1 Samuel 18:28
"And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him."
The first time someone does something extraordinary we often think it was by chance. The second time they do something extraordinary we may think they are lucky. When they do something three times, you know it is not a fluke. You know that there is something very special about this person that enables them to do these extraordinary acts.
1 Samuel 15:3
"Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."
Every person at some point in their life will be tested by God to see whether they can be used in a greater way. Each person will face a different test. The test you face will not be the same test I take, but how we do on that test will determine how much God can use us.
Ruth 1:12
"Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;"
Age should never be an excuse when it comes to the things of God. Naomi had grown old in the land of Moab. She never expected the move away from Bethlehem to end the way it did. She had lost her husband and two sons, and was left with her two daughters-in-law. Certainly, when she left Bethlehem she had dreams of grandeur, but sin left her empty.
Judges 10:16
"And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel."
Israel had turned from God again. For whatever reason, they couldn't get out of their system the attraction to the strange gods. They set God aside for the false god of Baal. They set God aside for the counterfeit god of Ashtaroth. The gods of Syria had a greater lure to them than the God Who delivered them from Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land.
Joshua 14:6
"Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea."
We often hear that life is short, but life is long when it comes to worthy accomplishments. Many people find themselves having short lived accomplishments, but very few people ever make lifelong accomplishments. It is even better to have accomplishments that are unregrettable.
Joshua 7:4-5
"So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water."
One of the best teachers in life are the mistakes of others. Certainly, we would not want others to make costly mistakes, but we should not waste the opportunity to learn from them. Much of the experience a young person gathers to start out their life will come from the experiences and mistakes of others.
Deuteronomy 31:7
"And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it."
Imagine trying to be the next president after George Washington. After all he did for America, it would be hard to fill his shoes. The comparisons of how he led could have easily been frustrating for the next president. Following a great person cannot be easy for anyone.
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."
Your word is your character. There used to be a day in America when if a man said something it was good. If a man said he was going to do something and they shook hands, then that would be as good as a contract. Now, people sign contracts and then hire an attorney to get them out of the contract. A person's word is no longer something upon which you can depend.
Deuteronomy 7:19
"Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;"
Fear is an incredible emotion. Fear will cause the strongest to become weak. Fear will cause the staunchest to become unreliable. Fear will cause the best Christian to cower. Fear will cause you to do the opposite of what you would normally do.
Numbers 27:21
"And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation."
There is none better to define spiritual leadership than God Himself. In the verse above, God was telling Moses what he was to teach Joshua about leading the children of Israel. Moses knew that his days on this Earth were numbered. God had told Moses to go to the top of Mount Abarim, for it was there where God planned on taking him to Heaven. Because of this, Moses pleaded with God to give him more time to train the next man to lead Israel. God agreed, and appointed Joshua as the next leader.