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)

Green Pastures or Darkest Valley, One Thing Remains

Recently, I was reading a very familiar psalm. I know it by heart. Many of you who grew up in a Christian home can recite Psalm 23 without a pause. But, that day, it was different. I didn't quickly brush through the well-known verses, which I was tempted to do. But I took the time to slowly read the six verses. Here are some things that stood out to me that day:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. - God is our shepherd who takes care of our every need. It means just that - 'every' need. He knows what you need physically, emotionally, spiritually and any other 'ly' you can think of, so that you would lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. How pleasant and sweet those words sound! Who doesn't want to be in such beautiful places? Green pastures, quiet waters and refreshed - I want to be there! Yes, all the time. Notice the first part. 'He makes me lie down...' When He makes you, just lie down and be still. Store up all the energy you can. You might need it later in the journey.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley. This is nothing like the earlier part, where everything was peaceful and perfect! Darkness and valley aren't good places to be. Wouldn't it be good if they were eliminated from our path, altogether? Of course. But we all know that's not the way life is.

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Oh wait! It's not so scary, after all! 'Not perfect' doesn't have to mean 'not peaceful'. We can be in the darkest place, and yet be comforted and courageous. But, how is it possible? The key is that the Lord Himself is with us. In the height or depth, He never leaves. In the green pastures, He is there, leading me and refreshing my soul. In the valley, He is there, comforting me.

Whether I will be in the green pastures or the dark valley, I don't know. I will probably be travelling through both. But, one thing I know - He is with me. What an assurance!