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July 10, 2022 3:00 am
Notes
Looking at David’s story, the real message is not the greatness of David but the greatness and love of God who gave David a second chance.
David is the only man to be called “a man after God’s own heart.”
God’s selection of David was so unexpected (pay careful attention), but the Lord is showing us the kind of person He is looking for.
God is actively looking for people to use.
God found that man in David. Will He find it in you?
God’s way becomes plain when we start walking in it. Obedience to revealed truth guarantees guidance in matters unrevealed.
Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem?
Because Jesus was from the family tree of David.
“There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” —1 Samuel 16:11
Those who are rejected by men often become beloved of God.
1. God uses ordinary people.
Saul was attractive on the outside, but inside he was vain, shallow, and devoid of true integrity.
Man looks at the outward; God looks on the inward.
A man once said to D. L. Moody, “Moody, the world has yet to see what God can do with and in and through the man who is wholly dedicated to Him.”
2. God is looking for truly spiritual people.
David was not only practical; he was also deeply committed to God.
“My heart is fixed, O God; my heart is fixed.” —Psalm 57:7
“Our greatest danger in life is in permitting the urgent things to crowd out the important.”
“Is it an alarm or a calling that gets you out of bed in the morning?”
3. David was a faithful man.
Just because God has called you to be a leader does not mean you are ready.
Just as David both provided for and defended those sheep, God did the same for him.
David longed for closeness to God.
David was not perfect; he was very flawed.
God wants to give you a second chance.
Scripture Referenced
Ezekiel 22:30
Psalm 27:4
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Hey there, thanks for listening to the great glory part just a ministry supported by harvest partners on Greg Laurie encouraging you if you want to find out more about harvest ministries. To learn more about how to become a harvest partner, just go to harvest.org all right.
Let's grab our Bibles and turn to first Samuel chapter 16 first Samuel chapter 16 you don't know where that is. It's right after first Samuel 15 that helps the title of my message is the man after God's own heart.
Years ago when my son Christopher was a little boy we had this tugboat. It was sort of about towing that we use it in the pool as well. It was his big tugboat that was basically unsinkable. I would take it to the bottom of the pool and try to hold it down and have always popped to the top so this thing was around for a number of years and Christopher got older, when the accident Christopher would you like to blow up the tugboat now he's a boy so of course, his answer was yes.
So we decided how we can lip-synch this tugboat so I come a little hole in the top and I dropped a cherry bomb in it. You know what a cherry bomb is again I don't know where I got it.
I don't know if they're completely legal but I somehow obtained a cherry bomb.
We put it in the middle of the pool were very excited. I let it I dropped it when it was this plastic was so thick it hardly made any sound, and then the boat just slowly sunk to the bottom.
I was kind of hoping for more of an explosion something a little more exciting that we effectively blew a hole in the hole. So basically here's the take away truth of that number one it's fun to blow stuff up right okay number two if you want to sing something, especially about blow a hole in the hall right okay so that can happen in our lives spiritually as well. It's often gradual, not necessarily overnight little compromise here a little lowering of the guard their allowance for sin somewhere else and you effectively are blowing a hole in your hole that's good of a tongue twister that one word were starting to spread new series called the house of David, and when you think of David. Obviously, two other names come to mind. David and Goliath and David and Bathsheba and that sort of sums up his life.
David was either saline or sinking. He was either having one of his great moments or one of his low moments, Goliath was his greatest victory. Bathsheba's greatest defeat, but to the credit of David. He was a true believer and even after he sinned he always turned back to the Lord again and that's what we should do as well. You want to talk about ups and downs. This guy experienced it. He rose from complete obscurity to having hit songs on the radio written about him. He was an outcast, a warrior, he became the king of Israel, the shepherd boy the musician, the poet, the warrior, so many different aspects of his life. In fact, they still sing about David in Israel today. There's a little folksong but you still hear people saying David David Melick is tryout which means David is the king of Israel. He was the greatest king that Israel ever had. And in fact David is a member of the very messianic street know a lot of people are studying their background on their genealogies today because they want to know who they are related to David was a part of the most exclusive genealogy that all of the world.
The genealogy of Jesus when Jesus walked this earth, he identified himself as the son of David. He could've said he was a son of Abraham, or the or the son of Adam, even. But he said these are son of David when blind Bart Emmaus saw Jesus walking by.
He cried out, son of David, have mercy upon me more verses in the Bible are written about David than any other character apart from Christ is 14 chapters dedicated to the life of Abraham and Joseph. Jacob has 11 chapters written about Elijah as 10. In contrast, there are 66 chapters of the Old Testament dedicated to the life of David. Then there are 59 references to him in the New Testament, but having said all they David was far from perfect. Not only was at shop we hear shepherd in a warrior and a great king. But tragically, he was also an adulterer, or murderer and a liar.
As we look in this story we see the real message is not the greatness of David.
It's the greatness of God who called a man like David and gave him a second chance.
David is a study in contrasts in battle. He was fearless in wisdom and ruling this kingdom. He was without peer. But he wasn't some macho dude he had a tender heart toward God and was both a poet and a musician. In fact, he's the only man described in the Bible is the man after God's own heart. So part of this all happened well. David was not the first king of Israel was the second. The first was a guy named Saul. So Israel wanted a king. Prior to this, the Lord had spoken with them and let them through judges and prophets, and they said what we want to be this way anymore. We want to be like the other nations. They have a king and we have want to king as well, which is really all right. I went to give you a king after your own heart and on paper. Saul looked pretty good. He was handsome. He appeared to be humble.
He was tall he stood out from other men and he started out quite well, but it was only a matter of time for you saw how thin-skinned he was a paranoid and jealous he could be and how he self destructive, God gave them a man after after their own heart.
But then the Lord said wasn't working out so well because Saul turned out to be a horrible king infected first Samuel 13, the prophet Samuel said to Saul, you've acted like a fool you've not God's commandments and your kingdom shall not endure the Lord and sought out for himself, a man after his own heart. So the Lord is effective listening. Okay you had your turn now it's my turn.
You picture guy. Now let me pick my guy and I love that expression on then after my own heart. You know, we use a lot if I see some guy John down in the big burger I'll say now that's a man after my own heart Windows ME mutual bad guy reminds me of me a little bit right so the Lord said, I love David he reminds me of my own nature and character will find out why the Lord set up of what a compliment that is for God himself to say he was a man after his own heart. He was just a boy on the Lord called him, but the Lord saw the potential. When he told Samuel now to go find the next king of Israel in a little town known as Bethlehem. And that is where Samuel went and it's interesting the Lord didn't even tell Samuel who the king was going to be just said he's one of the sons of Jesse, so we pick up the story now. First Samuel chapter 16 verse one Lord said to Samuel Moore long enough for Saul.
I rejected him as a king of Israel. Now fill your flask with all of oil go to Bethlehem find amending Jesse who lives there for I have selected one of his sons to be my king Samuel as how can I do that Saul hears about it to kill me of his shows how wicked Saul was at this moment he would kill a prophet of the Lord if he heard about this.
The Lord replied to have her with you and see that you come to make a sacrifice of the Lord invite Jesse that the sacrifice and I will show you which one of his sons to anoint for me now. There so now when a man like Samuel shows up it's a big deal. I mean the Samuels in Jerusalem. That's one thing but a reason This moment in time. Bethlehem is like Podunk USA. It's like piddly or I do know what to do.
Got on insult anybody from federally budget out bar so I don't know what but but you know nothing happens about what the only reason we know about him is that for Christ was born in why was Christ born Republican because he was the root and offspring of David, in fact, Micah said the applicant go you will be little among the thousands of Judah get out of you shall come forth. One whose origins have been from everlasting tuna garlic. Samuel shows up and W people freak out a little bit that they see Samuel coming in their delegates is everything cool. Are you committed call judgment on us is that it's all good, would offer a sacrifice so let's all show up in especially Jesse get him out here you know one of Jesse's boys. I wonder if Samuel ever thought I wish she was Jesse's girl know you and have no wanted Jesse's boys how many of you got that reference old Rick Springfield song. I still have his poster on my wall.
This never took it down. I don't even know why put it up one of Jesse's boys. Here's what I find interesting. God doesn't show the prophet who the next king will be easier to just go to Bethlehem is from the house of Jesse take away point God leads us one step at a time. It was a look back at my own life.
I wish I could tell you that all I had it all planned everything that happened was just as I planted no not at all. I just took one step. Then I took the next step.
Then I took the next step.
I didn't have a blueprint to follow necessarily, but I found that I needed to be obedient. It's like when the Lord told Philip go to the desert.
You didn't tell him why he should go to the desert it intelligently should speak to when he got to the desert. He just said go to the desert and to his credit, Philip obey, and when Philip arrived in the desert. There he saw the man he was to speak to our visiting dignitaries from Ethiopia and he took it from there. It comes down to this God's way becomes plain when we start walking and it obedience to revealed truth guarantees guidance in matters on revealed so I recommend this just start where you are, be obedient to the last thing God told you to do start this way, read your Bible every day there is a no-brainer to start with the word of God. Here's another one have a prayer life call out to the Lord. Listen to the Lord. These are disciplines we all should maintain so start with the obvious and the Lord will show you what to do next.
So here comes Samuel and he wants to see the sons of Jesse. Jesse proudly parades his seven sons before the visiting prophet. These were healthy, strong strapping boys especially Eli Abreu stood out among the others. They were the magnificent seven but none of them were the ones of the Lord had chosen first Samuel 16 verse seven regrouping when they arrive.
Samuel took one look at Eli and thought surely this is the Lord's anointed with the Lord said to Samuel, don't judge ways appearance or high. I have rejected him.
The Lord doesn't make decisions the way did you do now, this very important statement.
First Samuel 16 seven people judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks on a person's thoughts and intent that engravers and isn't it true, we do judge by outward appearance.
We size our person up okay who is this person wonder why think of this person and were so concerned with the way that we look, I mean think about a picture is taken. Take a picture listing photo is due to Sophie's sake don't post that one why I don't like the way we want to look good. That's all we use filters and special effects and other things we focus so much on the outside conflicts on the inside.
Could you look can you imagine if you can actually see a person's heart really knew what they were thinking. I'm not sure if I would that I would want that ability. I think I would be very disappointed you know someone comes up to after church pastor Greg Sherman loved it and inside their thinking.
Use really is a person who seemed so affirming, so carry, you know, you would see the real heart.
That's what Jesus could do. He always knew what people were thinking it call out the Pharisees why you thinking this in your heart. How did you know that because he was God. God looks on the heart.
What's going on on the inside but we place so much emphasis in our culture today in the way that we look we spent $16 billion a year on cosmetic surgery. All that money is spent trying to appear to be something you're not, you know there was a debate years ago. Some of you will remember his requital. John F. Kennedy debated Richard Mixon and it was on television and it was on radio so those that heard it on radio Philip Dixon won the debate. But those I watched on television thought Kennedy won the debate.
What you think that is well look at the two of them. I'm not saying one is more attractive than the other but I think we all know that one is more attractive than the other. We make decisions based on the attractiveness of a person more hardware that way you know. Studies have shown that babies as young as one day are drawn to a more attractive face a little baby is drawn to the more attractive face or you're going to find out how attractive you are by looking at a baby. I love babies. Your babies are so subtly baby like you, the look they might smile. You be talking to the baby in a little voice be. I baby baby baby look at you just couldn't turn away is that I'm done with you. I can get out of this highchair so I have to look that way, but please go away now.
I don't like your face anymore babies judging me. Yes, yes, it's not fair doesn't matter they like more attractive faces so the babies never look at you, you're unattractive.
Just accept it. That's okay though, because God doesn't look accompanied outward, God looks on the inward density and so here is all the sons of set of Jesse.
None of them are there, Samuel sees Eli up to. He even stood out among his brothers. He was a little taller. He said surely this is the Lord's anointed and I wasn't. Maybe some you guys have seen a girl and said surely she is the Lord's anointed girl is not the same. This is the one before I was married I always thought I was finding that right girl kisses the girl that's a girl, maybe this is the girl and here's the thing when you are single and you're looking for that person. Look for a godly person all you want them to be attractive.
I married a very attractive girl. I'm not gonna lie about that, but I'm looking for someone that's not just attractive on the inside but is attractive on the on the outside but also attractive on the inside just contradicted what I'm saying anyway. Let's move on. I just I met several point up its not even worth going over again was not good so seven sons are paraded before Samuel Lord says no no no no no no, seven times, no what happened next for Samuel 16 verse 11 then Samuel S. Are these all the sons you have. Jesse replies well, there is still the youngest but he's out in the field watching the sheep.
Samuel said send for him at once were not going to sit down to eat until he arrives. So he sent for him and brought him in. He was glowing with health and other fine appearance and handsome features. The Lord said rise and anoint him.
This is the one. So David stood there among his brothers. Samuel took the olive oil he had bought imported on David Cetera brought reported on David said in this spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him from that day on an Samuel return to Ramah. There Jews of that you have any other sounds. Yeah there's one other sound in the field.
He's kinda weird he's a musician plays his guitar right sees songs to God watches a bunch of smelly sheep. I don't even want to acknowledge him seemed like there was a little embarrassment there that this phrase in verse 11. There remains the youngest does not mean that David was younger than the others, it means he was the least in the estimation of his father needs his father thought less of David. Then he did of the other son, Jim. It's a sad thing when a parent favors one child over another submit and it happens all the time because of favoritism in the property in any family you good faith was mom's favorite to his dad's favorite, though probably know and even grandchildren.
No my grandchildren about sleep out outfront couple who's your favorite grandchild anyone said that and direct. Two of them of high junk my phone and remove their name and replace it with fever grandchild the problem to have done it so no I get attention. Favorite grandchild. I don't know what fever grandchild.
It is, but we always want to be seen as the favorite and maybe you were the one that was not the favored child. Maybe you've always been the last one picked for the team.
I remember this regularly for my childhood mom they would be putting baseball teams together. I was always the last one picked everyone would be picked not be standing there in a that say you want Loretta while Lori with Lori last time I'll take the three-legged dog into my lead no. Okay Lori you can play first base.
I can play first base know you will be first basic unit sliding you would shoot you with their cleats as we come in right so maybe you're one of those. Maybe you were the first one picked. Many were the good-looking one maybe you were the one that was favor but maybe you weren't. Maybe your parents disappointed you.
Maybe your parents walk out and you they divorced when you were very young and it affected you throughout your life. As I grew up without a mom or dad. I mean my mother was there but she was so distant the many ways I was the parent and the relationship because of how responsible she was because of her drinking and I never had a father. So when I read the story of David, I think, well that the general must see a little bit of my own story and I love the statement of David when he writes my father and mother forsake me. The Lord will take me know this.
Those who are often rejected by parents become beloved of the Lord. Even if you didn't have a hands-on earthly father, I want you to know you have a very hands-on heavenly father who loves you and favors you to put yourself in David's shoes for a moment today, like any other day tending the sheep and even a good job.
It was a great shopper. Any predator comes in he took care of them. In short order and when nothing was going on start singing to the Lord. Write a song or two. We also call them Psalms. All of a sudden someone comes running jump David they want to back of the house even comes running in bounding Downing into that room smelling like the sheep you been keeping company with God, says of the prophet that's my boy, anoint him, and they pour the oil on David, the brothers are probably watching think it's Samuels going senile.
One of the disses demon. Why would they do this to David. Why would he pick one of us. In fact, they were jealous, but especially Eli will find later in the story when in the great part about David meeting Goliath will look at that when David goes in the Valley of Elon and Aaron for his father.
His father says take some bread and cheese to your brothers so David was basically a pizza guy delivering pregnancies. I don't know if you have marinara okay will, quesadilla guy, whatever taking bread and cheese to his brothers Eli have a season and he actually says to David as he burned with anger. Why did you leave your few sheep in the wilderness. How conceited and wicked you are said you know sometimes people project on you the very problem they are dealing with all your wicked your conceited maybe they're the wicked in conceited one not you at all. So that was Eli have Saint David all you just care about yourself, would you leave your little flock of sheep to come watch the big boys fight the big battle of that story would take an amazing turn his David faced off with Goliath. Well David was God's choice because God sees things differently than we do.
Let's close with a few principles about the person that God how many of you would like to be used by God, raise your hand. Don't do it if you know me all right, that's pretty much everybody except you, sir. Why what all right if you want to use. I know you're crazy and I just getting but it was a very high this to you then even raise it now. You will get a person does God use your taking notes is point number one God uses ordinary people God uses ordinary people. David was really the polar opposite of King Saul. No. King Saul came from a loving family.
David was effectively disliked by his family and even his father Saul was one of the most handsome men on all of Israel. They would was just an ordinary shepherd boy, though good-looking one. Saul was attractive on the outside but inside he was being in shallow and devoid of true integrity and contrast David headed deep spiritual life and intense devotion to God, despite the fact that he was just a boy. Just a boy still but he had this love for the Lord God loves to choose ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
Why very simple answer. So he gets the glory. If he picks the most talented if he picks the most handsome or beautiful. We say will of course look at them, but when he picks that other person.
A person you would have never chosen is a will that hat has to be the Lord. I member in school.
I goofed off so much in class that you had a teacher write this on my report card and it's funny you remember it to this day, quote Greg Lori spends too much time looking out the window, daydreaming and drawing cartoons. You will never amount to anything. Thank you for those affirming words you remember something like that.
But God had a different plan for my life as he does for every life again goblets on the word or choosing on the N-word. We look on the outward. One of the greatest evangelists in all of American history was white. Lyman Moody, best known as DL Moody now deal Moody was the Billy Graham of his day deal. Moody was not an attractive man. He was not an especially intelligent men. He mangled the English language. But God can picked it was working in the shoe store and one of his coworkers decided to share the gospel with Dwight Dwight responded and gave his life to Jesus Christ. So Dwight went from selling souls to saving souls any really changed his world and he was a very unexpected choice. God uses ordinary people number two God is looking for truly spiritual people. God is looking for truly spiritual people, not a holier than thou fake spirituality. I can't stand fake spirituality. People are so quick to criticize others people to make themselves look better at the expense of others. People that brag about their spiritual accomplishment and I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of godly people in my day and I found in the most godly people were also the most down to earth people with a self-deprecating sense of humor. They were easy to approach those people that act aloof and better than you, and they do it in the name of spirituality that is in spirituality and all. David had real spirituality it's reflected in the song. By the way he wrote probably around 75 songs maybe more, and some 57 seven he wrote my heart is fixed.
Oh God, my heart is fixed.
He said I know what I believe I know what matters and I fixed on this Lord some 27 he really lays out the very purpose of his life when he wrote a verse for one thing, if I desired of the Lord, and I will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, and behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in his temple. Notice that phrase. One thing one thing have I desired of the Lord. Paul had the same idea when he wrote over in Philippians 3 this one thing I do, forgetting the things that are behind and reaching forward of the things that are before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ is the one thing to the one thing in your life.
A lot of us are like dogs going around in circles chasing our tails told you before, the most godly man I ever met was Billy Graham and I love to visit him in this mountain home in North Carolina in the little town of Montreat. It was always a great treat. And I've had the privilege to visit a lot of beautiful homes and meet important people, but not impress me like Billy Graham. I'd rather go hang out in his front room, and then then in the Oval Office and that he was such a down to earth, godly guy and he had dogs German shepherds. He loved German Shepherd and I would go to his house any of this one German Shepherd. I don't know what was wrong with this dog if it comes from local weed or something.
This dog literally was perpetually running in a circle running in a circle of all time. You would get there you can you leave a couple hours later Doug still running in a circle. I said to someone what is wrong with that dog. They said he's chasing his tail.
I said I've heard this expression I didn't know dogs were actually this stupid. I mean just shout out to the Community. I've never seen a cat do that. That's a level of idiocy. This dumb dog was chasing its tail and so I came back a few months later in a city wears a dog that ceases its tail.
They said he got it what you put it off.
He died all man said we can be the same way chasing our tail going around in circles and getting nowhere. Speaking of.
The one thing one day Jesus went to the town of Bethany were Mary and Martha lived there were good friends of Jess along with her brother Lazarus and that Jesus was hungry brought a few friends along 12 in total, Kmart is good to see you. Would you mind making some lunch for us and so she goes in the kitchen. She's trying to whip up a feast fit for a king. Can you imagine if Jesus showed up at your house and one of the meal, what would you feed him, would you give them leftovers shall be given these deviled eggs or is that inappropriate.
I don't know any Jesus Christ, God incarnate, sitting in your house. Well, of course, Martha wants to make a fantastic meal for Jesus. When you but Mary wasn't helping to the course married.
She looks on the front room varies is sitting at his feet. Looking up and give me a break. I need some help here in the kitchen so she became so frustrated she burst out of the kitchen probably is her apron on some food splattered everywhere puts her hands on her hips and she says to Jesus, Lord, tell my sister to come lend me a hand.
I love what Jesus said. He said in Luke 10 dear Martha, you're fussing far too much getting worked up over nothing. One thing is essential. Mary is chosen it. It's the main course and will not be taken from her and Martha. Look, I'm I'm thing for your making me a meal.
But this is the main course. Mary got it right. It's the one thing one thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek out for this one thing I do, says Paul, forgetting the things that are behind, Jesus says to mark out one thing is important.
It's the one thing that singular clear aim in life. It's been said, quote our greatest danger in life is permitting the urgent things to crowd out the important one is the one thing in your life right now. What fires you will get your blood pumping. What are you really passionate about. We all would serve Jesus. Jesus good. I'm sure that's true for many of us but is it really is that really the thing you the most fired up about or is it something else. It could be your career. The QB money to be possessions to be the pursuit of success in QB relationships. By the way, there's nothing wrong with any of those things I just mentioned, but they should not be the one thing the one thing should be the pursuit of God. When you get that right. You get everything right. The pursuit of God because you can never career you cannot possessions yes you can have relationships. These are things God will give you. But the most important thing is the pursuit of God. Jesus put it this way. Seek first one thing again, the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you, what things in context. He said will be like nonbelievers that worry about what they can eat with the going to drink with the Delaware we could add with the going to drive up with their going to do. Hey, put conference at all these things shall be added. This is why David was a man after God's own heart.
His heart was fixed on the Lord, and he had that one thing before him number two, or choose. Remember, three. David was a faithful man.
He was a faithful man out this particular point in his life.
His job was to watch his sheet mentions later he faced self-reliance to protect them in one and he would spend hours worshiping the Lord and tending his sheep listen. Just because God is called you to be a leader.
It doesn't mean you're ready. God may show you that is called you in the leadership of some kind, but there will be a series of tests you will need to go through first. Sometimes God will give you a little glimpse of your future a sense of where you're going to go.
That's a good thing God gave to Joseph very profound vision of what he was going to do, and that his brothers would be bowing before one day, but honestly, sometimes it's best to keep your visions and dreams to yourself because he told that to his brother say guys. Guess what, I had a vision and rolling bowing before me there like were going to kill you within kill them, but they sold him into slavery didn't so you know he knew need to wait on these things the Lord will show you don't go posting of what you think God is called you to do just be faithful in the little things and it was meant to happen will happen not through your manipulation or conniving God will bring it about him. Keep in mind David is been anointed to be king.
He's the king he's not walking around saying I'm the king now went back to tending the sheep chucks. All in all I think one of the greatest preachers in America today.
I wrote an excellent book on David in his book he says this and I quote David and go down to the nearest department store and try and crowns didn't order a new set of business cards telling the printer changing from shepherd to king elect it in the bag saying I'm the new man.
He didn't shine at the chariot and race of the streets of Bethlehem yelling I'm God's choice you're looking at Saul's replacement is true. He does went back to doing what he was doing before watching the sheet rule out beautiful Psalms. As I mentioned, but one Psalm that probably stands out above all the others is Psalm 23 I think. Psalm 23 next to the Lord's prayer is probably the best known chapter from the Bible, even by many nonbelievers. It's recited at funerals and hospital beds were afraid it shows up in movies like Titanic and songs like gangsters Paradise by Coolio. You never know where you're going to hear. Psalm 23 anything. How did that come about. And here's the way I see it, they were just around one day looking at the stupid sheep is taken, the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. I mean really, when you break that I know it's poetic and beautiful but think about what exactly same. The Lord is my shepherd is thinking cheaper stupid I'm stupid sheep are dependent upon me that shepherd to protect them. I'm dependent on the Lord to protect me as my shepherd. He makes me to lie down in green pastures terminals. That makes me why would you have to be made to lie down in a green pasture because of your sheep, your dumb sheep. It's time to weep when I come and gone in a timely eat. The eat the grass now now lie down beside the still waters drink got a drink. She then they need the help of the shepherd with any rights later.
Yay though I walk that the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort it would be very familiar with the primary tools of his shepherd arrived in the staff. The staff we know it. That is a long crook instrument. The rod basically a club you need both to direct sheet you use that staff to pull them back in the line when they do go astray. They often do within periodically if they continue to disobey you get more whack with the rot because better to be a wax sheet than a debt one.
I read a news article about a budget sheet.
This happened in Turkey, one sheep walked off the edge of a cliff and 15 others follow what is wrong with these animals. The first she'd get up on the club and said Gemina walk off the cliff now everybody follow in single file. Let's go. It's not that bad. Let's go put you think after that 500 sheep. One of the sheep is that I'm not doing this, but we gotta go, let's go where she all we like sheep have gone astray. We've turned everyone to his own way.
The Bible says the Lord is my shepherd, but gave the white walked to the Valley you're with me how true that is how much comfort that is brought to people facing death. How many times is at first been read to someone under And how many times is that first brought comfort to someone going through a time of trial. Maybe I'm talking to someone that in a valley of sorts of the shadow of death, you need to be reminded that you're not alone in this valley in the Lord is walking with you. Yay though I walk through it and say yay though I die in the middle of the valley of the shadow of death. Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. Why, because you are with God is with you to is not great to know maybe you thought about what he was facing Goliath, who wow he's big over 9 feet tall. Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death you are with the bottom line. David longed for closeness with God. That's why he's called the man after God's own heart because heart seemed to beat in time with the Lord's, and if you want to be a man or a woman of God you would do well to have the same priorities have that one thing in your life again. David said one thing on my desired of the Lord, that will I seek after. Don't be like the proverbial jaw dog chasing its tail.
Get your focus. David was not perfect he was flawed. He failed more than one occasion in blue hole in this whole if you will, but God gave him a second chance in the third chance, and 1/4 one and again I want to refocus on this, Jesus identified with David Jesus, the son of David, was born in Bethlehem because David was born in Bethlehem. So when the rule went out acquiring ES was governor that everyone should be tax from Caesar Augustus, you went to the home of your ancestors. So Jesus was born in Bethlehem. And then Jesus lived a perfect life and then he went and died on the cross and he rose again from the dead three days later and is alive in these here and is ready to forgive anyone of us who will fail because we've send we've fallen short.
We've messed up other things of crowding him out of our lives, but here is Jesus the son of David ready to forgive us and give to us a second chance as he did to David so many years ago if you don't have this relationship with God right now if you don't know that your sin is forgiven. Or maybe you forgot about the one thing in you been distracted by the many things or even worse, you've gone after a sinful thing. This should be a good time to commit or recommit your life to the Lord. Let's all pray father, thank you for your word to us now. Thank you for what Jesus did on the cross.
Thank you for the price that he paid a know I prefer any that have joined this, you may not yet know you help them to come to you right now listen if you've never asked Christ to come in your life if you want to make a recommitment to him today, you could just pray this simple prayer for Jesus.
I know that I am a sinner but you are the Savior who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead. I choose to follow you, Lord, I want to have that one thing in my life.
I want to put you first in my life.
I want to be a man after your heart a woman after your heart, I commit myself to you now in Jesus name I pray, amen.
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