Weather Report From Heaven: Sunny and bright, with an abundance of light and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture- “ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
Insight: We all have our favorite people and stories in the Bible. Some love Abraham, or Moses, or Joseph, or Esther, or Naomi. But I love David. His stories resonate with me. He is a classic underdog, always doubted based on his age or his looks or his lack of sophistication. But he is the only figure in the Bible to ever be referred to as “a man after my own heart,” by God himself. So, it begs the question what about David made him a man that God would say that about? Yesterday, we looked at the alignment in David’s life where he always put God first in all things. Today we are going to briefly look at how David was always in preparation for his life mission when no one else was watching or paying attention. David was not wasting the wait while he toiled as a young Shepherd Boy in the wilderness tending after his father’s flocks. He was doing his appointed job with all his power, but he was also drawing closer to God. He was being infused with God’s power through his quiet time and his time in prayer and meditation while alone with God.He was building his confidence and trust in God when he saw God rescue him from the paw of the Lion and the paw of the Bear ( 1 Samuel 17:37 ) or when he was alone in the wilderness with the flock, so oneday he could be the one to run to the battleline to defeat Goliath when everyone else was cowering.
David remembered God’s past faithfulness when facing daunting tasks like taking on Goliath, because it infused him with the courage necessary for the battle. He had a wellspring of experiences and trust to draw from when the heat was on, because he had drawn close to God and seen his nature when no one was watching. How about you? Are you preparing for the day when God will call you for service to fulfill the main purpose for which you were created, whatever that may look like for you? I have found that it’s impossible to step forward with the courage needed if you haven’t been infused with that courage through a close proximity to God. David was always preparing from the time he was a ruddy faced kid to be used mightily by God, even when he seemed to be the least likely one to be chosen for anything of significance, and especially to be anointed as the future King of Israel. ( 1 Samuel 16:7-13 ) David was courageous because he was full of God. He was full of God because he put God first and sought after him even when no one was watching. He knew when circumstances and preparation intersected, he would be ready. We can all learn a lot from David in this sense. I ask myself all the time, will I be ready when God calls me to do something that on my own seems impossible? I pray that because of me seeking God above all else, and Him living in me through the power of the Holy Spirit, I will be like David and run to the battleline.
Prayer: Father God, we know that on our own we have very little to offer. But when we partner with you, and combine the skills and gifts you’ve given us along with your mighty strength and power, we can defeat any obstacle. We pray to help us lay aside our fears and focus on you and your strength so that we can be courageous when the time comes. Amen!
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