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“David’s life is example enough of what it is to live in a broken world. He experienced the clashing of private grief and public duty. He knew deceit and turmoil, heartache, struggling. But he also knew how to cling to God, how to trust in God and how to worship God. There is nothing that ever catches God by surprise since He knows everything (omniscient) and sees everything. Our entire life is laid open bare before God, as was David's. God already knows about the 'mess­ups' and shortcomings that will cause us to stumble. It is our repentant attitude that makes all the difference.”

“David learned essential lessons in the shepherding years. Two of these lessons, which would prove invaluable later in his life, were: trusting God completely in all circumstances and worshiping God ensures victory. Had he not been a lowly shepherd, he would not have been an anointed king”

“When we read about the events that occurred in the lives of those individuals that God raised up as leaders, we see a pattern emerging – that of character testing. Think of Joseph, King David, Daniel, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, the disciples. They all had to go through some character training. At times in our life, we will be faced with and find ourselves in situations that we think we are unable to handle or situations that we have no natural talent for. We will be out of our depth. These situations are designed by God as character forming or character shaping events. They are essential to our growth and us accomplishing the will and plan of God for our lives.”

“David had every right to be angry and take vengeance upon such a character as Nabal, who insulted him and his men, yet God had something different in mind. In Romans 12 verse 19 we read that it is God who will avenge, He will repay. It is not our job. And God knows exactly how to get through to people. God had a very specific purpose in this whole event – He was getting David ready to move into kingship and David had some character building left to do which he did by giving heed to Abigail’s words of wisdom. Abigail, in wisdom, asked for forgiveness from David for her husband’s foolish words but she also appealed to him to be gracious to her and her household while reminding him of what God had promised to David regarding his future as leader of Israel. God was busy softening David’s hear. This was a lesson in grace. David learned how to show the grace of God to Abigail. Eight People, Eight Life Lessons”

“We often think we know what is best for us and then we plan and order our lives from this knowledge. God, however, knows the end from the beginning, He is the all ­wise One and He alone knows the future. We can spare ourselves so much sorrow and heartache, often, by going to God first and waiting on Him in prayer and waiting for His timing and plan to unfold, giving Him glory because He has a good plan for all of us.”

“There are many lessons and truths we may learn from the life of Stephen. The two most important ones probably are, in my estimation, the power of the gospel of Christ (being not ashamed to preach Jesus) and forgiveness, not just the forgiveness that God offers us but the forgiveness that Stephen was able to offer to his accusers and murderers and to even pray for them as he breathed his last. Jesus did the same. It is only when we are able to truly forgive that we are set free. That we are healed. That we are restored and made whole.”

“David had every right to be angry and take vengeance upon such a character as Nabal, who insulted him and his men, yet God had something different in mind. In Romans 12 verse 19 we read that it is God who will avenge, He will repay. It is not our job. And God knows exactly how to get through to people. God had a very specific purpose in this whole event – He was getting David ready to move into kingship and David had some character building left to do which he did by giving heed to Abigail’s words of wisdom. Abigail, in wisdom, asked for forgiveness from David for her husband’s foolish words but she also appealed to him to be gracious to her and her household while reminding him of what God had promised to David regarding his future as leader of Israel. God was busy softening David’s hear. This was a lesson in grace. David learned how to show the grace of God to Abigail.”

“Job’s wife went with her husband from a comfortable and well-supplied lifestyle to being homeless, bankrupt, and childless. She became a caregiver, as she had been to her entire family while they were alive and for her ill husband, who according to Scripture, was in so much physical pain that he wished for death (Job 2:12-13, Job 3). Perhaps the words that his wife uttered, was merely her way of ending the pain for her husband whom she had to witness suffering day after day. It only mentions Job’s three friends that came to comfort him. Job’s wife probably did not have a support network of other women to help and assist her. If she did, while they were affluent, these fair weather friends would probably not have wanted to get involved now. The saying: ‘Sympathy says “sorry” and runs away; empathy says “I understand” and stays’, rings so true. She probably subdued her own sorrow and pain and first took care of her husband’s pain. Yet, she, together with her husband, trusted in the goodness of God. And God blessed them.”

“Sometimes, when we face difficulty and trouble, it may look like it will never end. It will carry on forever. Yet, God is faithful. And when we are anchored in Him, He will bring us through. King David, one of the most anointed leaders and commanders in the Bible and Joseph, who ended up in an Egyptian prison, are but two examples of how God causes all things to work together for good in our lives, when we love Him and are called by Him according to His purpose Romans 8: 28-30.”

“David had every right to be angry and take vengeance upon such a character as Nabal, who insulted him and his men, yet God had something different in mind. In Romans 12 verse 19 we read that it is God who will avenge, He will repay. It is not our job. And God knows exactly how to get through to people. God had a very specific purpose in this whole event – He was getting David ready to move into kingship and David had some character building left to do which he did by giving heed to Abigail’s words of wisdom. Abigail, in wisdom, asked for forgiveness from David for her husband’s foolish words but she also appealed to him to be gracious to her and her household while reminding him of what God had promised to David regarding his future as leader of Israel. God was busy softening David’s heart. This was a lesson in grace. David learned how to show the grace of God to Abigail. Eight People, Eight Life Lessons”

“Joseph also had to learn to forgive. A very tough lesson indeed. His brothers treated him like an animal and sold him for gain. He was insulted and falsely accused in Egypt. Yet, he chose to forgive his accusers and God exalted him to a high position over his accusers. If he had held onto his hurts and offenses, he would not have been able to deliver the nation. Forgiveness always opened the door to God’s blessing and favor. Joseph was in a place (the pit) where he had to beg for bread but God promoted him to the top (the palace) to give bread unto those (his brothers) that came to beg from him. Had he not been tested and proven worthy by God for this new position, pride would have been his downfall. But God’s Spirit kept him humble and also pliable in the hands of God. Eight People, Eight Life Lessons - Paddick Van Zyl”

“Joseph is an example of true patience and endurance in the plan of God. From the moment we are conceived in the womb, our destiny is being shaped by God the Father. From the life of Joseph we can learn what it is to suffer for God, what it is to truly die to self and the blessing that God bestows upon those who lay down their lives in service to Him and the resurrection power of new beginnings that only God can bring to pass by and through His Spirit of grace.”

“Even though David was anointed of God, and a man after God's own heart, yet he made mistakes. He was not perfect. The anointing of God on his life did not make him 'faultless' or pure. He struggled with the same family issues we have today. As a father he was concerned about Absalom his son, who fled to Geshur for the killing of Amnon (2 Samuel 1328­29).”

“There may be times of pain and regret and deep hurt in our lives. Often it takes a painful situation to motivate us back to where God wants us to be or intended us to be. Until some people will get up and remove the thorn from under their foot, that is causing utter discomfort, they will not change. No, God does not cause the pain or hurt or sickness or tragedy, but He may use it (allow it) to bring us to a place where we are focused on Him, where He has our attention and where He can minister to us by His Spirit, in our inner being.”