With the kingdom united and with the Philistines no longer a threat, King David has a moment to consider unfinished business. At the top of his mind is his promise to bless Jonathan's family, so David seeks out Jonathan's one surviving son, Mephibosheth. David's kindness to Mephibosheth serves to remind us of the grace of God toward us, a grace that is free to us but very costly to God. God invites us to likewise consider showing kindness to those who may not expect nor deserve it.

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For Reflection:

David made good on his promise to show kindness to Jonathan's family.

- Has anyone ever shown unexpected kindness and grace to you? What were the circumstances? How did it affect you? How did if affect your relationship with that person? Did it have an impact on your relationship with God?

- Are there any people to whom you have promised kindness? Is there anyone God might be inviting you to show kindness to? How might you take a step toward extending that kindness today?

David notices that he lives in a grand palace while God dwells in a simple tent. David wants to correct the situation by building God an even grander palace, the Temple, but God says, "No." Even so, God chooses this moment to bless David. Because David wanted to build God's house, God will build David's house, promising that one of David's descendants will sit on the throne forever!

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For Reflection:

David wanted to build God's house but it is God who will establish David's house, forever!

- Nathan assumed what God wanted but was mistaken. What are some of the ways that you too might make plans without considering what God's priorities might be?

- What might it look like for you to show greater concern for building up God's house rather than your own?

- Is there something that God might be inviting you to do in response to what you see in David's and Nathan's story?

There is a constant temptation to define ourselves in terms of our work. It's one of the first questions we ask of others, "What do you do for work?" In this scene of worship, David strips off all the vestments of his "job". Before the Lord, the king himself is just a worshiper like everyone else. You are not your job. In the Lord, your identity and worth has a far greater foundation!

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For Reflection:

People worship in many ways. Our entire lives are meant to be lived as an act of worship (cf. Romans 12:1, Colossians 3:17).

- How do you experience worship? When do you find yourself best able to focus on God and begin to lose sight of yourself, as David does in music and dance?

- Just as David is able to forget about himself in worship, the presence of God also reminds him and us of who we truly are. Who and what are the people, places, and practices that help you remember who you truly are in Christ?

Saul was a terrible king in many ways but his death still represented the death of a dream. He was Israel's first king and the nation had put its trust in him. With his death, the nation would fall into civil war and their enemies would exploit this time of weakness. But Israel should never have put its trust in human kings. That dream was an idol that needed to be broken before Israel would be able to see God's vision for its future.

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For Reflection:

Most people do not have literal idols but an idol can be anything we turn to instead of God, especially if we hope that it will bring us security, significance, and "the good life" (however we might define that idea).

- What are the idols that you are most likely to turn to instead of God for security, significance, and blessings in life?

- When facing challenges, is prayer your first resort or your last resort? What might a first step toward trusting more in God look like for you?

It’s easy to drift: the joy fades, the sacrifices feel heavy, and before long we’re just going through the motions. Left unchecked, that drift can open the door to regret and destruction. In this message, Pastor Dave Swaim names the subtle danger we’d rather not see.

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In this flashback from October 30, 2024, we consider the times that it might be tempting to doubt that God is for us. But because our relationship with God is based on God's faithfulness rather than ours, we can have great confidence that God is for us. More than that, we are called "friends of God". Family is a given but you choose your friends. God chooses us!

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For Reflection:

Family may be a given, but you choose your friends. We are called "friends of God" -- God chooses us!

- Are there times when you find yourself doubting that God is for you? That God loves you or even likes you? What is usually happening in those moments?

- God chose us while we were still sinners, so how much more will God choose us while we are friends? God has done the really hard thing so why wouldn't God do the much easier thing? Does this reasoning encourage you? Is there anything else that works for you in those moments?

In a moment of ungodly anger, David sets out to exact vengeance upon a man named Nabal. Hearing of the events that have been set in motion, Abigail intercepts David and is able to stop him with grace and humility. Despite his anger, David is able to see she is a literal godsend, saving him from himself.

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For Reflection:

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1

- Can you recall a time when you attempted to turn someone away from their anger, or a time when someone attempted to turn you away from yours? What was helpful or unhelpful in that particular situation?

- What are some of the challenges to responding with gentleness, kindness, and humility?

- What do you find helpful in encouraging a gracious response in yourself or others?

Once again, David has an opportunity to take Saul's life and, once again, David demonstrates mercy rather than judgment. David's kindness toward Saul and trust in God were not one-time decisions but evidence of a heart in harmony with the heart of God. Perhaps God chose David to be the honored ancestor of Jesus for illustrating the grace that would be fully demonstrated in Christ.

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Pastor Richard Lee's Sermon on David in 1 Samuel 24:

https://youtu.be/lLYmRfXiE9g

For Reflection:

Imagine David's frustration at having to prove himself repeatedly to Saul.

- Have you ever had to forgive someone repeatedly? What, if anything, has helped you to respond more like David?

- In the cave (1 Sam 24) and here, David experiences only a temporary repentance from Saul. In each case, David forgives Saul but wisely does not trust him. How would you explain the difference between forgiveness (which David grants) and reconciliation (which does not happen).

Refusing to take matters into his own hand, David finds himself on the run. Stripped of all other security, David finds himself hiding out in a cave with darkness all around him and darkness within him. In that darkness, David finds a light of hope that will never go out. In this psalm, this prayer, this song, David shows us that God's light can often be seen most clearly in the darkest of places.

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https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Pastor Richard Lee's Sermon on David:

https://youtu.be/lLYmRfXiE9g

For Reflection:

In the darkness of the cave, David discovers a clearer vision of God.

- Have you had a Cave of Adullam experience in your life? Has there been a dark time when you came to see God more clearly? Who or what helped you to turn to God?

- Some people feel comfortable talking about their spiritual disappointments with others but not with God. David shows us that we can bring those desolations directly to God. Do you feel comfortable praying to God that openly and honestly? Why or why not?

Friendships that allow for emotions that are raw and real can be rare, especially when those feelings express opposing perspectives. David and Jonathan have that rare kind of relationship that makes room for the kind of emotional honesty that we see in Jesus in Gethsemane and from the cross. Do we feel permission to have this kind of intimacy with God, and hopefully with others as well?

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For Reflection:

One of the first things that God ever said about humanity is that it is not good for us to be alone (Genesis 2:18).

- Do you feel comfortable identifying and expressing your deeper emotions to yourself? To God?

- Have you ever had the kind of friendship that allowed for the kind of openness and honesty shown by David and Jonathan?

- Is there anything that God might be inviting you to do to strengthen or grow such a relationship?