For 40 Days – Day 16: Intimidation: Context

Key Episode Scripture: 1 Samuel chapters 16-18

Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.  (1 Samuel 18:12 ESVUK)

Fear not.

This instruction is common in God’s interactions with those He called. Indeed, the apostle Paul would encourage his protégé Timothy that God didn’t give him the spirit of fear. This acknowledges the powerful force fear can be in destabilising people. Fear can cause such a shock to the system that any movement is likely to be nothing more than cowering, retreating, and hiding.

The only type of fear that does the opposite of this is the fear of the Lord. This fear takes God so seriously and treats Him reverently, understanding how awesome and powerful He is, that it overcomes the fear of anything and anyone else. This type of fear honours God above all things and dares not seriously entertain doing anything to go against Him. It’s the kind of fear that can propel people to action in completing the mission of God – especially as fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

This was noted in key relationships God had with individuals throughout scripture. The next significant relationship after Moses would be with David. The significance of this relationship is seen in how God established covenants with both men. God did so because these men cultivated a heart in pursuit of God out of reverential devotion to Him. These would be significant as these men were among God’s people, but the people did not exercise similar reverential devotion.

David emerges in the context of the people being constantly threatened by neighbours, especially the Philistines. Though they saw God in action through the time of judging of Samuel, when he was getting older, rather than trust in God, Israel sought to follow those around them in having a king. Though their first king started well, showing what it was to operate by the spirit of God, over time, he displayed flaws in his character that had a bearing on how he operated. Intriguingly, one of the reasons why God would reject Saul was because he was afraid of displeasing the people rather than being obedient to God.

These issues underline a crucial theme of this episode of 40 Days. When you reject God whilst being responsible for His people, it gives room for fear to paralyse proceedings. This episode looks at a pivotal point in the history of God’s people. It would highlight that just because a person is in a position doesn’t mean they’re suited to that position. It would highlight that just because a person is not in a position doesn’t mean they’re not suited for that position. It highlights that those called by God will function as He’s called them, whether with a title or not, because God looks at the heart to work through people who fear Him and recognise that they need not fear others.

For that to happen, this situation necessarily has to look grim as the backdrop and setup for God to get glory through it.

Next, we will outline the episode’s content. Forty days will set up a pivotal moment in Israel’s life. We will see how the spirit of fear can be broken when others choose not to be intimidated.

For His Name’s Sake

C. L. J. Dryden

Shalom