February 1, 2006

 

Then, as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?”

 

So David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

 

Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan too off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt. --1 Samuel 17:57-58, 18:1-4

 

When David let loose of that rock and it sunk into the forehead of the giant Goliath, he became vulnerable. But, in the midst of the praise, he was prepared for this occasion. He had learned how to survive success. You and I are also most vulnerable to fall when we’re at the top. So it’s imperative that we learn how to survive success just as David did.

 

In 1 Samuel 18, I see four “be-attitudes” that I believe will contribute to the success of God in your life if you will apply them. Over the next few days, I will be sharing these with you. The first is that you must be willing to share your success with others.

 

The Spirit of God had departed from Saul and was now resting upon young David. But Saul still brought David into his home — the palace — and introduced him to his son, Jonathan, the rightful heir to the throne. The very moment that David and Jonathan met, they because fast, lifelong friends later making a blood covenant of friendship to one another.

 

Jonathan was a great man, though he could have been jealous of David who would later become king. Instead, he was willing to share the victory with David. God will bless you when you are willing to celebrate the victories of other Christians. One test of real faith is whether or not you can fully share in their successes. When one member of God’s church rejoices, so should the entire body rejoice!

 

BEWARE OF A SPIRIT OF ENVY. BEWARE OF A SPIRIT OF JEALOUSY. BE WILLING TO SHARE YOUR SUCCESS WITH OTHERS.