Bible teaches us that David was a man after God’s own heart. David had his own success’s and failures just like any of us but what made David a cut above the rest was that his heart was always looking to God. He had a deep desire to follow God in-spite of what we know from the Bible that David was far from perfect. He had unshakable faith in the God He believed and worshiped.
If we just look at the extra-ordinary way of David becoming a king, his journey is an excellent reminder to us that God orchestrates His plans in His own ways and in His own perfect Timing.
David was chosen ‘ King’ while Saul was still a King. Samuel, the last judge of Israel is led by God to the family of Jesse in Bethlehem. Based on their appearances, Samuel assumes that the 1st son Eliab is God’s replacement for Saul. But clearly Eliab was not God’s choice. Then he passes Abinadab, Shammah and 7 of his son’s who were not God’s choices for leading his people.
1 Sam 16:17 God Says ” Do not consider the appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things that man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, bu the Lord looks at the heart “
When all this was happening at Jess’s place, David who was a shepherd boy was actually tending his sheep. He had to be called for before the Lord confirms that infact He is the appointed king
1 Sam 16:12 “He was ruddy, had beautiful eyes and was handsome “
And the Lord said ” Arise, anoint him, for this is he “
v 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward “
Though he was anointed the King, David had to wait for almost 15 years before he could actually reign as a King. He had his own journey of being molded and shaped by God.
We see God’s favor with David throughout , especially when he became Saul’s favorite armor bearer and skillfully played for him when the evil spirit tormented Saul ( v 14 )
David is described as ‘ a man who is skilled in playing the lyre, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, a man of good presence and the Lord is with him ‘
This was a bit of history on how David was chosen to be a king. Let’s look at the extra-ordinary story of how he defeated Goliath
Goliath, the Philistine champion was 9 feet and 9 inches tall. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing 5000 shekels. He had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin on his back.His spear shaft was iron and weighed 600 shekels. You can imaging that Goliath was gigantic and in full preparation for the war
When Goliath challenged the Israelite’s, even the King who was supposed to accept the challenge on behalf of Israel was greatly afraid and dismayed, along with everyone else. They all failed to look beyond what they can see with their natural eyes and look to their Heavenly Father for help
Eliab, Abinadab and Shammah were already in the battle but they did nothing too.
Goliath challenged the Israelites 40 days and 40 nights , morning and evening ( V16)
David was actually going back and forth between the camp of the army providing food for his brothers and then tending his dad’s sheep at Bethlehem.
When he saw Goliath challenging Israelite’s , he asked ‘ Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defile the armies of the living God? ‘
David went against Goliath by trusting God, trusting in the mighty power of God. But wait, Did he just trust God and do nothing ? No he still had to pick up a stone and sling and aim it at Goliath to bring him down. And he did succeed in killing the Philistine who defiled the armies of His God
David saw things through the eyes of God. He was brave, courageous ad stood His calling on the Name of God. He did not give into peer pressure and act like everybody else nor did he follow the crowd. Even when the entire Israelite army perceived things in the same way, He chose to see things God’s way
When everything around him was going wrong, when everyone was acting in the same way even if that way was wrong, David was not afraid to stand up and speak out for what is right from God’s perspective. He did not attack his fellow Israelite’s, instead he attacked and confronted the actual issue, Goliath. Often we create divisions among ourselves due to a problem that needs to be addressed or a miscommunication. But rather the way it needs to be handled is addressing the actual issue and not the person. Don’t forget to be mindful of the platform you choose to fight your battle and in doing so do things out of love and respect.
When in crisis,
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David looked to God
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David paid no attention to how BIG the issue was or how gigantic Goliath was
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David was not afraid to stand up and speak out for what is right, not giving into peer pressure
Are you facing a GOLIATH today ? Financial loss, job search, marital issues, relationship issues… you name it. Can I encourage you today, when you look at the GOLIATH’s you are facing today, with God’s strength make an effort to stand up, choose no longer to be oppressed by the devil who comes to steal and seeks to destroy you, PICK UP YOUR STONE AND SLING, aim it right at your Goliath for him to be defeated in your life. Your Sling is closeness to God and His Word. God will fight your battles, but we need to partner with God with the mustard seed of faith He has given us to enjoy the fruits of the prayers you have been praying for. Faith without works is dead.
Dear Jesus,
As we pick our stones and prepare our slings to defeat our GOLIATH’S in our lie, may you guide us and provide us with divine strength through this tough journey. My flesh may fail but my heart says I will trust in the name of the Lord forever. Teach me how to partner with you so I can live a life that pleases you
In Jesus Name
Amen
fromHisHearttoyours 