(Read 1 Samuel 16:14-23)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” After the prophet Samuel left Jesse’s house life seemingly went back to normal. The Spirit of the Lord was upon David and there was a grace on him for national leadership, but he went right back to his sheep and everyone went back to their normal lives. However, since the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and he no longer had the grace for national leadership, he started to be tormented by an evil spirit and Saul was filled with depression and fear. Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” Saul said, “All right, find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”
At this point, if you are not familiar with David’s story, you might be thinking, “Okay Rick, where are you going with this? What does this have to do with David?” Actually, a great deal. Surprisingly, one of Saul’s servants said, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him.” Can you believe that? In one moment David was minding his own business, tending to his sheep, when one of his brothers pulled him out of the field in order to be anointed the next king of Israel. After his impromptu coronation, he went back to the field, and now, unbeknownst to him, his name is being brought up before king Saul. Not only that, but the servant who brought up David’s name told the king that he was a talented harp player, a brave warrior, a good looking young man with good judgment, and above all of that, the servant said the Lord was with David. How in the world could the servant know all of that? Here’s the answer: God! This was a setup if there ever was one. Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Grace will open doors no man can close. Once the grace for national leadership was on David he could not go back to his normal life, even if he tried to. When there is a grace on you for a certain area, that grace will open doors that no man can close and close doors that no man can open. Things will happen for you, not because you did anything to earn them, or because you deserve them; they will happen simply because of God’s grace and because He will do all that is required to help you walk in your purpose.
2. Favor can do more in a minute than labor can do in a lifetime. David could have worked all his life and never had an audience with the king. But once the favor of God was in operation in his life, favor did in a moment, than labor could have ever done in a lifetime. The favor of God will bring you before all those you need to be exposed to in order to maximize your purpose and potential.
3. You can’t earn Grace or Favor, but you should appreciate them. I am clearly a recipient of grace and favor, and while I could never earn them, I can (and should) thank God for their operation in my life. It should be the same with you. You can’t earn God’s goodness, but when it comes your proper response should be to say, “Thank You!” Enter every day with thanksgiving on your lips, a smile on your face, a song in your heart, and a spring in your step. This way you will always be ready to give God praise!
Closing Confession: Father, You open doors for me that no man can close and close doors for me that no man can open. You have graced me and the grace on my life makes things happen for me that I could never make happen for myself. You favor is on me and favor can do more in a minute than my labor could do in a lifetime. Thank You Father for Your grace and favor. Thank You for being better to me than I have been to myself. You bless me to do what I can and You supernaturally do what I can’t. Your grace and favor bring me before great men and women and when I stand before them, your grace and favor enable me to say what I need to say, to receive what I need to receive, and to grow to the level I need to grow in order to maximize my purpose and potential. Father, I will never cease to give You praise for how good You have been and continue to be in my life! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
