Garments of a Servant

Looking at 1 Samuel 19 again we see Saul sending out “messengers” to find David and dispatch him – put him to death. Three times Saul sends groups of these messengers to Ramah where David was hiding with Samuel. Each group of messengers is overcome by the Word of God, and drops their weapons and start prophesying along with the prophets. They forget the mission Saul sent them on and no harm comes to David. The spoken Word of God effects change in the hearts of Saul’s messengers.

 Finally, Saul decides to do the job himself and proceeds to Ramah. He is told that David is in Naioth (a dormitory for the prophets). After Saul’s inquiries,

He proceeded there to Naioth in Ramah; and the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying continually until he came to Naioth in Ramah. He also stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. (1 Samuel 19:23-24)

The Word of God humbled Saul. The only problem was that it was temporary. As soon as Saul left the presence of the Word being proclaimed, he fell back into his evil ways. This can be contrasted to David taking on the garments of a servant to honor God as the Ark of the Covenant is carried into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:14, 20-22). David submitted voluntarily and the presence of God did not leave him when the festivities were over.

The point for me is that some will profess Christ when they hear the Word of God, but maintain evil in their hearts. Everyone will eventually submit and worship the Lord. Some will be forced to by His power at His second coming. Some will do it voluntarily now and then and be honored by God for being His true servants. Don’t be fooled. Some who proclaim Christ in public hold evil or self-gain in their hearts and will not be honored by Christ when He returns (or even see the fruits of the Spirit develop in their life on earth). The few will submit willingly now and forever and see spiritual growth in their lives: kindness, mercy, love, patience, joy, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, peace, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Which will we choose? I choose to willingly and lovingly submit in obedience to God’s Word. I look eagerly forward to submitting voluntarily at the Second Coming.