Week 3 - Day 3 - Count Your Many Blessings

Today's Treasure:

"I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.

Psalm 54: 6

Okay, today's lessons excites me beyond belief. I know that this lesson was one of the reasons God lead me to pick up this Bible study that day in Lifeway!!! It is amazing, and I beg you to read it for yourselves. This applies to all of us that are seeking God's will in our lives. There is a reason for every circumstance in our lives. God is preparing us for marvelous things. That is why we MUST focus on our blessings during these times of trial. We have to know that we will be better equipped to serve our God when the trial is over. I praise Him for trusting me enough to take this trial!!! He is preparing me for something amazing. This is why I must fight!!! It has been confirmed in me (and many others) that God is using this cancer to bring me to a point for His service!!! I am honored to fight this battle for Him. He is good, and He is faithful. Just a David knew there was a kingdom waiting on him beyond the battle, I too know that there is something amazing waiting on the other side of this battle for me!!! Praise you, Father!!!

Read 1 Samuel 23

What did David do before he defended the people of Keilah?
He inquired of the Lord

How did David's men react to his instructions from God?

They were afraid

Why do you think David asked the Lord a second time in verse 4?

David was a leader, and there were many lives depending on the decisions that he made as a leader. Beth teaches us in this lesson that there is a BIG difference between doubting God and doubting that we understand God's instruction. When you are earnestly seeking the will of God, it is easy to allow your mind to play tricks on you. Did I hear Him right? Is that really what He wants me to do? I am sure that David saw the fear in the eyes of his men and wondered if he was truly hearing God's will. He felt it was his responsibility to make sure of what he was to do before he took action. Let me tell you, I think any wise leader should do this. Stay on your knees and make sure it is the will of God. He will reconfirm the right decisions, and you can move forward knowing that you are moving in the godly direction. Doubting God is when you are disobedient and do not do as he has lead you. Double-checking is doubting y our own understanding of God.

Do you think David was wrong to ask a second time?

Well, I really just answered this question in the above. God loves us in spite of our human nature need for reassurance.

Have you ever moved too quickly in a direction you believed God was sending you and later realized you were hasty and might have misunderstood?

Yes!!!

Honestly, I am questioning that right now. Going to nursing school was something that I felt like I needed to do to bring in a good income and still be able to work part time. This would allow me to still focus on my family. What do we see wrong with this equation? I had two very godly people call me when I started school and tell me that they did not feel it was the direction God was leading me in. They both felt that I should be teaching in the Christian school that my children attend. I said, "no, no, no...I am sure of this" Now, mine was direct disobedience. These two people were Sheila Funderburk and Jenny Melton. Both of these women were praying for me, and I truly feel that God was trying to work in me through them. The part of the equation that I was leaving out was God. Note that I was looking for a part time job to allow me to focus on money and family. Hello!?! My husband is doing a fabulous job of providing for us. Maybe I should have been more focused on God...do you think?

When was the last time you "double checked" God's direction in your life?

When we were searching for a doctor and facility for my treatments

Did you feel faithless for asking a second time?

No, I felt I had more faith

What contrasting information do you discover in verses 7 and 14 of 1 Samuel 23?

Saul believed that God was handing David over to him when David fled to the gated city. However, God kept David from Saul as he escaped to the vast, free desert!!!

How do you know God could not possibly have been on Saul's side based on all you've learned about Saul?

We know this because we were clearly told that the Spirit of God left Saul

David received two answers from God through the ephod. What were they?

Saul would pursue him

The citizens of Keilah would give David over to Saul

Why do you think God might have sent Jonathan to David at this time?

To remind David that he had been anointed king of Israel and to remind him of the precious importance of covenant relationships. Until David became king, he had to realize that God was going to protect him and carry him to this point. Jonathan's covenant with David was huge. Jonathan was a physical reminder of the covenant David had with God. Jonathan symbolized trust and companionship. At this point, David needed to see God's promises before his own eyes. Isn't it precious that God was willing to bring that promise to him in person?

Why did David flee from Horesh in the Desert of Ziph?

The Ziphites told Saul he was there

David was betrayed by them

How was David rescued in the "nick of time"?

A messenger informed Saul that the Philistines were invading his land. Coincidence...I don't think so!!!

Have you ever been betrayed more than once?

Oh, yes!!!

Do you still believe that people can be trusted or have you come to expect more people to betray you?

I still believe that people can be trusted

When was the last time God sent you a minister of encouragement to help you find strength in God?

Last night I received an amazing e-mail from a dear friend named Amanda Chapman. She wrote, in depth, all of the reasons she knows I am going to overcome this cancer. It was so encouraging!!!

Read Psalm 54. How did David ask God to save him according to verse 1?

"Save me, O God, by your name, vindicate me by your might"

We see once again that prayer is not only for God's sake. Prayer often acts as a reminder for our sake. David reminded himself of what in verse 4?

"Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me"

In verse 6 what did David vow he would do?

Sacrifice a free offering to God and praise His name

What does David's approach reveal about his relationship with God?

David's faith and trust are in God. He doesn't try to use his own strength to save his life. He takes this journey that God is using to mature him for a greater purpose.

According to Deuteronomy 16:10, which presents the freewill offering in conjunction with the "Feast of Weeks", How was it to be proportioned?

The offering was according to the blessing God gave the individual

In what ways might we be helped by counting our blessings when we could far more quickly count our calamities?

Knowing that God is maturing me for future use helps me know I can fight this cancer

At this point in your study of David's life on the run, in what ways is God equipping David to be the most important kind He would ever anoint over His people prior to His own Son?

God is teaching David to trust in Him for every provision. He is also teaching David how it feels to be betrayed to make him trustworthy. He is teaching him to be a leader and a servant. There are just too many lessons to list!!!

Lastly Beth notes, God often works the same sequence in us that He worked in David...

1. He calls us

2. He prepares us

3. He uses us

4. He prepares us some more

5. he uses us some more

I love you all so very much!!! I am getting ready to leave for chemo treatment #3. Thank you, God, for these treatments!!! Please remember to pray for Edith and Scott!!!

Tiffany Pate