(1 Samuel 16:1-23)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Before we move on to chapter 17, I want to close out the week with a quick recap of chapter 16. In this chapter we were introduced to David and we quickly saw the hand of God on his life. It’s easy to put the emphasis on the overwhelming outpour of grace and favor we see in this passage, but let’s take a few moments to think about David prior to his coronation.
David was the 8th and final son of Jesse. As the youngest, within the Hebrew culture, David was last in the pecking order. His oldest brother, Eliab, was first in line for the birthright and everything flowed downhill from him. We can surmise, from the way he was omitted from the lineup, that David was some sort of loner. David spent a great deal of his time tending to his father’s sheep. We later learn that he protected the sheep at all costs, even when it involved fighting a lion and a bear with his bare hands.
As the shepherd of the sheep David watched as the sheep built a dependency on his leadership. They followed him wherever he led them and they relied on him for protection. Without David the sheep would go astray. Without the sheep David did not have anyone to lead; he was definitely not a leader at home. So David found his significance in the field and he sought to remain faithful to his father and to the sheep, even when it seemed like no one was watching. However, we know God was watching. His years in the field helped David later pen the 23rd Psalm.
God had plans for David and I am sure deep down inside he knew it. He knew he was born for something bigger than sheep, but I am also sure that he could not have imagined, in 1,000 years, that he would wind up as the king of Israel. So David remained faithful to what was before him, dreaming of what could come next, not really sure how it would happen, when his life changed forever by grace. David did nothing to make Samuel to come his house and call for him. David did nothing to make God anoint him the next king of Israel. And then David did nothing to make Saul call for him and bring him to the palace. David was just being faithful to what he was supposed to be doing when his breakthrough came, not by faith, but clearly by grace.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God has plans for you. You are not a mistake.
2. God’s plans for you are bigger and better than your plans for you (see Eph 3:20).
3. Remain faithful over what you have been given charge over. Even if it seems like no one is noticing, God is.
4. Sometimes your breakthrough will come by faith, when you are clearly standing on a promise from God, but then again sometimes your breakthrough will come by grace, when you least expect it, and when you did nothing to initiate it.
5. Never give up. Your life may seem mundane, ordinary, and common, but that does not mean that you won’t see your God-given dreams come to pass. We serve a God who can turn your life around in an instant. Keep your faith, hope, and trust in Him. Your breakthrough can come at any moment.
Closing Confession: Father, I love You with my whole heart. I know You love me and it amazes me that You made plans for me before the foundations of the world. You planned my life out before I was even born. You sit on the circle of the earth and You still take time to think about me. Wow. Thank You Father for caring for me. You have even numbered the hairs on my head. I rest in Your love for me. Since I know You love me, and I know Your plans for me WILL come to pass, I faithfully discharge the duties I have been given and I perform everything I am expected to do in excellence, whether others are watching or not. I know You are always with me and You take notice of me, even when others do not. So I will be faithful every day and I trust my breakthrough will come, either by faith or grace. I am confident that I will arrive at Your desired destination for my life, before I die. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
