Pastor Allen opened the evening by inviting everyone to turn to 1 Samuel chapters 23 and 24. He expressed gratitude for the Lord as the Good Shepherd, highlighting how God relentlessly sought out each lost soul. He shared that like David, who found himself on the run and in distress, we can look to God for guidance and salvation during challenging times.

As David learned of the Philistines attacking Kela, he turned to the Lord for direction, asking whether he should intervene and save the town. Despite his men’s fear of engaging the enemy while they themselves were fugitives, David sought God again, who encouraged him to pursue victory. This act of consultation with God highlighted the importance of prayer in decision-making. Pastor Allen emphasized that when faced with uncertainty, we should always turn to prayer and seek godly counsel, much like David did.

Following David’s courageous act of rescuing Kela, he discovered that the townspeople would betray him to Saul. Pastor Allen drew parallels between David’s experiences and those in ministry today, noting that often it is the very people we help who may turn against us. He reminded the congregation that betrayal is a part of ministry, urging them to remain bitter or better, depending on how they react. Underscoring the necessity of maintaining a tender heart while having a resilient exterior, he encouraged all to keep their spirits open and to seek wisdom from the Lord amid challenges.

In a touching moment, Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s loyal friend, visited David in the wilderness. He reassured David by reminding him of God’s promise that he would be king. Pastor Allen highlighted the power of having supportive relationships in difficult times and how Jonathan’s friendship combined reassurance with covenant loyalty, reinforcing the importance of uplifting one another in faith.

The sermon concluded with a dramatic encounter where David had the opportunity to kill Saul but chose instead to spare him, honoring God’s anointing. This pivotal moment illustrated David’s deep conviction and respect for God’s will above his own desires. Pastor Allen applied this lesson to contemporary life, reminding the congregation of the significance of integrity and righteousness, even when the temptation to take matters into one’s own hands arises. He emphasized that true character is shown in how we choose to respond to those who may wrong us.

This sermon was presented by Pastor Allen Victor at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville.

#Prayer #Integrity #Encouragement #Faith #Covenant #Ministry