How David Grieved
II Samuel 1:17 – 27
1. David lamented: David wrote a memorial for Saul and Jonathan, verses 17-27. It must first be pointed out that what is spoken of in verse 18 happened later, when David became king of Judah.
One of the most important aspects of recovering after the loss of a loved one is keeping their memories.
That’s what a memorial is for. I heard a tragic story some time ago. I lady called in to a Christian radio program and confessed a horrible mistake she and her family made. A family friend had lost a son and of course took it very hard. While she was away, they went to her house and removed anything that might remind her of the lost loved one. Thinking they were helping, by removing anything that might remind her of her son who was lost. She was confessing how horrible it was and that they had to bring everything back.
David gave a spoken memorial and of course sometime later it was written down. We would have been deprived of a great deal of insight had this not been recorded. Notice as we read this that nothing negative is said. Not even about Saul, who became an enemy to David.
2. David ordered that the children of Judah be taught the skill of archery.
a. Teaching the children the use of the bow, established a lasting memorial to Jonathan. Jonathan was well known for his skill with the bow and arrow. The Bible says, “The bow of Jonathan did not turn back.” In other words, what he took aim at he hit. What better way to keep Jonathan in the memories of the people that for the children to learn the use of the bow?
b. Archery was something new. The Israelite boys grew up leaning how to use the sword. Now they were ordered to learn the bow. Many times inner healing comes from doing something different. Don’t turn inward. Make positive changes and learn something new. Do new and exciting stuff, fun stuff. Sitting around will only compound the grief and stress. That will only cause more sickness.
c. Inner healing deals with the family. If a family member is lost, that should cause the surviving members to draw closer together.
The father teaching his sons and daughters how to use the bow. You know the bow is difficult to string at first. There’s a technique, and then the bow is hard to pull at first. So the father would stand behind his son or daughter and help pull the string back. Then how to come down on the target. How to aim and focus on the intended target. And how to release the arrow. How wise was David to order the teaching of archery.
d. David learned from the past. The enemies of Israel, and Israel as well, had been using the bow in battle. But the Philistines had begun to use archery in a more concerted effort. Saul was a big and tall man and extremely good with the sword. In a sword fight, nobody could stand against Saul. Saul’s sword did not draw back empty.
But Saul was brought down by the archers. He could use his shield and block many of the arrows, but the Philistine archers were doing something different. Many of them fixed upon Saul at the same time. With that many arrows, sooner of later one is going to strike home.
Now, where am I going with this and what does it have to do with inner healing? Allow me to spiritualize this. The sword represents the Word, or the use of the Word of God. There’s no doubt the Word of God can be greatly used to give light and comfort o those who are hurting.
But sometimes the Word, being beat over the head with the Bible, is the last thing they need to hear. And you must get close in order to use it. A person may not allow you to get close during a time of hurting. Throwing the word at someone from a distance does little good and will probably just make him or her angry.
If the sword represents the Word, then the bow and arrow represent prayer.
1. Often times, prayer is something new to the person hurting. There’s nothing
like trouble to cause a person to pray or seek the prayers of believers. Prayer gives assurance, it is positive, prayer gives great release. Prayer is a outward expression of the most inner most feelings. That is essential to inner healing. Instead of turning inward, prayer is turning outward to God.
2. Remember the father helping the child to string the bow. At first the person needing inner healing may not be able to do the simplest task. They may not even be able to pray for themselves.
3. Then the bow may be difficult to pull back. It’s too hard for them; the burden is too much. You help them with your prayers, by praying for them and with them.
Notice I said pray for them and with them. When you pray with someone, you put your hands on them and pray for them right then. You will be amazed how God will give you the words. Words that will restore their faith and give them hope like nothing else can.
4. Then they will need help with focus, with taking aim on a new target for life.
5. David learned from the past. The Philistines had the advantage with their archers and David wanted that to never happen again. For those who we can’t get close to we can still reach them with the bow – prayer. Launching the arrows into the heaven and allow God to direct them to the intended target. We can, through prayer, hit the target from long range and the person never knows from where it came.
The vast majority of people’s problems will be solved, when that person’s relationship with God is what it should be (Matt. 11:29-30).
“You (God) will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,” (Job 42:10).
What To Do
1. Acknowledge your pain to God.
2. Understand that everybody suffers inner hurts.
3. Be honest with God.
4. It will not always be this way.
5. By faith begin to praise God.
6. When you are healed – help somebody else (don’t let you suffering go to waste).
Reasons For Depression
1. Gilt over wrong you’ve done
2. Disappointments
3. Worry instead of trust
4. Lose of hope
5. Sickness
6. Oppression from demonic forces
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How David Greived - Inner Healing
Posted - 10/03/2008 : 4:04:45 PM
