, as Saul had acted toward him. This sweet man, who perhaps, had more of humility than most, nonetheless God knew, that in his heart, there was a Saul. If he was in the same position, as Saul, is he quite sure, he wouldn't have acted, in much the same way?

And in order to kill, the potential Saul, in David, God put him through, this severe discipline, of suffering, at the hands of another. There's a Saul, in every man. There's a Saul, in every man. Maybe you don't think there is.

Maybe you're suffering, at the hands of a Saul. But supposing you were, in the same position. A leader, and there comes along somebody, who seems to be preferred, before you. Who seems to be more, owned of God, and more successful.

Supposing as a leader, you heard people saying, much, that's what Saul heard people say. Are you quite sure, you wouldn't act, in the same way? Well God wants to, make quite sure, that you won't. And that's the reason, why sometimes, we are given, long, painful experiences, and suffering, at the hands of others.

And the words they say, and the nasty remarks, and the machinations, and the intrigues. There are very few of us, who haven't known, what jealousy is. None. I think the man, who says, who hasn't begun to see jealousy, hasn't begun.

But we're not thinking, for the moment, of those who have jealousy, but those who are suffering, at the hands of jealousy. And whereas, I won't say, everybody suffered, at the hands of jealousy. Most, at one time or other, find themselves suffering, at the hands of jealousy.

At the hands of opponents, at the hands of critics. And I believe the reason, is to kill, the soul in us. Zephaniah, I won't ask you to find Zephaniah, he's one of the most, difficult ones to find, amongst the minor prophets.

But he says, seek righteousness, seek meekness, seek meekness. In other words, seek, and be ready to learn, brokenness. And that was the reason, why David, was allowed, ten years, of hell, and misery.

We haven't time, to even recapitulate, his experiences, when he was on the run. There was one occasion, when there was a mountain, and Saul didn't know, which to the other side, was David and his men.

They were as near as that. There's but a step, he said, between me and death. And it was all allowed, and permitted, because of this deep purpose, in David. Please turn the cassette over now, do not fast wind it, in either direction.

David Learns Brokenness Rather Than Retaliation

And you know, he did seem to learn it. He responded to the treatment, bless his heart. He responded to brokenness. And he was given, he was giving him an opportunity, to learn it, and he did begin to learn it, bless him.

When that spear, was thrown at him, he never picked it up, and threw it back. Isn't that what you do, naturally? And maybe the natural, in David, would have liked to have done the, done the same, but he didn't.

He just ducked. And went on playing, went on loving, went on serving him. And you know, that happened, twice. And in each occasion, all he did was, to duck. He's learning brokenness. He's not throwing it back.

Actually, the throwing of the spear, was something very characteristic, of Saul. When his own son, tried to speak a word, to David, that spear went into action again. He was a very dangerous man, to be near to.

Especially when he had, one of his dark moods. And Jonathan didn't throw it back, either. He was of the same spirit, as David. David's learning. David. David. This isn't after the manner of men. Normally, men take the spear, and throw it back.

But you just ducked. On two occasions, when he was on the run, with his few hundred men. He had Saul, completely at his mercy. There was one occasion, when Saul was, with his two thousand, was, was seeking for David.

And he needed to, make himself comfortable, as we say. And he went into a, a cave, to do it. By the way, what is the version, the very colloquial modern one? No, no, there's one more, more colloquial than that.

What? It's the Living Bible. I was listening to a program, on the radio. And they were having a great laugh. And, and, and, they didn't say what version it was, but I looked up, and found it was. It was the Living Bible.

And it says in the King James, that Saul went in, to cover his feet. Well, I never knew, quite knew what that meant. I thought he went in, to have a nap. But apparently, it wasn't that. And if you look at other versions, they use a, another way, very polite.

But in the Living Bible, can you believe, that Saul went into the cave, to go into the bathroom? Can you imagine? It was a, it was a conversational, But I, you know it, you know, a bunch of men, brilliant conversationalists, very witty.

They had a great laugh, over there. So did I. But anyway, this happened. And bless my soul, in the sides of that very cave, David and his men, were hiding. He's alone. We've got him. And David said, no, we're not going to lift up our hands, against the Lord's anointed.

And somehow, I don't know how well he did, he crept up, and cut off his skirt. I don't quite know, how he managed to do that, without Saul knowing. But when Saul went out, on a Sunday night, he found his skirt was missing.

And then when he got to a safe distance, David came out, and said, here it is. Oh, why, wherefore, hearest thou men's word, saying, David seeketh thy hurt. Seek your hurt? Man, I had you at my mercy. In fact, I really feel a bit bad, that I even cut off your skirt.

But I only want you to know, I love you still. Well, it had a little effect, but not much. And then the second occasion. This was not in a cave, but in the camp. And Saul's, well, armies, quite a considerable number came, and they camped in a certain valley.

And David's men were up on the mountainous soil. And David said, who's going to come with me? We'll go down. And they crept down. And Abishai, or Joab, or one of those, his fiery lieutenants, were with him.

And there he was, sound asleep. A deep sleep from the Lord, had fallen from the whole crowd. And there was Saul, the man who'd made life such a misery for him. And there was Saul's spear, by his head, and his crews of drink.

And his lieutenants said, let me slay him. And I won't need to strike a second time. And he said, be careful. We must not lift up our hands against the Lord's anointed. So he just took his spear, and his crews, and then, in the morning, another peak called out to him.

Once again, he spared him. This time, they did seem to have some effect on Saul. Yes, you can get some sort of amelioration in the other person's attitude, but not for long if it's jealousy. Until, of course, it's acknowledged as jealousy.

Oh, he's learning it. He's learning it. But yet, not yet fully enough. Because as I've said, it's very easy for us to condemn Saul. But how would you have felt, if you were in his position, and David?

I know you're having a hard time. I know his jealousy and hatred of you is completely irrational. But David, supposing you were king? And there arose another, whom everybody favoured. How would you feel?

He hasn't quite. And so it had to go on, and on, and on. Until at last, Saul and his dear son, Jonathan, fell in battle. And David wept for Saul and David and Jonathan. And he uttered those wonderful words of lamentation.

How are the mighty fallen? And how the beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places. How are the mighty fallen? Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. And in their death, they were not divided.

They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul. Hey, I believe he's learnt it. I believe he's learnt it. I believe God, in some measure, the measure which he intended, brought something of that Saul, that potential Saul, to death.

And then he's brought to the throne. But the point is this. Has it really happened? If David was put in the same position, he is put in the same position. Exactly. And this was towards the end of his life.

David’s Response to Absalom’s Rebellion

When his own son Absalom raised a rebellion against his father and seized the throne and got a great following in Israel. And he knew what was happening. It didn't happen all that suddenly. There is reason to believe that David knew what was happening.

The plot that was being hatched. And he didn't lift up a finger to stop it. Indeed, when Absalom came and asked for permission to go to Horeb, David gave him permission. He knew why. Joab said, you're not going to let him go, are you?

I'm going to let him go. I know what he's thinking. I know what he's going to do. I'm going to let him go. And it happened. And in 2 Samuel, chapter 15, you get this wonderful, sweet demonstration of what I call brokenness.

2 Samuel 15, 24. Excuse me. Yes. The first, his willingness, in chapter 15, verse 9, the king said unto him, go in peace. So he arose and went to Hebron. David doubtless knowing what was happening. I'm going to let him do it.

And then, it happened. And the hearts of the men of Israel were after Absalom. And there was nothing for it but for David and his men, his few hundred men, to flee. And as they fled the city, verse 24, Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God.

And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had done passing out of the city. You see, anyway, we'll take the ark with us. That'll show that God's on our side. And David said, nothing of the sort.

And the king said unto Zadok, carry back the ark of God into the city. If I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me again and show me both it and His habitation. But if He say thus, I have no delight in thee, behold, here am I.

Let him do to me as seemeth good unto me. It could be that he's finished with me. It could be he's going to have another. I'm willing, if that's what he wants. How easy for him who had suffered so much at the hands of Saul, to act as Saul towards Absalom.

And he would have done. All his counselors counseled him so to do, but he wouldn't. God had dealt with Saul in David. That's what he's after, friend. That's what he's after. For you to learn to take it, to bear it, to bend your neck to that which God has allowed.

So that when the situation is reversed, you will not in turn be a Saul to others. Look at chapter 16, verse 5. And as he is processing out of the city, very sadly, in verse 5, when David came to behear him, behold, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gerah.

And he came forth and cursed still as he came. And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. Thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, thou man of Belial.

The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned. And the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom, thy son. And behold, thou art taken in thy mischief because thou art a man of blood.

Then said Abishai, the son of Zeruah, the three of them, Joab, Abishai, and what was the third? Asahel, was it? They were a fiery bunch of enthusiasts for David. And he said, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?

Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. And David said, No, you're not going to do it. It could be the Lord's finished with me. If so, I'm willing. I'm willing no longer to be king if that's it.

I'm not going to react towards that man as Saul once reacted toward me. What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said unto him, Curse David, who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

He's learning it. Indeed he has. And the situation has been reversed. But David does not act like another Saul. And when at last he had no option but to send his little army against Absalom, he had to.

He was very careful to brief his captains. In chapter 18, verse 5,. And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittiai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man even with Absalom. I said, I want him defeated.

But I don't want him killed. I want him brought as a captive. And I know what David would have done had they done it. He would have loved him and loved him into submission. So deal gently with him. Ah!

Saul didn't deal gently with David. But David is now, as a result of all he's been through, is dealing gently with his adversary. But alas, Joab was too hard for David. Indeed he said of those sons of Zeruah, Ye sons of Zeruah are too hard for me.

And when they found that he got caught by his head in a bow, they took the opportunity to kill him. To kill the very one whom David had said deal gently with him. And when David, the news came to David, the king at the end of that chapter, verse 33, was much moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept.

And as he wept, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom, would God I died for thee, O Absalom my son, my son. And Joab didn't understand it. He said, the victory of this day is turned to mourning.

You're one of those that seems to love your enemies and hate your friends. You're quite right, Joab. He does love his enemies. He doesn't hate his friends, but he loves that man that is his enemy. And so when the situation was reversed, the poor and needy had learnt their many lessons.

They'd learnt the lessons of brokenness. And you and I have to. Oh yes, there may be an Absalom arise against you. Not a Saul, but an Absalom. And it's just as hard, perhaps a harder. But you've learnt not to react, not to take arms, not to fight for your rights, but lay them down, even as Jesus did for you.

David did. He seemed to let Absalom have it his way. And when he was killed, no one mourned more for him than David did. Is that what I'm called to you say? Well, it was the way that Jesus went for us.

Christ’s Meekness and the Christian’s Vindication

When he was reviled, he didn't revile again. When he suffered, he didn't threaten them. He said to Peter, put up your sword. The cup that the Father has given me, shall I not drink it? You suffered at the hand of a Saul.

Is it possible that you might also be a Saul yourself? Maybe God's got to let you and me go through those difficult times a bit more until you learn to accept that there are no second causes for the Christian.

In the centre of the circle of the will of God I stand, there can be no second causes all must come from his dear hand. And you're learning that lesson. And you're no longer going in to retaliate and act as a Saul.

You would have done. But for all perhaps that God's been showing you these days here and he's yet to show you and help you perhaps to go through. But you will come forth as gold. A broken and a contrite heart.

And I want to tell you it seems crazy. So you let men run roughshod over your head? What's the alternative? You're no more successful by the alternative. The only thing is you don't sleep at night. You have mental arguments in your bed with your opponents and you win every argument.

But it doesn't give you any peace. I've seen it because of my own experience. I've done that. I'm sad to say. Now here we come to it. It seems that this was the way of weakness. But do you know what the end of the story is?