Amazed at His Teaching

SCRIPTURE

"When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." (Matthew 7:28-29)

OBSERVATION

During the ancient times, the people were used to hearing the tiresome teaching from the scribes and Pharisees who were simply reflecting on the Law. They repeated the law and challenged everything outside the law. The key here was to present the Law in such a way that it would profit the people and move in their soul. Well only the Holy Spirit can do that! That is why, when the Bible says that Jesus taught with one who had authority, God sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit was in every word He delivered. It's no wonder the Pharisees were offended, the teaching of Jesus was obviously piercing the hearts of the people unlike the law could ever do. It's also something the scribes and Pharisees were unable to do - probably because they were so full of themselves.

APPLICATION

The authority that the Bible talks about comes from God sending Jesus to speak through simple people like us to anyone that will listen. We now carry the message of a relationship with a person...who came to fulfill the law on our behalf. I can have all the illustrations, analogies and great stories to share with people, but only the Word of God along with the Holy Spirit will pierce their hearts.

PRAYER

Lord I pray that whatever I teach or preach, that I say all that You wanted me to say, In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have Courage

SCRIPTURE
"Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you." (1 Samuel 17:45-46)

OBSERVATION
You have to love David's attitude. He has courage in the face of a huge obstacle who opposes him. He was young, standing before this giant of a man. His five stones paled in comparison to Goliath's spear, javelin and sword. But, although Goliath's stature dwarfed David, it was the size of David's heart that brought down the giant.

What prompted such confidence in this young man against the most feared force facing the Israeli army?

* Past victories (history) - He knew from past encounters with danger, against the lion and the bear, that God would give him victory in the present. He had smelled the scent of danger and enjoyed the sweet taste of victory and, therefore, trusted God to the very end;
* He had nothing to lose - He was just a young man and stood as the "underdog" in this battle; why not give it his best shot;
* He knew he was pursuing God's best - Nothing breeds confidence more than this, to know that whatever the outcome, God would be glorified and honored, and He would be pleased with your efforts.

Under these factors, how could David sit back and allow Goliath to defeat God's plans; how could he not run forward to face the challenge head on?

APPLICATION
I need to cultivate this "go for broke" attitude within me. Like many, there is a tendency we all have to hesitate when confronted by challenges that may tower over us as Goliath did against the Israeli army. But, just as God had been with David in the past, so has He been with me. There have been many challenges that seemed unconquerable, but God came through. There have been times when maintaining the status quo seemed more logical than running to the battle lines. But, if God can be trusted to work in the present as He's done in the past, if I'm pursuing God's best, then what should there be to fear? Just as David stepped forward, so must I be willing to face the battle head on, and trust God for the rest.

PRAYER
Father, thank you for the infusion of confidence You breathe in me through the story of David. There are Goliath's that I must face, but I know You will never leave me, nor forsake me. And with that, I can confidently move forward to pursue Your best.