1 Samuel 16:18 “Then one of the servants answered and said, ‘Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.’”
In any era, King David would have been considered an amazing man. When you read about his life, you start to wonder how, from his youth, he came to possess such diverse talents. Yet, for all our admiration of David’s accomplishments, his interests seem to contradict one another. If he lived today, David would drive news analysts crazy. I imagine an interview could go something like this: “Mr. David, it says here that your pursuits are a bit unusual. Can you describe them?”
“Well, I love to compose and sing songs—poetry too. But when I’m not writing, I go to war. Fighting in dangerous conditions and killing giants are my specialties. I love it when those big men fall!”
What a boy David was, and what a man he became. But remember, before David became famous, he was first a lowly shepherd. Long before he donned warrior’s armor or wore the king’s crest, time with God was David’s tutor. In the lonely fields of his father’s flocks, his consideration of the heavens above and creation below formed his intimate understanding of the power of their Creator. David’s pursuit of the things of God made him a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).
Perhaps how we spend our time could use some refreshing. Maybe our worship is a little weak, our spiritual sword somewhat rusty, and we haven’t fought our battles well. The fix is to get alone with God—still our hearts, quiet our souls, to listen and learn. It just might transform you and me into giant-killing, songwriting, worship-singing, lovers of God, too!
– Pastor Jack
Click here to read all of Jack Hibbs’ Weekly Devotionals at Real Life with Jack Hibbs.
