What Are We Trusting?

David had refused to eat anything on the day of the funeral, and now everyone begged him to eat. But David had made a vow, saying, “May God strike me and even kill me if I eat anything before sundown.” This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them! So everyone in Judah and all Israel understood that David was not responsible for Abner’s murder. [2 Samuel 3.35-37] 

David's attentiveness to avoiding anything to do with the destruction of Saul or his dynasty is one of the most significant characteristics of David's life. Following Joab's murder of Abner, David demonstrated more of this character regarding the murder of Ishbosheth. It is in his response to Recab and Baanah that David revealed the driving force behind his refusal to have any participation in Saul's (or his family's) demise.

But David said to Recab and Baanah, “The LORD, who saves me from all my enemies, is my witness. Someone once told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ thinking he was bringing me good news. But I seized him and killed him at Ziklag. That’s the reward I gave him for his news! How much more should I reward evil men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Shouldn’t I hold you responsible for his blood and rid the earth of you?” [2 Samuel 4.9-11]

Just as David's actions on the battlefield against Goliath demonstrated a pure undiluted faith in God alone, so David's claim to the throne of all Israel would be by the indisputable miraculous hand of God and not anything of David's strength. In fact, as these stories in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading attest, David went out of his way to assure that his kingship was ordained and established by God and God alone.

David's actions displayed his understanding of God's jealousy regarding any potential idol in his life. David knew he was a powerful human being, and, instead of idolatrously relying on his own strength to rule all of Israel (as God had promised), David went out of his way to make sure everyone knew his throne was not established by the way of his own strength, but by the hand of God alone (two times David could have ended Saul's life, but he did not).

Our modern understanding of David's actions is limited at best. In a world where there are no distinct lines between what is God's distinct doing and what is man's ability, it is near impossible for modern man to fully comprehend David's intent. And yet, it has been recorded in the pages of the Bible for centuries. David categorically rejected idolatry (trusting anything other than God, including himself). David made sure everyone around him understood that his faith was in God alone, "The LORD, who saves me from all my enemies..."

Jesus Christ would confirm the need in mankind to trust God alone in His direct command to that end:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Long before Jesus issued this directive, David gave up his own way (as a strong and capable warrior) and took up his cross (making himself vulnerable) and followed God's promise.

Idolatry is more of a problem today than ever before in the history of God's people. Who will, like David, reject every possible idol to have the testimony that God alone is the keeper of every promise to them? Who will reject the strength and abilities of mankind to direct all attention to God's indisputable and miraculous power alone? Who will dare 'buck the system' - the ways of man - allowing God alone to be seen in all His remarkable power?

I will continue to argue that debt, insurance, medicine and technology are modern-day Goliaths. They defy God and His claim to His people. They keep God's people bound to fear, defeat, and subservience. They are the product of man's ingenuity that have become lords over the very man from which they came. Their ways are not the way of faith in God alone, but instead, the ways of a powerful warrior so arrogant, as Goliath, to defy and discredit anyone who would challenge them in pure undiluted faith in God alone.

Could it be that David's selection of five smooth stones, when facing Goliath, foretold the four flagship idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology along with the fifth idol of religion that would embrace and defend them?

David could have told Recab and Baanah that they were God's gifts to him to fulfill God's promise, but he didn't. Should we not understand why? David told us as he told them: "The LORD, ...saves me from all my enemies..." David made a clear distinction between trusting God alone and relying on the ways of man. We should too. And, Jesus could not agree more:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

What are we trusting? 

Father in heaven, may Your true followers - those who follow Jesus - have the attitude of David, who understood Your jealousy. May Your true followers be so bold as to decidedly make the distinction between Your indisputable intervention and the ways of man. May Your true followers see that theirs is not a battle of their strength (their ways) against the curses of the world, but instead, a battle of their resolve to trust only in You for all to see... So be it.