Bible Soundbites
Monday, 03 March 2008 00:00 | and posted in David
David asked the men standing near him, “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 14:26
In the red Corner was Goliath, a nine foot tall, undefeated, super-human killing machine who was mocking God and his chosen people.
In the blue corner was David, a seventeen year old shepherd boy…
It didn't matter how tall, strong or mean Goliath was. All that mattered in David's heart was God’s promises.
Tuesday, 04 March 2008 00:00 | and posted in David
David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. 1 Samuel 18:14
It’s a good feeling to do something well isn’t it?
It would have been easy for David to live it up after his accomplishments, but success didn’t go to his head and he reacted with a humble heart.
Don’t give into the temptation to be impressed by your own accomplishments; see success as a chance to fill your heart with God’s spirit and love instead!
Wednesday, 05 March 2008 00:00 | and posted in David
Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:1-3
As Saul’s paranoia increased his desire to kill David grew too, forcing David to go into hiding. While in this state of constant threat David turned to his love of music to help him communicate to God the emotional turmoil and fear he was feeling… but notice too he also used these songs (or psalms) to remind himself of the God in whom he trusted.
Thursday, 06 March 2008 00:00 | and posted in David
David exited the cave, bowed down to Saul and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. He said to Saul…, “This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you.” 1 Samuel 24:10-11
Saul and 3,000 of his men are out hunting for David, when, as you do, Saul needed a toilet stop. He quickly nips into a cave, not realising that this is actually where David and his men are hiding.
Put yourself in David’s shoes – what would you have chosen to do in this situation?
Friday, 07 March 2008 00:00 | and posted in David
David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 2 Samuel 6:14-15
David wasn't intimidated to dance before the people he ruled because he had such a strong awareness of the presence of the Lord… he danced purely for God!
But what’s all this talk about a linen ephod??? Well… don’t imagine too long, but think of an ancient Israelite version of a pair of boxers! David was willing to be that undignified to worship his God!
Saturday, 08 March 2008 00:00 | and posted in David
Then Nathan said to David, “Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.” 2 Samuel 12:9
This sounds like an episode of Hollyoaks, not the life of King David! But David slept with another man’s wife, got her pregnant and orchestrated her husband’s death in battle trying to cover up his affair.
From time to time we all need God to send a Nathan into our life to point out where we’ve gone wrong and point us back to God and godly living.
Sunday, 09 March 2008 00:00 | and posted in David
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin.” 2 Samuel 12:13
If you were to pick out David’s finest moment, you probably wouldn’t choose this one! But in a way, this is it.
As King of Israel, David has the authority, even the prerogative, to exile Nathan or even have him executed for daring to accuse him. But David recognises God’s truth and repents. It takes a heart after God to do that…