Often as we read the Bible, we can be carried away with the characters we find. After all, there is so much to admire in people like Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Nehemiah, and Daniel that we can forget that they are people like us – that is, sinners who need a Savior. But the Bible itself reminds us of this fact, referring to no less a hero than Elijah (he of the victory over the priests of Baal) as “a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17). It is for this reason, to instruct us that we never grow past our need of God’s grace, that a passage like 1 Samuel 27 exists. We could be moved to “David worship” after seeing David so faithfully resist temptation and struggle in the face of unjust attacks. But David was a man like us in the sense that whenever he took his eyes off the Lord, he was susceptible to the same doubts, fears, and sins that we are. And so, we can see not just what David should have done, but how we are called to live, as we watch “David Among the Philistines” (1 Samuel 27:1-28:2).

I. What is Your Trust In?
A. David Overtaken By Fear
B. Speak Truth to Your Heart

II. What Are You Focused On?
A. David Looks to Himself
B. Look to the Wisdom of God

III. Where is Your Hope Found?
A. Disillusioned with David
B. Depending on God’s Grace

Questions for consideration: (1) What practical steps do you take to keep the truth of God’s Word in front of you? (2) How can you look beyond your circumstances without ignoring practical actions you must take in life? (3) What is the danger of looking up to people?