6/15/2010 7:00:30 AM
SPIRITUAL DIARY
My
Worship Time Focus: Popularity
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: 1Samuel 18:5-7
Message of the verses: 5 So
David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the
men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the
sight of Saul’s servants.
“ 6 ¶ It happened as they were
coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came
out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with
tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. 7 The women sang as they played, and said, ‘Saul
has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.’”
Today’s
sub-point is the second in the first main point of this new chapter from Warren
Wiersbe’s commentary on 1Samuel. I would
like to quote the first paragraph as it
shows to me something that I need to learn and to put into practice: ‘The crucible for silver and the furnace for
gold, but a a man is tested by the praise he receives’ (Proverbs 27:21,
NIV). Just as the crucible and the
furnace test the metal and prepare it for use, so praise tests and prepares
people for what God has planned for them.
How we respond to praise reveals what we’re made of and whether or not
we’re ready to take on new responsibilities.
If praise humbles us, then God can use us, but if praise puffs us up,
we’re not yet ready for a promotion.”
It
seems that David was humbled by this experience because he knew that he was
doing it for the glory of God and not to have people congratulate him for his
accomplishment. Saul on the other hand
would become jealous for what these women sang and this would cause him to go
further downhill ending in suicide.
The
song that the women sang was exaggerated as far as Jewish custom of singing but
in a way it was true for without David killing the giant there would be now
victory at all.
Spiritual meaning for my life today: This spiritual diary has really stepped on my
toes as there have been times in my life when I have accomplished something
that in my mind I was a bit puffed up.
God is who puts into place the things that I am to accomplish for His
glory, He is the One who gives me strength to accomplish what He wants me to
do, He is the One who has given me new life in Jesus Christ and so there is now
need for any kind of pride when I do something to bring glory to the Lord.
My
Steps of Faith for Today:
1.
“The purity
of silver and gold is tested by putting them in the fire; The purity of human
hearts is tested by giving them a little fame.”
(Proverbs 27:21 Message) I truly
need to seek the Lord in order to put this into practice.
6/15/2010 7:43:05 AM
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