All We Have Is God

And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities if Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands 1 Samuel 18: 6-7.

After David slew Goliath, he became an overnight sensation. His popularity spread like a wildfire through every town and back-road of Israel. He became an instant role model, and his life offered the nation so much promise.

David had accomplished something special; he achieved something remarkable. People admire individuals who can do special things. Unfortunately, it is sometimes hard for people to separate what people do and what people are. But God never gets it mixed up.

When David went to face Goliath, he was still a teen. He had never worn an army uniform, and he didn’t own a sword. But through the power of God, he slew a giant professional warrior that stood over ten feet tall.

This single act of faith made him a national hero. The people of Israel began to praise David, they even wrote songs about him. But no matter what people are saying about us, we need to be sure we know who we are. God makes the person who he is. If we can do anything special, it’s only because God gives us the grace. (See 1Corinthians 15:10)

One thing that confuses me about professional athletes and entertainers is that many of them never think to use their popularity to honor God. They don’t see God in their success, yet it is God who gives them their ability. I believe that they have an ordained responsibility to be a positive example, but many miss it. I can immediately think of a popular basketball player who has a chance to become one of the greatest scorers in the history of the game. He is tremendously gifted, yet he openly criticizes his coach, down-rates his team members, and is physically abusive to his wife. God has graciously given him ability, but he is missing the opportunity to make a difference.

At this point, David was definitely a superstar. He landed a good job in the king’s house, and Jonathan (the king’s son) was his best friend. But no matter how popular we are today, things can change. We may be on top today, but there is no way we can be certain we will stay there.

David enjoyed a period of celebrity, but things started changing. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul... and David played with hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice 1 Samuel 18: 11-12.

When Saul heard the women singing songs glorifying David instead of him, he became angry (see verse 8). The Hebrew word used to describe Saul’s wrath is "chorah". It means to burn within. David’s popularity bothered Saul very badly. His entire life was in turmoil and he couldn’t shake it. He eventually got so paranoid that he acted like a man possessed of an evil spirit.

Don’t let evil jealous people frustrate you. It is wrong to be jealous. Jealousy made Saul fearful and worried. It made him so delusional, he saw things that weren’t really there. He forgot who he was. He lost sight of his goals as a king. Life became twisted. He thought David was the cause of his problems, but he only had himself to blame.

No matter what Saul did, David kept being himself. No matter who is trying to pull you down, just keep on being yourself. When you see the enemy coming, don’t put on your boxing gloves. Just keep being yourself. Don’t stop succeeding, keep on. Don’t stop prospering, keep on. Keep doing God’s will and never let go of what is right.

The only thing we have to depend on in life is God. The music Davis played was good therapy to comfort Saul for a while, but it stopped working. Eventually David lost his job and citizenship. There wasn’t a more faithful employee than David, yet he ended up on the run.

He also lost his friend Jonathan and his wife Michal. So David fled and to consult Samuel. After all, it was Samuel who anointed him. So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him, And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth 1 Samuel 19:18. Naioth was a city of condos; houses built back to back on top of each other. Samuel and David felt that Saul would never look for them in Naioth, but he found out anyway. So David lost Samuel.

Sometimes we lean on people instead of God. As youth, we lean on parents, teachers and peers. As adults we lean on jobs, money, status and materials. None of these things are of lasting value. Ultimately, all we have is God. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness Isaiah 41:10.

God may be moving things out of your life right now. He may be moving you away from people and thinning things out. People you thought you couldn’t do without, God moves them out. The beautiful plans you had suddenly end. Don’t be discouraged. God is just helping you to see what every child of God must understand, "All We Have Is God".

By: Edmund Brown