Category Archives: Minsk Theological Seminary

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David: Victory in Temptation

Today I invite you to come back on the battlefield, to reflect on the spiritual battle with our Goliaths . After a struggle of David , his hope in the Lord his trust in the Almighty – a good lesson for us, leading spiritual warfare in the Earth Valley. Reading about the struggle of David , we think about their spiritual enemies , their victories and defeats , its struggle and its temptations . Who does not? If the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was tempted (Heb. 2:18 ), the more His disciples !

We fight with the devil, the world, the lust of the flesh. God has begotten us “the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to a living hope” (1 Pet. 1: 3), gave us a new heart, a new spirit (Ezek. 26:36), but our old nature counteracts the spirit; is a tough struggle is between the spirit and the flesh (Rom. 7: 22-23; 1 Cor. 15:31). “… The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit – against the flesh …” (Gal. 5:17). “A tree cut down, but the roots remain, and new branches of sin can still grow from the root of an old tree cut down.” Sometimes the struggle intensifies, from time to time on the battlefield is becoming a lull. But if a person increases, strives for perfection, the struggle will never end.

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1 Sam. 22: 1-2; Ps.

The old prophet came to Bethlehem in order to fulfill God’s desire for a king . People have already received their king, ” like all the nations ” ( 1 Sam. 8: 5), but God has a better plan , because Samuel goes to Jesse the Bethlehemite . Among his sons the Lord provided me a king (1 Sam. 16 : 1).

Somewhat surprisingly for the prophet himself and the family of Jesse , and fell on his youngest son . Note David’s not even invited to a meeting with Samuel. Presumably, his family is not very respected . Later, the older brother , perhaps , expressing opinions and other family members, accused David of arrogance and corruption of the heart ( 1 Sam. 17:28 ) … What could he know about the heart of David , Eliab ? – The man sees the face ; God has guts (1 Sam. 16 : 7; Jer. 17:10 ) .

Samuel proclaimed king shepherd , although David was the last son in the family and tending sheep. Even Samuel could not understand at once that before him stood God’s elect. But God chooses the young and inexperienced ( Solomon, Gideon ), unrecognized ( Jephthan, Jeremiah ), who can not speak (Moses , Ezekiel, Isaiah ), people of low position ( Jotham, the same Saul ), and gives them gifts for ministry.

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I Samuel 18 – 20

Many writers and poets have touched upon the subject of friendship, dedicating it to the best pages of their works. Unfortunately, not all the examples described in the well-known poems and novels of friendship are positive.
You can find many examples of selfless and true friendship . After all, human life is so constructed that it can not do without the other, without communicating with their own kind. Sure, you can ” drag out a miserable existence in splendid isolation , but such a life can hardly be called life, is simply to exist.” Man needs the friendship (ie ” disinterested relationship based on trust, mutual sympathy , common interests and hobbies .” )

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This sermon – on the dark side of the life of David . Its title : ” At home, Goliath. Escape from the problems “( In chapter 21 , and chapters 27 to 30, l Samuel we read that David ran twice under the shelter of their worst enemies – the Philistines ) . But, speaking of David’s error, we can not be silent about God’s blessings , because ” The darker the night , the brighter the star .” In God, difficulties with unusual force is His mercy and love . It saves our life from the grave, crowned with mercy and compassion (Ps. 102 : 4).

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We go with David to roam the hills and valleys of the Judean Desert , fleeing from Saul . With David, we enter into conflict with him, and rejoice with him in a successful outcome of the event described in 1 Samuel chapter 25 . We will not read the entire chapter , but let’s review the events , observe the behavior of the main characters and make some conclusions.

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I want to draw attention to the time , which served as the basis for the success of David , and that can allow us to build a successful life, to have the blessing of the house, at work, in creating a family, in the education of children. The fact that David had paid great attention to the spiritual side of life in Israel (the neglected Saul – 1 Chron . 13: 3). He was interested in not only economic and military power of the country , but also the morale of the people. David had a spiritual view of things , the right perspective . Taking care of worship, he even wanted to build a temple in Jerusalem, that all nations should worship the Lord. His desire to serve God was beyond the scope of one people, one nation, and reached the ends of the earth.

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee , O Lord, and glorify thy name , for thou art great, and doest wondrous things: – You are God alone You (Ps. 85: 9-10).

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Let us turn to the ninth chapter of 2 Samuel , which is devoted to the relationship of David to his son Jonathan and Mephibosheth. In regards to Mephibosheth David painted a picture of grace and mercy , so beautiful and touching . In his mercy , David likened to God. He is looking for opportunities to forgive , where the former king avenged , and Saul himself wondering : “Who finds his enemy , might have sent it in a good way ?” ( 1 Sam. 24:20 ) . But David is ready to forgive even the persecutor , David loved to show mercy to the near and far , as his Lord has not left us without mercy .

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II Samuel 12 and 12

We again turn to the story of David. Last meeting with David made ​​us a very favorable impression. We attended his inauguration of the new king, rejoicing together with Judah, and later all Israel. We admired and retold each other amazing stories about his military victories, the conquest of Jerusalem and the incredible expansion of Israel’s borders. It was especially nice to hear that David finally pacified the Philistines, Samson finished the job.

We are pleased with the attitude of David to worship in the temple, his desire to serve God and serve Him in the center of life in Israel. We are impressed by the touching scene of forgiveness of Mephibosheth, when David showed generosity to the fullest. Reflecting on this, we are anticipating new blessings will be poured out upon the nations through David, especially now, when the Lord had given him rest from all enemies.