I Samuel 18:10-30
God Meant It For Good
Introduction:
1. If it were not for pressure a diamond would be nothing but a crystal, and if it were not for pressure a crystal would be nothing but a piece of soft coal. If it were not for pressure a piece of soft coal would be nothing but a pile of decaying leaves.
2. Is pressure being applied to your life?
3. I Samuel 18:10-30 we see four pressures that are applied to David’s life:
I. HE WAS PERILED 18:1-11
II. HE WAS PROMOTED 18:12-16
III. HE WAS PROPOSITIONED 18:17-21
IV. HE WAS PRESSURED 18:23-30
Is pressure being applied to your life? God sees a diamond in the making.
I. HE WAS PERILED 18:1-11
Saul wanted to kill David. Satan wants to kill your joy, hope, victory, faith…all you
stand for. God sees a diamond in the making. Saul would have nailed David to the
wall. This occurred twice. In a fallen world God’s people are affected by the
choices of the lost. Bad things can happen toinnocent people.
A. David Had a Sense of Destiny
Why didn’t David leave immediately. He was periled! He had a sense of
destiny!
*He had confidence that God had placed him there without any act of his own.
*What happened to him was God’s business! God must take care of him!
B. David Had a Sense of Dignity
*He was where God wanted him. Doing what God wanted him to do.
*You are where you are by God’s design.
Is pressure being applied to your life? God sees a diamond in the making.
II. HE WAS PROMOTED 18:12-16
Saul would let the Philistines kill David (13, 17). That was the purpose of the
promotion.
A. David Had A Sense of Deity 12
God was with David… You’ll never know the worth of an anchor until you are
in the midst of a storm!
B. David Had a Sense of Direction 13
Literally: David went forth and came back at the heads of the troops…
*His first campaign was a success.
*Watch for open doors and shut doors. God opened this door!
C. David Had a Sense of Development 14, 15
David didn’t become bitter, he became better!
*David, instead of being killed, he prospered!
*God does it, and Satan is afraid!
D. David Had a Sense of Devotion 16
But…unlike Saul…Israel and Judah loved David because of his military
leadership. Satan meant it for evil. God meant it for good!
Is pressure being applied to your life? God sees a diamond in the making.
III. HE WAS PROPOSITIONED 18:17-21
Twice Saul approached David about marrying daughters. The oldest Merab had
the right words, but the wrong motive.
A. David Had a Sense of Depreciation 18
*He knew who he was in and of himself. He was not worthy of this honor.
*This is how we should feel when God offers Jesus to us. There is nothing in us.
*v. 19 the oldest daughter is married. Perhaps to insult and embarrass David.
*He is left at the altar. Michal loved David. Saul’s motive in the offer: v. 21
*She may be a snare unto him, and the hands of the Philistines against him…
B. David Had a Sense of Delight 20, 28
*Michal loved David, such could not be said of Merab.
*God knows what is best. Satan meant it for evil. God meant it for good!
Is pressure being applied to your life? God sees a diamond in the making.
IV. HE WAS PRESSURED 18:22-30
He wouldn’t listen to Saul. Saul commanded his servants (v. 22) to give lies and
half-truths.
A. David Had a Sense of Debasement 23
*Saul was going to use 100 foreskins of the Philistines to kill David (v. 25) that
is howMichal would be a snare! (This was a trigger or a trap)
*David was poor and had no dowry. It’s not in us. This must be God’s grace.
*Satan meant this for evil.
B. David Had a Sense of Duty 25
*This was a theocratic kingdom. The king’s enemies were the Lord’s enemies.
*David was doing this for the Lord, not Saul.
*Why are you doing this? If you do it for the Lord, it may not turn out as you
expect,but you can never fail!
C. David Had a Sense of Design 26, 27
*200 not 100
*God’s in this. This is for God, and God comes through!
*David was to be dead. Satan meant it for evil. David is very much alive with
200 not 100 foreskin of the enemy. God meant it for good!
*Michal love David and it was evident to all that the Lord was with him.
*David sensed the hand of God!
D. David Had a Sense of Dignity 28-30
1. He was an illustration…saw
2. He was an instruction…knew
The Lord was with David!
Pressure is being applied to your life…Satan means it for evil:
If it were not for pressure a diamond would be nothing but a crystal, and if it were not for pressure a crystal would be nothing but a piece of soft coal. If it were not for pressure a piece of soft coal would be nothing but a pile of decaying leaves.
God sees a diamond in the making. It will take pressure! Yield to Him!