The Career Path of a King

David played many roles through his lifetime. He was King David, but that was not his first job. His job description changed all the way from leading sheep to leading the country. Not just any country. This nation Israel that God Himself formed. But, look at his career path. I find it very interesting.

"He also chose David His servant,And took him from the sheepfolds;
From following the ewes that had young He brought him,
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.
So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,
And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands." (Psalm 78:70-72)

The first time we meet David in the Bible, he is a shepherd boy in his father's house. His father Jesse doesn't even bother to call him when the great prophet Samuel is at their house! In his family, he is simply "the youngest", but God sees something about his heart. God tells Samuel to anoint this good-looking young man as king. But, I wonder if David even knows what that anointing was for, at that point. (I Samuel 16:13) What I do know is that he was filled with the Holy Spirit. That's right, centuries before the day of Pentecost!

Soon, David gets his new title as Saul's armor bearer. Well on his way to becoming king, right? Though he is already known as a "man of war" (I Samuel 16:18), he isn't holding a sword yet, just a harp. He plays music for the king. Something powerful happens as he strums the strings. He doesn't only fill the king's bedroom with some good music, but evil spirits flee! He hasn't even given up his job as a shepherd yet. He continues to take care of his father's sheep, but they also have a keeper now.

The next time we meet David is a well-known episode when David kills Goliath with just a sling and a stone. David can't stand this huge Philistine man defying the Name of God. So, he steps in with the experience he gained from killing a lion to protect his sheep in the Name of God. After David defeats Goliath, his fame rises, and so does Saul's jealousy. David seems unaffected by his sudden fame, but Saul is so disturbed that he is ready to kill him.

Mainly because of Saul's jealousy, David becomes his enemy. The next season of his life mostly involves running from Saul to keep himself safe. This is not easy at all. David, along with his men, has to go through a number of different challenges just to keep themselves alive.

David had a promising career, we know. From shepherd to king is a great story. But, clearly, David did not pursue the throne. His eyes were not on kingship, but on the King of kings. If he had wanted to become a king (that was God's plan anyway, right?), he had the opportunity to do so. He could have easily killed Saul and proclaimed himself as king. He was a great warrior and a leader, but more than any of that, he was a man after God's own heart.

Even after Saul died, David genuinely mourned his death. The enemy who sought his life was dead, but David didn't rejoice at that, because he knew his life was in God's hands. By this time, even prophet Samuel who had anointed David as king years back had died. What chance remains of David becoming the king? Of course, the Lord's plans cannot be thwarted. After Saul's death, the men of Judah, and then the people of Israel anointed David as king. David seems to be a great example of waiting for God's perfect plans inspite of different circumstances and seasons.

May be you are in a season when you just do not know where you are headed. You know and believe that God has good plans for you, but you seem to be making no progress. Just remember, God hasn't forgotten! He is working on you, right now. Even when you already feel ready for the next step. Waiting is not easy, but "humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." (I Peter 5:6)

Not Our Things, Anyway

We live in a nice, compact, one-bedroom apartment. When we arrived, the only furniture available were a bed, a wooden chair and a small old cupboard. That was good enough for the two of us. We could comfortably sit on the carpeted floor with our legs stretched. Of course, we had all the home appliances. But, we could not invite anyone home. Where would we ask them to sit? Not on the floor! Since our stay in the US is temporary, we decided not to spend much on furniture. However, we needed something basic – at least to invite friends home.

It was a Saturday morning, just three weeks after we had come to the US. Our new friends (we had just met them the previous day) came home. They live in the same apartment complex and they were introduced to us by a common friend. They work among Indian students and they have been helping them set up their apartments. So, they get a lot of used furniture. They said they could give us some of that furniture. That would help us! Within the next one hour, our apartment was furnished with couches, a working table, television and much more than we thought we need. We did not have to pay a cent!

That day, we thought about the people who would have actually paid for those things. These things probably belong to different people – we do not know who they are. I wonder if they would even know we’re using those things now. But, they had the heart to let go of those material things, which is a blessing to us. That reminded us that not only is our stay in the US temporary, but also our stay in this world. After all, we are not going to carry any of our ‘belongings’ with us! So, why get attached to anything on earth? Our destination is heavenly. “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Luke 16:9)

2010 - Top 3 Lessons

I thought of briefly sharing the top three lessons I learnt in 2010.

1. I’ve been reading and studying the Bible ever since I accepted Jesus as my Saviour. At the beginning of this year, we were given a one-year Bible reading plan and we were asked to follow it. Initially, I was not very convinced about the idea of reading the Bible in one year, because I was used to studying smaller portions of the Scripture for my daily devotions. However, I started following this plan ‘out of compulsion’:) But, as I started reading more, I found that I started loving the Word of God more than ever. Memorising Scripture became easier than ever. Going forward, I started realizing that I have been following some ‘Christian’ traditions, listening to some ‘Christian’ messages and singing certain ‘Christian’ songs that are not really Biblical. I also learnt the importance of checking with the Bible if what preachers preach and authors write are based on the Bible. (Acts 17:11) Also, there is no use in just reading, meditating and studying the Word of God. What ultimately matters is putting it into practice. Blessed are those who obey what the Scripture says. (Psalm 119:1,2,9; James 1:22 - 25)

2.I learnt a lot about work this year and the Lord has helped me to change my attitude towards work. I had to learn this in a difficult situation. Our team was going through a lot of pressure for a few months. In that situation, most of my colleagues decided to resign their jobs and they did. I was also tempted to do that:) But the Lord wonderfully strengthened me through His Word. Every morning, when I would be worried and confused about facing the day, I was lead to verses that meant so much to me in that situation. I even remember praying that God would not take me through this tough time. I somehow wanted to escape. But now, looking back I am grateful to God for taking me through those difficult times. (Heb 12:11) Here are a few things I learnt about work: Eph 6: 5-8, Col 3:22-24, Eccl 3:22, Romans 13:1-7, Phil 2:14-15, I Peter 2:13-21.

(I urge you to take the time and read these verses)

3. Another major lesson I learnt this year is about trials. Of course, I learnt it through trials! This is the passage I am often reminded of: James 1:2-5. This is how we are commanded to respond to trials: rejoice! (I Peter 1:6,7) Blessed are we when we persevere under trials (James 1:12). We need to follow Jesus’ example of enduring trials (Heb 12:1-11) It is through trials that we are made stronger.

Thanks to be to God for His Grace that keeps us going.