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David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. 1 Samuel 18:14 (NLT)
A mark of Godly wisdom is how we conduct ourselves during adversity. True followers of Christ will conduct themselves wisely during the most trying situations. David shows this kind of wisdom early in his life. David was taken from the quiet obscure life of a shepherd boy and thrust into the role of military hero and heir to the throne of Israel.
This should have been a dream come true soon became more like a nightmare. After he killed Goliath he was invited into the palace to live with King Saul. David bonded immediately with Saul’s son, Jonathan, and all the officers and staff of the palace. Socially, David was apparently easy and fun to be around.
But David was more than just a nice guy. He was a driven leader. Every assignment Saul gave to David turned into success. As a result, Saul gave him more and more responsibility. He was never disappointed with the outcome.
So if David was so successful in everything Saul gave him to do, what could possibly go wrong, right? Wrong. David’s following grew so quickly that soon all of Jerusalem was singing the praises of David. He was fast becoming more popular that the insecure King Saul. As a result Saul began a campaign to wipe David out. That’s when David’s true colors came to the surface.
Although Saul tried to kill him on numerous occasions, David remained loyal to Saul. There is no indication in scripture that David did anything to provoke the King’s anger or speak evil against him. David patiently waited until God’s timing brought him to the throne. Even though he had several opportunities to kill Saul and take the Kingdom by force, David would not sin by taking things into his own hands.
When we encounter adversity it is important to keep the end result in view. David was told that he would someday ascend the throne. He saw no need to hurry that situation along because he was content with who he was. Rather, David focused on the task at hand and worked hard to be excellent at whatever he was doing. He realized the fact that no job is too small, nothing is beneath him. As a result, in everything he did he worked to be excellent. Others took note of that and admired him for it.
Remember that God has placed us where we are at this time for a specific purpose. As Christ followers, strive to for excellence now so that you will be ready for greater work in the future. Expect adversity as you excel in your work. The adversity that David faced in the 20 years he waited to ascend the throne prepared him for greater challenges ahead. Build relationships along the way. David had many friends in the midst of Saul’s attacks. One of his closest friends was Saul’s very own son! God didn’t wait until David was ‘great’ to use him. He used him mightily throughout his life because with all David’s faults, he trusted God.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father. Thank you for the story of David and his patience during adversity. Help me to see every activity of this day as an opportunity to show Godly excellence. Forgive me for my impatience in waiting for you to remove the obstacles that keep me from moving forward. Help me to be content where I am while I strive to grow stronger. Amen.
You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit. Job 10:12 (NIV)
There are few stories in the Bible that are more intriguing than the story of Job. The drama played behind the scenes between Satan and God helps us understand, somewhat, the huge part the ‘spirit world’ plays in our everyday lives. Don’t think for a moment that Satan doesn’t still approach the throne and make some pretty hefty accusations against God’s own. If he had the tenacity to go after the very Son of God, nothing will stop him from going after frail mortals.
Even more amazing is Job’s reaction to the devastation that he was forced to endure with no warning, no explanation and no support from his friends or family. Even in the midst of all this he maintained a faith that most of us could only hope for. While there are many lessons we can learn from the life of Job, there are three that stand out.
First of all, Job never lost sight of who God was and never doubted His character. He questioned God’s actions. He begged (demanded?) some sort of explanation. He expressed deep mourning and pain (who wouldn’t in situations far less horrendous!). But Job never questioned God’s sovereignty and character. Job 10:12 speaks of God’s kindness and providence. Providence is defined as a ‘divine power that guides our very lives and destiny’. Job knew who was in control.
Secondly, Job never lost sight of who he was. Everyone near and dear to Job was either dead or intent on telling him that he should give up and admit that he was guilty and deserving of everything God had handed him. In the midst of physical pain, emotional despair and spiritual confusion, Job stayed true to himself. Being true to yourself in the midst of adversity is a character trait that, more than anything else, will see us through the tough times.
Lastly, Job never seemed to let go of the ability to see God in the world around him. ‘God activity’ was a natural occurrence in his life. The events that brought Job’s world crashing down were not a result of fate, bad luck or coincidence. God was at the center of everything that happened in Job’s life. He didn’t always understand. He didn’t always agree. But He knew who held the keys to life and his faith would not be shaken.
During the darkest times of our lives our Heavenly Father is not shaken, surprised or caught unaware when things go ‘horribly wrong’. He brings things into our lives to draw us to Himself and make us aware of His presence. Use the events of your life as opportunities to see God’s handiwork in action.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I have to confess to you today that when adversity comes I’d far rather react that to rest in You. There are so many times in my life when I’ve doubted You and questioned why. I’ve lost faith in myself, lost faith in You and quit looking for things in my daily existence that show your work. Help me today to actively acknowledge your fingerprints on everything I do and every event that takes place in my life. Amen.
For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12
One of the best things we can do when we read the Bible is to place ourselves in the right mindset. When we read the Bible as a group of stories we can miss the whole point of its purpose. The Bible is not merely a ‘bunch of stories’ but a journal of the lives of men and women, like ourselves, that had to deal with daily stress, relational crises and physical pain.
Reading the Psalms give an excellent example of this. These ‘songs’ written largely by King David are full of emotions that run the gamut from despair and agony to elation and victory. Sometimes all within the span of a few ‘verses’.
Psalm 5 is no exception. In this prayer of David we see him laying in bed in the morning pleading with God for an audience. He is in despair. He is in fear. He is desperately seeking direction. He is a victim of the lies and assaults (verbal most likely) of those who claimed at one time to be friends.
In the course of his prayer he seems to remind God that He is a God of justice and that as such evil is not tolerated. He begs God to execute that judgment upon the evil ones attacking him. He asks that they be banished for the injustice they have caused.
In the end, almost as though God Himself has whispered in his ear, he looks at his struggles with a different attitude. God, his God, the creator God of the universe ultimately protects those who follow after His commands. His shield of protection follows him wherever he may go.
The same is true for us. If we are following close to God and building a relationship with Him that is built on His grace and our obedience to His word, He will protect us. That doesn’t mean we won’t encounter trials on the way, but it does assure us of His ultimate protection.
Because of this promise we should not be afraid to step out and follow our dreams. Others may point at a million reasons why we may not succeed, but if we are listening to the direction of our Heavenly Father we will overcome. When I am walking with Jesus I need not fear what the enemy throws at me for I am protected!
PRAYER: Father God, like David I lay awake some nights begging for justice and it never seems to come! My enemies are constantly pursuing me. Sometimes those enemies are real. Sometimes they are in my mind and thoughts. Help me to remember that the most important thing I can do is to follow you and trust you to protect me wherever I go. Amen.
You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. Psalm 119:57-58
No doubt as a young man alone in the fields, David had seen prey divided among the victors and heard their joy as they claimed their part of the spoil. Perhaps he’d watched his own men celebrate joyously as they divided the plunder from fallen enemies. The joy is in the ‘portion’, that part of the treasure which is all yours.
As he reflected on the blessings he’d received from Jehovah God, he rejoiced in the one true treasure that would last him far beyond gold, silver or any earthly object. David’s ‘portion’ was the salivation and shield that Jehovah God provided. Elsewhere he praised Jehovah for being his salvation and shield, his power to overcome and his protection from attack.
It is because of the love and protection David received that he gladly treasured the Words of his God deep within his heart. They were the well spring of guidance and wisdom. They were the source of all that made him who he was. Obedience to God’s commands wasn’t a hardship for David for he saw obedience as the least he could do in return for the blessings Jehovah God provided.
David’s joy seems to spill over into prayer. He seeks the ‘face of the Lord’ with every ounce of his strength, for through heartfelt, honest, persistent conversation with his God he was able to rest in the promises of God’s unending love, grace and mercy.
Don’t miss the significance of David’s words. These words came from a man guilty of adultery, murder, poor parenting and a whole list of other failings in life. David had a criminal record that rivals the most heinous of criminals. Yet he was considered a ‘man after God’s own heart’, not because of his own righteousness. David knew full well that his salvation came as a result of Gods working in him and not because of anything that David could do.
Our motivation to go on, to pursue our dreams, to live lives that are full of the joy of Christ have nothing to do with the circumstances and struggles of our lives. We can base everything we have the unending grace of God, who wants to bless us beyond all measure because of Jesus. Like David, we can rejoice in a living, loving all-powerful God, our eternal portion.
PRAYER: Jehovah God, I thank you for the many blessings you desire to lavish upon me. I confess to you that too often I seek worldly pleasures and riches over the eternal riches of a relationship with you. Help me to seek after you, to pursue you through your word and prayer. Empower me to want to obey and to have victory over the things I’m struggling with today. Empower me to today to believe that you want your very best in my life. Help me to believe in myself as I earnestly seek your direction. Amen.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 (NLT)
The 23 Psalm is commonly read at funerals as words of comfort for those of us left behind and while the words are certainly comforting during those times it’s unfortunate that for many the Psalm is meant for the dead and/or mourning. Nothing is further than the truth. The 23rd Psalm is a song of rejoicing for the living!
The Psalmist, David, begins with a simple statement that is loaded with truth for those of us that follow Christ. “The Lord is My Shepherd…” Dwell for a few minutes on those words alone.
- The LORD is my shepherd-King of Kings, creator God, ruler of the Universe, All-powerful, Almighty, All-knowing. The same Yesterday, Today and Forever!
- The Lord is MY shepherd-He is personally interested in me. I am His number one. He knew me in my mother’s womb. I am not a number, I am His special creation!
- The Lord is my SHEPHERD-As All-knowing, all-powerful Creator God, who is personally interested in me and loves me personally, He chooses to guide and protect me and supply my every need. He knows my enemies, knows my needs, and is willing and able to protect me in every circumstance!
David begins this psalm with an overall statement of the God who loves us personally. He ends with a summary statement of what that means for me in the daily battles that I will encounter. ‘Surely’ is a word that implies finality and authority. There is no doubt. The statement that follows is as true as His word itself. This is something you can take to the bank.
‘His goodness and unfailing love’ tells of God’s character. If Creator God is who we say He is then his very nature is goodness. Goodness means moral excellence, feeling kindly towards someone. Our Heavenly Father’s love is a love of excellence. A quality of love that meets our every need knows our inner most being and knows exactly what our physical, spiritual and emotional needs are at any given moment and during anything life can throw at us. The words imply that this excellence in goodness and love is given in spite of the fact that the receiver of this love is undeserved. There is nothing we can do to earn the goodness and unfailing love of our Father.
Our all-powerful, all-loving Heavenly Father pursues us, earnestly seeking to show us His excellent love. As we go through the valleys of life, He is there. As we suffer the consequences of our own poor choices, He is there. As we suffer at the hands of others, He is there. He is not silent. He is not apathetic. He is a loving, kind and gentle shepherd who wants to lead us from danger to the fresh and fertile fields where we can enjoy the safety of His presence.
Don’t allow negative thoughts about yourself keep you from experiencing all that God has for you to experience in life.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for desiring to be my guide even though I’m so unworthy of your goodness and love. Thank you that you made me as I am but are not willing to leave me this way. Help me to grow stronger in my faith and trust in You and in myself. AMEN.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 