Desperateness of David

I was watching Toy Story 3 earlier today. Completely love the film but really made me think.


***SPOILER ALERT***


In this film the toys have been left in Andy's room, in a trunk, whilst Andy has grown up. Andy, although he loves his toys and the memories he has had playing with them, it is now time for him to make a choice between the toys being given away or sold, put in the loft for a later date or alternatively taking them to college. Andy decides to place all but Woody (The cowboy) in a black rubbish bag to go into the loft (Woody is put in the box for College).


Now disaster strikes when Mum sees the rubbish bag and puts it out on the curb for collection. Oh no!! What will happen to our loved characters?! Woody is on the rescue and Buzz (Space Ranger) is trying to get his friends to escape the bag. Luckily, they escape, and being so disgusted that they were put to the curb by their loving owner they decide the only choice is to secretly climb into the Daycare centre's box for donation. Woody, hoping that he can change his friend's minds, goes along. They arrive and are shown the chance to be played with again-Woody is unable to disuade them. Then Woody, disgusted that his friends won't accompany him back to Andy, leaves his friends abandoned in the daycare center.


This is so different compared to the themes of the other 2 films. In film one, he risks leaving his friends and owner to rescue Buzz. In the second film you see him taken and wanting nothing but to get back to his friends. Clearly, he loves his friends, clearly he will risk everything to be with them and save them. So why was he so out of character? Why was our hero so deseperate to go back to Andy and quickly abandon everyone? Why were the other loved characters so desperate to face unknown troubles rather than staying safely in the loft?


This reminded me of the story of David. If you read my earlier post "What kind of friend are you" We left the story of David where King Saul was so annoyed at the glory that David seemed to be recieving that he tried many ways to get him to be expelled from the city or even killed. 6 times the King tried this.


David soon gets the message and he kisses his wife goodbye and runs off. He didn't dare run to family, with the fear that they too might to be hunted and killed, he really couldn't hide in another city, as again being known as this great defender, he might be targeted and killed. He wondered and came a cross a church where he met a priest called Achimelech. The preists would save their bread as an offerring on an alter every Sabbath and a week later would eat the bread. So in this instance you would have two types of bread common bread and holy bread, the latter bread being untouched until it was ready to eat seven days later. David, our hero, goes against his previous charecter and deceives Achimelech to get some bread, stating it was on Royal command. Why lie? Why has our hero who clearly understood God's love and power, the man who trusted in God when he took a sling against a giant, suddenly turned against what he knew was right? Achimelech didn't know what to do, clearly the man infront of him needed the bread. He decided to break God's law and offer him Holy bread, trusting in the fact that God would want to provide for his children. Why has our hero so badly turned?

Sheer desperation has sunk in. He needs some where for sanctuary, he needs a place to eat. David then lies for a second time. He asks for a weapon. The priests displayed the sword of Goliath, as you would in a museum and gives this to David. David, so desperate for food and protection, takes Holy food and his enemy's sword.


In both examples our heroes, turned from their natural and loved characteristics and became desperate. Desperate to survive. Both of their faiths were wavering. David thought he wouldn't be under God's protection and he would die. The man that refused King Saul's armour to fight Goliath now picks up Goliath's sword from a priest. Woody, someone we would expect to look after his friends, left them to look after themselves. Both characters, our heroes lost their focus.


With the faith that David had, he fought and survived ten of thousands of battles, killing tens of thousands of men. Woody, knew that the wellbeing of his owner would need the enjoyment of all of the remaining toys (not just him), which is why in the other films they look after each other.


Now, it made me wonder what made them, and what could make us so desperate to lose focus, and I came to the conclusion that there is quite often so much pressure we have on this life that we fall under it. I know the pressure of trying to afford to live, trying to do the right thing, trying to be a parent and look after others. This is the pressure that makes us so desperate, this is the pressure that makes some people lie, cheat and steal. But, we need to remember that even at the darkest moments, God is our focus, turn to Him and ask for His help. David stumbled, but David stumbled into God. God provides us with nourishment and equips us to cope in life. Through His teaching, through His word and through the fellowship that the above brings.


So, finally leaving you with the thought how often do you seek the help of God, to keep you nourished and to equip you at the right time?


Leaving you with these:


James 1:5-8
 ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.


Phillippians 1: 9-10


⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ