Life Seasons (Seasons in the Life of David) Winter
This week we continue our study on Life Seasons. We have learned to recognize the seasons of Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Now we will learn to recognize when we are in a winter life season by looking at the winter season in the life of David.
Handout: Life Seasons (Seasons in the Life of David) Winter
In the previous lessons we have learned that David had already been chosen by God to be the King of Israel. Samuel had already anointed him as king, but years kept passing and David had yet to sit on his rightful throne. Israel’s king, Saul at that time, had brought David permanently into the palace, and had appointed David to be his armor bearer. David went before Saul in battle and was loyal to him. However, Saul began to see how the people adored and respected David and jealously began to creep into his heart and he became insecure and started trying to kill David. Naturally David was heartbroken by this and he had to leave in order to escape Saul. David and Saul’s son Jonathan were very close friends and loved each other very much, but because of all this turmoil, they would soon have to part ways in order that David remain alive. Winter season was steady moving into the life of David. As we go along in our study, I encourage you to compare these truths to your own life to recognize whether or not you are in a winter season. Keep in mind that whatever season you may be in now, be it joyful or full of sorrow, God’s grace is sufficient.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He (God) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Evidence of Winter Seasons
A. Life’s Winter Season is a season of sorrow and grief.
2And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.
3And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.”
In these scriptures we read that David has just told his dear friend Jonathan that Saul, (Jonathan’s father) is trying to kill him. Jonathan doesn’t believe this at first. David tells him that it is true and that his life is in danger. Up until this time David had been happy and free to fellowship with Jonathan. The bible tells us that David and Jonathan’s souls were knit together.
1 Samuel 18:1 “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
1 Samuel 16 also tells us that David loved Saul very much. When Saul began trying to kill him, this was sorrowful. He didn’t understand why this was happening when things had once been so good between them. He had done nothing wrong and still here he was, betrayed and having to flee for his life. David and Jonathan were now about to face the hard fact that they would have to part ways. I’m sure David’s spirit groaned within him as he and Jonathan discussed this matter. I believe David hoped with all that he had inside himself that Saul would change and that things could go back to the way they had been before. Are you in a time of grief? Have you been betrayed by someone that you love, even though you haven’t done anything wrong? Have you lost someone closest to you? Know that this is a winter season and God is still God in the sunshine and in the rain! He understands our tears and He knows what is best for us. Winter seasons are necessary for God to strengthen us and pull us closer to Himself. He is our comfort.
I’m sure David felt so lonely while on the run. He had been forced to isolate himself from the one that he loved the most. However, this was necessary for David’s training in becoming King of Israel. God used this difficult time to train David to solely lean on Him for comfort and support. Having friends and family are gifts from God, but we must understand that He is our strength when no other can be. He is our most important means of support and God wants His children to trust and lean upon Him for all things. God knew that there would be times and circumstances when David as King would need to fully lean and depend upon Him alone. There will be many times when we will need to lean solely up on the Lord. Times of loneliness can be so painful, but if we understand that we are never alone when we have Christ, then we can have peace and know that brokenness and isolation are sometimes necessary to teach us to draw nigh to God. I urge to see and understand that times of loneliness and isolation are perfect opportunities to spend time alone with The Father and to draw closer in relationship with Him. They are a blessing in disguise many times.
After David tells Jonathan of Saul’s plot to kill him, they make a covenant and a plan to find out if it is in fact true. In those next few days, Jonathan learns that what David has told him is in fact true and that Saul is indeed trying to kill him. They had developed a secret code or way of letting David know if he needed to come back or if he did need to run away. Jonathan uses the code and let’s David know that he does have to leave because his life is very much in danger from Saul. David and Jonathan must part ways and letting go was a very grievous and mournful event both of their lives.
1 Samuel 20: 41-42 “41And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
42And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.”
Are you in a season of letting go? Letting go of someone that you love dearly, or letting go of the past? Letting go can be difficult sometimes because we want to cling to that which we love and to those things that are familiar and comfortable. However, God sometimes leads us to let go of things so that He can move us up higher into the plans He has for us. Yes, letting go can be difficult and so painful, but know that God will never lead you wrong and He will never lead you to let go of anything unless it is for your good and His glory! Christ gives us the strength and grace we need to release those people or things that we need to release. Thank You Lord!
Essentials for surviving winter seasons by staying in God’s will.
1. Grieve the Loss
Ecclesiastes 3:4 “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to laugh.
Ecclesiastes 3:6 “A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.”
It’s ok to weep and mourn for your loss. However, after mourning there is a time to move on and laugh again. We cannot and must not mourn forever! Through Christ we can gain the strength to laugh again after the time of grieving and mourning is over. Praise You Lord! You are worthy!
We must pray in these times and in all seasons, even if we do not feel like it. Pray! In Psalm 142 we find where David cries out to God while in a cave hiding for his life.
Psalm 142:1-7 “I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before Him; I shewed before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right and, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.”
God knows where we are in every season and He will hear the cries of His children, even if we feel like we are so deep in the pit that no one can hear…God will! Thank You Lord. Not only will He hear, but He will act!
Psalm 30:5 “For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
*Just continue to Praise the Lord even when don’t feel like it. Praise Him in all things and He will honor it.
Hebrews 13:15 “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.”
*God honors and inhabits our praise. Praising God is the cure for depression and a downcast and broken spirit.
Isaiah 61:3 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:4 “ And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.”
Yes! Praise God in every life season!
Dear Righteous, Lovely, Heavenly Father,
We come to You yet another week thanking You for all things great and small. Father we bow before You in honor and praise at Your name and Your great works. Dear God we ask today that You help us to praise You in all seasons of life and even in the valleys we ask that You help us to remember that it is all for our good and for Your glory. Please help us remember that it is all for the plans and purpose that You have for our lives. Father we thank You and praise You that nothing ever comes into our lives by mistake and that everything You allow us to go through is for a good reason. Remind us Lord that You are always and forever in control of all things. LORD we thank You that we can trust You in all things and we can be certain that You will always do good and not evil. Thank You Lord for Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy. Lord forgive us for the times we fail and Please help us to do better, in order to please You and live according to Your perfect will. Thank You for forgiving our imperfections and for teaching us Your ways. Father we ask today that You comfort those in winter seasons and bring them through for Your glory. In Jesus’ righteous and lovely name we praise You and pray. Amen. Thank You LORD!
~*Cindygirl*~
March 22, 2020