March 11 - I Samuel 17-19
The account of David and Goliath is amazing, but it is very understandable if we remember that the Spirit of the Lord had been withdrawn from Saul and placed upon David. That is why Saul was incapable of standing up against the giant. Even when David came forward to face Goliath, he wanted David to put on his armor, because he was not trusting in God's strength. David was operating in the power of the Lord, and the presence of the Spirit gave him all he needed to stand up against Goliath. He had trusted God to deliver the lion and the bear into his bare hands. He could trust God to deliver this pagan into his hands with a sling and a stone.
After Goliath's death, it is no wonder that Saul's' son, Jonathan, was drawn to David, because he saw David's faith and God's response. It was much the same as when he went against the Philistines himself and God gave a great victory because of his faith. Often, we are drawn to be friends with people with whom we have much in common. That is especially true when we have a lot in common in the area of faith. It is great to be able to have fellowship with someone who knows the Lord on much the same level we do.
It would seem that David's troubles would be over. He was exalted by Saul after his victory. The people loved him. He was promised the daughter of the king. However, Saul became jealous and in his rage he was determined to kill David. This brought on years of turmoil. David had to flee for his life. Jonathan had to intercede for his friend. During all of this turmoil, David remained faithful to God, and God blessed him. God did not take the troubles away sooner, but he blessed him to be able to handle the problems. That is what God does for us. We need to remember that when we trust God through problems, it builds godly character in us. It built that character in David that he needed to be a great king. It builds the character in us to be great Christians. Let's let the trials do their perfect work in us as we trust the Lord to give us the victory.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 20-23.
After Goliath's death, it is no wonder that Saul's' son, Jonathan, was drawn to David, because he saw David's faith and God's response. It was much the same as when he went against the Philistines himself and God gave a great victory because of his faith. Often, we are drawn to be friends with people with whom we have much in common. That is especially true when we have a lot in common in the area of faith. It is great to be able to have fellowship with someone who knows the Lord on much the same level we do.
It would seem that David's troubles would be over. He was exalted by Saul after his victory. The people loved him. He was promised the daughter of the king. However, Saul became jealous and in his rage he was determined to kill David. This brought on years of turmoil. David had to flee for his life. Jonathan had to intercede for his friend. During all of this turmoil, David remained faithful to God, and God blessed him. God did not take the troubles away sooner, but he blessed him to be able to handle the problems. That is what God does for us. We need to remember that when we trust God through problems, it builds godly character in us. It built that character in David that he needed to be a great king. It builds the character in us to be great Christians. Let's let the trials do their perfect work in us as we trust the Lord to give us the victory.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 20-23.