(Read 1 Samuel 18:6-9)
This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 57 of the series and Part 29 of the life of David.
Yesterday we discussed David’s incredible promotion. David had just one fight on his resume (killing Goliath), he had never served a day in the military, he never led troops, he never attended training, and he had never even worn a coat of armor, but none of that mattered. David, the teenager, was promoted to General. In a moment he was made the Commander of the men of war. Remember, this series is about believing God for the big promises He has made you and remaining in faith for the long haul. The reason I take the time to highlight the many things that happen in the space between God’s promise and the performance of the promise is because that is the way life works. God can call you to something, but that does not mean you will start walking in that call tomorrow, or next week. It could take months, years or decades. In the interim you must make the most of every level/stage of the journey, knowing that your today is preparing you for your tomorrow.
David accepted the promotion. He knew he was called to be king, but for now, he accepted the promotion to General. He went from the lowest position in his home to the highest position in the military in just a matter of weeks. David went from being a “nobody” who spent his days tending his father’s sheep to a national hero who was invited to live in the palace with the king. How did this happen? The answer is simple: it was the grace of God. God was preparing David for his life’s assignment. The good news is that God does the same with us.
As the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed Goliath, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet king Saul and his army. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines, cymbals, and flutes. This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands!” David did not ask these women to sing that song. David did not have pride in his heart. David was not looking for recognition. David was not placing himself above Saul. But none of that mattered to Saul. He was furious! The king said, “What is this? They credit David with tens of thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” Saul had no idea how prophetic his words would prove to be. Yes, David would be Saul’s successor, but it would happen in God’s timing. The Bible says: “So from that day Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
- Don’t try too hard to make things happen. David was not trying to make anything happen. The Lord kept opening doors for him that no man could close. Once the door was open, David stepped through it by faith. You would do well to learn from David. You can get out ahead of God (and mess things up in the process) by trying too hard to make things happen. Remember, God operates in His timing. So wait on God and then move by faith when HE opens the door. If you move before His timing you will be operating without His grace.
- People will turn on you in a New York minute. One minute king Saul was enamored with David. The king had a national hero on his hands and he was loving it. But then, in a split second, because of something David had nothing to do with, Saul turned on him. My point is that some folk are fickle, phony and/or flat-out fake. The good news is that God is faithful. God will never turn on you. People may smile in your face and then stab you in the back. But God will never do so. I learned a long time ago that not everyone who is WITH you is FOR you. Which is why our confidence and trust must be in God. This is not to say that God does not bless us with true friends, but it is to say that true friends are hard to find. When you find a true friend, cherish the relationship.
- The enemy’s poison cannot stop your purpose. Saul was the king of Israel and we will learn later that he got to the point where he tried to have David killed. But even the king of Israel, the most powerful man in the land, could not kill God’s anointed. Saul was a king, but David was being protected by the King of kings. So no matter what anyone attempts to do to you, and no matter what their natural position in the earth is, if God is for you, He is more than the entire world against You.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. My heart is open to Your best. I know You have great plans for my life. I know greatness is IN ME! I pursue my purpose with all my might. However, I refuse to get out ahead of You. I will not attempt to make things happen unless You are leading me. I will wait patiently and confidently on Your timing. I will not move until You say, “Go”. When You open the door, I will walk through it to say and do whatever I am led of Your Spirit to say and do. As I go, I know Your grace will be on me to succeed. Even if men come against me with envy and strife, I will not be moved by people. I will only by moved by You! Their poison can’t stop my purpose. You are my Lord. You are my God. You are my King, and I worship You. You are the author and finisher, creator and sustainer, beginning and end… all and all in my life. I look unto You and as I do, You see to it that no weapon formed against me shall be able to prosper. Every tongue that rises up against me shall be condemned! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
