Five Things We Will Learn:
- The Danger of Unbelief
We’ll uncover how unbelief isn’t just doubt—it’s an offense against God’s very nature, equating to calling Him a liar and undermining His promises. - David’s Darkest Thought vs. God’s Promised Future
We’ll examine the moment when David, though anointed to be king, believed a lie in his heart that contradicted God’s clear word and prophetic confirmation. - How Close You Are to Breakthrough When You Want to Give Up
We’ll see how David’s declaration of defeat came just as his crown was around the corner—revealing how despair often strikes right before victory. - God’s Track Record of Faithfulness
We’ll trace how God never once failed David—and never fails us—despite long seasons of testing, danger, and emotional collapse. - The Deceitful Nature of the Heart vs. the Unshakable Word of God
We’ll learn why we must not trust our feelings or fears, but instead anchor ourselves to God’s unchanging promises and character.
Introduction: A Message of Encouragement
I’ve quoted this verse many times through the years, but I’ve never preached on it until today. The title of my message is “When Men Stumble,” and it’s an encouraging message. Picture David—not yet King David—sitting with a crown nearby, unaware that he’s just a hair’s breadth from becoming the next King of Israel. He can’t see that crown, yet it’s right at his doorstep. Today, I’m speaking on “When Men Stumble,” drawing from 1 Samuel 27:1 in the King James Version:
And David said in his heart, “I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines. And Saul shall despair of me and seek me no more in any coast of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand.”
Here’s David, a man we all admire for his writings, psalms, teenage years, and reign as King of Israel. But this moment is a low point in his life. In this low state of mind, he says, “I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.” Let’s get started and talk about how things really are in our lives many times.
The Danger of Unbelief
When we doubt the kindness and goodness of God, it grieves Him. Unbelief is a first cousin to atheism. Atheism denies God’s existence; unbelief denies God’s goodness. Since goodness and love are essential to God’s nature, doubting His goodness and love is to stab at His very nature. Unbelief is no light sin. When Jesus was here, He rebuked unbelief in people’s lives. Unbelief casts a slanderous suspicion upon the Holy One of Israel, making God out to be a liar. Scripture says God does not lie, but unbelief makes Him out to be a liar—at least in your own mind and life.
Unbelief is insidious, with deep roots that twist around your soul and spirit. Titus 1:2 says, “In hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” We must get it in our minds that God does not lie. If He tells you something, He’s going to do it. Can you shout Amen to that? Doubting God is no small offense because doubt charges the Creator of heaven and earth with perjury. That’s what doubt does—it charges God with perjury. “He’s perjured Himself. He told me so-and-so, and look what’s happened.” When we doubt God, we’re believing His word is unreliable and unworthy of our trust. Doubt and unbelief are the fountain for innumerable sins, just as a black cloud is the mother of many raindrops.
David’s False Thought
Today, I’ve chosen to speak on David’s statement, hoping it will cause us all to repent. David said in his heart, “I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.” May this warn every one of us, like a beacon, to avoid doubting God at any cost. Don’t even come close to doubting God. Stay far away from it. What David said in his heart was false—Saul never did kill David. The thought in his heart wasn’t true. How many thoughts do we think that are false, yet they affect us whether we recognize it or not? You have to be careful with your thoughts. David said, “I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul,” but there was no evidence to prove that—no indicators whatsoever. It was something he concocted in his heart.
Never has the Lord deserted David, nor has He neglected or deserted any of you. There was never an occasion when God’s strength was insufficient for David. God always provided a way of escape, and He was proud of His record with him. God was faithful to do it. Even in the most dire circumstances, David could not point to a single day in his diary and say, “There’s the day when God failed me. There’s the day when God didn’t come through for me.” He could search his diaries and find no indication that God was unfaithful. David had killed a lion and a bear protecting his father’s sheep and slain a bloodthirsty giant threatening God’s people. Even after these accomplishments, there’s no shred of evidence that God was not with him.
God’s Promise to David
David was destined to be king. If God wanted David to be king, would He allow him to fall into Saul’s hands and be killed? Here’s one thing I want you to listen to carefully: David’s statement was contrary to God’s promise. Remember when Samuel poured oil over David at 15 years old? David didn’t become king until 30. For 15 years, after killing Goliath, he was in Saul’s court, then chased by Saul for seven or eight years like an animal, running for his life. Eight years. From the moment Samuel, Israel’s most trusted prophet, poured oil over David’s head, God declared: David, the youngest son of Jesse, would become king after Saul.
If you can’t believe a man of God—someone ordained to watch over your soul, like a prophet, pastor, or leader you trust—who can you believe? A coworker? Mario? A neighbor? If you can’t trust God’s word, who will you believe? Samuel, Israel’s most beloved prophet, passed over Jesse’s handsome, kingly sons, saying, “Is this all you have?” Jesse replied, “Well, I have one out in the field tending sheep.” When they brought in the ruddy-faced, inexperienced 15-year-old, Samuel said, “That’s him.” He poured oil over David and prophesied, “You will be the next King of Israel when Saul is no longer in power. You are next in God’s plan.”
If David’s statement, “I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul,” were true, then Samuel’s prophecy was no good. To believe that negates the word of God from a seasoned prophet. It opens the door for the devil to come in. I don’t know about you, but friend, if God told me something, I’m going to say what God says, not what my heart says. How could David become king if Saul was going to kill him? What kind of state of mind was David in? “David, what’s wrong with you? Where did that come from? What kind of state of mind are you in, son? Why are you thinking like this? It’s not like you. I don’t even hardly know you. You don’t look the same.”
A Call to Remember God’s Promises
Some of you listening have had a Pentecostal experience. You may not be living for God right now. You might be in business, politics, or a great job making a lot of money. You might be totally backslidden or addicted, sitting there with tears running down your face. Years ago, God gave you prophetic words through someone you respected—a mother or father in the faith. Those words took root and began to grow, but you strayed. As I preach, it’s playing over in your mind; you’re remembering those words. Well, I want to say: God does not lie. If He told you something, it will come to pass. I said it’s going to come to pass. Go ahead. Sorry, go ahead. God’s going to do what He said He would do. I don’t care if you’re drunk or high right now—God can sober you up and put you where He wants you to be. Somebody shout Amen.
God’s Unfailing Promises
Look at God’s promises. Isaiah 49:14-15 says, “Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Jesus said in John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone pluck them out of my hand.” I said neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. David, listen: Saul can’t pluck you out of God’s will. I’m reinstituting and refreshing those words God gave you years ago. Nobody can take you out of God’s hand or purpose. No. Really.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 says, “Though the fig tree does not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like hind’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high places.” I don’t care how low you are—God will lift you up and set you in high places. I declare it over you. A tough aside over you. In the name of Jesus Christ, you will walk on high places once again. I’m calling you out of the muck and mire in Jesus’ name this morning. What I feel this. I said I feel this.
David’s Faithful Voice
When David was in a better state of mind, he wrote in Psalm 27:3, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise against me, in this I will be confident.” This is the David I love. But the David who said, “I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul”? I don’t know that David. That’s not the David portrayed in scriptures. That’s not the portrait of the man I admire. In Psalm 18:1-3, he wrote, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” What about Saul, David? When you say you’ll be saved from all your enemies, all your enemies but one? If God says He’ll save you from all your enemies, He means 100%, not 99%. I speak this in the name of Jesus: if you’re facing an archenemy—someone suing or tormenting you—God will save you from them in Jesus’ name. I declare it to be so.
The Deceitful Heart
We see David’s humanity here. There are times when we all talk faith, big boy faith, big for our britches faith. We talk inspirationally and inspire others with our inspirited heart. But then humanity breaks through a little bit. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” David’s statement came from a dark, deceitful heart. It’s desperately wicked, and who can know it? It’ll fool you. In the morning, it’ll say yes; in the evening, it’ll say no. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” The word of God must convince you, not your heart. I said the word of God must convince you, not your heart. You have to be careful how you listen to your heart. Yes, we’re born again, Spirit-filled, with our names in the Lamb’s Book of Life, but the heart is still deceptively wicked in both the Old and New Testaments. The word of God will back up your testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness, but the babblings of your heart will lead you astray and cause you to get off the path.
Confirmations of God’s Plan
David’s statement was contrary to the facts. God said David would be king. Samuel, Israel’s most beloved prophet, confirmed it. Even Saul said in 1 Samuel 24:20, “Now I know well that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.” Look at that. Look at that. Three major confirmations, yet David sang, “I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul.” What he didn’t realize was that Saul was becoming afraid. King Saul was shaken, nervous, feeling his end was near. God no longer spoke to him. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul went to the Witch of Endor because he felt death closing in. He said, “God doesn’t speak to me anymore in dreams or through prophets. I’ve got to hear from Samuel.”
Here’s how it went: The Philistines camped in Shunem. Saul gathered Israel at Gilboa. Seeing the Philistine army, he was afraid, his heart trembling greatly. When he inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer by dreams, urim, or prophets. Saul said, “Find me a woman who’s a medium.” They said, “There’s one at Endor.” Saul disguised himself, went with two men by night, and said, “Please conduct a séance and bring up the one I name.” The woman said, “You know Saul has cut off mediums from the land. Why do you lay a snare for my life?” Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you.” She said, “Whom shall I bring up?” He said, “Bring up Samuel.” When she saw Samuel, she cried out, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” The king said, “Don’t be afraid. What did you see?” She said, “I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth.” He asked, “What was his form?” She said, “An old man is coming up, covered with a mantle.” Saul perceived it was Samuel, bowed to the ground, and said, “I’m deeply distressed. The Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me. He won’t answer me anymore. I’ve called you to reveal what I should do.” Samuel said, “Why ask me? The Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.”
So Close, Yet So Far
While David sat with his head in his hands, saying, “I shall perish by the hand of Saul,” the crown was right there—that’s what it’s all about, the next king. Saul was at the witch’s house, hearing the kingdom was given to David. David was so close, yet so far away. Hours when men stumble. You’ve prayed, fasted, given, and worked, and you’re at the door of your greatest breakthrough, yet you say nonsense like, “I shall perish by the hand of Saul.” There’s David, sitting there, while next door at Endor, Samuel tells Saul, “God has taken the kingdom from you and given it to David.” If the devil in your heart has you saying that, you’re right at the door of what God’s about to give you.
A Miracle at the Door
I’ve told this story before, but when I was 12, my father left us and cut off child support—$15 a week, $30 every two weeks, that put food on our table. He got a high-priced lawyer and overturned it, so we got nothing. My mother worked at a nursing home. One night, she came home quiet and withdrawn for two or three days. We ate around 6:00 or 6:30, and she said, “Son, I don’t want to tell you this, but I have nothing to fix for supper. No flour, no lard, no eggs—nothing. We’re out of food, totally, and I’m so sorry.” She was crying, but she said, “God will supply.” As she spoke, our neighbor, Miss Bronson, was walking across our yard, climbing our steps. She knocked and said, “Miss Kilpatrick! Miss Kilpatrick! Albie went fishing this morning and caught a mess of fish, and I cooked a big pot of spaghetti. We can’t use it. Can y’all use it tonight?” See what I’m trying to say? Come on! While my mother said we had nothing, a miracle was walking up our steps. I want to tell you, there’s a miracle right now. From that day to this, we never went hungry again. Mother never said, “I don’t have anything to put on the table.” God showed us He is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides.
At 12 years old, Mama said, “There’s nothing to eat, and I don’t know where we’re going to get anything, but the Lord will provide.” By the time she said that, can I tell you something? Ladies and gentlemen, you don’t have no worries. All you need is faith in God. God will take care of everything. That’s how He’s always been for me, and I’m telling you, that’s how He’s been for you. David, shut that mess up about perishing by the hand of Saul. Saul is about to give up the ghost, killed on the battlefield while David sits with his head in his hands. The Philistines are sharpening their swords, spears, and arrows, and one will get Saul tomorrow. David sang the night before, “I know I’ll perish by the hand of Saul.” If you only knew how close God is to bringing you out, you’d give Him glory right now in this house. I said, if you only knew, if you only knew.
From the time my mother said we had nothing and “the Lord will provide,” it couldn’t have been over a minute. I left the table because I didn’t want to see her crying. I felt so sorry for her. But boy, when I heard, “Miss Kilpatrick, Miss Kilpatrick, Albie went fishing and fixed a big mess of spaghetti. Could y’all use it?” I got back to the kitchen quick. Let me tell you what happened after that. To this day, as a minister, I’ve faced many trials—financial trials building churches, battles, men blundering in our ministry, gone through hell, preached birth backward many times. God has always supplied. Oh, man, I feel this today. My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Well, I’m off.
God’s Promises Are Near
God’s promises are like this: sometimes we can’t see what His right arm is about to reveal. I live near a river, my property backing up to it. I put a swing by the river. One time, praying by my swing, watching the current, a huge tree, 60 or 70 feet long, floated around the corner. The Holy Spirit said, “A minute ago, you didn’t see that, but it was still there. I’ve got something coming for you. It’s not in view yet, but hang on.” And it came into view. I want to say this one more time: some of you are facing trials that have you turned inside out—vomiting, nervous, sleepless. The devil has you in a tizzy. I’m here to tell you, as a man of God, everything is going to be fine.
The Maturation of God’s Plan
God’s purposes develop like a fruit tree. We had a pear tree in our backyard. I remember it budding after winter, blooming, with a little kernel behind the bloom. That was the pear, birthed right there, needing time to mature. By April or May, the tree was so laden with pears we had to prop up the branches with two-by-fours to keep them from breaking. At first, it’s just a little nodule behind the bloom, but in time, those limbs bend to the ground. If you didn’t pick them, the pears fell right on the ground. God will see to it that what He promised you will ripen. I say it in Jesus’ name: you’ll eat the fruit the devil said you’d lose. Give God praise.
My Own Moment of Doubt
I’ve said this before, and I won’t take long, but when I prayed for revival for two and a half years, I got discouraged. I organized and led the prayer meetings, but I felt dead inside, like revival would never come. I felt the prayers were in vain. I called district superintendents, asking about open churches, thinking of leaving Brownsville after 13 years. “Do you have any churches open?” But within weeks, revival broke out on Father’s Day 1995, just weeks after I tried to leave. I thank God His goodness stopped me and made me stay to get my blessing. You know what I’m saying? I’d like to say, some of you listening, I feel like God has blocked you from doing what you want because He’s ensuring you reap what He promised. You say, “Brother Kilpatrick, do you really believe that?” Yes. Because He’s a good Daddy. As a daddy and granddaddy, I’d fix it so my own stinking children and grandkids get blessed anyhow. I might want to whack them a good one, but they’d get blessed whether they like it or not.
David’s Humanity
I believe God was saying to David, “You silly, silly young man. I have sweet, precious mercies on the way, and you’re singing this song of doubt and unbelief. You don’t know me.” Why did David say, “I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul”? First, because he was human. In Psalm 8:4, he wrote, “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” He knew we’re frail. What is it about us that you even see, Lord? Why would you look at us? We view great preachers as demigods—invincible, talented, anointed. We can’t stand them saying, “I shall perish by the hand of Saul.” But they’re human, carrying treasure in earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7). God reveals our humanity so we rely on Him.
David’s Long Trial
This is a really important point about David. Second, he had been through a long trial. Anointed at 15, he didn’t become king until 30. For years, he played for Saul, who grew jealous when they sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul threw a spear at David, barely missing him, and David had to run for his life. You remember the story between David and Jonathan. Saul chased David for eight years like an animal. I want you to hear me, everybody, those listening by television or live streaming, listen carefully. When you’re hunted like an animal, threatened at every turn, looking over your shoulder for eight years because someone in the household of faith is after you, it hurts. David respected Saul’s anointing, sparing his life twice—once cutting his robe, another taking his water jug. He told Abishai, “No, don’t take his life.” Saul said, “You’re a better man than I am, and you’ll be king” (1 Samuel 24:17-20). In 1 Samuel 24:20, Saul said, “Now, behold, I know well that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.”
David’s Moment of Fear
I know my time has gotten away, but this flabbergasted me. Before fleeing to the Philistines, David went to the priest Ahimelech and said, “Is there not here a spear or sword? It was like a general store, like you see in Westerns. I have neither brought my sword nor weapons, because the king’s business required haste.” The priest said, “I have the sword of Goliath, whom you slew in the Valley of Elah. It’s wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. Take it. There’s no other save that here.” David said, “There’s nothing like that. Give it here.” David took Goliath’s sword, the one he used to behead the giant. They kept that sword, and everybody talked about it. What a token of God’s faithfulness! God let that sword come into David’s hand to remind him of fearless days. In 1 Samuel 17:48-51, David ran toward the Philistine, slung a stone, struck him in the forehead, and he fell. David took Goliath’s sword, slew him, and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
David’s Descent into Fear
I want to show you how messed up people can get. Fearing for his life, listening to his dark heart, David took Goliath’s sword and fled to Achish, king of Gath—Goliath’s hometown. When the Philistines saw David’s sword, they said, “Is not this David, the king of the land? Did they not sing of him, that he has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands?” David became very afraid, changed his behavior, pretended to be mad, scratched on the doors, and let saliva drool off his beard, like he had lost his mind. The king of Gath said, “This man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? Have I need of madmen that you brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house? No” (1 Samuel 21:10-15). What a sad state for a teenager with great exploits and faith in God, now scratching at the door like a madman, spit drooling off his beard. A mighty warrior. Look how far he had fallen. Fear will cause you to grovel like a coward. How many times have you been through trials and tribulations, one after another, that you feared you were losing your mind? Some of you, even the last few days, have felt, “I think I may be losing my mind. Why has God deserted me? Why is this happening? Where are you, Lord?”
Recovery from Fear
You can be so harassed by the devil and cast down by problems that you doubt God’s goodness. But I’m closing. David later wrote in Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” He wrote this after he recovered. In Psalm 56:3, he said, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” I encourage everyone watching and listening: no matter your fiery trial, no matter how long you’ve been under Satanic attack, no matter the circumstances or what things look like, Jesus says you’re going to the other side. It’s established—God, Samuel, and even Saul confirmed David would be king. Three positive affirmations, but David believed his own heart and said, “I believe Saul is going to take my life.”
God’s Faithfulness Endures
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” I ask this as I close: I have no doubt this message is touching many of you. I know it will. I know it has. You’re usually people of faith, but fear has gripped you after a long battle. Your humanity and fears have gained a toehold, and many of you are a shell of who you used to be. The devil has attacked from every side. You feel like David while Saul chased him, and sometimes that enemy is in the house of God. Saul, the first King of Israel, not a heathen king, wounded the second king. You can be wounded in the house of your friends, and it can go on for years. You must put a stop to it, or it will wreck your future and ministry. It will bring it to a screeching halt.
A Final Exhortation
Was David about to be killed by Saul? No. He believed a lie. I speak to you in the name of Jesus, stretching my hands out over this place and toward you. The battle, grief, loneliness, fear, and betrayals you’re facing are lies from the pit of hell. If God is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31).