This podcast covers Lesson 6 of Profiles of Perseverance Bible Study by Melanie Newton.
The Strong Support of Friends as You Persevere
After being anointed as Israel’s future king, David spent the next couple of years going back and forth between playing music for Saul and tending his father’s sheep. Then, King Saul becomes exceedingly jealous over David’s success and begins a long campaign to wipe out David. David soon finds himself on the run without any familiar comforts. All of his props of normal life were removed. Props are those things in life that give us support and take care of our needs.
What’s left when our props are removed?
- The story of Martin and Gracia Burnham. After her props were removed, she realized that all she really had were her relationship with her God and her character to deal with the situation.
- Consider the props of normal life for you. What would you be like if all your props were removed?
- David had all his props removed. His journal psalms reveal how he felt at the time. Yet, he continued to trust in his God along the way. And, God sent to him a gift of new props, even in the wilderness.
The strong support of friends
- God gave David the gift of a friend—Saul’s son Jonathan. Jonathan warned David when Saul was on the warpath against him. Jonathan sacrificed his own time with David when he gave the message that David had to leave the king’s house. When David was hiding in the wilderness, Jonathan came and encouraged him in the Lord.
- Not only Jonathan, but God also sent his prophets to give David direction about where to go next.
- David’s family came to him in the cave to be with him. But, then he had to hide his parents from Saul, too, by taking them to Moab.
- Then, God sent strong, noble, and faithful men to surround David. “David's Mighty Men” 1 Samuel 22:2; 1 Chronicles 11-12
"We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you." (1 Chronicles 12:18)
- If you are surrounded by godly people whom God sends to surround you, that is in a sense being supported by the army of God. God works through people to support us. He gives people to be our props.
- God does not intend for us to live life alone. So, surround yourself with other Christians who love the Lord. When a crisis hits, don't quit church, don’t quit Bible studies, or don’t quit fellowshipping with your small group. Don’t pull back from the support God can give to you through people. Share your need with those who love the Lord and who will put a skip in your step with encouragement and support. Allow God to bless you through them.
- Avoid anyone who uses you up or encourages complaining or anger against God. That kind of person just sucks the joy right out of you.
- If you are a leader of a work team, a family, or a small group, make sure to ask God to surround you with people who will give your leadership strong support like David's "Mighty Men" did.
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4, NASB).”
We can have hope because we have God with us. So, remember our lane markers for the race.
#1. Choose to persevere through every challenge.
#2. Count on God’s promise to give you hope.
#3. Let that hope sustain you through the rough-and-tumble of life.
#4. Celebrate the joyful reward.
Let Jesus satisfy your heart with hope so you can persevere through life.
Joyful Walk Bible Studies by Melanie Newton are available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.