Are You Following God’s Purposes or Fighting God’s Purposes?

This week's sermon from 1 Samuel 18–20 focused on a simple but searching truth: “Don’t fight against the Lord’s purposes; follow the Lord’s purposes.” Building on the story of David and Goliath, the message contrasted Jonathan and Saul’s responses to God’s revealed plan that David would become king. Jonathan embraced God’s purposes, even at great personal cost, surrendering his own claim to the throne and demonstrating covenant faithfulness toward David. Saul, however, continually fought against God’s purposes, seeking to preserve his own kingdom and destroy David, only to be frustrated at every turn.

We're challenged to examine whether we are resisting God’s purposes through our values, desires, plans, or view of the future. Fighting God’s purposes is a losing strategy, while surrendering to them leads to blessing and peace. Pastor Davis concludes by pointing to Jesus as the better King and the better Jonathan, who initiates a better covenant with His people and whose steadfast love secures, provides for, and preserves all who trust in Him.