Undeserved Favor

Mwemba Mwemba

Midland SDA Church

June 4, 2016

 

 

 

Opening hymn 567, Closing hymn 569

 

Memory Text: Matthew 5: 43-44

 

Good morning and happy Sabbath. I thank God for allowing us to be in His presence here this morning and for the privilege of worship and fellowship. Perhaps because I am not a trained minister or maybe I don’t preach often enough, that for me, preparing let alone preaching a sermon seems such a daunting task, but thank God; He’s able to provide the time and ability just when we need it most.

Let’s pray together…….

In February 1993, Mrs. Johnson's son, Laramiun Byrd, 20, was shot at point blank range in the head by Oshea Israel a 16-year-old teenager after an argument at a party in Minneapolis. Israel, who was involved with drugs and gangs, was tried as an adult and sentenced to 25 and a half years. Then just a few years ago, Mrs. Johnson the 59-year-old teacher and devout Christian, asked if she could meet Israel at Minnesota's Stillwater state prison. She said she felt compelled to see if there was a way in which she could forgive her son's killer. At first he (Byrd) refused but then nine months later, changed his mind. The pair met regularly after that. When Israel was released from prison after serving 17 years, Mrs. Johnson introduced him to her landlord - who with her blessing, invited Israel to move into the building. He now lives back in the neighborhood where he grew up – right next door to Mrs. Johnson, the mother of the young man he murdered and they are now close friends. That is undeserved favor, undeserved kindness. The human mind can never really understand it.

Someone once said, to be human is to have enemies – people who have hurt us, or people we have hurt. All of us know someone we have a hard time loving, or we know someone who has a hard time loving us. Some of us have a hard time loving anything to do with those we have a hard time loving. When we have an enemy, we hate everything and anything to do with them, their friends, family, home and everything else. When Jesus said "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt.5:44) he knew that we humans will have enemies. The question on my mind this morning is not whether or not we have enemies, but why, perhaps even how, we should love those who have hurt us. The words of Jesus suggests it’s better and possible to get past the bitterness in our hearts. We can get past the unforgiveness in our hearts. Someone once said “unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die”

The book of 1 Samuel is mostly about the soap opera life of King Saul and David. Saul become King because the people of Israel were demanding they wanted a king, (like all other nations) contrary to God’s will – God is almost saying you asked for a King, here is a King by the name of Saul. In 1 Samuels 9: 2 the Bible says Saul was “an impressive young man without equals among the Israelites – a head taller than any of the others”. Saul was tall, handsome, well-built and one day brother Saul who had no political ambition even of becoming King, was minding his own business looking for his father’s lost donkeys when the prophet Samuel ended up anointing him king at God’s command. Most of the people of Israel were excited and shouted “Long live the king!”, but there were some who didn’t think Saul was the right man for the job. The Bible says Saul had a temper, but he also had a soft side and held no animosity towards those who questioned his leadership. As time went by, however, Saul began to show his weaknesses or as they say, his true colors. He often went by his own agenda and did not fully seek the Lord’s direction. He had trouble waiting for the Lord’s timing, too.

Like some of us, there are times when we too take on responsibilities in life, perhaps even in church, in our families and in the beginning, we constantly seek the Lords guidance, but then, as time goes on, we want to take matters into our own hands…..make decisions without asking God for His guidance…like Saul we put ourselves equal to or above God

As king, Saul began to put himself above the Lord and made decrees without God’s guidance. This was the beginning of the end for Saul as King and Samuel the prophet was subsequently sent, by the Lord, on a dangerous mission - to find a replacement while King Saul was still in power and at God’s leading, Samuel picked David, the youngest of Jesse’s boys, and anointed him as the next king. 1 Sam 16 says, from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Saul meantime was having a rough time dealing with what some believe was depression. He also had a GIANT named Goliath breathing threats down on him. By God’s grace David quickly dealt with the giant and, by no fault or encouragement of his own, developed a following. He now has fans among the Israelites. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 18: 6 that when the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” It’s obvious that David is becoming more popular than the King especially among women. This doesn’t sit well with Saul and it breeds jealousy in his heart. From then on King Saul pursues David and wants to kill him.

The bible says such comments especially by women, get to King Saul and he really hates David so much that he is willing to do whatever it takes to kill him. Listen to what he does in 1 Samuel 17: 17 ; Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD." For Saul said to himself, "I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” Saul wanted the enemy to kill David. Instead David became even more popular and the more popular David became, the more Saul wanted to kill him.

Here are other instances when Saul directly sought to kill David

 

1.   In 1 Samuel 19:9, an evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with a spear in his hand. While David was playing the harp, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with the spear, but David eluded him. That night David made good his escape.

2.   In 1 Samuel 19:11, Saul sends his men to watch David’s house and to kill him in the morning. David’s wife warned him and let him out down the window in the night.

3.   In 1 Samuel 21 King Saul pursues David and he ended up killing the priest who gave David provisions.

4.   In 1 Samuel 23, King Saul pursues David seriously, but the philistines started raiding the land, that’s how Saul broke off his pursuit.

5.   In 1 Samuel 24 Saul was told David was in the desert. He took 3,000 chosen men and set out to look for David. It was there (in a cave) that Saul went to relieve himself, not knowing that David and his men were hiding in the back of that same cave. David crept up quietly unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s rob while he was relieving himself. David had a real chance to take revenge and kill Saul but he chose not to – granting him undeserved favor.

6.   In 1 Samuel 26 Saul continues to pursue David. One night he and his men fall asleep. Spear and jug of water by his side and David and his men are watching from a distance. That night David sneaks in and takes both Saul’s spear and the jug of water, again David made a choice not to kill Saul – again granting him undeserved favor

The story is such that in all this real life drama, there was a very special bond of friendship between David and Saul’s son Jonathan. 

I believe all of us here today will never go as far as wanting to kill those who we have a hard time loving, but we may have at one time in our lives put in just as much effort, with bitterness in our hearts, in trying to hurt them or their feelings. We have no desire to kill, but we are still making every effort to cause them some amount of emotional pain. Jesus says however it’s possible to love them instead. It’s possible to pray for them. Jesus does not want you to fight that battle. David chose to leave it to God and we too can.

There are several life lessons we can draw from the drama of King Saul and David….here are just 4…

Lessons

1.   Recognize that in life there will be obstacles – but don’t get distracted from what God has called you to do – Giants, flying spear, people saying things about you. Have you noticed that the more blessings God gives you the harder it is for some people to love you? Keep your eyes on the mission God has put in front of you. David knew God had called him to be King. Find out your calling and stay the course.

2.   Leave it up to God – it’s not about you and the battle is not yours to fight but God’s and he will fight it for you. David chose not to fight that fight against Saul.

3.   Do no harm – Don’t do it, even if friends and family tell you to. Friends may wonder and ask if you are mentally ok by not fighting back or revenging. They’ll be telling you how bad you are by allowing someone to run all over you. It could be a bad boss at work, an abusive husband, emotionally abusive wife or simply a friend who keeps saying things about you; things that are hurtful, or even untrue. Like David, you have every reason and opportunity to harm them in revenge. The lesson this morning is (difficult as it may be and by God’s grace) do no harm. Ask God to help you show undeserved favor instead.

4.   Make every effort to reconcile – "Loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you" is the beginning of the reconciliation process. Sounds tough from a human stand point, but Jesus says it’s possible and is the corner stone of forgiveness. David used every opportunity to seek reconciliation. God’s will is for us to get reconciled to Him. We too should use every opportunity to seek reconciliation with those who we have a hard time loving. That is undeserved favor.

The story of King Saul takes twist 1 Samuel….and has a sad ending. Saul commits suicide and takes his own life and Jonathan is dead. David is anointed King.

In the book of 2^nd Samuel, David is doing very well as king and God blesses him with a lot of success and as he becomes King there are some of Saul’s relatives who still try to fight him, but God continues to bless David and he conquers them and most of the surrounding areas as well.

We have talked about David showing undeserved favor to king Saul, but the real sermon today does not start until you get to the second book of Samuel - chapter 9 and verse 1, when David asks in [2 Samuel 9 v1] ‘if there is anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”. The Bible says there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba who told David in verse 3 that “ Yes, there is a son of Jonathan. He lives in La Dobar. His name was Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet. David called for him and when Mephibosheth arrived, he bowed down to pay honor. Don’t be afraid David said to him. Listen to what he tells this young man in verse 7:

a)    For I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan.

b)   I will restore to you the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul and

c)    You will always eat at my table.

In verse 8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “what is your servant that you should notice a dead dog like me”. I am sure Mephibosheth was wondering if he was dreaming or the King was playing a trick on him…….but David gave him servants and Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he always ate at the kings table and he was crippled in both feet. In other words, David invited the grandson of the man who did everything in his power to kill him – undeserved favor.

Here are a few real life lessons from this part of David’s life:

1.   We may not be crippled in both feet, but we are all crippled by sin, and may be afraid that the King will punish us because of something in our past. We just cannot get past not being able to love someone and are afraid to face them. They are the ones who wronged us, we did nothing, but here is an assurance; God is inviting us to take the first step in reconciling – just like David did. David knew that is what God is doing to all of us – inviting us – in spite of our defects.

2.   For some of us, life’s troubles are weighing on us and it’s been for so long and we are bitter and angry. Perhaps Mephibosheth was asking God why he let him get crippled and was blaming God for such circumstances. Perhaps we too are blaming God for our circumstances.
And, some of us like Mephibosheth may be asking the Lord, “Why me?” Perhaps life’s troubles have made you spiritually lame – Not able to walk in the Lord the way you used to and you wonder if God has become an enemy and is out to punish you. And, in your helplessness and bitterness are running from Him, fleeing from His presence, but listen to this; God wants you and me to be with him, just like David wanted to be with Mephibosheth, as crippled with life’s troubles as we are. May I encourage – God is calling you the way you are - you need to run to Him not away from him?

3.   The Bible says Mephibosheth was afraid of David. He sure thought David would kill him – it was the default expectation, given what King Saul had done to him. Even though Mephibosheth was afraid, he came when the King called him.  And when he came, he humbled himself before the mighty King David.  This is all that God wants when He calls us; to humble ourselves before Him.  He wants us to hear His voice and to answer. The bible says Jesus is standing at the door and knocking.  He says that if anyone will answer, He will come into them and dine with them. 

4.   David sought out Mephibosheth. This cripple deserved nothing and seeking the Kings David’s favor was the last thing on his mind. David initiated the relationship, just like God’s favor initiates our relationship with Him. David did not wait for Mephibosheth to come to him, just like God does not wait around for us to come to Him. In fact, we cannot and do not come to God in and of ourselves. His invitation is wide open and is for all of us.  

On the night of November 20^th, 2004 a bunch of Long Island teenagers bought a frozen 20-pound turkey with a stolen credit card. One of them, Ryan Cushing, decided to toss it out a moving car's window. Victoria Ruvolo was driving home from work when the 20-pound turkey smashed into her car. It bent the steering wheel, then struck her in the face, breaking nearly every bone in her face- the result of a teenage prank gone horribly wrong. Victoria spent weeks in a medically induced coma after her face was completely rebuilt and then underwent months of agonizing rehabilitation.

High school student Ryan Cushing was arrested and charged with throwing the turkey. He faced up to 25 years in prison, but at his sentencing, Victoria pleaded for mercy for him. The judge agreed, giving the teen just six months in jail followed by five years’ probation. Ruvolo hugged him in court forgave him and urged him to "do good with your life." That is undeserved favor.

Is forgiveness possible? Jesus says yes it is. Is forgiveness easy? Friends, forgiveness is so hard to put in action and is only possible by God’s grace – we cannot do it on our own.

As we conclude, my prayer is that if there is someone whom you have a hard time loving, perhaps for something they or one of their family or friend did to you…it may be from recent past or from decades ago, I pray that by God’s grace you show them undeserved favor; it’s never too late and it is God’s will. Listen to this – God’s spirit of forgiveness is ours for the asking. Go ahead and ask God for his spirit of forgiveness. “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Call them and let them know they are forgiven – you will not believe the blessing God has in store for you.

May the good Lord bless us as we continue to worship Him……. Amen.