The Living Dead Thursday April 28, 2011

Today's treasure:  1 Samuel 28:15

Psalm 115:3  is the theme of the lesson today.

Read 1 Samuel 28

  What was Saul's response when he saw the Philistine army?

  What did Saul want the woman from Endor to do for him?

  Why do you think the woman might have cried out at the top of her voice when she saw Samuel?


  God's occasional refusal to respond to the please of someone in His word often strikes a humanitarian chord in us.  As first we may wonder why God would not answer Saul since Saul first inquired of Him before he sought a spiritist.
  God neither responds haphazardly nor withholds an answer without regard.  God is silent at times.  Isaiah 59:1-3 gives us one explanation for this silence--one that certainly applied to Saul at this time.  


  Unconfessed, unrepented sin can easily be the reason for God's silence in our lives.  Saul continued in disobedience to God.  He relentlessly sought the life of an innocent man and even attempted to spear his own son.  
He had priests slaughtered and gave approval to an entire town being wiped out.  Isaiah 59:2 does not say God can't hear, but that He WON'T.
  One prayer God surely will hear even when we've been rebellious and sought our own way is the prayer of sincere repentance.  The prayer for deliverance from sin must precede the prayer for deliverance from our enemies. 
 
Sometimes there is backsliding/taking a few steps back; sometimes our footprints in the sand look like figure eights.  
  What does the Word say about spiritists and mediums? Saul knew God's Word.  After his regard for God shrunk and his flesh abounded, he sought the very thing he had considered wrong. We've done the same things from time to time, but as we grow in spiritual maturity prompted by the Holy Spirit we can regain strength to be on the right track.
  
  How does James 4:17 apply to Saul and to us?


  No doubt, God had His own agenda the day Saul sought the witch of Endor.  


  Saul might have asked the spiritist, "Do you happen to see a tiny little tear in the robe?"  Neither Samuel's clothing nor his mood had changed.  
  God did something rare that day.  He gave Saul a vision of Samuel raised momentarily from the dead so He could smack Saul in the face with His sovereignty.  
  We arrive at God's sovereign purpose for supernaturally intervening.  The encounter ends with the harsh news of the imminent death of Saul and his sons.  
  Sometimes the most merciful thing God can do in a rebellious person's life is let him know he is going to die so he can beg the mercy of God.


next:  Alone with God

A case of overkill April 27th 2011

 Today's treasure:  1 Samuel 27:1
  
Read 1 Samuel 26
Read 1 Samuel 27--  The Philistines were one of the greatest foes of Israel. Why would David settle in their land?  Who went with him?

  In response to David's request, Achish gave him the town of Ziklag for his settlement.  How long did David remain in Philistine territory?
  What did Achish say to himself about David?
  Why did David leave no one alive (v. 10)?
  
  Fear, frustration, and exhaustion caused David to experience hopelessness, perhaps even depression and panic.  The result was a literal case of overkill.  You see a downward spiral of mood at the first verse of the chapter.
  David was facing what seemed to be the inevitable.  Death appeared imminent.  He was convinced he would ultimately be destroyed by a madman.  David knew firsthand that Saul was scared of them.  He felt like giving up, but he couldn't because everyone had become an enemy in his eyes.  Therefore, he fought everyone with a vengeance, with the exception of his two clear enemies:  Saul and the philistines.
  We have no way of knowing how God responded to his alliance with the Philistines.  To be sure, God had an opinion.  However, He kept the matter between Himself and David at the time, just as He does with us also at times.
  Maybe if we look at the psalm scholars believe David penned at this time in his life and gain insight into the feelings he was experiencing.  Read Psalm 10. 
  
  Why do you think David might have felt as if God was far away and hidden in times of trouble?


  We can see what happens when we focus on our battles than on God?  Our enemy appears bigger, we appear weaker and God appears smaller.  Long term battle can cause vision impairment if eyes focus anywhere but up!
  
  David's most obvious problem was he felt so powerless and out of control in one area that he wielded an inappropriate amount of power and control in another.  We are also capable of responding destructively when we harbor similar feelings.  
  Many dreadful results can occur from unchecked feelings of powerlessness.  We are wise to reemphasize that we can't just trust our feelings.  We must entrust our feelings to God.
  God knows our battles and He has gathered our tears and blotted our brows.  Keep telling him when you're ready to give up or give in.  Stay in His Word and keep claiming promises.  We need not despair and must stand in God's Word when the battles get tough and we need to resist the temptation to panic.  
  Conclude by reading the following:


  Galatians 6:9-10
  1 Peter 4:19


Have a blessed day!
 
 

 
 

A surly man and a smart woman Tues April 26, 2011

Today's treasure:  1 Sam. 25:29

Read 1 Samuel 25: 1-22

  The first verse records a very significant event:  the death of Samuel.  The remainder of the chapter makes no further mention of Samuel.  He was a rare gem, faithful to the end.  

   The chapter proceeds with a description of a character who was nothing like Samuel.  Consider the story of Nabal and Abigail.  Start by contrasting  the two of them in verses 2 and 3.


David didn't have the same patience with Nabal that he had with "the Lord's annointed"  How did he plan to respond to Nabal's rudeness?


  Not all mates are perfectly suited for one another.  Scripture certainly proved that Nabal was indeed "surly and mean" and Abigail was a wise woman.  But the Word of God records several instances of faithful husbands and spiteful wives.
  
  Read 1 Samuel 25: 23-44  How did David respond to Abigail's approach?
  What do you think Abigail might have been trying to accomplish when she used the words, "But the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling"?


  In verse 39 David recorded a wonderful lesson for any of us dealing with wicked, dreadful people, whether in business or in personal relationships.  
  Do you see any principles in 1 Samuel 25:39 that you could apply in dealing with difficult people?
  Not all stories have happy endings, but this one does.  What happened to Abigail?


  God's Word is better than any novel, but David went a bit overboard in the marriage department.  We could be a little bit understanding about his broken vows to Michal; after all, Saul had given his wife away to "Paltiel son of Laish."  The hopeless romantic in us could say, "Bless his heart" on that one and could be thrilled he had a new bride.  But then, who was Ahinoam (v. 43) ?
Sometimes we can thank God not only for what He wrote in His Word but also for what He did not.  We don't need to know any details.  Some things we may never understand; however, one principle is definitely ours to claim no matter what we see happen.  Polygamy was not the will of God.  You can't be one flesh with two spouses!  Genesis 2:24


  Did God tolerate David's actions?
  Did God make exceptions to His first commands regarding marriage in the lives of His kings?

  Read Deuteronomy 17: 14-20


  Why were kings told not to multiply wives?


  David knew that God intended him to be the next king of Israel.  Already he had disobeyed one of God's specific commands for kings.  As always, God's commands are for our sake, not for His.  
The word many or multiply is the Hebrew word rabah.  
  Eventually David's heart will be led astray.  God presented the consequence as promise, not a possibility.  


  May we take God at His Word and not have to learn everything the hard way!!


Amen!!
  
next lesson:  overkill
 

 

A chance for revenge Monday April 25, 2011

  Today's treasure:  1 Samuel 24:6

Read 1 Samuel 24

  What causes David to be conscience stricken in verse 5?

   What evidence can you find to support the statement that though David assured Saul he would not harm him, he did not absolve him of wrongdoing?

  Do you think David believed he could trust Saul after their encounter?  

  David resisted revenge after all Saul had done to him.  David wasn't even sure Saul had the sense to spare the life of his own son (Jonathan) and daughter (Michal).  He certainly had no idea how Saul would respond to David's mercy, but David knew that God cut his conscience to the quick when he damaged the corner of Saul's robe.  David's change of heart offers four evidences that he was greatly influenced by the Holy Spirit.
  1.  David's conscience was immediately stricken.  One of the most important jobs of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin.  When the Holy Spirit dwells in a person, He uses the individual's conscience as the striking ground for conviction.  David wasn't just having a guilty conscience. The Spirit of God was working, He evidenced the work of God in his conscience by saying, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing".  He was suddenly aware that his actions were displeasing to God.  David's standard for measuring sin was not the wickedness of Saul; it was the holiness of God.
  2.  David met conviction with change in behavior.  The Holy Spirit always does His job, but we don't always do ours.  As we draw nearer and nearer to God, our sensitivity to conviction and our discernment of wrongdoing will increase.  This conviction will be met with a change in behavior.
  3.  David exercised great restraint.  He had the perfect chance to get revenge and he didn't take it.  Such a level of restraint could only have been supernatural.  The Holy Spirit promotes God's cause in our lives.  (Rom. 12:19)  The Holy Spirit works restraint in us when we are tempted toward revenge; and if we are fully yielded to the Spirit, we will obey.  A moment's revenge is not worth the cost in alienation from God.  
  4.  David respected God more than he desired revenge.  David withdrew from taking the life of Saul out of respect for God, not Saul.  God did not require David to agree with Saul or to lie down under his feet like a doormat.  He did require David's obedience to His methods of dealing with a man who was out of God's will.


  If we are willing to honor a person out of respect for God, you can be assured that God will honor you.  The temptation to lash out can be unbearable, but the Holy Spirit will be with you promoting restraint out of respect to God.  


  Scriptures that encourage to exercise restraint:
  Ecclesiastes 3:17
  1 Peter 3:9


  Let the Holy Spirit perform the restraining work and you'll be glad for it....


 




 

Count your blessings for Friday April 22nd

Today's treasure:  Psalm 54:6

  David took every possible opportunity to defend his people, even when he was repaid with betrayal.  David often had "no place to lay his  head"  Matt 8:20


  Read 1 Sam.  23
  What did David do before he defended the people of Keliah?
  How did David's men react to his instruction from God?
  Why do you think David asked the Lord a second time in v 4?
  What contrasting information do you discover in v 7 and 14?
  
  Tucked into the priestly ephod were the sacred lots.  Casting the lots were nothing like throwing dice.  These lots were ordained by
God as a means by which  God's Word is now written in its entirety and we have no need of sacred lots, although we need lots of study.  He would guide His people in making decisions that were not specifically addressed in the written Word at that time.  

  What two answers from God did David receive through the ephod?
  Why did David flee from Horesh in the Desert of Ziph?
  
  Two evidences of God's faithfulness on 1 Sam 23
1.  God reconfirmed His directions to David
  David's men reacted  fearfully when he gave the order to fight the Philistines.  Rather than shame them for questioning the word he had received from God, David went back to God to reconfirm.
  In the same way, we may ask God to reconfirm His direction, not because we doubt God's Word but because we question our understanding.  


2.  God sent David a minister of encouragement.  Jonathan went to David and "helped him find strength in God".  God used Jonathan to reconfirm His calling on David's life.  David had been betrayed by the people he tried to help.  God was saying "You can trust Me to fulfill what I promised to you, and you can trust Jonathan not to turn his back on you".


  If you have been more than once, do you still believe people can be trusted, or have you expected most people to betray you?


  Read Psalm 54


  We once again see prayer is not only for God's sake, it often is a reminder for our sake.  
  We will see David call on God by a multitude of names before we conclude this series.  David seemed to have as many names for God as  he had needs.  The psalm concludes with David vowing to sacrifice a freewill offering to the Lord.
  
  No better time arises to count our blessings than when we're tempted to believe we have none.  


  We often want to be called of God, then ushered painlessly into a position of service and honor, God doesn't work that way.  It is not about the glamour, but all God's glory.


  God always works to prepare us to serve Him, but He rarely prepares us in ways we expect.  He will bring another lesson when we have learned, and on it goes!!











 

The inhumanity of humanity Thurs April 21st

Today's treasure:  Psalm 52:9

  Read 1 Samuel 22: 6-23  What did Saul accuse his men of doing? 

  Who was Doeg the Edomite from last week's study?  (1 Samuel 21:7 )

  How many priests did Doeg kill?
  Why did David feel responsible for their deaths ?

  In  Psalm 52:1, what did David accuse Saul of?
  Verse 1 strongly suggests that Saul not only had a multitude of innocent people to death, but he bragged about it. 
  Psalm 52:7 tells us something vile about the ego of King Saul.
  
  Have you ever known anyone that put down others to make themselves better?  That is the ultimate sign of insecurity and if we allow our insecurities to govern our lives, we become destroyers as did this king.
  
  In Psalm 52:8 remember David was still on the run in the forest of Hereth.  Even on the run, not knowing where the next meal would come from, David knew that compared to Saul, he was "like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God".  When he received the news of the slaughter of innocent people, David responded in four ways:
  1.  He placed blame where it should have been--on Saul/evil.
  2.  He reminded himself that God will repay evil
  3.  He placed his hope solely in God.
  4.  He reminded himself that God is good.


  How do you sort through your feelings about being stunned by the depravity of humanity?


  In  such events as bombings, natural catastrophes, sufferings, we can do the same as David in the above and cast all on Christ.  His Word will be the anchor in the waves of life.  
  David could not have survived the guilt or pain of Saul's actions had he not cast himself on God and His Word.  


  How can these Scriptures help you sort out things when tragedies occur?
  John 10:10

  Lamentations 3:33

  Lamentations 3:59

  Psalm 100: 5

***********************************************

For crying out loud Monday April 18th 2011

 Today's treasure:  Psalm 142: 2-3


  We glimpse David's naivete and share his horror over the boundless evil in the heart of King Saul.  David's responses to his circumstances will challenge us to evaluate our own.  He met his circumstances with the deeply felt emotions of a whole heart.  Sometimes the unimaginable happens, and we respond with shock.


  Glance back over the events recorded in 1 Samuel 21; then proceed by reading 1 Samuel 22:  1-5


  David had quite an initiation into leadership.  Dealing with sheep must have been much less complicated than dealing with people!
  First Samuel 22:1 tells us "David left Gath escaped to the cave of Adullam"  The cave of Adullam, a word meaning , 'sealed off place' was about 20 miles SW of Jerusalem.  David travel about 10 miles by foot from Gath to the place of strange refuge he found in the crevice of a mountain.
  People took refuge in caves up until the time of Roman rule, when Jews fled Roman persecution. 


  The psalm David wrote after entering the cave is what the NIV identifies Psalm 142 as "A maskil of David.  When he was in the cave.  A prayer" 


Psalm 142:  what was David's comfort when his spirit grew 'faint within' him?  In one sentence, what could be the theme of the Psalm?  What two results did David believe his deliverance would bring?


  We can do the same as David when overwhelmed with unfair treatment and difficult circumstances:


  David prayed.  Sometimes we regard prayer as less practical when our need is more concrete.  We think, God can save me from my sins but not from my situation.What things do you tend to do before we pray about a crisis?


  David cried aloud.   How he handled his emotions is noteworthy.  Volumes can be written in favor of crying when the lump wells in you. It clears the air!


  David poured out his complaint to God.  He told God his troubles.  If we pour our our complaint to everyone else, we're going to be labeled a complainer.  But if we pour out to God, we'll find help.  David viewed the heart like a pitcher and he poured everything in it on God.


  David rehearsed his trust in God.  He was so exhausted that he feared he would become negligent in his alertness to the snares his enemies set for him. 


  David longed for God's presence.  Our feelings are worth sharing with God whether or not they accurately describe the truth.  We often equate safety with people, not places.  He had found a cave in which to hide, he felt he had no refuge because no one was there to personally care for him.


  David confessed his desperate need.  David knew God had given him power to subdue all enemies, so why did he feel overwhelmed?  Maybe because he had never battled a secret enemy.


  According to Ephesians 6, we also fight an entire assembly of unseen powers and principalities.  Without the intervention of God and His holy armor, we are mud on the bottom of the enemy's boots. 


  We need constant encouragement to remain specific in our prayer lives.  We often get more specific sharing our hearts with a friend than we do with God who can truly intervene.  "Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."  Ps. 62: 8


  The original text in 1 Sam 22 is something not to miss David's first taste of independent leadership!  What could be less appealing than leading a group made up of:  the distressed, the debtors, and discontented?
  But David would rise to the throne as the forerunner of Jesus Christ.  God had to bring David down to a lowly position before He could raise him up to stand on solid ground!  Amen for that!


coming next:  The inhumanity of humanity

The blessed reminder ( wk 2-5) 1 Samuel 21: 1-9

Today's treasure:  1 Samuel 21: 6

David was on the run with a mad man on his heels and Saul had alerted half the country to kill him.  David faced a terrifying prospect for a person twice his age. 

  READ 1 Samuel 21: 1-9

  When David fled, he first went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest, who reacted to David's arrival with trembling.

  Why do you think Ahimelech was frightened by David's coming?

   What lie did David tell Ahimelech?

  What two things did David request from the priest in these nine verses?

  The priest had no bread to offer except the bread of the ______________

 

  Does the Edomite will become a memorable figure in our study soon.  Who  was he according to verse 7?

  The only sword in Nob was the one that had belonged to ________________

  David did not haphazardly end up in Nob.  He no doubt sought relief in the city of priests.  Nob, a village between Jerusalem and Gibeah, was the venue where the tabernacle was relocated after the destruction of Shiloh.  Like many of us in times of crisis, he may have desired to draw closer to those who seem closest to God--not a bad idea!

  When was the last time you reached out to someone you regard as being 'close to God' ?

  In the first verse of Chap. 21 we see that Ahimelech 'trembled' when he met David.  Ahimelech was probably not aware of the warrant out for David's life.  Perhaps verse 9 provides a little insight.  Ahimelech knew of Goliath's demise at the hands of this young man.  He also may have remembered David sporting through Jerusalem swinging Goliath's head in his hand.  The priests certainly would have wanted no trouble from the Philistine army seeking revenge.  We are told that the sight of David struck fear in the priests' hearts.

  We witness through these studies to more that a few compromises in David's character.  In this case the compromise was David's willingness to lie.  He was probably attempting to spare the priest's life, hoping that Saul would not hold Ahimelech responsible for helping David.  Famished from his flight, David asked the priest for five loaves of bread.  

  Interesting that in verse 3, "Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find".  In all four Gospels, as Christ sent the disciples to search for food, five loaves were all they could find.  For David, however, no bread could be found except the bread of the Presence.  Perhaps God had a point to make with the five loaves.  

  Leviticus 24: 5-9 talks of the bread and how it is to be set out before the Lord.  Isaiah 55:3 has an "everlasting covenant"  speaking of what? 

Consider two possible reasons why the bread of the Presence night have purposely been used of God to feed David:

  1.  The bread of the Presence might have symbolized God's everlasting covenant with David.  Somewhat like the stars of the sky symbolized the offspring of Abram, the bread of Presence was place before God as a reminder of the everlasting covenant.  

  2.  The bread of the Presence might have symbolized the provision of God's presence in David's life.  The Hebrew term for presence is paneh, which means "countenance, presence, or face".  God inspired David to write the following verses:

   Psalm 22:24 and Psalm 31:16

  Read John 6: 47-48  By what name did Christ call Himself?

  Christ is the bread of God's presence to us.  His scars are placed before God as a perpetual memorial that the wages of ours sins have been paid.  "This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:51)

He renews His promise to us in Hebrews 13:5 

  God reminded David of His presence, but David continued to run frantically from village to village.  Surely Samuel reminded David of God's plan when David fled to Ramah.  God reminded David of His presence and provision through the priest of Nob.

  Is it coincidental that the only weapon in the city of Nob was Goliath's sword?  Is it possible God was trying to remind David that he had overcome a greater enemy that Saul with God's help?

  David was not just sheep smart, he was street smart.  David may have been short on patience and short on perceiving God's reminders, but not short of personality.

  God can make us aware of reminders of His presence in our lives and we can have assurance no matter what the circumstances.  Keep studying God's Word, keep praying for a hunger and thirst for His Word.

common bonds, uncommon friends Tuesday April 12th

today's treasure:   1 Samuel 20: 14-15

  David  is caught in a whirlwind of Saul's jealousy and this threat of death gave way to reaffirmation of Jonathan's covenant.  We will discuss once in a lifetime friendships.

Read 1 Samuel 20: 1-42

Why did David flee to Jonathan?

True or false?  Jonathan believed that his father was going to kill David
True or false?  Jonathan would cast his spear to let David know Saul's response


   Jonathan signaled his father's unfavorable response to David just as he promised.  Why do you believe David "wept the most" 

The Word of God tells us, "Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself" (! Sam 18:1)  KJV says "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David."  Hebrew word 'knit' and 'become one' in the NIV is qashar which means 'to tie, join together' .  Jonathan and David are examples of two people knit together by something more powerful than circumstances or preferences.
  
  The Spirit of God sometimes cements two people together as part of His plan.  These two were uncommon friends joined by the Spirit of God.


   Uncommon friends can speak their minds without fear.  The tone in 1 Sam. 20:1-4 could be nothing less than panic, and Jonathan could have received David's words as an insult.  Their initial words to one another would only be natural under the circumstances.  What is not natural was their freedom to speak their minds to one another and move on to resolution without great incident.  

  Allowing others to speak their fears even when we can't understand is characteristic of uncommon friendship.  Willingness to listen and then let the potential insults pass is not a sign of weakness.  


  Uncommon friends can share their hearts without shame.  Uncommon friends can be vulnerable with one another and still retain their dignity.  Their friendship was a safe place to trust and show feelings and they shared a common goal: the will of God.  

  Read Romans 12:15  What do you believe people really need from us when they are extremely emotional?
Do you have a friend with whom you feel safe sharing your heart?


   Uncommon friends can stay close even at a distance.  Jonathan and David's friendship was brought together by spiritual ties, not sequences of time.  They had 'sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord' (v. 42)  Their friendship was a bond of three.
   Do you have a 'three strand' friendship?  and in what ways do you keep God an active part of the friendship?



Be partners in the gospel, ministry, dedicated to share the Word of God.  God can bind common lives like yours and mine in uncommon ways.






 

The great escape Monday April 11 2-3

today's treasure:  1 Samuel 19:4

 read 1 Samuel 19: 1-18 
  In what ways did Jonathan respond to his father's orders to kill David?


  What was the result of Jonathan's efforts in David's behalf?


  How did Michal demonstrate her love for David in 1 Samuel 19?


  Now through all this drama we continue to look at jealousy.
Without God's intervention through it all we can offer only a small bandage to hemorrhaging from uncontrolled emotions.  We may bring calm for a moment, but efforts will have little lasting effect.


  Words can only treat the symptoms.  Only God can heal the disease of uncontrolled emotions.  Our best recourse when negative emotions begin controlling us is to fall before the throne of grace and seek God.  Take solace in the fact that Christ knows how it feels to be tempted by feelings.  
  Saul failed to acknowledge his rage and jealousy as evil.  His imaginations did nothing but further sow the seed within him, and jealousy became relentless. 

  Why did Saul have cause to be frightened when he realized that Michal loved David? 1 Sam.  18:28-29

  Have you ever had a time when someone encouraged you toward a position and once you got in the middle of it, you went back and said, "what have you gotten me into?"  David probably shared your doubts and questions.
  David went straight to Samuel because he was the one God used to anoint David as leader of Israel.  He likely had questions for Samuel, such as "Are you sure God told you to anoint me?"  Regardless of his questions, David went to tell on Saul, and no doubt Samuel confirmed David's calling.
  
  Read 1 Samuel 19: 19-24
  
  What do you think these words in the NIV mean: "But the Spirit of God came even upon him?" 


  When God gets involved, we see results.  The Spirit of God is more powerful than the spirit of wickedness.  As children of God, we do not have to be derailed by the way we feel.  Our God is greater!!


 

A jealous eye wk 2-2

today's treasure:  1 Samuel 18:8-9

  It has been called the green eyed monster, jaundice of the soul and Solomon says it is "cruel as the grave" (Song of Sol. 8:6)

  A seed is of jealousy is planted in Saul and will express itself as vengeance to come.  

* Read 1 Samuel 18: 5-16
  How did David perform the duties Saul assigned to him?
  What did Saul do as a result of David's performance?
  What first incited the jealousy of King Saul (v. 7) ?
  How did Saul's inward jealousy become an outward violent expression?
  Why was David a great success in everything he did? (v. 14)


  Fear can be the root of virtually all jealousy, with relationships suffering everywhere.  
  
  What fear might have fueled Saul's jealousy?


  Most negative emotions lead to others, in verse 8 we see anger and gall.  In verse 9 we see jealousy and in verses 12 and 15 we see evidences of fear.  The Hebrew word for anger: charah--to burn, be kindled, glow with anger.  Charah captures the moment a person explodes in anger--before any sense of control takes over, before a rational thought can be processed.
  Through the life of Saul, we see a portrait of what our lives might be like if the Holy Spirit departed from us.  
  Few experiences are more miserable than being the subject of someone's unleashed jealousy 


  In Acts 5:17-18 what happened as a result of jealousy?
  Acts 5:19 who rescued them?
  Acts 13:49 what did God do through them in spite of the jealousy?


  We must keep ourselves released from the bondage of jealousy at all times.

  What does 1 Corinthians 3:3 tell about jealousy?
  --characteristic of worldly behavior?
  --evidence that the enemy is at work?
  --overcome by forgiveness?


Exodus 20:5 tells of us jealousy as well as Joel 2:18,
Zechariah 1:14 and Zechariah 8:2


  Is there a common characteristic in all righteous jealousies?
You can be jealous of someone and be jealous for someone.  God is jealous on our behalf..Jealousy for someone's best is of God.  Jealousy of someone's best is of the enemy.


  Read 1 Samuel 18:17-30.  Why was Saul pleased that his daughter was in love with David, and what does his attitude tell about his heart?  
  Why do you think Saul became more afraid once he realized his daughter loved David? 


 

An Amazing Covenant 2-1

Today's treasure:

1 Samuel 18:3

  

  We will witness a tragic turning point in the relationship between Saul and David during these studies, indeed David's life was rarely boring!  

* Read 1 Samuel 18: 1-4 and describe Jonathan's feelings for David

--Did David love Jonathan more than himself?

--Was David overwhelmed by the covenant with Jonathan?

--Did David regard Jonathan as his best friend?

--Was David's feelings toward Jonathan mentioned?

What belongings did Jonathan give to David in the covenant?

  Who but God can explain the ways of the heart?  Sometimes friendships bloom over months or years, other times your heart can be touched instantly.  

--Have you ever felt an almost instant bond to a new friend?  What can you identify as reasons you believe you felt such a kinship?

  

 The word 'covenant' is derived from Hebrew 'berith' which means, "determination, stipulation."  It was a treaty of alliance of friendship, pledge, an obligation, a constitution.  

  Although they are less obvious than in other covenants in scripture, three elements can be found in the covenant relationship between Jonathan and David recorded in 1 Samuel 18: 1-4

--Read Genesis 15.  Look for the sign of the covenant, the sacrifice and the solemn oath.

  God demonstrated His covenant with Abram by the blazing fire pot passing between the pieces of flesh.  Jonathan showed his covenant with David by giving him his robe, tunic and weapons.  

  The sacrifice:  In Jonathan's covenant the sacrifice is less obvious than the birds and the animals in God's covenant with Abram, but it is  profound.  

 Look Ahead to 1 Samuel 20:  30-31

-- What were King Saul's obvious intentions for his son Jonathan?

  Jonathan was a prince and heir apparent to the throne.  His father planned for Jonathan to be the next king, but his son had different plans.  In this unique covenant, Jonathan sacrificed himself.  He removed his royal regalia and placed it on David, symbolizing that David would be king instead. Men like Jonathan are a rarity.  Few people have 'in mind the things of God' at risk of their own favor and position (Matt 16:23)

  Jonathan symbolized the solemn oath by giving David his weapons of protection.  Jonathan verbalized his oath by pledging in 1 Samuel 20:13 to protect David from harm at great personal risk.

  --According to Deuteronomy 7: 6-9, why did God choose Israeul?

  God's covenant with the nation of Israel was based on His love for them.  We who have accepted Christ as Savior are part of THE most wonderful covenant ever made with man. 

--According to 1 John 4:10,15  how does our covenant compare to the two in the study today? 

  What an amazing covenant we have with God through Jesus Christ; what a great celebration to remember when we entered into it and for hopes of many others to do the same!!!

One smooth Stone

                                                       Today's treasure 1 Samuel 17:45

**Read 1 Samuel 17:  1-58
--Why did Jesse send David to the camp of his three older brothers?
--What all was promised to the man who killed Goliath?
--What were Eliab's feelings toward his youngest brother?
--What was David's claim to Saul in verse 37?
--Why didn't David wear Saul's armor?


**Read verse 45 carefully.  What do you believe was David's most powerful weapon against Goliath?
(it was not the sling)


1.  Take God's Word over the opinion of others .  Eliab said everything he possibly could to discourage David.  David's response evidenced the fact that Eliab and David were not at odds for the first time.  Eliab was very critical of David.  ? resulted from Eliab almost being anointed king. David remained undaunted by Eliab's criticisms because David took God's Word over the opinion of others.  He and his brothers heard the promise of victory God made to the nation that would call upon His name and David believed these promises. (Psalm 71:5)
**Was there ever a time a family member discouraged you?
We can do ANYTHING God calls us to do through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13).  


2.  Measure the size of your obstacle against the size of your God.  
 The obstacle of Goliath that was over 9 feet tall with over 140 pounds of armor shielding him was what God wanted David to use to bring Israel victory in the name of the Lord. 
  We tend to measure our obstacles against our own strength, thus we feel overwhelmed and defeated before the battle begins.   David had to face a giant obstacle with strength he possessed, but his confidence in god caused a simple pebble to hit like a boulder.   
--Is there an area in your life in which God wants to give you a victory but an obstacle seems to big to overcome?


3.  Acknowledge an active and living God in your life.  
--How did David refer to God in 1 Samuel 17:26?


--Do you approach every circumstance and conflict as a member of the army of the living God?  
--Do you continually regard God as able?
--Do you stand in His name?
  Our victory rests not on faith in our spirituality.  Our victory rests on faith in our God.  
  Faith in faith is pointless.  Faith in a living, active God moves mountains.  Moses acknowledged Yahweh as the living God and led multitudes into the promised land.  Daniel also did and the angel shut the mouths of the lions.
 -- Are you allowing God to live smack in the middle of your life?