As you read through the first book of Samuel always keep in mind the contrast that the author is making between David and Saul. In chapter 18 we see Saul’s fierce jealousy of David, while David does not even consider himself worthy to become the king’s son-in-law. He does not share Saul’s ambition. The reason why Saul is jealous is because David is having great successes in battle, far more than Saul is having. But the reason why David is successful now is because he had previously been faithful with smaller responsibilities. In these small things he had shown himself to be a man of obedience to, and faith in, God. Saul, on the other hand, had failed to show the same integrity in smaller things, as in the case of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15). David did great things for God because he did small things for God (1 Samuel 17:34-36). Often, we can set our sights on doing great things for God while overlooking the small things like being helpful and considerate at home and being willing to make small sacrifices. Small acts of faithfulness lead to a life in which faith is triumphant. Small acts of sacrificial love and small steps of faith create a momentum of godly life as each stroke of an oar moves a boat. Think small. Saul’s ego was too big to allow him to think small. Are you willing to do small things for God?
Think about some small sacrifices or steps of faith that you can make today.
Read 1 Samuel 18
