I have not written on this blog in a while – I always need the silence and stillness of hearing the inspiration from my spirit fall onto the pages. And as I was listening to a message a few days ago – I got an idea!
When we look at David’s life, what lessons can we learn about his experiences between his time as a young shepherd taking care of his father’s sheep and becoming the king of Israel?
We learn in the bible that God had rejected Saul as King over Israel and asked Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons. God had chosen David, but Samuel did not know that yet – and neither did David. At this point in David’s life, he was a shepherd, tending his father’s sheep. David was very dedicated to his assignment – so much so that he was in the field tending the sheep when Samuel arrived. We also learn that even though Samuel did not know who David was, God knew exactly who and where he was. God did not choose any of David’s 7 brothers who had passed before Samuel. But, immediately after David walked in, the Lord said, this is the one, anoint him, and the spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.
Right after David was anointed, Samuel went back to Ramah. Then, there was David, who had been anointed in a dramatic way in front of his brothers and father. Following his anointing by the prophet, David could have tried to work out the purpose of the anointing with his own hands or submit to God’s process to reveal the plan to him and get him on the throne—David did the latter.
God knows the end from the beginning – He always knows how the story will end because He wrote the script. So when He decides to show us a sign of what is coming or shows us the end, He wants us to walk the path closely with Him through the process. We didn’t write the script, so we could not figure it out without God, even if we tried. So, here, we see David’s life continue on a journey towards God’s unfolding plan.
What life lessons can we learn in this process?
- Stay on the path: God is the one who knows the end from the beginning. Sometimes, once he shows us the end, we immediately start trying to get to the end in our own wisdom. We begin to make assumptions and build on those assumptions. However, we are expected to follow God’s guidance and process because He is the writer of the plan, the one with the resources, and He knows the way. He also knows all the detours in between – they might surprise us, but not Him. So, the expectation is not for us to jump ahead or abort that process prematurely. Let it run its course so it can produce its perfect work in us. So, stay on the path!
- Listen to God’s voice: God speaks to us, and we learn to hear His voice over time. In the Bible, He says, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” We should listen to God’s voice and follow His nudge and instructions.
- Find yourself: Who are you? What is your identity? Where do you get that identity from? What values matter most to you and why? You will need to learn about yourself through various situations, the word of God and His revelations to know the true intent of your heart. When everything is stripped away – the job, the role, the position, the friends, the associations, the money, the power, influence, family, the cameras, the audience – everything. Who are you in those moments, and what do you stand for?
- Stay dedicated and do the work: Nowadays, it is easier to get distracted by the noise around us. There is an attraction to the easy way out and the noisy and crowded spaces. There is also often a desire to run away from the sometimes difficult but necessary work we need to do. However, you have to remain diligent where God has put you and do the work. God will bring you out himself.
- Serve and work as unto God and not men: We need to work as unto God and not unto men. Sometimes, we may even be called to serve people we do not consider the friendliest or most accommodating. But our role is to serve God and humanity excellently in whatever position we find ourselves. David served King Saul so well that He sent word to Jesse asking if Jesse could let David remain in his service because he was very pleased with him.
- Maintain your focus: Staying focused is critical in today’s world. Set your face as flint, not looking to the left or right. It is so easy to get distracted when you constantly turn to see what is happening around you. Know that God is with you no matter how hard it gets. Maintain your focus!
- Pull from your toolbox of experiences: When things get difficult and you get tired, pull strength from your past experiences with God. When Saul said to David that he was too young to face Goliath, David simply said – look, I have successfully fought lions and bears when tending my father’s sheep. The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!
- What is in your hands? What was the last instruction God gave to you? Keep running with it. What has He put in your hands – use it! What skills and resources can you continue to develop – do it! Do not despise or overlook anything He has graciously and mercifully put in your hands.
- Focus on the strategy God has given you: What instruction or strategy has God given you? Are you trying to change the strategy because things are getting complicated or harder? The strategy you have is the key – God does not suddenly change his mind because you get to a point in the plan He always knew you would arrive at. You are the only one caught by surprise here. Once David tried on Saul’s armour, he knew it was not for him and protested that he wouldn’t go in them. Instead, he settled for five smooth stones, his shepherd’s staff and a sling. There is no point in trying to use a strategy that God has not given to you directly when it might not be the right fit for your situation. Go back to God and ask him.
- Be Diligent: The bible says, do you see a man diligent in his ways? He will stand before kings and not mean men. In the bible, we learn that whatever King Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So, Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike.
- Fight from the point of victory: Fight from a victorious point, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord.
- Trust in His timing: His timing may seem to be taking too long based on your understanding, but you need to trust His timing so that you don’t go ahead of God and leave His presence. The bible asks us to trust the Lord with all our heart—lean not on our own understanding, and He will direct our path.
- You live for Christ: The Bible teaches us that we have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer us who live but Christ who lives in us. The life you live belongs to Him. The purpose you are birthing belongs to Him. Understanding this makes it easier, as you know that you cannot rely on your strength.
- Stand: And when you have done all that you know how to do, just stand!
Although David had been anointed, he faced many battles over the years, including fighting Goliath and being pursued by King Saul and his men. David hid in the wilderness, caves, and strongholds for many years. When David had the opportunity to Kill Saul, and his men urged him to, David refused. Instead, he called out to King Saul after cutting a piece of his robe and said, “Let God judge between me and you.” He left the vengeance to God, as the Bible says vengeance is the Lord’s, and He will repay.
So much time had passed between Samuel anointing David and the journey that Samuel died before David sat on the throne—he did not get to see David become king. But did this mean that God did not speak to Samuel or failed? Absolutely not. God had spoken the end from the beginning, and He was going to bring it to pass.
After time had passed, King Saul died in a battle against the Philistines. Following this, David was anointed king over the people of Judah first, and later, he was appointed king over all of Israel. He reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem, he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
The bible records that David was thirty years old when he began to reign and reigned for forty years in total.
Isaiah 46:9-10 says Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
And that people – is the great God that we serve!
Have a great weekend.
Lots of love,
Toluwalola
Credits:
Image Credit: Collection of elements on canva.com
Image Credit: © Cornelis Albert van Assendelft via Canva.com
Toluwalola 