What began as the year of Warrior Mindset has become the year of Salt and Light. But we must remind ourselves that we are at war. This is not just an analogy; it is a way of life. As we continue to set our eyes on displaying the gospel, we have to also set our minds on cultivating the strength to endure.

News of the combat deaths of Saul and Jonathan reveals the greatest character strength found in David, Israel’s next rightful king—an unshakable belief in the sovereignty and providence of God. Grief stricken, David utters the most stirring tribute to fallen companions recorded in all the Bible. David loved God’s will more than the King’s crown.

One of the most difficult challenges for any developing leader is surviving under toxic leadership. David’s long-term success as King in Israel is shaped in the crucible of Saul’s hatred and pursuit. Responding appropriately is key to one’s future credibility as a leader.

The greatest stories in the Bible tend to be the ones where a simple man rises to a great challenge because he trusts completely in God: Joseph before Pharaoh…Moses in the wilderness…Daniel in the lion’s den…and David facing Goliath. In each case, the hero thinks outside the box of traditional practice. God often orchestrates situations which demand change so that He can act in mighty ways.

As Samuel comes to the close of his life, he is left with a final significant task to perform: the identification and training of a leader for the next generation. At the end of life, he makes his greatest contribution to God’s work, securing godly leadership for the future.

As the story of Samuel and Saul continues, a confrontation over obedience takes place. Failures to follow God completely reveal decisive character flaws in Saul and serious consequences for Israel. Faithful believers serve God on His terms only!

Now that Israel’s new king has been duly confirmed and celebrated, Samuel closes the book on his own lengthy tenure of service as a leader for the nation. Having exonerated his character publically, he unleashes his full prophetic arsenal in evaluating Israel and calling her to faithful obedience to the One True God. This chapter climaxes the entirety of Israel’s per-monarchial history.

As heavy as the story that produces this penitential psalm of David is, there is a beautiful lesson of true freedom in Christ that comes through faithful confession. Without God graciously revealing David’s sin by Nathan, he would have remained trapped in condemnation. Instead, David was awakened to his sin and thereby freed to confess his sin and receive the joy of a gospel centered life. David is now an example to the world on how we too can be freed from our sins.