Gospel Reflections #945: By God's Calling not our strategy

1 Samuel 16:23 "Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play it. Then Saul would feel better and his mood would improve, and the evil spirit would leave him."

This passage describes the young David, who would later become king of Israel, healing King Saul—who had been forsaken by God and tormented by an evil spirit—through his harp playing.

The "Spirit of the Lord" had departed from Saul, and instead an "evil spirit" was tormenting him.

Meanwhile, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon David. This passage seems to illustrate a spiritual dynamic where one filled with God's Spirit assists another tormented by an evil spirit.

David's harp-playing was not merely technical skill; it possessed the power of praise arising from deep communion with God.

This brought Saul's troubled heart a momentary peace.

Like David, we too desire to offer praise born of deep communion with God.

Moreover, when engaging with others, we wish to interact not out of evangelistic strategy or ulterior motives, but as God's calling, considering only their best interests.

Though impossible by our own strength, when we take a step forward trusting in God's power and His promises, He will surely work.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.