In Revelations 3:7b John writes this message to the church of Philadelphia “He who is holy who is true who has the keys of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens say this”. (KJV) Before I go any farther I need to let the readers understand that I believe that God opens and closes doors daily in the life of the believer. I have witnessed that in my life as well as others close to me. Yes we must go through the open doors, but when God closes a door it stays closed. As we study David’s life we need to understand how God directed his paths. God as the potter and David as the clay. The events that lead up to making David king of Israel were are planned by God. So let start the process of looking at the doors that the Lord opened up for David, as well as some doors that were closed to him.

David’s family had a very rich and interesting background. In Matthew 1:5,6 “And Salmon beget Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king” (KJV) we have David’s genealogy. David’s genealogy is found in several other places in the Bible, but this one is special since it also list his grandmother and his great grandmother. Both of these women were great women of faith, and yet the ways they came into the lives of Salmon and Boaz was amazing. The door of opportunity was opened for Rahab when the two spies for Israel stayed at her house in Jericho. This account recorded in Judges 2:1-24 gives us a full account of her faith. She could had turned the spies over to the king of Jericho, but instead protected them. She did this because she believed in their Lord, and asked for kindness to be shown to her family. As we see God rewarded her faith by becoming one of the five women in the genealogy of Christ.

The same can be said about his grandmother Ruth who could have been alive at the time of David’s birth. The story of her faith and her decision to chose to travel with her mother-in-law Naomi back to Judah is recorded in the book of Ruth. As we read the story of how Ruth meet Boaz we can see how God opens doors of opportunities to those who have faith in the Lord . As we study the Bible God has given us books such as Ruth, Esther, and Job to show to us how God works in an individual life and reward that individual for their great faith in God.

David had a rich history of men and women of faith in his family. As we read the Psalms, we realize that David’s faith in God was something he acquired at an early age. So as the door opens for David’s journey into the courts of king Saul, we must reflect on how God set the stage early in his life by giving him such a rich heritage of faithful parents, and grandparents. The faith that Rahab and Ruth were great examples of faith in which David must have heard and possibly even seen early in to his life. So as we look to these great individuals that God has given us as example of faith; we as parents and grandparents should strive to be good examples of faith to our children and grandchildren. This is the greatest gift in life we could give them, so we must strive so that we can be a faithful witness to them.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7).

In difficult times may the people around me see the real purpose of walking in the way of God. Here in Philippians Paul gives the Philippians the true meaning of living in God’s way and the gift of the peace of God which passeth all understanding. This is the type of peace that enables all who processes it to weather all the storms of life that comes their way. This peace is easy to achieve and yet seems so difficult for others Christians to achieve in their lives.

Why is this peace so difficult to achieve? Could it be that the human heart does not like passing over the controls of their life to any one including God. Paul knew from his own life how important it was to turn the controls of life over to God. For it was on his way to Damascus to rid the synagogues of the people following this new way that Paul came face to face with Christ. Yes, Paul thought he was doing this task God’s way, and yet he had no peace about it. When Christ confront him, Paul heard these words “I am Jesus whom you persecute it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks”. How many times do we go about our religious ways and yet leave out Christ? Check your heart and mind. Do we have the peace of God that passes all understanding in both our hearts and minds?

This Damascus road experience was an important day in Paul’s life. It was the day he learned that the controls of his life had to be turned over to Christ. From this point on the direction of Paul’s life changed. This happens when Christ takes over our life. Let the Spirit of God use the Word of God to guide your life and give you the peace that passes all understanding today. As the great hymn of the faith states “Just trust and obey for there no other way to be happy in Jesus then to trust and obey”.

Set apart from Birth

Like David, Paul was also set apart at birth. I believe that as believers look back on the events in their life we can also see God’s hand directing our path. See Psalm 139.

Paul in Galatians 1:15-17 states “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.” Paul realized that his life was always in God’s hands. Just as God had chosen the parents of John the Baptist and of Jesus, he also placed Paul in the family in which he would get all the training he needed for the purpose of preaching Christ to the Gentiles.

As I study Paul’s writings, I realized that his one true passion was to preach the gospel of Christ. And when this gospel is presented and believed not only is eternal life guarantee, but a change also takes place in the new believer’s life. As I study the scriptures it is amazing how God prepares individuals for His purpose. The way of God is beyond our understanding in how He works in His creation. As Paul realized that his life was always in God’s hand, we as believers must also believe the same.

As we make our journey in this life, we can touch so many lives. Is the presentation of the gospel our one true passion? Is our true focus serving the Lord? Is today a wonderful, beautiful, outstanding day that the Lord has given you no matter the situations around you? God’s message for the world is found in John 3:16 and His patient in this world is not wanting anyone to perish, but for everyone to come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). Do we reflect the gospel of Christ in our daily walk to others?

I have a note in my Bible next to I Samuel 16:18 that reads “God set the stage before David played for Saul. The little events in our life are really divine events that God causes to happen.” As we study this first time meeting of Saul and David we must realized that God had a hand in it. The Spirit of God departed from Saul and and evil spirit from God tormented him. Saul had abandoned God’s way. Saul was ruling Israel as his kingdom not God’s kingdom. As one abandons God they also abandon relationships with those that walk in God’s way. There were probably few around Saul that had a godly influence on him. We must remember that Jonathan, Saul’s son, who was probably one that could have given him godly advice was usually away from him leading another garrison. So one of Saul’s attendants suggested to search for someone who could pay the harp to make him feel better. During the conversation another servant recommended David, the son of Jesse. He also mentioned that David was also a brave man, and a warrior and the Lord is with him.

As I look at I Samuel 16:14 “Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil Spirit from the Lord terrorized him.” I myself have no problem with the phrase “an evil Spirit from the Lord” found in this verse. God is the creator of all things in the universe. He is the creator of Satan and all his domain. Satan chose to rebel against his creator and desired to be like God, however his rebellion end with him and a third of the angels being cast out of heaven. Rebellion against God was a decision that not only Satan had made but also a third of the angels in heaven with him. Soon after the creation of man Satan presented himself to Eve and convince her to disobey God and partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. So all creation is from God, but when creation chose not to follow God’s way it becomes without God, or godless.

So Saul sent for David. His message to Jesse was simple: “Send me your son David,who is with the sheep.” As king I guess he could make such a request and my this a demand to Jesse. An interesting portion of this verse also mention that Saul knew that David was tending the sheep. We can not be sure if Jesse believe that Saul knew about the anointing of David by Samuel at this time, but it could have been on his mind. We are not given the time between the anointing of David by Samuel and the request for David to serve in the courts of Saul, but we do know that God had set the stage. So Jesse gave David a donkey, loaded with bread a skin of wine and a young goat and send him to Saul.

David not only played the harp for Saul, he also became one of his armor-bearers. Saul like David very much. So much that he sent back to Jesse and asked him to allow David to stand before him because he hath found favor in my sight. So David became part of the court that surrounded Saul. So when the evil spirit came upon Saul, David would play the harp and Saul would find relief. David was well received by the court of Saul which provided him with experience that God had planned for his future as king.

The last chance:

As I look at Saul’s kingdom today before moving on to the life of David it is important to realize the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Christ in John 14:26 gives us this promise “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” We have this teacher in our live who will help us in our daily living, if only we study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needed not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I Samuel chapter 15:30 reveals Saul’s true desires: “Then he said; I have sinned: (yet) honour me now, I pray thee before the elders of my people and before Israel and turned again with me that I may worship the Lord thy God.” Saul had been given the commandment from the Lord to “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not” (I Samuel 15:3). However as you read the account of the story in chapter 15 Saul and the people spared Agag the king and the best of the livestock. As you read the account of this story verse 30 reveals the direction in which Saul would lead the new nation in the future. As verse 30 reveals Saul consider Israel as his people and God as Samuel’s God. He had placed himself as the king over his people not God’s people, and turned away from following God. The simple words of the Pledge of Allegiance today reads: “I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.” we must remember that the words “under God” was add in 1954 by Congress at the request of President Eisenhower. President Eisenhower saw the need to make us a nation under the providence of God. Yet in I Samuel chapter 15 we see Saul as King move Israel from a nation under God to a nation that place self above God and left God as being someone’s else God.

Samuel and Saul parted ways after this event and Samuel never again came to Saul. Saul departed to his house in Gibeah and Samuel went to Ramah. Yet Samuel mourned for Saul even after knowing the Lord had rejected him. The Spirit of God departed from Saul and when it did an evil spirit from God trouble him. Let us remember the importance of the Holy Spirit in our live and let Him guide and teach us as we go about our daily routines.

After Saul’s victory over the Ammonite (I Samuel chapter 12) Samuel meet one more time with the nation to make his last speech to them. In I Samuel 13:24,25 Samuel ends his speech with these words: “Only fear the Lord and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” (KJV) This message was directed to their desire to have a king over them like the other nations. With this decision the people of God turned from the twelve tribes of God where every man did that which was right in his own eyes, to a nation ruled by a king. A point to remember that Samuel was not only a judge but also a prophet, seer, and a man of God. His authority as overseeing the religious matters of Israel did not end with Saul becoming the king.

As recorded in I Samuel 13:1-14 Saul’s self-will and his self-glorification caused him to be denounced by Samuel. It started by Jonathan Saul’s eldest son smiting a garrison of Philistines in Geda The message soon when out in all Israel that Saul had smitten a garrison of Philistines and the nation of fighting men were called together at Gilgal. In the mean time the Philistines also gathered their forces together to a point that cause the men of Israel to hid and flee to other places. Samuel set a time to offer up a burnt-offering to the Lord, but was late. So Saul offered up the burnt offering himself instead of waiting for the priest. When Samuel arrived and confronted Saul about what he had done, he answered that he had to offer up the burnt-offering to be able to rally the troops. Saul had been foolish and did not keep the commandment of the Lord concerning burnt-offerings which were only to be performed by the priest. This was when Samuel informed him that his kingdom would not continue. When you read these verses notice that Saul never shows a repentive heart.

Saul was given the opportunity of being the first king of the nation of Israel. With this opportunity also came the responsibility of being a true Godly leader. One that would follow God’s way and instruct the nation to follow this lead. However, instead of leaning on God and his promises Saul chose the path that he saw best. We see Saul in I Samuel 14:35 again building an altar unto the Lord to keep the troops from eating meat with blood so that they would not sin against the Lord. And at the same tiime he himself was breaking the law. Israel defeated the Philistines that day but it was under the leadership of his son Jonathan. His kingdom survived for now, but at a huge cost to Israel. For we see in I Samuel 14:52 that there were sore wars all the days of Saul and when Saul saw any valiant man he took him to be part of his army. The fathers of Israel lost their strong sons to the king.

Over the years I have witness many people who have taken matters in the own hands. No time to wait on God. In my youth I use to say, when you are good, you are good, but when you are great you are like me. As I look back now on the foolishness of such a statement like that I an amazed that God still loves me and worked in my life to change my walk with Him. However, as I look at young people today who have the same outlook on live, I step back and wonder, will they stay on the path of self-glorification or will they heed God’s interventions and return to walking in His way and giving Him the glory for all the victories in their life. Paul’s life was transformed on the road to Damascus when he faced the Lord. Christ said to him “Saul, Saul, why persecutes me” (Acts 9:4) and Paul who was called Saul at that time answered, “Who art thou Lord” (Acts 9:5). Paul realized his zeal against the disciples of the Lord was wrong and he turned from his ways. The choice is yours.

Studying the scriptures will help us find the answers to some of the toughest questions that have been troubling us. One of these questions I have had is why God chose Saul as the first king of Israel. As I explore the reasons for the selection of Saul as the first king of Israel I must reflect on the political issues at that time in Israel. The twelve tribes had increased in population, but also there was also a greater force acting upon them and that force was to become more like the countries around them. Samuel served the twelve tribes as a judge, prophet, and a priest; he did not rule over them as a king. When Samuel was old, he set his sons up as judges. His sons, however, were not honest and walked not in Samuel’s way. Therefore, the elders decided they wanted a king like the other nations that surrounded them. So, God gave them a king after their own desire. This might be a reason that God gave them Saul, a king like the other nations. Early in life I was taught to be careful with what you ask for, because God might permit it to happen. Saul was the type of king they were desiring so God gave them the king they desired.

After Samuel’s withdrew to Ramah he stilled mourn for Saul. However, God instructs Samuel to stop mourning for Saul seeing that God had rejected him. God then gave Samuel the task to anoint the next king of Israel. Samuel at this time was aware of the way that Saul was ruling and how he had warned Saul that his kingdom would not continue. He also knew that Saul was keeping an eye on his activities for Samuel as a priest was still a powerful force in Israel. We see in I Samuel 16:2 that Samuel fears to execute this task that the Lord had given him to complete because of Saul. So, God told him to go and to use the occasion as an opportunity to offer up a sacrifice at Bethlehem. Another reason I believed Samuel was afraid to go was that the anointing would cause an uprising to take place in the near future. As I read I Samuel 16:1-13 I realized that Samuel was looking for an adult who might be able to take over the kingdom from Saul in the near future, but God had His own timetable. As someone who has follow the Lord for over fifty years, I have realized that waiting on the Lord is one of one of the hardest to learn attributes a Christian can develop in their walk with the Lord.

Why was David in the field instead of at the feast? I believe the simple answer is someone had to watch the sheep while the family attended the sacrifice. David being the youngest was the best choice for this task. However, he was the one that was to be anointed so they went to fetch him and waited until he arrived. When he did arrive, Samuel anointed him in the midst of his brethren and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David. Samuel went back home, and David went back to tending the sheep in the field. Unlike Saul’s anointing there were no other events that happened afterwards. It was probably a relief to Samuel. It would be several years later that we have the next reference of Samuel. This reference is found in I Samuel 19:18 when David fled and escaped from Saul and came to Samuel at Ramah.

As we study the scriptures, we must realize that the characters that we study are just like us. They have the same needs as well as fears as we have in the world today. We know that God’s hand is in the affairs of this world, not men, but we tend forget this in our daily living. As the Lord taught us to pray: “Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it in heaven.” God is in control. So, when everyone around you is worried about the affairs of this world understand that God is in control still.

So that Men are without Excuse.

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what is made, so that men are without excuse.

A story was told of a man who life’s purpose was to seek after truth but after he found it, he turned away and followed his heart. This is the story of the men that Paul describes in Romans chapter one. Paul’s purpose was to present the gospel of God to all, but not all believe. As we go forth on our journey in this life, we must realize that all men and women will be without excuse on the day of judgment. We must present the simple truth of the gospel as Paul writes in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

What happens to those that reject the gospel? Their life becomes their own, they become the one who controls every aspect of their life. They become wise in their own eyes, but their hearts become darken and they become fools before God. God then gives them over to the sinful desires of their hearts. To me this means God steps out of their life. Paul describes this person in Romans 1:26-32 “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,backbiters, haters of God, spiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Another story was told of a man who life’s purpose was to seek after truth, and when he found it, he realized his sinful nature. But he also found the way of salvation from God. He could now be made righteous by placing his faith in Jesus Christ. This was why we live a daily lifestyle that reflects Christ in us as our hope in glory. If we walk in the spirit then our life will reflect the fruit of the Spirit “love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

There are only two ways. As in Psalm chapter one there is the way of the Righteous or the way of the wicked. Which story will reflect your life? The choice is yours.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Paul probably read this opening Psalm several times in his life. He probably believe he was protecting the law of the Lord as he was on his way to Damascus to arrest any man or woman who belong to the Way. Act 9:1 “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” reveals how much he believed they represented the way of the wicked.

Yet on this trip Paul is confronted by the very one who made the claim that he was the the way, the truth, and the life. In Acts 9:5b Jesus reveals to Paul who he was really standing against, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Jesus revealed himself to Paul as the way of the righteous revealed in Psalm one.

Here in Acts chapter nine as well as Acts chapters twenty two and twenty six we have Luke’s writings on Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. In verse nine Luke paints a picture of what all mankind must face at some point in their life. Do we repent or do we remain on the path of ungodliness? This decision rest on what we believe about Jesus. Is he the Savior of the world, or just a figure from history? We must all face this kicking against the pricks in our life. Our conscience (pricks) must wrestle against the truth that we are ungodly and not the god-like creation that God formed in the garden. We are in need of a Savior. the one who could pay the price for our sinful nature.

In Acts 26:15-18 Paul describes his encounter with Christ as his call to make Paul a minister and a witness to the Gentiles the gospel. The purpose of his message was to open the eyes of all who hears, and to turn them from darkness to light and from Satan unto God. That they may receive forgiven of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that in Christ. Before this encounter Paul as a religious leader of the Jews was protecting his religion from the false teaching of Jesus as the promise Messiah. In I Corinthians 15:9 Paul writes “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” He justified his actions as protecting the faith. The encounter with Christ open Paul’s eyes and caused him to turn from his wicked ungodly ways, which he had in the past justified as godly.

So when I read and study Romans 1:18-32 about the wrath of God being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness I come to the realization that all of mankind fall in this group. Christ was the gift of God to the world to open the eyes of all mankind to their ungodliness and unrighteousness and provided us the way to turn from darkness to light. So then we accept Jesus and let the Spirit of God work in our lives, God will make known his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption unto us. This is revealed to us by his Spirit that we might know the truth that is given to us freely by God. So as Christ stated in Luke 13:5 ” I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.” God has provided the way, we must choose the path.

The journey of the last one hundred and fifty days was the result of studying the Law of the Lord and the way of the righteous in an individual life who seeks to walk in this way. I guess one of most difficult issues that a Christian faces in his or her life is grasping the truth that the God of the Universe can also be a God that can work daily in our individual life. By studying the Psalms we can gain an understanding of how God worked in shaping David life, yet by studying David we could also apply (the way) as portray in Psalm one to our own lives. Let’s look at David’s life.

As I look at David’s life, I will start out by considering three verse:
Act 13:22
“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”
I Samuel 16:7
“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
I Kings 15:5
“For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not failed to keep any of the LORD’s commands all the days of his life—except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.”

This was God’s statements about David’s life. Yet as we study David’s life, we can point to several mistakes that he made and yet God view that only in the case of Uriah the Hittite had he failed to keep the Lord’s commands. I love I Kings 15:5 for it gives me the comfort that it is God the Righteous Judge that will be the one who passes judgement on us after our death. As I have spent the last 150 days studying one Psalm a day, I have learned a lot about David’s life and character. I realized that man looks at my outward appearance and actions, but God knows my heart. David reveals this truth in Psalm 139: 1-6
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

As I search for other views on I King 15:5 many other views point out all the mistakes and sins that were in David’s life. Some have difficulty with this verse, however I believe that it points to David’s life as a life that was lived according to God’s way. There were times in David’s life that the presence of God may have seen to be far away, but look at verses 7-12 of Psalm 139:
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

David had a longing for God. “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
Is this the longing you have for Him?
As I leave the book of Psalms behind and start on another journey, I pray that I might also have a heart like David a man after God’s own heart.