Decisions Do Make A Difference NV 7/8/01 PM

David in 1 Samuel 24

OS: Have you ever thought of how many decisions we make each day? (food, clothing, activities, etc.)

Have you ever marveled at the decisions others make that just don’t seem to make sense. If you want to make others question you then make some strange decisions.
2) Page yourself over the intercom. (Don't disguise your voice.)
3) Insist that your e mail address be:   Xena-goddess-of-fire@companyname.com or Elvis-the-king@companyname.com.
4) Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.

 8) Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.

10) Reply to everything someone says with, "That's what you think."

11) Finish all your sentences with "In accordance with the prophecy."
14) As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
16) Specify that your drive through order is "to go."
17) Sing along at the opera.
We do make strange decisions from time to time, but small daily decisions make up our life and determine our direction for years to come. Tonight we will consider one small decision of David that had a lasting effect on his life and the lives of those around him.

1 Samuel 24:1-4a

The Bible is real. There are things in the bible that will make you blush. Here is an example: Saul must answer the call of nature.

David had a decision to make and not much time to make it in. (His men said, “Take advantage of it! God has delivered your enemy into your hands.”)

Typical – If your enemy is vulnerable – strike while you have the chance.

David made a decision: 4b (Picture the scene in your mind…) Did David make a good decision here?

David felt bad about his decision: 5

“There is no such thing as a small step on the road to temptation or on the pathway to revenge and retaliation. Even a small step in that direction is a wrong step.”

Never let yourself get away with the “small” infraction! Make it right.

6-7

David understood that the king was God’s anointed. Just as in the military the soldier salutes the rank, not the man.

David presents a principle: It was not His job or responsibility to discipline the Lord’s anointed. That was God’s job.

Proverbs 167 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. 

8-21

Principles:

1 – People are People, so expect to be mistreated. Don’t act so surprised.

That’s why God exhorts us to be loving, gentle, and to bear with one another.

2 – Anticipate feelings of revenge. Make the decision before hand that vengeance belongs to God.

Resentment and bitterness are prisons of the soul. No one deserves to be forgiven, but every person deserves to forgive. Even we ourselves didn’t deserve forgiveness.

3 – Consider God’s will carefully. It would have been so easy for David to conclude hastily that God had delivered his enemy into his hands. When something is to good to be true, or when something appears to be so obvious take care and look carefully before determining it is God’s will.