The first characteristic of Young Davids was faithfulness. (If you didn't read the first part of this series, please feel free to do so.)
The second characteristic that needs to be understood is that Young Davids are willing to tackle whatever task is placed in front of them to do.
Disclaimer.....in a way. I should point out that the goal of a Young David is not to get away with the sins King David committed but to be known as a man or woman "after God's own heart." We can't excuse David's behavior. And he didn't try to excuse himself. Just as David did, we have to learn own up to our own sin; confess our sin; repent of our sin; and then move forward into the things God has prepared in advance for us to do. Sin derails us from staying the course, but the forgiveness, mercy and grace of God help us get back to where we need to be.
As a shepherd, David was given the responsibility to find good pasture; water; and safety for his father's flock. We also know that he probably spent time practicing with his sling; playing his harp; and writing poems/songs.
we also know that David's father would also assign him other tasks to do besides watching sheep. For example in 1 Samuel 17:15 we discover that Jesse, David's father, would ask him to go to the battle front to take supplies to his brothers and gifts to the King.
David could have opted out....I think...and said, "No, I'm a shepherd," or "No, I'm a poet/musician and can't get involved in situations such as that." Or he could have said, "I'm the Lord's anointed and can't get involved with low level supplies line duty such as this." But he didn't say those things. He did what was assigned to him to do. And I also find it interesting, he didn't look for someone to delegate the task to. (I've seen some folks who spend more time and energy searching for someone to do the menial tasks than it would have taken for them to simply get it done. But since they were above and beyond doing things like that or because it wasn't their job.........you know people like that too.....don't you? Sure hope we don't ever do that.)
There was also a point when the shepherd, supply clerk and poet was asked to come and play his harp before the king to calm him down. Again, David willingly did so.
I was thinking about this the other day. What if David, after he had been anointed by Samuel to be the second king of Israel, refused to do these things. After all, he was to be the next king. How would it look to have the crown placed on the kings head and it slipped down because he was missing an ear from a battle with a lion or a bear?
I don't know how conscious David was of being the next king, but I do know that he had an attitude of "get it done" or "getter done" long before a cable guy named Larry came along.
Always in Pursuit!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Characteristics of Young David's
A number of years ago I shared a teaching with students in Master's Commission and in the School of Ministry at First Assembly in Cedar Rapids. I was on staff there from August of 1989 to August of 2009.
The study was called, "Ten Characteristics of Young David's." It encompassed ten character traits from David's life. I believe the Holy Spirit used these ten things and our time together to challenge the young people I was working with at that time. Many of them have gone on to be great shepherds in their own right and serve the Lord as faithful servants. I'm so proud of them!
Since that time I've discovered that "young" is not chronological but is a matter of the heart and attitude within us.
I've met many "young" people that are old. They are relying upon their past; their heritage; their education; and their own abilities instead of learning to trust God. (Please know there is nothing wrong with youth, heritage, education or abilities...but these things just won't cut it in and of themselves. We ALL need the power of God pulsating through our lives on a daily basis.
I know many people in their 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond that are young at heart; desire to God do a new thing; and are more than ready to forget the former things and step into the new things God has for His Church.
I pray that these ten characteristics from David's life will challenge each of us to stay "young in Him." May God help each of us follow the principles and practices of these characteristics and become men and women after God's own heart! May the throne and heart of David live on in the hearts and actions of men and women until the end of time.
The first characteristic of Young David is that he was faithful.
David was the youngest son of Jesse and assigned the task of watching his father's sheep. This he did while his brothers were being looked over by the prophet Samuel to see if they were "anointable" to be the next king (1 Samuel 16). And David was also watching the sheep while his brothers were off fighting the Philistines.
In 1 Samuel 17:12-15, we find that David was relegated to be the supply convoy between his father and his older brothers. All the while David stayed faithful to the task his father gave him to do, even in the face of taunting from his older siblings.
Here's the take away....if David had not been a faithful shepherd and faithful son and brother, he never would have been a faithful King to the people of Israel or the sheep of God's pasture.
It may not have been very challenging, although there was a lion and a bear; and it may not have been very glamorous. And we know that shepherds did not always have the best of reputations among the Jews, but David remained faithful and God took note of his heart.
Another thing about watching the sheep......apparently David put the time to good use. He became proficient with his sling; he learned to play the harp; and he wrote a lot of songs (Psalms) that were used in worship for generations to come, including our generation.
It's amazing what can happen when we stay faithful to the things God gives us to do. Kind of reminds me of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!"
Always in Pursuit!
The study was called, "Ten Characteristics of Young David's." It encompassed ten character traits from David's life. I believe the Holy Spirit used these ten things and our time together to challenge the young people I was working with at that time. Many of them have gone on to be great shepherds in their own right and serve the Lord as faithful servants. I'm so proud of them!
Since that time I've discovered that "young" is not chronological but is a matter of the heart and attitude within us.
I've met many "young" people that are old. They are relying upon their past; their heritage; their education; and their own abilities instead of learning to trust God. (Please know there is nothing wrong with youth, heritage, education or abilities...but these things just won't cut it in and of themselves. We ALL need the power of God pulsating through our lives on a daily basis.
I know many people in their 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond that are young at heart; desire to God do a new thing; and are more than ready to forget the former things and step into the new things God has for His Church.
I pray that these ten characteristics from David's life will challenge each of us to stay "young in Him." May God help each of us follow the principles and practices of these characteristics and become men and women after God's own heart! May the throne and heart of David live on in the hearts and actions of men and women until the end of time.
The first characteristic of Young David is that he was faithful.
David was the youngest son of Jesse and assigned the task of watching his father's sheep. This he did while his brothers were being looked over by the prophet Samuel to see if they were "anointable" to be the next king (1 Samuel 16). And David was also watching the sheep while his brothers were off fighting the Philistines.
In 1 Samuel 17:12-15, we find that David was relegated to be the supply convoy between his father and his older brothers. All the while David stayed faithful to the task his father gave him to do, even in the face of taunting from his older siblings.
Here's the take away....if David had not been a faithful shepherd and faithful son and brother, he never would have been a faithful King to the people of Israel or the sheep of God's pasture.
It may not have been very challenging, although there was a lion and a bear; and it may not have been very glamorous. And we know that shepherds did not always have the best of reputations among the Jews, but David remained faithful and God took note of his heart.
Another thing about watching the sheep......apparently David put the time to good use. He became proficient with his sling; he learned to play the harp; and he wrote a lot of songs (Psalms) that were used in worship for generations to come, including our generation.
It's amazing what can happen when we stay faithful to the things God gives us to do. Kind of reminds me of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!"
Always in Pursuit!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
How To Be A Giant Killer, Part III
This will be the final part of the series, "How To Be a Giant Killer." It's probably not all that needs to be said, but it's all I know to say at this point. I'm still learning about giants and how to slay them.
Which brings me to this final point.....the weapons used to slay giants.
Please keep in mind when you find the giant killer in your life to hang around, you aren't supposed to become a clone. They are one of a kind, just as you are one of a kind. God created you to be what He intends for you to be. He does have a plan.....just for you.....just as unique as you are, too.
If you read in 1Samuel 17:38-39 you fill find the part of the story where Saul tries to talk David into wearing his suit of armor. By the way....this suit of armor actually represented compromise on Saul's part since the only ones who had steel or any metal were the Philistines. They kept all the blacksmiths away from the Jews. None of the Jewish shops carried that line of clothing or weapons made of steel. Wood or rocks were more their speciality. Wonder how Saul got his armor?
A little rabbit trail there.
David chose not to wear Saul's armor. It didn't fit him. He couldn't move in it. He was convinced that if he went out trying to do things as Saul would do them, he'd end up dead.....dog meat and/or a full meal deal for the birds of the air, just as Goliath had threatened.
So, David put the armor down and reached for his own weapon of choice, a shepherds sling and a shepherd's bag. Then he picked up five smooth stones and headed out to face the giant.
Have you ever wondered why "five smooth stones?" I suppose smooth stones flew through the air better. And I've always heard the extra stones were for the giants brothers. I guess that might be so since in my experience giants do come in numbers greater than one. But the Scriptures don't tell us why. But let your imagination run with mine for a minute.....how about if David bent down to pick up the first stone, looked up at Goliath and decided to pick up an additional stone in case the first one didn't work. And then in case he needed more than two, he picked up a third one, a fourth and finally a fifth one. He was determined to get this giant. The giant was NOT going to win, and David had a bag full of stones to enure victory.
Sometimes determination to defeat the giant is that greatest weapon we can have......just sayin'.
Now, let's move forward a bit in time and take note of the other giant killers in 2 Samuel 21;15-22. No mention of slings or smooth stones. They weren't shepherds. They were well trained warriors who used spears, swords and other weapons of warfare.
What's the take away? When you find your giant killer to hang around with, hoping the stuff that makes them a giant killer will rub off on you, don't try to copy them. David knew that if he tried to be like Saul, he would be like all those who preceded him in life.......dead.
And if you find a giant killer to hang around that insists you do things the way they did, find another giant killer to hang around with. You weren't 'meant to be like them.
God has uniquely created you to be unique. Don't die a copy.
Always in Pursuit!
Which brings me to this final point.....the weapons used to slay giants.
Please keep in mind when you find the giant killer in your life to hang around, you aren't supposed to become a clone. They are one of a kind, just as you are one of a kind. God created you to be what He intends for you to be. He does have a plan.....just for you.....just as unique as you are, too.
If you read in 1Samuel 17:38-39 you fill find the part of the story where Saul tries to talk David into wearing his suit of armor. By the way....this suit of armor actually represented compromise on Saul's part since the only ones who had steel or any metal were the Philistines. They kept all the blacksmiths away from the Jews. None of the Jewish shops carried that line of clothing or weapons made of steel. Wood or rocks were more their speciality. Wonder how Saul got his armor?
A little rabbit trail there.
David chose not to wear Saul's armor. It didn't fit him. He couldn't move in it. He was convinced that if he went out trying to do things as Saul would do them, he'd end up dead.....dog meat and/or a full meal deal for the birds of the air, just as Goliath had threatened.
So, David put the armor down and reached for his own weapon of choice, a shepherds sling and a shepherd's bag. Then he picked up five smooth stones and headed out to face the giant.
Have you ever wondered why "five smooth stones?" I suppose smooth stones flew through the air better. And I've always heard the extra stones were for the giants brothers. I guess that might be so since in my experience giants do come in numbers greater than one. But the Scriptures don't tell us why. But let your imagination run with mine for a minute.....how about if David bent down to pick up the first stone, looked up at Goliath and decided to pick up an additional stone in case the first one didn't work. And then in case he needed more than two, he picked up a third one, a fourth and finally a fifth one. He was determined to get this giant. The giant was NOT going to win, and David had a bag full of stones to enure victory.
Sometimes determination to defeat the giant is that greatest weapon we can have......just sayin'.
Now, let's move forward a bit in time and take note of the other giant killers in 2 Samuel 21;15-22. No mention of slings or smooth stones. They weren't shepherds. They were well trained warriors who used spears, swords and other weapons of warfare.
What's the take away? When you find your giant killer to hang around with, hoping the stuff that makes them a giant killer will rub off on you, don't try to copy them. David knew that if he tried to be like Saul, he would be like all those who preceded him in life.......dead.
And if you find a giant killer to hang around that insists you do things the way they did, find another giant killer to hang around with. You weren't 'meant to be like them.
God has uniquely created you to be unique. Don't die a copy.
Always in Pursuit!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)