Good morning family. Thank God we can meet again this week. Thank God that we have the freedom to share our faith here in person and through the internet. It blesses my heart that I can do this, but I keep in my mind always that God gets the glory and that I am responsible for everything I teach.
Leanna and I want to welcome each of you to the J and L Ministries room here in Paltalk. We thank you for being here this morning and we also thank you our friends who watch these videos that we share on many Christian networks and also secular websites. Today, we'll be looking at part 3 of this series titled "Those Trials Will Come." For those who've been following along you know that the first week we looked at some of the things that Moses went through and compared it to what we might face in our life. Last week we looked at the passage found in Mark 4: 35-41 about Jesus rebuking the storm that He and His disciples were going through and again comparing those things with our lives and how Jesus spoke to the storms as we should. This week I want to look into some of the storms that King David went through and how he overcame some of them. You know... the man who God said was after His heart? Before we start, I want each of you to think back t9 a storm that you've gone through. Maybe you're still in it. How are you dealing with that trial that's come your way? Are you trying to deal with it in your own knowledge and understanding? Are you dealing with it in your own strength? Then I ask, "How is that working for you?" I used to be in that very same place. So as we go through these next few weeks, when these messages start start looking like there's a finger being pointed at you, know that much of what we are learning I had to go through myself. At times I'm still going through them. I had a friend share something a couple years ago that took me by complete surprise and hurt me at the same time. It didn't hurt me physically, but it was although I felt their pain, yet I couldn't fathom what was done, nor why. This person went on about how things had gotten so bad in her life, that to ease the pain, cutting was the solution. For those not familiar with what cutting is, it's where one will take a knife or razor blade and actually cut their flesh. Brethren, I've gone through some horrible things in my life, but I never thought of cutting my arm or any other part of my body to ease the pain. This isn’t to make fun of those who are reading this that have or still are doing this act. I hear about this often and I just want to hug them and let them know that there's a God who'll break this bondage and ease the pain they're going through. I can’t imagine the pain someone could have to want to cause themselves more pain. Please turn to 1st Samuel 16 and that's where we'll begin this morning. What I want to point out in this chapter is this. While I say these things, I want you to be praying to have God do the same for you and be listening to God (and He'll do it if you listen and stay in obedience). Who God appoints He anoints, and who He anoints is truly qualified for service. Amen? From what you know of David, was he anointed? Was he qualified? I think he was, though, like we often do, he made mistakes. He was a great man of God but made some choices that weren't good. David means “beloved” for he was a type of the Beloved Son. As he was called from the place of obscurity and contempt, David was first anointed by God and later by the people. 1 Samuel 16:1-7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. 3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. 4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. So let’s backtrack a bit. If we were to go back and look at Saul’s life, we'd find that though he was a talented king, he stopped obeying God early on. He became selfish and evil. We just read that God told the prophet Samuel he would remove Saul from being the first king of Israel and replace him with a man after his own heart. And we all know because of what the Bible says, and a very common statement, that David was this man after God’s heart. Amen? When you get a chance on your own, read first Samuel chapters 13, 14 and 15, just so you know what was going on. Saul was King at this time but made many stupid mistakes. Saul’s first mistake was that he was very successful and the successes went to his head. As even with us today, humility gives place to pride. He offered sacrifices which was only for the priesthood at that time to do. Then he had a silly order for the Army to abstain from food, and you’ll find that in chapter 14. You'll also see where he tried to have his son Jonathan and his armor bearer foolishly killed, and that's when Saul decided to be a fool to the people. When we turn to chapter 15, we find that Saul's final mistake is that he deliberately disobeyed God because of this final act. You can read that on your own. Saul was told, "Because you have rejected God, God has rejected you from being king." Let’s get back to chapter 16. We read that David was anointed. But that anointing couldn't have been done openly, because at that time Saul would definitely have killed David. And I think the whole purpose was to give David a chance to train himself for the office that he would take and we see in verse 13, that God took David into His care. I love how we can go to Scripture and find that when God had a plan, that plan was carried out. So many times when we look at the situations that are going on throughout the Bible we might think it's impossible. Yet we know that when God speaks, He speaks in faith and with God all things are possible and what He says is done. Praise the Lord!!! We go back to verse two and we see where Samuel starts questioning God. Samuel says, "How can I go? Saul would hear then he would kill me." God tells Samuel to "Take a heifer with thee and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.'" 1Samuel 16:4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 1 Samuel 16:5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. Notice in verse four it said that the elders trembled at his coming. I think what was happening is when the elders saw Jesse...and Jesse being an older man, is.... I’m not sure what the dress was back then, but maybe he was wearing clothing that a prophet would have worn back then, but they were afraid. They probably thought he was bringing some kind of word from God of judgment for their sins. They asked Samuel, "Do you come in peace?" Now we get to where Samuel meets Jesse’s sons. Eliab, who was Jesse’s first son, was the one that Samuel thought that God would choose to be king. Then we find in verse seven, but the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature because I have refused him: for the Lord see if not as man see if; for man look at on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. I wonder how often we do that. How many times do we see somebody who might be applying for a job, or even somebody who signed up for a sport in school when we look at their outward appearance? I think this happens often. In fact, too often. How many times in churches does a family come in and they might not be dressed with suits and ties all neatly pressed or a young lady wearing a nice pretty dress with a pretty bow in their hair and they're automatically shunned? I’ve seen it happen, so I know it does. How many times ones come into the church who may not have had a bath for weeks or maybe months and nobody wants anything to do with them? Too often. Yet here we're supposed to have the compassion of Christ. The mirrored image of Christ, who could reach out and put His hands on a leper whose skin was oozing, stinking and rotting and was highly contagious. "Oh but Brother Jim, Jesus was God in the flesh." Amen!! Yes He was, Praise the Lord. Halleluiah!! And your point? Keep your place in 1st Samuel, but turn to John 14 and 11. Jesus said in John 14:11-13 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Mark 16:16-18 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. 17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: body is, Who? In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Yet we are afraid to get near them? Where's our faith? Church, am I painting a picture? Now, this might not be happening in the church you belong to within the congregation that you belong to, but I guarantee you it is in many. Let's look at David's appearance. David was a short man and he had a fair complexion. He was said to have been handsome. He had immense physical strength and a great personal attractiveness. He was a man of war. Prudent in speech, very brave, musical and said to be religious. That word religious really bothers me. Why? Because there are so many religions out there. Some clinging to some of the truths, while others teach the opposite of what the true living God is. We find in chapter 16 that David's fame as a musician was noticed by King Saul. We also find that King Saul at the time didn’t realize that David had been anointed as his successor even before David became Saul’s armor bearer. Can we see how God was working within David’s life? Keeping Him close to King Saul and all the higher-ups? This was all part of God’s way of training David will for his responsibilities when he would become King. Let’s turn to chapter 17 in first Samuel. Friends, what I want to show here is that David did put his trust in God. Many times throughout the Old Testament you’ll find there were many battles with the Philistines. And we'll also find that after many years David wasn't just a child. His appearance changed and Saul didn’t even recognize him. And here we are at Socoh. We had the Philistines gathered to battle. Saul and his men of Israel are at Elah. Here comes Goliath. We all know the story, yes? Here comes this 6’9" giant with heavy armor protecting almost every part of him. And Goliath yells to (Brother Jim’s translation) God’s chosen people, "Send your best warrior to fight with me one on one. If he can kill big old me, ha ha. The Philistines will be your servants. Now we know that can’t happen because I'm the biggest baddest dude around. Now, if I kill your best warrior, and you know I will, then you will serve us. So I guess you can try to kill me, but for us bad guys, it’s a win, win situation." Church, catch this. I added my own words there for a reason. Israel has and always will be God’s chosen people. Throughout the Bible that has been. Amen? But what do we see in verse 11? 1 Samuel 17:11 KJV When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. What about you, church? What's the giant you're afraid of? Fear is a spirit that comes from that crooked-legged, slimy, slithering Satan. 1 Samuel 17:17-18 KJV And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; (18) And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. In verse 17 we find Jesse, David’s dad sendshim to this place where the Israelites and Philistines have been feuding for 40 days to give his brothers a half-bushel of this roasted grain and ten loaves of bread. Verse 18 He also sent ten cheeses to the commanding officer and told David to find out how his brothers were doing and to bring back some kind of evidence that they were well. Skip down to verse 25. 1 Samuel 17:25 KJV And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? Surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel. I love this, and it shows where David’s heart really was. And here we find the Israelites scared because it is seen that Goliath is listening to his threats and they’ve heard King Saul’s promises that the one who kills this giant would receive a giant reward, will be promised Saul’s daughter in marriage, and also that his father’s family wouldn't have to pay taxes. But I love this next verse. David asked the men who were near, "What happens to the man who kills this Philistine and frees Israel from this disgrace?" Then David gets even bolder and he says, "After all, who is this heathen Philistine to defy the Army of the Living God?" If you're following along in your Bible, this is what's going on. We've heard hardly nothing from David, and right here he’s talking about the true living God. Then go a little further. Now we see his brother putting him down, then we have the soldiers telling King Saul what David had said, then David and Saul meet. Catch this in verse 32. David says to the King, "No one should be afraid of this Philistine. I will go and fight him." And here we go with the stature again. Saul says you’re just a boy. This giant has been a soldier all his life. Then David tells Saul his testimonies about rescuing lambs that have been taken away by bears and lions and how he kills these animals and rescues the lamb. Here's where David’s faith is. David tells Saul, "I've killed lions and bears and I'll do the same to this heathen Philistine who's defiled the Army of the living God." Catch this church. Tell me you can’t see were David’s heart is. Let’s see where his faith is. "The Lord has saved me from lions and bears and he'll save me from this Philistine." So when Saul agrees to this, he gives David his own armor and bronze helmet to wear. David will soon, unknowingly to Saul, takeover his position as king. Look what happens. David's used to carrying all this weight. He’s a shepherd boy. This next part really shows what God does when you put your trust in Him. David strips off all this heavy metal and picks up what he is used to, his shepherd stick and five smooth stones and goes out to meet this giant. Now let’s look at Goliath’s response. When Goliath gets close enough to see David, the king James says that he disdained him for he was but a youth, and ruddy and of a fair countenance. The good news Bible says and when he got a good look at David he was filled with scorn for him because he was just a nice, good looking boy. We read earlier that when Samuel went to see Jesse to find the one who God would make king, we know that God had already anointed David. This reminds me of when I used to tease a pastor a few years back. I knew I would always hear, "Don’t mess with God’s anointed." Now I want you to think about these next verses. Some of you who are out there sharing God’s word, whether it be in school, work, home, or even out in your community, have any of you gotten a tongue-lashing from those who don’t believe in Jesus? 1 Samuel 17:43-46 KJV And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Again my friends, where is David putting his faith? Church, this is where you and I need to be. When these storms come, whatever they may be, we have God’s word that tells us what we need to believe. The Bible tells us what we need to put our faith in during the good times and during the bad. And what about praising God? What we read, especially from the book of Psalms, David praised God all the time. A man after God’s own heart. And that's what's so great about reading about this great man. Trials? Did David have trials? You bet he did. And we'll look into some of those trials next week. But we'll also look at how God’s anointed king overcame those trials because of his trust in God. 1 Samuel 17:47 KJV And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. What faith this David has. Here this young man, this young shepherd, up against this fierce giant. What faith. What trust in an all-knowing, all-powerful, invisible God. We all know that Goliath was hit in the head with one small stone and fell to the ground where David beheaded him. Brothers and sisters, the battle is God’s battle. Amen? If our confidence is purely in the power of God, rather than in any armor or sufficiency of our own, we may be certain the world’s utmost might cannot withstand. Friends, God resists the proud and pours contempt upon those who bid defiance to His people, humiliating them by a defeat with the meanest of instruments. David was anointed to be king and then this soon to be king defeats this boastful champion who he overcomes in the name of God. When Jesus comes as Lord of Hosts, the anti-Christ will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming. Praise the name of Jesus. The day of the Lord. So I ask you my friends, as I'm about to close this message. What will you do when you face that giant? Or like last week, when those storms come. Will you hide? Will you lay down and and be swept away by the storm or crushed by the giant? Or will you stand in faith in the all powerful God who loves you and cares for you and who will protect you? Storms are going to come. There'll be Giants that we'll face. There will be mountains that'll be in our way. Do we look at that mountain and just give up, or do we say to that mountain, "Mountain, you may be huge. You may be magnificent, but my God is bigger and when He opens up a door and tells me that this is what He's called me to do, you' Mr. Mountain need to get out of my way. You, problem are not going to stop me from doing God's will for my life. You, 20-foot wave that's about to come crashing down on me, I say peace be still. Church, I believe in what the Bible tells me for my life. I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. Acts 13:39 And by Him (Jesus) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Do we believe, church? I believe in miracles, do you? I believe a young woman who was a virgin gave birth to the Savior of the world. I believe that God spoke to a man who wandered in the desert for 40 years through a bush that was engulfed by flames. I believe that a raven brought bread and meat to a man in the morning and evening. I believe a Holy God made the earth and all that's in it in 6 days. I believe that the red sea was parted and over a million people crossed over to the other side. I believe miracles happen to those who believe. I believe that Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, was beaten, and by His stripes I am healed. I believe this same Jesus died for my sins and was resurrected on the third day and now sits at he right hand of God. I believe that a rod was struck against a rock and water gushed out. I believe a young boy flung a stone and killed a giant. I believe that when you and I have storms that come against what God calls us to do, if we believe, God will see us through. What about you, my dear friends? It's time for us to put our complete trust in God and His Word for our lives and for the lives of our families. Friends, it's been a blessing being here with you today here in the J and L Ministries room on this Paltalk platform. We thank God for each of you and for the hungry souls who view these messages on U-tube, Cross Roads Fellowship, Mylook online, Lokey Sisters, Zero Hour Ministry and wherever others share these videos. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we love you and I ask you to live your life by this verse found in Galatians 2:20 KJV I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Have a blessed week in the Lord.
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