(1 Samuel 17:52-57)
This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 54 of the series and Part 26 of the life of David.
By this point in David’s story we know that his victory over Goliath stirred up the faith of the Israelite army. They rushed the Philistine army prepared for battle. The Israelites chased the Philistines as far as Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn for miles. The Israelite army then returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp and with that, the battle was over.
David took Goliath’s armor off of his corpse and kept it as a trophy. And then, like something out of the movies, he carried Goliath’s head to Saul and presented it to the king. While this was going on king Saul asked Abner, the commander of his army (who was clearly not in command that day), “Abner, whose son is this young man?” This is an interesting question. Saul already knew David as his harp player, but while David was playing the harp king Saul never thought to ask who his father was, or what family he came from. David’s lineage did not seem important to Saul when David was just a harp player, but now that he was going to be hailed as a mighty warrior, Saul wanted to know more about him and his family. Abner replied, “I really don’t know.” Saul responded, “Well, find out who he is!”
When David returned from the victory General Abner brought him to king Saul. David walked up to the king, with the giant’s head still dangling from his fingers, and the king said, “Tell me about your father, young man.” David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.” We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
- Private victories precede public ones. The Lord made sure that David experienced killing a lion and a bear, in private, without any fanfare, well before he killed the giant on a national stage. Why? Because if you can’t handle private success, you will certainly not be able to handle public success. Pride has been the downfall of many great people. So while you are winning your battles in private and asking God when He is going to expose you to the public, don’t worry, keep winning the private battles. If you make it a habit to win when no one is watching, God will make sure that someday everyone will be watching. He will shine His spotlight on you. He just won’t do it before the right time.
- You must embrace the grace to handle success the right way. Handling failure is difficult, but handling success can be even more difficult. Success has a way of chewing you up and spitting you out if you are not ready for it. But just like the Father will not allow you to face challenges you are not ready for, He will not allow you to face success you can’t handle either. So, if you are experiencing it, you can take. Accept the success with grace. Remain humble and success, no matter how big it is, will not destroy or derail you.
- Never forget where you came from. David knew he had just won a great victory. He knew his life was about to change forever. But when asked about his Dad, David said, “His name is Jesse, and WE live in Bethlehem.” Notice that David said, “we” and not “he”. Although David would soon leave Bethlehem, he was proud to say that he lived there and that he was from there. David also brought honor to his family name that day. Here’s the point: while God wants to deal with your future, and not your past, God does not want you to be embarrassed of your past. The mess of your past becomes the message of your story! The pain of your past becomes the fuel that fees your power as your pursue your purpose. Look back and be thankful. Just never judge your future by your past. God is a God of progression. He prepared you in your past so you could be ready for the elevation you will experience in your future. If you appreciate your past as you head into your future, you will maintain a level of genuineness and authenticity that will attract people to you.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I expect to experience Your best, because You have prepared me for it. All my life You have been preparing me for this moment. I have had many private successes and I have often wondered when You would expose me and elevate me, but I don’t have to wonder anymore. I trust You. I know that when open the door and bring me before great men and women, I shall be prepared to accept and handle the success with grace. Your grace is on me to experience everything I experience. Good or bad, easy or tough, up or down, I am prepared to handle everything that comes my way. I am ready to bring honor to You and to my family name. I shall leave a legacy of righteousness for my children and my children’s children. As for me and my house, we shall be known as a family that brings glory to Your name in the earth! We handle both success and challenge with grace. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
