Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 16, 2022: SOAP #4517:  1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 18:12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul.  13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.  15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

OBSERVATION: David’s success in battle, in leadership, in life…David’s success was not credited to his great wisdom, or his physical strength, or his personality.  It was not credited to his family nor his finances.  His success in “everything he did” was credited to “The LORD was with him.”  The recognizable presence of God was a sure sign that David was favored of the Lord. 

The presence of God was recognizable!  People could see that God was with David! 

APPLICATION: I am amazed at the many ways God blesses and uses these SOAPs.  It is clear to me that God is with them,  when they are written and when they go out.  They are used in twenty-plus countries and are quickly spreading in West Africa.  The only explanation I have is that God is pleased with them. 

What a privilege to be able to live under the favor of God.  God’s favor is not my location or status in the world; it is God’s location and status in my heart!  (Have I invited Jesus into my heart and made him LORD over all my life?)  When God is in the right location and honored with the right status, trials can then be seen as challenges—as opportunities for Jesus to be glorified in my life!  

PRAYER: To the Lord I sing:  In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  It my life, Lord, be glorified today. …and a second verse:  In this SOAP, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  In this SOAP, Lord, be glorified today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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