1 In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, "You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army."
2 David said, "Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do."
Achish replied, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life." 1 Samuel 28:1-2
Ever been stuck in a situation like this?
Maybe you're thinking what situation?
The Philistines are constantly at war with Israel. David was once the armor-bearer for Saul, king of Israel, and now Achish says I'm taking you with me to fight against your people.
How'd he get in this position?
He got here because he had doubts about God's provision and took matters into his own hands.
What does he do?
Our hero David, a man after God's own heart, responds by drawing his sword and killing the enemy…WRONG…he brags about how good he is!
What?
But, David is our hero! Exactly the problem; we should have one hero, Jesus, yeah, that may sound like a "church answer", but it's true.
God does not want us to worship men or make them our idols; He wants us to worship Him.
Here's what I see, as a culture we don't like to do the hard things, so when we see anyone with courage or fortitude we put them up on a pedestal…we make them our heroes, we worship them.
When it comes to the "things of God" we are the same way, just like we've always been…
"…they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die…The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was." Exodus 20:18-19, 21
Then the people who follow us put us up on a pedestal. Then, what happens…think about it, how many "Godly men" have let you down? They are not perfect and when they fall our faith is crushed.
Here's what happens when we start worshipping the created, instead of the creator:
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:21-25
David was just like you and I; like Elijah:
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, James 5:17
Human nature is very weak. What we become in God's hands is totally by His grace, not our strength. David got weak in his faith.
That's why we should learn from David, but not make him or anyone other than Christ our hero. In fact, Jesus warned against this:
"Don't let anyone call you 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don't address anyone here on earth as 'Father,' for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. And don't let anyone call you 'Teacher,' for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:8-12
We have one Rabbi, one Father, one Teacher, and only ONE HERO…He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
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