True Greatness Is Having God in The First Place

1 Samuel 18:5-30

The Story
David presented himself in the right way.

David had his priorities in the right order.

David had a proper perception of his own life.

All these were possible in David's life because of his relationship with the LORD God.

David knew God on a personal level and that made all the difference in his life.

David allowed the LORD God to live through him to make an impact on the world.

Lessons
True greatness in life is due to the right relationship with the LORD God in the first place.

Remember David in the eyes of the LORD God – He knew the LORD God personally and he let the LORD God ruled over him.

True Greatness Is Peceived By The General Public

1 Samuel 18:5-30

The Story
When king Saul looked at David, he saw a young man who was everything he himself was not. He saw how David carried himself and he was jealous. He saw David who was faithful, and clean. He hated David because God was with him. He hated David because David walked with God.

Saul's servants saw how David carried himself and they were impressed with David. They saw God's hand on David's life and they were impressed with him. Even Saul's own children, Jonathan and Michal loved David. There was something about David's life that touched them as well.

The only person in Israel who seemed to be unaware of David's greatness was David himself.

Lessons
True greatness is perceived by the people around us and not by us.

Remember David in the eyes of the public – they were impressed with his greatness.

True Greatness Is Determined By Our Priorities

1 Samuel 18:5-30

The Story
These were not easy days for young David. He had been far from home. He had found instant fame from killing Goliath. He had found a bitter enemy in King Saul.

But David remained faithful in the priorities of his life.

• David knew that king Saul was against him. But he still walked into his room, picked up the harp and played the music. David was faithful in his job.
  
• In his hatred, king Saul tried to kill David many times and David ran away. But David always returned to his post and continued doing his job. David was steadfast in his job.
• David kept on serving the evil king and carried out his job to the best of his ability. David was submissive in his job.

David was determined to be faithful to the king in spite of injuries, troubles, and difficulties.

Lessons
True greatness is determined by how we set our priorities.

Remember David in King Saul's palace – he had made up his mind to be faithful, steadfast, and submissive to the king regardless of what happened in his life.

True Greatness Is Determined By Good Behavior

1 Samuel 18:5-30

The Story
David was just a young lad. He was just a kid fresh from his first battle.

But David behaved himself well.

• He continued to be a faithful and loyal everyday. He knew that in order to climb to the top, he needed to take the climb one step at a time.
• He continued to carry himself well and set a good example for king Saul who had tried to kill him. He didn't become bitter or desired for revenge.
• He continued to wait on the LORD God though he had many opportunities to overthrow Saul's kingdom.
  

David had achieved true greatness.

Lessons
True greatness is not determined by the amount of money we possess, the kind of car we drive, the status we have achieved in life, or the feats that we are capable of.

True greatness is determined by how we live our lives.

Remember David after he defeated Goliath – he behaved himself well.