[Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-7]

I will begin my sermon with the words “motivation” and “direction” because these two words play an important role in achieving goals. Motivation is the main force that drives people into action. Direction is the general way a person moves. Motivation and direction are two factors that work together to achieve a goal.

For example, last April, Lisa and I planned to go to Chicago. Our main motivation for doing so was to do a city tour and eat Korean food because Chicago has a wide variety of Korean food. So, I drove my Santa Fe and took Highway 90 west. Taking Highway 90 west was the right direction to take for me to achieve my goals. We need to have a good motivation and choose the right direction that will help us succeed in our goals.

Again, having a good motivation and choosing the right direction help Christians to take their spiritual journey safely and securely to achieve their final goals. For instance, in Exodus 14, when Israelites were sandwiched between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, for God will make a way for us and lead us to the other side of the Red Sea.” Moses didn’t panic but controlled the situation because he had been motivated by God to lead and guide Israelites out of slavery and had a clear direction of where to go. That is why Moses was able to control his fears in an emergency.

Theologically speaking, motivation and direction could be interpreted as faith and action. Therefore, Christians should have divine motivation, which is faith and choose the right direction, which is proper action in our daily lives because the good motivation and clear direction of our lives determine our spiritual destination.

Spiritual Meekness

In 1 Samuel 24:1-7, David’s life is a good example because he chose the right direction with a good motivation. David’s way of life was recognized as meek. Most modern dictionaries tend to describe being meek as overly compliant, submissive, spiritless, and weak. It sounds like a negative connotation in our modern understanding.

However, the definition of meekness in the Bible is not weakness, but rather meekness means choosing to keep strength under control. Spiritual meekness is one of the highest qualities of being a king in God’s sight. A meek person like David did not quickly blame and justify himself but rather took time to seek the will of God first in any situation.

This was because David trusted God and believed that the Lord would take care of his life. It was his choice to live that way before God and people. His choice became his spiritual identity. Spiritual identity is how God sees who we really are.

Three Spiritual Lessons

Here are two spiritual lessons that we can learn through the life of David. These lessons teach us how to develop the Christian spiritual identity that God seeks in us to bless.

1. David restrained his self-defensiveness because defensiveness tends to make people view themselves as victims in order to retaliate against others. When David was hiding in a shadow inside of a cave, Saul went into the cave by himself and slept there. At that moment, everyone said to David, “It is a great chance to kill Saul. He is your enemy, and he always tries to kill you,” but David did not choose to do it because retaliation was not his to choose.

How many of you have honked your horn at someone or hit the brake pedal in front of other drivers in anger to get back at them when they did you wrong? It doesn’t seem like a really harmful action, but God sees the intentions of your heart.

2. David avoided criticizing others because criticism means attacking the person rather than someone’s wrong behavior. When Samuel asked Jesse to bring all of his sons to give them a chance to become king, Jesse assigned David to tend the sheep. David did not criticize his father and his brother. Instead of that, he focused on his assigned task which was tending the sheep.

Why did God take Saul’s Kingship, his spiritual leadership, and material blessings from him and give it to David? It was because his spiritual identity was found in criticizing others, blaming others to protect himself, and taking revenge on them. Saul had good motivation to serve God and people at first, but he went in the wrong direction with his life and power. So, God gave Saul’s blessings to David.

Temptation

However, there was a temptation that struck to destroy David’s spiritual identity when he felt emotionally tired and physically exhausted. I have been tempted a lot to honk at other drivers when they cut me off when I keep a regular speed. Around 45-50 miles per an hour is the legal speed limit on Grafton Road. When people cut me off, I want to do something to them especially when I feel tired.

David was tempted and almost retaliated against a person who insulted him when he ran out of food in the wilderness. One day, he tried to get revenge on a person whose name was Nabal because Nabal dishonored his name and deeply humiliated him and his army in 1 Samuel 25.

When David almost reached out to Nabal to kill him, God sent Abigail (Nabal’s wife) to him with plenty of food, and she asked him to show mercy on Nabal, not because of Nabal, but in order to maintain David’s spiritual integrity. After that, David realized that God sent someone to protect him from the temptation.

Pilgrim’s Progress

There is a Christian classic book by John Bunyan called Pilgrim’s Progress. In the story, a Christian fled from the City of Destruction and took a journey to the Celestial City. He passed through many trials and temptations. At the very last stage, he was faced with giant roaring lions sitting on the path. So, he was totally discouraged and turned around to go back. When he tried to turn his way back, he heard a voice. The voice said, “The lions are chained. Have faith. If you keep in the middle of the path, you will be okay.” God’s protection is always available for all Christians when we are in danger of temptation.

A Spiritual Core Value

To be gentle toward everyone and never take revenge on anyone was the spiritual identity that King David kept, and he did his best to keep it on his spiritual journey.     

What is your spiritual motivation and your daily life direction that upholds your Christian identity to serve God and people? In other words, what is the spiritual core value that you would never want to exchange for anything else until you see our Lord Jesus Christ? 

Life Example

The town where I was born and raised was on a mountainside. I remember it was beautiful to see on a snowy winter morning when a couple of inches of snow covered the whole town. But there was one problem: I had to walk three miles to go to school. The road I walked was often covered in heavy snow without a snowplow or other footsteps to follow. I could have chosen to stay at home or go to school to study. I decided to go to school because my motive was clear. I was a student, and students should go to school. At that time, I had a brother who was three years younger than me. So, I was a snowplow making tracks for my brother. I went first and made the way for him, and he followed in my footsteps.

I was called to serve the Church of God. To stay on the cross, help people to find the right way, and walk with them. That is my spiritual identity. What is your spiritual identity that God remembers as your spiritual character? If you don’t know, let’s find it in the Church.

2022.05.26. Pastor Cloud Poy

@ Photo on Unsplash