Tape Talk
by Pat Mace

TAPE REVIEW: David
by Norman Grubb

Life is contrast: positive-negative, good-bad, agony-ecstasy, and what it boils down to is Christ-Satan. This is very true as we look at the two men, David and Saul, who are featured in this three-tape series.

Obviously, Norman’s main focus is David, whom he describes as "ten-der hearted; a ‘pattern’ of the future king [Christ]." His was a life full of passion, joy, heartache, hope, despair, agony and faith in his God. Despite his sin, for which he and his family paid a heavy price, he was an instrument whom God was able to use mightily.

Contrast that to the other main player: Saul. His was a life of jealousy, self-justification, deceit, revenge and hatred.

What comes to your mind when you think of David? If you’re like most people, there are two things that stand out: his slaying of Goliath and his adultery with Bathsheba. These are probably the most expounded on aspects about him. Norman does not major on either. Rather, he focuses his attention on David’s faith, even from his early years and shows where he moved from "the school of faith to the life of faith" as he "encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Sam. 30:6).

A big difference between David and Saul is how each viewed his own circumstances. David looked through the often negative appearances and saw God behind them waiting to come forth. Saul, instead, looked at his with suspicion and discouragement, which resulted in his lashing out with revenge.

Consider the following examples in scripture that show David’s persistent choice to do this, despite his strong feelings to the contrary. When Saul’s nephew, Shimei, cursed David, David said it was because the Lord told him to. Another time, his wife, Michal, despised him for his public worship of the Lord. He answered by saying "He played before the Lord and he’d be more vile than thus even in his own sight" (2 Sam. 6:22).

Saul had the same opportunities to trust God and see Him at work engineering situations in his life. Even though he started out as God’s man, when put to the test time after time, He chose to trust himself. On one occasion, he disobeyed God’s precise instructions and did not wait for Samuel to perform the priestly sacrifices. Then when confronted, instead of owning up to his sin, he offered many excuses.

What a difference between David’s and Saul’s response to their sin. David was broken and repentant (Psalm 51), while Saul only admitted his. Quite different. An important point that Norman makes is "If you have done a few sins, you put them off and go and do a few more, but when you know you are a sinner, you get changed inside." That is why Saul’s repentance never lasted; it was not true repentance.

This is a big lesson that we can learn from David’s life versus Saul’s. Only by trusting God and choosing to see Him in each situation that we face can we be established in a way of life where Christ is free to live out His life in this vessel.

If you’re an avid tape listener or if you’ve never listened to one of Norman’s before, I would encourage you to get this series on the life of David. I am sure it will bless your life as it has mine.