1 Samuel 21

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 34:1-10
• Hymn — Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
• Prayer of Invocation
• Confession of Sin — 1 Kings 8
• Assurance of Pardon — Psalm 103:11-13
• Hymn — When Morning Gilds the Skies
• Pastoral Prayer
• Offering
• Hymn — Be Still, My Soul
• Sermon
• Lord's Supper
• Hymn — Rock of Ages
• Benediction — Numbers 6:24-26

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Sermon Title: Grinding It Out — Small Provisions and Small Victories

Scripture: 1 Samuel 21

I. Introduction: David in the Dog Fight

A. David does not shine in this chapter — his methods are questionable, but he survives B. The Christian life is often a grind, not a mountaintop moment

1. The cross itself was not pretty — "pick up your cross" (Matthew 16:24)
2. Post-game analysis is easier than living through the battle
3. Progressive sanctification includes reviewing our responses after the heat of the moment passes

C. Psalm 34 — written by David after feigning madness before Achish — is a psalm of praise in the midst of desperation

1. Psalm 34:19-22: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all"
2. Echoed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: "Afflicted in every way but not crushed…struck down but not destroyed"

II. The Christian Grind Relies on Small Provisions

A. The provision of bread — David asks Ahimelech for food (1 Samuel 21:1-6)

1. Ahimelech has only the bread of the Presence — twelve loaves symbolizing God's provision for the twelve tribes, recalling manna in the wilderness
2. Ahimelech gives David the holy bread, recognizing the desperate situation

B. Jesus later refers to this episode when confronting the Pharisees about the Sabbath

1. Jesus declares: "The Lord desires mercy more than sacrifice" — a window into the heart of Yahweh
2. God is not primarily a ritualistic deity; He is first and foremost a merciful God who longs to show mercy
3. Ahimelech pictures the heart of Yahweh more than the Pharisees do

C. The provision of Goliath's sword — David asks for a weapon (1 Samuel 21:8-9)

1. The sword had been kept in the tabernacle behind the ephod as a symbol of God's victory over Israel's enemies
2. David is given both sustenance and protection — not a feast, not an army, but enough

D. Application: In the grind, God gives small tokens of grace — and they are enough

1. Illustration: Thai cave rescue (2018) — boys trapped 17 days survived on energy bars they received with thanksgiving
2. Consider how Jesus received his first morsel of bread after 40 days of fasting — he knew in a pointed way the blessing of God's daily bread
3. In the midst of the dog fight, focus on God's small provisions; they are sufficient

III. The Christian Grind Relies on Small Victories

A. David flees to Gath — a major Philistine city (1 Samuel 21:10-15)

1. This is as desperate as an American general seeking refuge in Berlin during World War II
2. The Israelite women's song from 1 Samuel 18 has reached Philistine ears — David cannot hide his identity
3. The Philistines conclude David, not Saul, is truly king — revealing why Saul's pride burns against David

B. David feigns madness to escape Achish

1. Achish refuses to keep a madman in his court — David is released
2. Not a glorious victory, but a survival retreat — he lives to fight another day

C. Small victories and retreats are part of the master plan

1. Historical illustration: The Battle of Dunkirk — a retreat that proved decisive for the outcome of World War II
2. Historical illustration: George Washington's brilliant retreats in the early Revolutionary War preserved troops for ultimate victory at Saratoga and Yorktown
3. On the final Victory Day, when Christ brings the crushing cosmic blow to all enemies, we will look back and see that our small victories and survival retreats were part of God's master plan

D. The proper perspective: live in D-Day knowing V-Day is certain

1. We are pilgrims in a foreign land, fighting principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12)
2. Knowing V-Day is secure, we ought now — in D-Day — to praise God and sing Psalm 34

E. Illustration: Martin Luther in 1527 during the Black Plague

1. Luther's son nearly died; his own body was failing under pressure
2. He repeatedly turned to Psalm 46 — the basis for A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
3. He would say to Philip Melanchthon: "Come, Philip, let us sing the 46th song"
4. In the grind, may we say to one another: "Dear Christian, let us sing the 46th Psalm"