March 09
Lifted Up In His Time
But David went back and forth between working for Saul and helping his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.
I Samuel 17:15 (NLT)
So humble yourselves before God. … When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.
James 4:7a,10 (NLT)
Is there a greater rags to riches story than David’s? Maybe not. Before the lowly shepherd boy became the great king of Israel, he went through a rather long and rocky transition period. That time included time in and out of the palace. His first experiences with royalty are noteworthy. Even though he ministered directly to the King of Israel as one of his armor bearers, and at times as a skilled musician, he was mindful to fulfill his responsibility to his family. It’s interesting that David left the comfort and ease of Saul’s palace to tend his father’s smelly sheep. David’s humility allowed him to pursue his responsibilities and not get caught focusing on rank and prestige.
As David humbled himself before God and made choices that were right for his God, his king, and others, God slowly, but surely, promoted him to the highest position of all. David, it seems, handled the transition well.
David offers a lesson to us when we enter times of transition. While we may not become kings, God has a great plan for us nonetheless. Are you in between jobs, changing careers or locations? Maybe you’ve recently lost a mate, or experienced some other major life change. Maybe you finally got the big promotion. Do what David did when the spotlight swung his way. Take seriously the responsibilities God has brought your way, trust Him, and humbly, consistently do the right thing—regardless of the world’s wooing. In due time, He will see you through the transition and lift you up to something good—something you probably never saw coming. Something He’s had in mind for you for a long, long time.
Lord, help me to be a humble servant like David, able to work wholeheartedly, to wait patiently, and bow to You so willingly. Allow this transition to bring me closer to You. Amen.
Lifted Up In His Time
But David went back and forth between working for Saul and helping his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.
I Samuel 17:15 (NLT)
So humble yourselves before God. … When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.
James 4:7a,10 (NLT)
Is there a greater rags to riches story than David’s? Maybe not. Before the lowly shepherd boy became the great king of Israel, he went through a rather long and rocky transition period. That time included time in and out of the palace. His first experiences with royalty are noteworthy. Even though he ministered directly to the King of Israel as one of his armor bearers, and at times as a skilled musician, he was mindful to fulfill his responsibility to his family. It’s interesting that David left the comfort and ease of Saul’s palace to tend his father’s smelly sheep. David’s humility allowed him to pursue his responsibilities and not get caught focusing on rank and prestige.
As David humbled himself before God and made choices that were right for his God, his king, and others, God slowly, but surely, promoted him to the highest position of all. David, it seems, handled the transition well.
David offers a lesson to us when we enter times of transition. While we may not become kings, God has a great plan for us nonetheless. Are you in between jobs, changing careers or locations? Maybe you’ve recently lost a mate, or experienced some other major life change. Maybe you finally got the big promotion. Do what David did when the spotlight swung his way. Take seriously the responsibilities God has brought your way, trust Him, and humbly, consistently do the right thing—regardless of the world’s wooing. In due time, He will see you through the transition and lift you up to something good—something you probably never saw coming. Something He’s had in mind for you for a long, long time.
Lord, help me to be a humble servant like David, able to work wholeheartedly, to wait patiently, and bow to You so willingly. Allow this transition to bring me closer to You. Amen.
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