1 Samuel 18:1

Now it came about when [David] had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.

! Samuel 18:1

People of faith are drawn to one another.

The friendship of David and Jonathan was truly remarkable. From a human standpoint, this friendship should have never happened, or it should have fallen apart under the severe stresses of the following years. Yet each pledged his life to the other. They completely identified with one another (the giving of the clothes and weapons was an indication of this strong bond). And both men remained true to this covenant regardless of circumstances – in David’s case, even beyond Jonathan’s death. Jonathan’s love for David was not based upon David’s success against Goliath, it had much deeper roots. And, because of that, their friendship stood the test of time.

What was it that drew these men together? How did this friendship transcend the differences of economic status and social position? Where did the firm foundation of this friendship come from? After all, David had been anointed to take Jonathan’s “rightful place” as king of Israel. But Jonathan seemed to feel no jealousy or rivalry, and from this point on, David was completely comfortable in Jonathan’s presence. Obviously, this friendship was God’s gift to these men – both for their benefit and for our instruction. Jonathan’s commitment t was especially vital for David, since it would prove instrumental in his survival on several occasions. But there was something else that drew them together – something that formed an indissoluble bond between them.

David and Jonathan were very much alike in their trust of God and in their walk of faith. They were both young men of faith, men who loved the Lord. And this love seems to be what drew them together. Even within the covenant community of God’s people, there are those who are more deeply committed to trusting God in every circumstance of life, and these “men of faith” are drawn to one another. David and Jonathan must have each recognized this characteristic in the other, for a man of faith instinctively recognizes a kindred spirit. David had just given a graphic example of his faith in God on the battlefield, and God had honored his faith with a great victory. Jonathan was also a warrior of faith. (see 1 Sam. 14:6-15, where, immediately before going into battle against overwhelming odds, Jonathan says, “Perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.”) Jonathan had just watched David topple Goliath, and recognized in him the same commitment to the Lord. Also, they were both men of action, who each saw action as the best way of serving God. And they were men who had committed their lives to following the Lord, whatever the cost. This kinship was based, then, on their love for and faith in God. This is what enabled them to be utterly selfless in their friendship.

In this friendship we can see again our Lord Jesus foreshadowed. He is the Son of the King who set His love upon unworthy, unknown commoners. He is the one who has clothed us with His own robe of perfect righteousness (Rom. 3:21-26) and who has also given us His armor and weapons (Eph. 6:14-18). He has made a covenant with us, ratifying it with the shedding of his own blood on the cross. And He has done all of this because He loves us – in a sense – as He loves Himself (Jn 15:9). It is by this great work of eternal friendship (Jn. 15:15,16), that Christ has ensured that we will indeed reign as kings, by God’s appointment (Rev. 1:6).

David and Jonathan also exemplify the kind of relationship we ought to seek and sustain with our fellow believers. Their friendship is an OT pattern for the love of the brethren (Rom. 12:10ff) – a covenantal commitment to one another founded upon a mutual love for and faith in God. This relationship is stronger than all other human relationships. It is the pattern for a Christian marriage, both in its inception and in its outworking. It is stronger than family ties (Note that Jonathan actually opposed his father for David’s sake). And it is stronger than our friendships with non-Christians. May the Lord bless us with such friendships and may our friends spur us on to greater faith as we serve the Lord together.

1 Samuel 18:5

So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

1 Samuel 18:5

Everybody loves a winner – but faithfulness is usually not popular.

David’s star was ascendant at this point: his defeat of the giant had turned around the entire situation, and Israel had won a resounding victory over the Philistines. As a result, everyone loved him, and it seemed that he could do no wrong. Saul promoted him; Jonathan paraded him; the people praised him and the army was pleased with his leadership. David’s career had suddenly taken off, and it appeared that nothing could hold him back. Heady stuff for the young shepherd boy from Bethlehem! His trust in God had resulted in both victory over Goliath and personal notoriety in the eyes of the world.

This is the vision that many have of a “successful ministry.” They are successful when their walk of faith gains not only God’s approval, but also that of the watching world. And even Christians may judge success on the basis of this kind of widespread acclaim. But David is not the poster boy for some kind of prosperity gospel. This moment of popularity is not the whole story for David. It would require some severe twisting of the Scriptures to make this into a simple “home town boy makes good” story. It would be nice to think that one act of faith – one instance of stepping out and trusting God – would have been enough to set David on the throne. Yet, this is not God’s way. True, a few of His choice servants have been successful, as the world defines it, but most were apparently total failures! The vast majority of God’s faithful ones have lived as unknown and unsung heroes of faith, daily following the Lord’s leading, scorned and ignored by the uncaring world. David acted in faith and it brought him a brief flurry of fame and popularity. But such things are notoriously fickle, so it is best not to set our heart on them. On rare occasions, godly faithfulness will gain the applause of the world, but far more often it will be misunderstood or even openly opposed. It was Christ Himself who warned us that since the world hated Him, it would also hate those who followed Him. (John 15:18-20)

How quickly David’s fortunes changed! Most of those who applauded him quickly turned against him and became his enemies. In this, as in so many other areas of his life, David foreshadows his greater Son, Jesus. Christ also enjoyed a brief moment of notoriety, until His teaching shone the light of God’s truth on the comfortable errors of His day. Not only that, but Jesus’ growing popularity with the crowds also caused the country’s leadership to turn against Him. So it was with David: the very source of his acclaim - his defeat of Goliath - became the source of bitter rancor, hatred and life-threatening situations for many years to come. And his popularity with the people turned Saul into a relentless enemy1.

Yet this descent into disrepute was also was God’s plan for David’s life. The pain and hardship had a tempering, sanctifying influence upon him. We know from the Biblical account that he had many painful lessons ahead of him – lessons that many of us are also called to learn. And while the story of the young man winning an impossible fight thrills us, it is the David who could write about anger and abandonment and yearning for God who we most identify with. The David of the Psalms is the one who is able to touch our hearts and lead us back to worship God in the midst of pain and loneliness and hardship. This David was not born on the battlefield or the king’s court; he was forged on the anvil of severe trial, as he learned to trust the promises of an incomprehensible God. (Is. 55:8) David was not immortalized by his worldly successes – his dogged faith in the midst of struggles and failures were what made him the man after God’s own heart.

God’s people often don’t understand this principle and still view worldly acclaim as the measure of success. Sadly, there are some within the church who are willing to do whatever it takes to “glorify God” by being personally successful. After all, everybody loves a winner – and just think about how much could be done for God through worldly success. Our problem is we don’t define success Biblically. In fact, if we are to think Biblically about this issue, we may need to change our vocabulary and replace the world “success” with “faithfulness.” God’s work in the world is accomplished through the faithfulness of millions of foolish, weak and base nobodies. (1 Cor. 1:26-29) ”That no man should boast before God.”

Don’t seek worldly acclaim – it’s a decidedly temporary phenomenon. And don’t expect the world to applaud you for your faithfulness. It may never even know your name. Many times, our acts of faith will only have an audience of One. But that audience is the only one that is important. Only God knows who your faithfulness will impact, but a life of faithfulness reflects His glory. May God’s grace enable us to remain faithful to His call on our life.

1 Samuel 17:58

And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”
1 Samuel 17:58

Rather than give glory to God, unbelief seeks to explain away faith’s victories.

I have long been confused by Saul’s reaction to David’s victory. David had just defeated Goliath using his shepherd’s sling and had cut off the giant’s head. And in a foreshadowing of the conflict still to come, David (who had earlier refused Saul’s sword) takes the giant’s sword to his own tent. The forces of Israel, galvanized by this unexpected turn of events, have routed the Philistine army. And in that context, Saul questioned his field commander, Abner, about David’s identity. So David, still carrying the gory head of Goliath, is brought before the king to introduce himself.
The fact that Saul questioned Abner about David’s parentage is baffling when one considers that David was already something of a fixture at Saul’s court. Now it’s possible that Saul, not being in his right mind when David sang for him, simply didn’t remember the identity of this young man. It’s also possible that Saul was feigning ignorance in order to avoid the embarrassment of having sent a boy to do a man’s job. But we have already seen that unbelief ruled Saul’s thought life and dictated his actions. He had attempted to discourage David’s faith, and when unable to succeed, Saul had tried to dilute David’s faith by suggesting David use ‘reasonable precautions.’ His disobedient, unbelieving heart is well-documented. On this basis, it’s entirely valid to expect Saul to continue in his pattern of unbelief after David’s victory as well.
Therefore, these verses provide a helpful insight into the unbelieving mind. The common response of unbelief, when face-to-face with a triumph of faith, is to seek some natural explanation. Unbelief (especially in our culture) most often finds its roots in a materialistic, naturalistic worldview. It assumes that the supernatural does not exist, and so rejects out of hand the very concept of divine intervention or provision. This response is not new; we find it clearly illustrated here. Saul simply couldn’t accept that it was faith in God that had enabled David to triumph over Goliath. Believing action and faithful confidence in a covenant-keeping God were not part of Saul’s worldview and so they were not an acceptable explanation for David’s victory. So Saul went looking for a natural explanation: he inquired about David’s family tree. The implication is that David must be the scion of a hitherto unknown but great family – a family of warriors. Somehow, David’s genetic heritage (and perhaps early training) had produced a prodigy of warfare. As far-fetched as this may seem, such an explanation was far easier for Saul’s unbelieving mind to accept than was the truth.
Saul’s response provides a Biblical example of what it means to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” (Rom. 1:18) Sinful man’s inherent hostility toward God and His glory causes him to suppress the truth about God and, by extension, about God’s actions within creation. This suppression is so total that an unbeliever will readily accept an untenable explanation (e.g. the theory of evolution) as long as it effectively denies any action by God. So, answers to prayer will be passed off as coincidence. Spirit-enabled actions and initiative will be explained (as here) through purely human means. And, when all else fails, unbelief will accuse believing conquerors of error or deceit. If we understand Paul’s teaching in Romans 1, we will not be surprised by this kind of response. Fallen, sinful men simply think and act in accord with their sinful nature.
The surprise comes when we witness this kind of response from within the church. Among believers, we should expect to find a broad consensus that affirms the action of God within His creation. Christians, of all people, should expect God to answer prayer, to “show Himself strong on behalf of those who fear Him,” and to do “exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.” But unbelief is also alive and well within the Christian community:
A sister is diagnosed with terminal cancer, the church prays for her healing, and God responds with a miraculous removal of the tumors. Rather than give glory to God, unbelief responds by “explaining” that the doctor had misdiagnosed her condition.
A brother responds to God’s leading by praying for an offer on the house he needs to sell, and God provides an offer that very day. But unbelief characterizes God’s provision as a coincidence.
A Christian family has a large financial need that is met “out of the blue” by unsolicited gifts. Yet, unbelief focuses on the human means God used, making the miraculous appear mundane.

We have all experienced victories of this kind and, sadly, many of us have responded in a similar fashion. In the light of the excesses that exist in the church, it is understandable that many believers are reluctant to expect and accept God’s miraculous working. However, such caution runs the risk of denying the legitimate work of the Holy Spirit and tends to dull (rather than sharpen) our faith. Frankly, if we do not expect God to give us great victories, He often gives us what we expect - nothing. Listen to the great hymn-writer, William Cowper:

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare, Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself hath bid thee pray, therefore will not say thee nay.

Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much.

May the Lord give us discernment as we evaluate the victories of faith. But may He also enable us to discern the biases of our own thoughts and keep us from explaining away His answers to prayer. If faith is the victory that overcomes the world, the place it must begin is with the worldly assumptions we harbor in our own thoughts. “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph.3:20,21)

1 Samuel 17: 46,47

…”[T[hat all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”

1Samuel 17:46,47

God's glory necessitates an open declaration of faith.

It may seem rather obvious to say, but David’s challenge of Goliath was stated publicly. He made no attempt to hide or temper his open declaration of confidence in God: it was made before the king and court and, soon thereafter, reaffirmed on the battlefield as he cast his challenge into the giant’s teeth. While it is possible for one to exercise faith in a private fashion, it is striking to consider how often the Bible records public declarations of faith – either in word or in action. See Noah’s public declaration of faith in God’s word as the ark took shape over 120 long years. Watch Moses hold out his rod over the Red Sea. Listen to Elijah defiantly call down fire from heaven. Hear Daniel praying out his open window, knowing the lions await him. The examples roll on through the centuries as prophets and apostles, martyrs and missionaries give public testimony to the truth of God’s promises and His power to provide. David’s actions here are completely in accord with this pattern.

Faith is indispensable because it is the essence of what God requires from us as His people. From the very beginning, Adam was given the test of simply taking God at His word. Sadly, his failure to do so plunged all of mankind into unbelief – a condition that lies at the root of all sin. So, when God comes in grace to unbelieving sinners, the first thing He requires of them (of us) is faith: faith that believes His word; faith that repents of all sin; faith that embraces the cross of His Son; faith that is impossible until given as a gift of God’s sovereign grace. (Eph. 2:8-10) True faith is God’s work in us, and He will have His workmanship declared for all the world to see. This is why we profess with our mouth as well as believe in our hearts (Rom. 10:9,10), and why we are to continue to walk by faith and not by sight.

David saw Goliath’s challenge as an opportunity to bring glory to God. He believed without hesitation that God stood for Israel in this conflict, and he openly stated that God’s covenant faithfulness was the source of his courage. Even though he was acting alone as he went out against the giant, David knew he wasn’t alone. God was there, the unbelieving Philistines were there and God’s covenant people were there too. All of them would witness David’s public demonstration of faith – they comprised his audience. His goals were clear: to bring glory to God, to convict the unbelievers and to encourage God’s people. But David understood that, in order for these goals to be accomplished, he had to express his faith openly.

David’s expression of confidence in God brought glory to God and so met his first goal. The mere fact that faith in God moved a stripling to stand against the mightiest warrior on the field proclaimed the glory of the God of Israel – whether or not the giant was defeated. This is the lesson of martyrdom: God is glorified when His people stand for the truth, even if they forfeit their lives in the process. Perhaps Martin Luther said it best: “Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also. The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still. His Kingdom is forever.” In this case, God chose not only to show His glory through David’s profession, but also by granting him a great victory.

David’s stunning defeat of Goliath electrified both armies. The Philistines were at first dumbfounded and then panic-stricken as they fled the field with the army of Israel on their heels. The Israelites, on the other hand, seemed reborn. Shaking off their earlier cowardice, they stormed after the Philistines with a shout of victory and slaughtered the enemy up to the very gates of his strongholds. What a transformation! The entire course of the battle shifted in those few moments as God’s people were inspired and God’s enemies were demoralized by one public act of faith.

Don’t be surprised when you find yourself facing a requirement to “go public” with your faith. God’s commitment to His own glory and His love for you will not allow your faith to remain hidden for long. If your faith is a gift from God, it MUST express itself openly. This is how faith grows stronger. Remember also that stepping out in faith impacts those around you. This is where the reformations and revivals in the history of the church have started – with men and women who were willing to trust God and take a step of faithful obedience. Who knows what God may do through you?

1 Samuel 17:45-47

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, whom you have taunted.”

1 Samuel 17:45

In taking a step of faith, the believer must focus on God’s ends, His goals.

David has now come face to face with Goliath, and we can see that he is well aware of the giant’s advantages. In fact, David lists them in v.45. From this we can infer that faith is not an irrational, disconnected leap into the unknown. Rather, as David listed the contrasting set of weaponry, he didn’t place his hope in his sling, but in “the name of the Lord of hosts.” The mere fact that he faced Goliath from God’s side of the battle made David confident that he would prevail. He looked the circumstances squarely in the eye; he knew that he was militarily outclassed, and yet he acted upon the confidence that God was with him. His focus was upon what would be accomplished for God; he viewed the situation from God’s perspective. This is something we must learn to do if we hope to walk by faith. Let’s look a bit deeper into what was on David’s mind at this point.

1. David was concerned for the glory of God. We can see this clearly at the end of v. 45, “whom you have taunted.” David assumed, and rightly so, that God was concerned for His own glory and for the sanctity of His name. He interpreted Goliath’s words and actions in the light of that basic Biblical truth. God’s name had been dishonored and seeking to redress that situation was a cause that would glorify God. Therefore, David was confident that God would go with him and grant him victory. Whenever we think about stepping out in faith, we must examine our own motives to see whether promoting God’s glory is the ground of our motivation. It is so easy to launch out on projects of our own devising, expecting God to tag along, to provide for us as needed and to somehow generate glory for Himself from something that really shines the spotlight on us. But whenever we are able to effectively plead the glory of God as the root motivation for our cause, it makes for powerful prayer. (Compare Moses’ prayer in Ex. 33:12-18) When we commit ourselves to bringing glory to God, we are following in the steps of our Elder Brother, who focused on His Father’s glory every moment of His earthly life. (See John 17:1-5)

2. David was focused on God’s testimony in the world. See v. 46, “that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” David wasn’t just “talking trash” to try and intimidate Goliath. He was speaking in faith and delineating the means by which the testimony of God’s power and presence with Israel would be proclaimed. He stepped out in faith, knowing that the world was watching him attempt something humanly impossible. And when he succeeded in doing the impossible, then the world would know it was God’s doing, not David’s. (See Jesus’ comment in John 14:10-12) The life of faith is a public proclamation of the power of God among His people. This is why God has commanded us to live by faith (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17), and why He so greatly honors those who do (Heb. 11). Living by faith graphically testifies that God is alive, powerful and committed to His people. It carries with it a conviction that the world can neither explain nor deny. Doesn’t your heart leap at the thought of doing something so great for God that the world would HAVE to acknowledge His power? But when those who claim to be God’s people fail to live the supernatural life of faith, they inevitably communicate that God is not worthy of trust, He is powerless to provide and He is not willing to supernaturally defend the cause of His people. Our failure to walk by faith tells the world ‘there is no God in Israel,’ and Christianity is just like every other religion. Is it any wonder the world shows so little interest in Christ when the behavior of the church demonstrates that Christians do not believe in His power?

3. David desired to strengthen the faith of God’s people. David concluded his purpose statement in v. 47 by saying, “that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s…” David faced a context where God’s own people didn’t trust God! Sadly, this is often the case with the church: the armies of Israel are paralyzed by their lack of faith. How can this dilemma be resolved? What can one person do to counteract such spiritual inertia? Well, David deliberately chose to act in faith – remember, he was offered a sword and spear and he refused them. He consciously set an example for God’s people to demonstrate to them that God was able to do far more than they expected. And his example continues to instruct God’s people down to the present day. The Bible gives many examples of those who chose to walk by faith. And as we study the history of the church, we find many others. We all need our faith strengthened; we all need to see the life of faith lived out in the flesh. But examples like Abraham or David or George Mueller or Hudson Taylor are not intended as a mere spectacle. God leads some to step out first so that His people will be strengthened and encouraged to follow. David defeated Goliath, and the army of Israel was so inspired by his victory that they destroyed the Philistine forces. One man of faith made all the difference.

Perhaps God is calling you to step out first. You may be in a church where the life of faith is not practiced or encouraged. Or, you may be facing a situation that seems impossible. How do you know whether God is calling you to act in faith? Examine yourself and your motives in the light of David’s focus. He looked in three directions: at God, at the world and at the church. If it will glorify God, convict the world and strengthen the faith of God’s people, why hesitate? These are the very things to which God is committed and for which He sent His Son. Your situation may well be a providential opportunity for the demonstration of God’s power. Step out. You are not alone. “The battle is the Lord’s.”

1 Samuel 17:39,40

And David girded his sword over [Saul’s] armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off. And he took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook…”
1 Samuel 17:39,40

The resources others consider necessary are often a hindrance to faith.

It’s fascinating to see the contrast in thinking between a man of the world and a man of faith. Saul knew that no sane man would consider going up against the giant without armor and sword. Such resources were absolutely necessary for any hope of success. Consequently, he offered David his own weapons and armor. But David, operating in faith, knew that God was his protection; the armor Saul considered necessary was not essential for victory. So, instead of being enamored with the honor of wearing the king’s own armor, David found these “necessities” to be a restriction. He stripped them off and entered the battle in dependence upon God.

The same approach surfaces today whenever someone seeks to step out in faith. Inevitably, wiser heads will urge the “sane” approach: Make sure that you have sufficient resources before you commit yourself. After all, isn’t it an exercise in faith to trust God to provide the resources BEFORE you step out? This is actually the more spiritual approach (so the argument goes); because God reveals His will to us by providing the necessary resources. Any other approach is sheer presumption.

Tell that to David. Tell that to Elijah as he prayed for fire from heaven, standing all alone against the prophets of Baal. Tell that to Peter as he stepped out of the boat and walked on water. Tell that to the thousands upon thousands of God’s people from all ages who have been called to impossible tasks with insufficient resources. All they had was God’s Word, confidence in His covenant faithfulness and an assurance (by personal experience) of His power. This insistence upon waiting for the necessary resources is often a threadbare façade for rank unbelief.

David was assured that this battle was God’s will. But he was not willing to trust in the things that others trust in. He was not going to meet this challenge and allow the challenge itself to determine the ground rules. [You must fight a warrior as a warrior! “No, I will fight him as a shepherd who trusts in God.” We must have the money! “No, we must have God!” I can’t do this! “No, YOU can’t, but God can do it through you.”] He did not allow his faith to be hindered by supposedly necessary resources.

David had no experience with Saul’s armor, but he had repeated experience with God’s power and provision. He knew that God could make much out of little. He had no ability in himself to defeat Goliath, but he had seen God bring victory through him as he was. (See 17:34-37) So David didn’t ask God for the necessary resources before proceeding. Nor did he ask God to change him so he could accomplish this task. He simply trusted God to work through him as he was, with what means he had. Far better a shepherd’s weapons with trust in God than the weapons of a warrior without it!

God’s power is not limited by a lack of resources. Granted, sometimes He provides what we need ahead of time. But often – especially for those whom He has blessed with a growing experience of walking by faith – the resources are inadequate or non-existent. In this way, He forces our unbelieving hearts to operate by faith, trusting in His power and nothing else. Using the eyes of faith, we learn to view reality as God would have His children see it: nothing is too hard for God. (See Gen. 18:14) And so He brings glory to Himself and strengthens our faith by doing the impossible with insufficient means through those who are incapable. What is He calling you to do?

1 Samuel 17:37

Sorry for the delay in the posting of this devotional. I was out of internet contact for most of last week. - Dan.

And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

! Samuel 17:37

Faith doesn’t look to present circumstances for its encouragement.

We looked in the last post at the truth that unbelief seeks to discourage faith in any way it can. Consequently, the exercise of faith often takes the form of a struggle against unbelief. But the struggle for faith doesn’t just require us to take a stand against unbelief in others. We often have to fight against our own unbelief. We all have a tendency to judge situations based upon the observable circumstances. And frankly, the situations in which faith is most needed are usually the ones in which the circumstances seem most foreboding. After all, if the circumstances seem favorable, what will provoke us to exercise faith in God? But when we are brought face to face with our own inadequacy and the poverty of our own resources, we are forced to turn to the Lord in faith. Scripture is full of such situations: building a boat when it has never rained, expecting a child when you’re too old to conceive, waiting for God to open a way through the sea, looking at a brass snake when you’re dying, winning a battle because Moses’ hands are in the air.

Each of these situations is related in the five books of Moses – David’s Bible. These recorded events no doubt helped to teach David about faith. And he learned these lessons well. He knew that God had committed Himself by covenant to the people of Israel. He believed that the God who accomplished these mighty acts was the same God who would stand with him as he fought Goliath.

David could have said, ‘You’re right, Saul, this is a bleak situation and I have no real hope of being able to succeed.’ The present situation offered little hope when considered from the natural perspective. But faith and unbelief (Calvin calls it “unfaith”) focus on different things. Saul was only considering the circumstances. But David’s faith considered the situation from a different perspective. It enabled him to see through the circumstances and focus on the God for whom nothing is impossible. There was, in fact, a “spiritual rationality” to David’s decision to fight Goliath.

What can David teach us about the exercise of faith? What did he draw upon for encouragement? First, David considered the challenge of Goliath through the lens of the past victories God had given him through faith. This is why he made such a big deal about the lion and the bear. Killing these predators was, in a sense, equally impossible for a boy to have accomplished. Yet, it appears that he had actually gone into these situations in faith, trusting that God would give him the victory. God had provided him with a training ground – experiences of divine provision that enabled David to trust God in this circumstance as well. This, by the way, is one of the main reasons why we experience such trials in our own lives. God is training us for bigger victories. He expects us to remember, to “treasure these tings in our hearts,” so that we will have a ‘faith fund’ to draw upon when called to face an impossible task. [Allow me to put in a plug for journaling – writing down your thoughts and also recording God’s provisions and answers to prayer. Such a spiritual diary will prove invaluable when you are facing the next call to faith.]

David was also encouraged by the knowledge that God had been with him in the past. This enabled him to believe that God was with him in the present. (See 17:37) David knew it had been the Lord who had delivered him in those previous situations. In his mind, the fight against the giant was entirely parallel: the predators were attacking his sheep; the giant was attacking the Lord’s sheep. So, David expected God to provide in the same way He had in the previous situations. Goliath’s size and abilities were of no concern in this equation. We must make this kind of “spiritual reasoning” a regular part of our thinking a decision-making. (See Ps. 27:1-3)

Finally, David was encouraged by God’s character and commitments. He knew that God was (and still is) committed to His covenant people. This confidence is indicated in David’s language: “uncircumcised Philistine,” “the armies of the living God.” In fact, God’s commitment to His people and to the building and protection of His church must be one of the key factors in our thinking when we step out in faith. He didn’t even spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all. How can we think that He will withhold anything needful after such a demonstration of His determined devotion to us? (Rom. 8:32,33)

Things haven’t changed a bit. God hasn’t changed. Our enemies are His enemies; our needs are His concern. His glory is still the ultimate issue in every circumstance of our lives. He loves to be the deliverer and the redeemer. He also delights in the faith of His people because it indicates that we trust Him to be the God He has promised to be – despite apparently contrary or impossible circumstances. As we seek His glory, we are on good ground to expect Him to provide. This is also the place of effective prayer. Faith is not irrational – not at all. It is supremely rational, because it trusts in the One who stands beyond all created reality. Guided by His Word, encouraged by our experience of His faithfulness, emboldened by His presence and established on His covenant faithfulness, let’s honor our Father by expecting Him to do far more than seems possible in our circumstances.

1 Samuel 17:33

Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.”

1 Samuel 17:33

Unbelief seeks to discourage the exercise of faith.

If there is one thing unbelief opposes above all else, it is faith. This is because faith shows unbelief for what it truly is – a lack of trust in God. Those who are caught in the web of unbelief labor diligently to disguise it, covering their lack of trust in God with high-sounding words - prudence, fiscal conservatism, realism, rationality, tradition. But when the verbal façade is removed, their unbelief is clearly revealed. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden, people who don’t exercise faith will often attempt to cover the their unbelief with the fig leaves of rationality, while simultaneously attacking those who seek to walk by faith. Those without faith are relieved when they can convince themselves and others that their position is the reasonable one. Then, their naturalistic (anti-supernatural) worldview remains unchallenged, and its open denial of God’s power rests comfortably undisturbed.

By faith, David saw Goliath’s challenge through God’s eyes, and he knew that God would grant him the victory, no matter what the odds. So, in a stinging rebuke to the cowardice of Saul and those who followed him, the shepherd boy volunteered to face the giant. David had complete faith in God’s power, while Saul had no faith at all. This contrast set up a classic conflict between faith and unbelief, exposing Saul’s unbelieving heart. David’s faith threatened Saul’s naturalistic worldview, and so Saul set out to discourage David from following the Holy Spirit’s leading.

First, Saul gave a perfectly reasonable explanation why David couldn’t be the one to oppose Goliath: David was a youth and Goliath was an experienced warrior. Saul made a very good point – on the natural level. But his argument only considered what was apparent to the natural man: David’s inexperience and lack of resources. Considered from that perspective, the situation was hopeless. Saul was completely right - David was not able (in himself) to successfully fight the giant. But David was not deterred by Saul’s reasonable argument. He saw that Saul had failed to take into account the supernatural power of God, and he proceeded (in vv. 34-37) to cite his prior experiences of God’s divine provision in impossible circumstances.

When he realized he could not discourage David’s faith, Saul tried to get him to at least include some “reasonable precautions” in his plans. Saul spoke some religious words (“Go, and may the Lord be with you.”), and then dressed David in his own armor. After all, it was enough that David was going to face the giant by faith. It only made sense to take some precautions just in case things didn’t go well. But David refused to take anything from Saul – not his garments, his armor or his weapons. He knew that when faith and reasonable precautions are mixed together, God’s power is often ignored. In such a context, people tend to act in reliance upon the precautions, not in reliance upon God. And ultimately, it’s the precautions - the wise plans - that get the glory, not God. And so this mixture of faith and precautions ends up actually hindering faith. Thankfully, David’s determined faith (like that of our Lord when He faced Satan’s temptations) was neither discouraged nor diluted. He willingly faced this impossible challenge, relying only upon God.

What would the Church be like if Christians today followed David’s pattern? What would YOUR life be like? You see, this kind of faith isn’t just for Bible stories; it’s our heritage as God’s children. It lies at the root of our redemption and is an indicator that we are truly alive in Christ. Sadly, like Saul, many of those who try to discourage such faith are found among God’s people – even in leadership positions. Many Christians are so blinded by our anti-supernatural culture that they live in practical denial of our Father’s ability to do “exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.” (Eph. 3:20) Could this be why we see so little of God’s power in our churches? After all, the times of great advance among God’s people, times like the Reformation, the Great Awakening and the Protestant missionary movement, have been lead by men and women of faith. The examples are legion: Martin Luther, John Knox, David Brainerd, Adoniram Judson, George Mueller, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, Gladys Aylward, Watchman Nee and on and on. Each of them faced and conquered “impossible” challenges through strong, unshakeable faith in God. Our Lord calls each of us to “get out of the boat” (Matt. 14:29) and live by faith. Will you, by His grace, answer that call? Whatever the challenge God has set before you, don’t be discouraged by unbelief – your own, or that of others. Trust in the covenant character and faithful word of God, and run to meet the giant.

1 Samuel 17:32

“Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

1 Samuel 17:32

Faith acts upon the spiritual realities that lie behind our visible physical circumstances.

One of the most prominent and reoccurring themes of Scripture is “the just shall live by faith.” (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38) This truth is also the central focus of the Protestant Reformation – enshrined in the credo, sola fide. And yet, even among those who remain loyal to Scripture, this truth has often been reduced to little more than a method by which one obtains salvation. This is not the view of Scripture. Neither in its clear doctrinal passages nor in its multitudinous real-life examples does Scripture reduce faith to a mere one-time exercise that brings about new spiritual life. Certainly, saving faith DOES result in new life, but it does so as the first step toward an entirely new perspective – one that interprets all of life from God’s viewpoint.

The life of David provides us with many examples of this strong, God-honoring thinking and acting on the basis of faith. And as we struggle to learn to live by this principle, we are instructed by this shepherd boy, who interprets Goliath and his challenge on the basis of faith in the power and covenant faithfulness of God. In this, David stands tall in an ages-long succession of godly men and women, who believed God’s Word, saw the unseen and who, through faith, accomplished what was humanly impossible. (Heb. 11) God’s people are all called to live their lives on this same principle. Here again, Jesus Christ has gone before us and by His implicit trust in the Father’s word – even in the face of cruel – He shows us the way. In fact, David’s battle with the giant illustrates Christ’s battle against the great enemy of our souls.

In this section, David visited the army of Israel as it sat paralyzed by Goliath’s challenge. No one, including Saul, dared to face the giant in combat. Goliath was simply too big, too strong and too well armored: defeating him was manifestly impossible for any man. Although they were the “army of the living God,” (v.36) none of the Israelites could look past the physical realities and believe that God could bring them victory. David’s prodding questions (v.26) produced only impotent anger and frustration. Even the personal, financial and political rewards promised by Saul had failed to induce anyone to step up. (see v.25) So, it wasn’t really Goliath’s challenge that had paralyzed them; it was their unbelief that caused them to huddle in their tents. We shouldn’t be surprised. After all, how often in your life has this unbelieving focus on circumstances produced a similar result?

But where others saw impossibility, David saw an opportunity for God to work. His focus was on the spiritual issues involved, not on the outward circumstances. This is clear from his statements in v. 36. Goliath was “an uncircumcised Philistine.” In other words, big as he was, the giant was not under the covenant protection of God. Israel, on the other hand, constituted “the armies of the living God.” The army of Israel, comprised of His covenant people, was the means by which God would demonstrate His power and glory in the world. David knew where God stood on the issue, so the outcome was never in doubt. To his eyes of faith, this was a “no brainer.” He gave everyone in earshot an opportunity to volunteer and no one was interested. Yet, it was a task that someone had to undertake. Since it appeared that he was the only one willing, he concluded that this challenge was intended by God for him. And as he stepped out in faith, God blessed him with a great victory.

Perhaps you have experienced this in your own life: the inescapable conviction that a certain challenge was intended by God for you alone. When God’s call comes, it inevitably involves a task that is too difficult for you, and forces you to act on faith in God alone. The “giants” are different for each one of us – financial, relational, ministerial – but each one requires us to look beyond our circumstances to lay hold of the spiritual truths God has taught us in His Word. Many times both the challenges and the victories of faith are unseen and private. Yet they are no less real for that. And each victory strengthens our faith. The realization that we have been called to an impossible task keeps us humble and that very humility makes us fit vessels for God’s power. If you, like David, are one of God’s children the challenges will continue to come. Don’t allow the unbelief of others to keep you from stepping out in faith.

1 Samuel 17:15

“David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock in Bethlehem.”

1 Samuel 17:15

God views character as more important than position.

It must have been very difficult for the youngest son, who had already been anointed as the next king of Israel and who already had a standing position at the king’s court, to return and submit himself to the tending of his father’s sheep. Yet David was willing to do so – even though it is always more difficult to go down in status than to go up. Perhaps he had grasped that God was equipping him for the throne. But in any case, David obviously trusted God to do what was right because we hear no word of complaint from him. His example of perseverance, even in the midst of humbling circumstances, sets an example for us that we would do well to learn.

David’s experience here illustrates the principle that God prepares his people for positions of responsibility by developing their character. This was the case with every leader God honored: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel, Peter and even our Lord Jesus. The principle is the same today, so if you expect to be used by God, expect first to learn some difficult lessons in His school for character.

This verse indicates that God deliberately held David in suspension between his two lives: the shepherd and the armor-bearer. While he stood at Saul’s right hand, David could see and almost taste the position God had promised he would someday hold. But he also was required to regularly return to the lowly position of a shepherd. Clearly, there were things he needed to learn through both experiences, but our focus at this point is the suspension between these two worlds. Why would God do this? Obviously, it required a measure of humility from David to step back into the role of the shepherd, and humility is a grace that God works into the lives of each of His people. However, David was not merely experiencing a demotion, but a suspension. With full knowledge that he was God’s anointed, David was forced to wait – one of the most difficult things for a man of action to do. [BTW, it is a fascinating study to trace the concept of “waiting” through Scripture.] God was developing David’s character in preparation for his future role as king. And the character development won’t end here – David will have to wait many more years, running for his life, hiding in caves, fighting for safety and sanity, before he will ascend to the throne. As David waited upon God’s timing, God was teaching him deep lessons in humility, patience, perseverance and faith.

In this context, it’s interesting to notice that when he faced Goliath, David had to make a choice between his two personas, and he chose the shepherd over the armor-bearer. No doubt he was tempted to go out against the giant outfitted as a warrior, but David instinctively realized that God gets glory by working powerfully through our weakness. So, it was a commonplace shepherd’s sling that defeated the enemy of Israel. Ironically, David’s embracing of the shepherd would lead to him being cast in the role of a great warrior. (See 18:7)

God’s commitment to building our character explains why He so often leaves difficult situations in our life unresolved. Holding us in suspension gets our attention. Requiring us to wait on His timing remains one of God’s most effective methods of teaching and building the character of His children. James said it like this: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3,4)

I’m sure you can think of at least one situation in your life that remains “open” and causes you a measure of uncertainty. As you prayerfully consider that situation, recognize that God is at work through it to build your Christian character. After all, if everything in your life was certain and resolved, how would you learn to walk by faith? By its very nature, faith requires a measure of uncertainty, just as perseverance presumes a measure of difficulty. God’s methods with us are often painful, but He is preparing us for a glorious destiny. (Rom. 8:18) Unfulfilled hopes, unresolved conflicts, unexpected challenges – these are the fertile soil in which Christian character grows and bears fruit for God’s glory. “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” Gal. 6:9

1 Samuel 17:11

When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

1 Samuel 17:11

When not viewed through the eyes of faith, our difficulties often seem insurmountable.

The Philistines have returned: It’s a reoccurring theme in the reigns of Saul and David. The Philistines were Israel’s archetypal foes – enemies who continuously harassed and threatened God’s people. But they were often used by God as the backdrop against which He demonstrated His power and provision for His covenant people. It’s the same story with the trials and difficulties that God allows to come into our lives: they reoccur regularly and they are used by God as a means of showing us His power and provision. David will show us that faith is the key to dealing with difficulties – whether Philistines or hard circumstances or stubborn sin or loss.

Saul and Jonathan had recently dealt the Philistines a severe blow. (1 Sam. 13,14) But these implacable enemies had once again invaded Israelite territory, and they brought their gigantic champion, Goliath, with them. Goliath challenged the army of Israel to send a champion against him in single combat, in a winner-take-all competition. But Saul and his army, overcome by fear, cowered in their tents, unwilling to take up the challenge. Why?

Admittedly, Goliath was an imposing, even frightening, figure. He was well over 9 feet tall, wore 150 lbs. of “scale armor,” carried a spear with a 20 lb. iron head and was an experienced warrior. The guy was a tank! But why did Israel hesitate? There was no rule saying single combat was necessary. They could simply have attacked the Philistine army as they had before. In fact, since Israel had faced the Philistines frequently over the years, it seems likely that they had seen Goliath before and he had presented no great difficulty. Besides, Israel had its own “giant,” an experienced warrior-king who stood “head and shoulders” above his fellow Israelites, Saul.

But Saul was the problem. Remember his spiritual condition at this point: he had been forsaken by God and the Holy Spirit had departed from him. He was a spiritual lame duck – still bearing the title of king, but no longer God’s anointed. Incapable of faith and now bereft of the Spirit’s power and Samuel's guidance, Saul had taken the field in his own strength and it wasn’t enough. He was terrified, and his cowardice had infected the entire army of Israel. [As a sidebar, notice that leadership can be negative as well as positive, and that it tends to determine the perspective of those who follow. This is especially true of spiritual leadership – a church never rises above its leaders. So pray for your elders and those who lead the church that they would be men of great faith.]

The situation cried out for a man of faith – a man who could see what was truly happening. And onto the scene stepped David. Looking through the eyes of faith, David didn’t see a giant, he saw a blaspheming enemy of God’s people; he didn’t see an insurmountable obstacle, he saw an opportunity for the Lord to demonstrate His power.

You see, faith doesn’t calculate on the same basis as unbelief. Unbelief (personified by Saul) looks only at the human resources at hand, weighing them against the size of the obstacle. In Saul’s view, an inexperienced boy couldn’t possibly prevail against this gigantic, battle-hardened warrior. (17:33) But David’s calculations of faith yielded an entirely different result. He started with the victories God had given him in the past (17:34,35), added to them the importance God places on His own glory and honor (17:36) and concluded that this battle was already won, because it was God’s fight. David’s personal strength and resources were not the issue. The only question his faith asked was whether God was in it, because if God was in it, then victory was assured. David was simply willing to be the means through which God worked. By faith he grasped that “power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

This is a lesson taught throughout the Bible. But it is a lesson many Christians today have never learned. I fear that in our day, few Christians have David’s faith – even though we have the full revelation of Jesus Christ, and have all been given the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. What about you? Have you learned the calculus of faith yet? In following God’s will, God’s power + a weak and willing vessel = the manifestation of glory of God (regardless of the size of the obstacle). The church of Jesus Christ cries out for men and women of faith. May you be part of God’s answer to that cry!

1 Samuel 16:16,19

“Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp…he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well….So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, ’Send me your son David who is with the flock.’”

1 Samuel 16:16,19

God prepares us for His calling in our lives but we are often unaware of what He’s doing.

David was anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel. But as far as we know, he had never even seen a king, let alone have any idea what the job entailed. David was no polished courtier, no battle-scarred warrior; he was a shepherd, a country bumpkin. Yet, God’s call would eventually come to fruition and David would be required to take his place as king. How would he learn the ways (both positive and negative) of the king’s court? How was he supposed to gain battle experience? After all, being a warrior-king is definitely not something you want to learn on the job! Anyone taking up that task without experience would have a very short life-expectancy.

Obviously, God had anticipated this difficulty and had made provision for David’s training. But this provision came from a most unexpected direction – from Saul himself. As a result of his desertion by the Holy Spirit, King Saul was in a very agitated mental condition. The text says that “…an evil spirit from the Lord seized him.” (v. 14) Saul’s advisors counseled him that music would calm his mind, and suggested that he find someone to play the harp for him. Providentially, David’s name came up as one who was “…a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him.” (Here again is evidence of the anointing of the Spirit on David’s life, for by the Spirit’s working, this shepherd boy had been transformed! The explanation is found in the last phrase, “the Lord is with him.”)

Yes, Saul’s affliction was the result of his disobedience, a punishment sent by God. (See 16:14) But God works on many levels simultaneously. What appeared to be a personal calamity for Saul was used by God to bring about good for David. (Rom. 8:28) So, while Saul’s torment may have been the primary event, his affliction also resulted in David’s initial training in the ways of both the court and the battlefield. Neither Saul nor David intended it to be so, but God did. (And we must not miss the rich irony of God using Saul to train his own successor.) It was inconceivable for God to issue the call and then fail to prepare and equip David.

But here is the key: David did not expect this opportunity to open for him. Nor, once it opened, did he know where it would lead. He was living his life one day at a time, as we do, and God unexpectedly opened this door of opportunity. Because of the anointing he had received, David did have the advantage of knowing what God intended for him to do in the future – an insight most of us do not have. Yet he did not know how it would come to pass. Understand: through David’s duties as a shepherd, his battles with lions (and, later, with a giant), his playing the harp for Saul and his service as the king’s armor bearer, God was quietly, unobtrusively, surprisingly at work, preparing David for His calling. And I believe that David intuitively grasped something of this. Because although he lived a double life for some time, alternating between the prominance of being the king's armor bearer and the humiliation of working as a lowly shepherd (See 1 Sam. 17:15), David continued to serve faithfully in both capacities.

This appears to be God’s standing rule: before anyone is placed by God in a position of responsibility or leadership, they are prepared and equipped for the task. This is especially true of those who are called to lead God’s people. The preparation is not always “formal,” it often takes the form of life experience – often lengthy and painful experience. This was true for Joseph, Moses, Joshua and David. It was true for Paul and the other Apostles and for Jesus Himself. And, since God has a calling for all of His people, it is true for you. Those who are being prepared often do not see their circumstances as preparative, and can tend to complain under the load of trials and sufferings and loneliness. But allow me encourage you to learn the principle from David’s life and apply it to your own: what may now appear as difficult, inconvenient or even painful is preparing you for greater usefulness in Christ’s Kingdom and for everlasting glory to come. (Rom. 8:18)

1 Samuel 16:13

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him [David] in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.
1 Samuel 16:13

God’s calling is always accompanied by the Spirit’s enabling.

This truth follows directly upon the previous observation. In every respect, David was a most unlikely candidate for the throne of Israel. Most of us are so blinded by our knowledge of David’s subsequent greatness that we fail to consider who he truly was at the outset – an unknown boy, a shepherd with a questionable family pedigree, who lived in a small town up in the hills. [Remember: David had a lot of Canaanite in him. His grandmother was Ruth, a Moabitess, and his great-grandmother was the Canaanite , Rahab.]
And yet, this boy’s name would soon be on the lips of all Israel and he would quickly distinguish himself as a mighty warrior, a gifted musician and composer, a charismatic leader and a capable administrator and judge. In time, David would become the archetypical leader of God’s covenant people – the one against whom all subsequent kings of Israel and Judah would be measured. And in addition to this, David wrote as a prophet of Almighty God and would receive God’s covenant promise of a descendent who would rule forever. He stood for over a thousand years as the Biblical picture of the Messiah until the prophecies were fulfilled through the coming of his greater descendent, Jesus Christ.
But all of that lay in the future for this young man. On that momentous day, he had no way of knowing what he would become, nor did he grasp that he was a linchpin in God’s plan of redemption. So as Samuel departed, David stood there in his parents’ house under the skeptical scrutiny of his brothers. And with the anointing oil dripping into his eyes, he no doubt wondered, “Why me?” Most likely, right on the heels of that question came a stab of doubt: “How in the world can I fulfill this calling?” It’s a question many of us have asked as well.
We find the answer to David’s dilemma and the explanation for all of his subsequent greatness in this verse. Here, at the very beginning of his public life, David was empowered by the Spirit. God not only called David, He also enabled him for the work ahead of him. Notice the deliberate contrast in 1 Samuel 16 between David’s empowering by the Holy Spirit and the fact that Saul – the king God had forsaken and whom David will replace – has been deserted by that same Spirit. The very next verse (v. 14) says, “Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul…” The presence of the Holy Spirit is the key to David’s greatness.
Consider that David’s wide-ranging abilities, his “renaissance man” character, stemmed directly from the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in his life. As the subsequent chapters will show, the Spirit-produced difference in David was remarkable. His giftedness began to flower immediately, and his gifts opened a place for him at Saul’s court, winning him a reputation as a great warrior and leader. God had called David to be king, and the Holy Spirit worked mightily in him and through him to bring that call to fruition.
Now, I will leave to the theologians the minutia of the differences between the work of the Spirit in the Old Testament and His ministry in the New Testament. At this point, we simply need to grasp that the Holy Spirit has ALWAYS been the One who enables and empowers God’s people. Whether we consider David, or the prophets (Is. 61:1), or the early church (Acts 2:4, 4:31), the empowering of the Spirit has always been essential for doing God’s work. Christ Himself received and relied upon the Spirit’s power in His ministry (Lk. 4:1). [In fact, the parallel between David’s anointing and Christ’s baptism is remarkable: both were unknown and unremarkable, both appeared unexpectedly, both were set apart as God’s king by God’s prophet, both were empowered by the Holy Spirit, and both would soon have their faith tested.]And what was true of David is also true of all of us who trust in “the son of David.” The Spirit gives us a new heart and causes us to walk in faith (Ezek. 36:26,27), and He empowers us with spiritual gifts for the good of the church as He extends Christ’s Kingdom through us (Rom. 12: 6-8; 1 Cor. 12:7ff; Eph. 4:11-16). Yes, He often calls us to tasks that are beyond our ability. Yet, here is the wonder: God’s people are never left to their own resources as they do God’s work (Phil 1:6, 2:13). You are not alone; Christ has not left you as an “orphan” (John 14:18). Although none of us is adequate in ourselves, the sovereign Holy Spirit works in us and through us to accomplish the Father’s will (2 Cor. 3:5,6; Rom. 8). So God receives all the glory

1Samuel 16:1

Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.”

1 Samuel 16:1

God chooses unlikely vessels for great tasks.

Here is the beginning of the Bible’s account of David’s history. Aside from those things mentioned later, we know very little of his boyhood or of his personality before this seminal event. It’s as if David suddenly leaps onto the stage of Biblical history – an unknown shepherd boy who was completely unaware of God’s plans for him. Yet, God is not surprised; He has already chosen David: “I have selected a king for Myself…”

Is it possible that God’s wording here refers back to the selection of Saul? Remember that the people had insisted to Samuel that they wanted a king like all the other nations around them (see 1 Samuel 8:4-9). And Saul, with his handsome bearing and imposing stature seemed to be every inch the king. Yet it wasn’t long before Saul began to demonstrate his true character and to fulfill the dire prophecies Samuel had spoken to Israel in 1 Samuel 9: 10ff. Eventually, due to his disobedience, Saul was rejected by God as king: “And as Samuel turned to go, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. So Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and his given to your neighbor who is better than you.’” It’s almost as if God said, ‘Since you insist on a king, I will choose one for you who will fit My requirements.’ David’s history, then, began with a sovereign choice of God – a choice that determined the course of his entire life from that time forward.

We can’t be entirely certain, but it is likely that David was a teenager at this point – too insignificant to even be considered in such “great affairs.” His father left him watching the sheep when he called all the other brothers to Samuel’s sacrifice. It seems that Jesse never even thought of David as part of this momentous event. For Samuel’s part, he continued to focus on outward appearance, and was ready to anoint David's older brother on the spot – until God corrected him. “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16: 7)

And it’s here that we see God’s criterion for usefulness – the one characteristic that fits men and women for great tasks. Although he was physically handsome, David was largely unremarkable and without great gifts or pretensions. It was David’s heart that appealed to the Lord. We are told in 1 Kings 11:4 that his heart was “wholly devoted to the Lord his God.” It was this heart for God that, on the human level, provided the foundation for all his later accomplishments. The contrast here is deliberate: Saul appeared to be all a king should be and failed at every turn; David gave no outward evidence of kingliness, but his efforts were blessed by God throughout his reign.

This is the pattern all through Scripture and also in the history of the church. God consistently has chosen to work through the unimpressive, the unremarkable, the unknown, and the uneducated. (See 1 Cor. 1:26; 2 Cor. 4:7; 12:9) He has accomplished remarkable things through an impulsive fisherman, a former persecutor of Christians, a bipolar German monk, a converted slave trader, a depression-plagued evangelist, a teenaged preacher, etc. The examples are legion. The outward condition of the willing vessels makes no difference, since it’s the omnipotent Holy Spirit who does the work through them. As the Lord said to one of David’s descendents, “the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” (2 Chron. 16:9)

So what’s the best way to prepare ourselves for God’s use? While there is nothing wrong with pursuing education and training, such things should never divert our attention from pursuing a heart for God. Frankly, without this wholehearted devotion to God, it matters very little how educated, skilled or doctrinally orthodox we are. But if you have been given a heart like David’s, be assured that God will use you for His glory – regardless of your age, status, location or disability. God loves to do great things through unlikely vessels.