Choosing Leaders: The Impact on Our Lives

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Influence

The people we choose to follow have a profound impact on our character and destiny. In the biblical narrative, Saul's followers became destructive, while David's followers became mighty. This principle is timeless and extends to our lives today. Our associations, whether they are friends, communities, or leaders, shape who we become. Therefore, it is crucial to choose wisely, aligning ourselves with those who lead with integrity and godliness. By doing so, we allow ourselves to be molded into individuals of strong moral and spiritual character. [01:33]

"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.' Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame." (1 Corinthians 15:33-34, ESV)

Reflection: Who are the key influencers in your life today, and how are they shaping your character and spiritual journey?

Day 2: Recognizing Destructive Tactics

Saul's leadership was marked by destructive tactics such as intimidation, obligation, accusation, manipulation, and misrepresentation. These behaviors not only harmed others but also corroded Saul's own soul. Recognizing these tactics in ourselves and others is crucial for maintaining spiritual health. By identifying and avoiding such behaviors, we protect ourselves and those around us from the destructive path that Saul and his followers took. [26:10]

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify any destructive tactics in your own behavior or in those around you? How can you actively work to replace them with kindness and forgiveness today?

Day 3: The Heart of a Deliverer

David's leadership exemplified the heart of a deliverer. He extended himself for the good of others, sought God's guidance, remained resolute despite fears, and stayed faithful even when faced with ingratitude and disloyalty. These qualities reflect the character of Christ and are marks of true spiritual leadership. By emulating David's example, we can become deliverers in our own spheres of influence, leading with integrity and selflessness. [30:19]

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you extend yourself for the good of others today, even if it means facing fears or ingratitude?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Faithfulness

While people may disappoint us, as the men of Keilah did to David, our ultimate trust should be in God. He is faithful and will never forsake us, even when others do. This trust in God provides stability and hope in the face of human frailty and betrayal. By placing our trust in Him, we find the strength to navigate life's challenges with confidence and peace. [38:38]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are struggling to trust God fully? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?

Day 5: Following the True Deliverer

Jesus Christ is the ultimate Deliverer, who, despite our ingratitude and disloyalty, remains faithful. By following Him, we are shaped into His likeness, becoming deliverers rather than destroyers in our own spheres of influence. This transformation is the essence of Christian discipleship, as we seek to embody the grace, faithfulness, and sacrificial love of Christ in our daily lives. [42:34]

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively follow Jesus' example of grace and sacrificial love in your interactions with others today?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of 1 Samuel chapters 22 and 23, we delve into the contrasting lives and leadership styles of Saul and David. These two kings, though both anointed, chose vastly different paths, leading to divergent outcomes for themselves and their followers. Saul, a man whose religious facade barely conceals his self-absorption, stands in stark contrast to David, a man after God's own heart. This difference is increasingly evident as we see how the people around them are shaped by their leadership.

The principle that emerges is simple yet profound: who you follow shapes who you become. The men who followed Saul became very different from those who followed David. This principle extends beyond biblical times to our own lives today. Our choice of friends, the communities we engage with, the ministries we support, and the media we consume all play a significant role in shaping our character and spiritual journey.

Saul's leadership is marked by destruction, as seen in his annihilation of the town of Nob. His tactics include intimidation, obligation, accusation, manipulation, and misrepresentation. These destructive behaviors not only ruin his own character but also lead his followers down a path of ruin. In contrast, David's leadership is characterized by deliverance, as demonstrated in his saving of the town of Keilah. David extends himself for the good of others, seeks God's guidance in prayer, remains resolute despite fears, and remains faithful even when faced with ingratitude and disloyalty.

The juxtaposition of these two stories invites us to reflect on our own lives. Are we aligning ourselves with destroyers or deliverers? Are we allowing ourselves to be shaped by negative influences, or are we seeking to follow those who lead with integrity and godliness? Ultimately, the call is to follow the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who exemplifies grace, faithfulness, and sacrificial love.

Key Takeaways

1. The Influence of Leadership: The people we choose to follow will significantly shape our character and destiny. Just as Saul's followers became destructive, and David's followers became mighty, our associations influence who we become. Therefore, we must choose our leaders and communities wisely, as they will mold our spiritual and moral character. [01:33]
2. Destructive Tactics: Saul's life illustrates the tactics of a destructive person: intimidation, obligation, accusation, manipulation, and misrepresentation. These behaviors not only harm others but also corrode the soul of the one who practices them. Recognizing and avoiding such tactics in ourselves and others is crucial for spiritual health. [26:10]
3. The Heart of a Deliverer: David's actions reveal the heart of a deliverer. He extends himself for others, seeks God's guidance, remains resolute despite fears, and stays faithful even when others are ungrateful. These qualities reflect the character of Christ and are marks of true spiritual leadership. [30:19]
4. Trust in God, Not People: While people may disappoint us, as the men of Keilah did to David, our ultimate trust should be in God. He is faithful and will never forsake us, even when others do. This trust in God provides stability and hope in the face of human frailty and betrayal. [38:38]
5. Following the True Deliverer: Jesus Christ is the ultimate Deliverer, who, despite our ingratitude and disloyalty, remains faithful. By following Him, we are shaped into His likeness, becoming deliverers rather than destroyers in our own spheres of influence. This transformation is the essence of Christian discipleship. [42:34]
** [42:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Introduction to Saul and David
[01:01] - Followers of David
[01:33] - Principle: Who You Follow Shapes You
[02:06] - The Impact of Community and Choices
[03:27] - Bad Company Ruins Good Character
[04:22] - Saul the Destroyer
[05:07] - The Slaughter at Nob
[06:15] - Tactics of a Destructive Person
[09:33] - Intimidation and Obligation
[13:08] - Accusation and Manipulation
[18:45] - Misrepresentation
[25:58] - Profile of a Deliverer
[30:19] - Marks of a Deliverer
[38:38] - Trust in God, Not People
[42:34] - Following the True Deliverer

Sermon Clips

"Remember Saul, a religious man, but his religion is really a very thin veneer over a self-absorbed life. David is a different character; he's a regenerated man, he's a man after God's own heart. And really, the difference between these two characters is becoming increasingly obvious as we follow the story." [00:00:23]

"The principle that we've come to at this point in the story is really a very important one as we pick it up today. The lives of these people who gathered around David, the character of these men, was shaped by the person they followed. And this is the principle I want us to get hold of today: that who you follow will shape who you become." [00:01:21]

"Your choice of friends, the community that you hang out with, will be a life-keeping decision for you. Your choice of the ministry on which you feed and nourish your soul will, in large measure, shape the kind of Christian you are likely to become. The kind of books, the choice of authors, the films, the websites that you frequent—they will shape your character." [00:02:03]

"Bad company ruins good character. The character of a person will significantly, over time, be shaped by the particular company, by the particular community that you choose. So the company that you keep will, in very significant measure, shape the character that you form." [00:03:34]

"Saul was the Great destroyer; he destroys the city of Nob, and we're going to see what that looks like and how that shaped the people who followed him. And then we're going to look at a profile of the deliverer. David's the great deliverer who saves the city of Keela." [00:04:46]

"Saul habitually operated in this kind of way that he gave his servants backhanders, he gave his servant sweeteners, which of course was his means of trying to keep them loyal and cultivate them to himself. And the servants received these gifts from the king, and now Saul is using these sweeteners, these backhanders that he has given over time, and he's calling in his favors." [00:10:37]

"Destructive people never give freely; always the restraints attached. And many of you will know this from your experience. Here you are, and you're in a relationship, and here's this person who you've come to know, and they seem so very, very kind. And you go out with this person, and you have the most marvelous time." [00:11:30]

"Destructive people are very often filled with self-pity. Here is, 'Oh, nobody knows the trouble I've seen,' all of that, you see. 'Oh, if you know how difficult my life was, how terrible it is for me to have to be the king, and nobody ever does anything to help me,' and on and on and on. Nobody feels sorry for me, nobody understands me." [00:17:38]

"Destructive people do. They take some things that are true, but then they mix them up with other things that are completely false. And notice particularly how Saul does this here. He correctly states two facts—the bread, sword, and the inquiring of the Lord. He correctly states these two facts, but then on either side of them, he assumes a bad motive." [00:22:36]

"Deliverers are ready to extend themselves for the good of others, even when their hands are already full. That's what it looks like to be a deliverer. You think of David here; Saul's army is hunting him. He's got to try and provide food and water for 400 men. His hands are absolutely full." [00:30:16]

"Deliverers seek the face of God in prayer before they take action. First, David inquired of the Lord, 'Shall I go and attack these Philistines?' Notice David is not driven by trying to respond to every need. Nobody can do that. What he does when a need is made known to him, he brings it to the Lord in prayer." [00:31:37]

"Deliverers trust in God rather than in the people they have served. How important it was that David asked the question of God, 'Will the people of Keela give me up? Will they surrender me?' And God says, 'Yes, they will.' He might have thought, 'Hey, my future is secure. I've served all these people for such a long time; they'll be loyal to me till the end.'" [00:38:39]

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