Tragedy and Hope

Read Psalm 129

Read 1 Samuel 31

Our Psalm today is about the Divine justice of God poured out upon the wicked. We see that carried out in a dramatic way in our 1 Samuel 31 reading. Saul, a very tragic figure, comes to a gruesome end.

Along the way Saul and David were strongly contrasted in the narrative. Saul wanted to murder and kill so he could stay in power. David stayed his hand from harming Saul, even though he had the opportunity several times. Saul was filled with hate; David with mercy. Saul took the sinful road; David walked the righteous road.

In this way, David very much foreshadows Christ. David's righteousness and holiness, and his eventual reign over Israel very much foreshadows the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed and then ushered into existence. So hearing about David is very encouraging to us.

But we will also see that David is not perfect. He is a flawed figure. But even David's flaws can give us comfort. Here's why: In David we see that God is merciful to the broken sinner.

Now Saul continued to persist in sin and did not want to walk in God's ways, or repent and turn to him. All Saul wanted was to stay in power. David, on the other hand, had a humble trusting faith in a merciful God. And as long as we do the same, there is hope.

So in Saul we see tragedy. But in David we see there is hope - hope because of the Messiah that David foreshadowed, hope because even David's sins could be forgiven, hope because David found strength in Almighty God to be a powerful, wise, just, and Godly king!

So, as we continue on to reading 2 Samuel, we look forward to learning more about David, his faith, his foreshadowing of Christ, and even of his failures. Thanks be to God that there is forgiveness and strength for us as well because of our merciful Savior, Jesus Christ, who died and rose for us!

Pray:

Pray from your hearts today. Pray for the lost, that they do not face the same tragic end that Saul faced. Pray for yourself, that God would continue to forgive and strengthen you. Pray that he would use you to exhort and encourage others with the Word of God.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!