1 Samuel 21, Psalm 34, John 6:35-40, Luke 22:14-20
In this chapter we find the once unflappable David, killer of Goliath, who once shouted boldly: “the Lord doesn’t save by sword or spear!” Now in terror seizing Goliath's spear for protection. This whole chapter, David is terrified, trying to survive on sheer talent, charisma, creativity, and deception and he barely escapes death. The once heroic figure with a single stone in his hand is reduced to clawing at a door with spittle down his beard, only to race to a cave and hide. I believe this is a picture of all of us when we try to operate on self-will, and it happens to us all: we attempt to face massive obstacles only to be defeated. The reality is whether you fail, or become increasingly afraid and embittered, the biblical narrative tells us it is impossible to operate on self-will for our salvation and flourishing. Luckily for us, God compassionately provides a way. Notice the sword, rather than helping David made it worse, but what did sustain David in this chapter? The bread of the presence, with which he technically wasn’t supposed to eat. This bread was literally called, the bread of the Presence/Face, it symbolized God’s provision for the twelve tribes, and that He sat face to face with the people of God. In Psalm 34, David will explain that he cried out to God in terror, (with spittle on his beard as he ran to find a cave to cower in) and that when he turned to God, he became radiant, and wasn’t ashamed anymore. David then says “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” David cried out to God, while he was broken hearted, crushed, running from death, and experienced God’s “presence,” goodness, and radiance, and was filled with God’s love, nourishment, and experienced freedom from condemnation. David didn’t realize how inspired he was, because a thousand years after him, Jesus would stand up in the presence of a crowd (in John 6:35-40) and shout, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and however believes in me shall never thirst. . . everyone who looks on the son and believes in him, [will] have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” Jesus will then instate the Lord’s supper, and will offer his body, the true bread, which was broken for us, (Luke 22:14-20), so that we might seek refuge in his sacrifice, so that we might enter into the future kingdom, free from condemnation, raised to life.
Are you trying to operate on self-will, deception, denial, talent and charisma?
Or are you surrendering and facing the Lord and His presence? Have you cried out to God lately?
Have you tasted and seen His goodness?
Have you experienced being satisfied and your thirst quenched by His Joy, presence, and love?
If not, do you want to experience this? I pray you go to Him!
Supplemental studies:
The Bible Project: ‘How to Read the Bible Videos’ – ‘How to Read Biblical Narrative’