(Read 1 Samuel 16:1-23)
This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 36 of the series and Part 8 of the life of David.
Before we move on to chapter 17, I want to provide 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. They relied on him for protection. Without David the sheep would go astray. Without the sheep David did not have anyone to lead, because he was certainly not a leader at home. So David found his significance in the field. He did all he could 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 a thousand 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. 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. David did nothing to cause the king to call him into the palace. David was just being faithful to what he was supposed to be doing when his breakthrough came. His breakthrough did not come because of his faith. David’s breakthrough clearly came by God’s grace!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
- God made plans for you before the world began. He has plans for you now. You are not a mistake. You are destined.
- God’s plans for you are bigger and better than your plans for you (see Eph 3:20). Think of your wildest dream and then acknowledge the fact that God’s dream for you is much bigger than anything you’ve ever imagined for yourself.
- Remain faithful over what you have been given charge over. Even if it seems like no one is noticing, God is. He is paying attention to what you do and how you do it.
- Sometimes your breakthrough will come by faith, when you are clearly standing on a promise from God, but sometimes your breakthrough will come by grace, when you least expect it. When you did nothing to initiate it. When it was ALL GOD and none of you.
- 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 hopes up. Remain in faith daily. Trust God every step of the way. Your breakthrough is coming and it can happen AT ANY TIME!
- One shift from God can take you from a coward to a champion (Gideon), from a barren man to a father of nations (Abraham), from a fisherman to the founder of the New Testament church (Peter), from an extremist to an evangelist (Paul), and from a shepherd boy to a king (David). Open your heart to become the man/woman God destined you to be!
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. My expectation is based on Your love for me. I know You love me and it amazes me that You made plans for me before the foundations of the world. You planned out my life 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. I perform everything I am expected to do in excellence, whether others are watching or not. I will never give up, cave in or quit! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
