I Samuel 11-31

I Samuel 11-31 covers the reign of the first king of Israel, Saul.  We also see the life of David and his growth as a warrior.  Notice some thoughts: I Samuel 11:13- Here, Saul gives God the credit for the battle's victory.  He was at one time very humble.  He was humble when he was anointed King, when he won the first battle, and when he was anointed King in the presence of all the people.  But power often goes to ones head, and that happened to Saul.  God reminds him of the day he was "little in his own sight". (15:17)  That's when God can use us! OUTWARD APPEARANCE VS THE HEART- I Sam. 16:7 "for the LORD seeth not as man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."  Some have tried to say that this verse proves God doesn't care about the outward appearance, only the heart.  This is not the teaching of this verse!!  God sees both, and man only sees one!!  Our heart is who we truly are, but our outward appearance is our testimony (that which man sees).  While we can be right on the outside and wrong on the inside; if we are right on the inside, we will be right on the outside!!  The battle is always won by changing the inside, not dressing up the outside properly.  Let's do both!! DAVID'S CAUSE- In I Sam. 17:29, David asks "Is there not a cause?"  This is why he volunteers to go against Goliath.  But his cause is spelled out in verse 46 of the same chapter:  "that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel."  This was David's cause!  DIVINE FRIENDSHIP- (JONATHAN AND DAVID)  18:1 "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."  18:3 "because he loved him as his own soul."  20:17 "he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul".  Here in scripture, we get a rare glimpse of heaven sent friendship and how deep friendship and love between friends can be.  This is the friendship people long for and few people ever possess.  We can however, decide to be such a friend.  Befriend someone today!! ENCOURAGE YOURSELF- (30:6) "David encouraged himself in the LORD his God"  We should take this lesson from David that when everything is turning out wrong, we should still encourage ourselves in the LORD our God!!  We are saved and going to Heaven, and that should encourage us right there!!  Well, so much for today, just a few thoughts.  I hope you have a blessed day and get into God's Holy Word.  May God bless!!!   Pastor Mike Mutchler