SCRIPTURE:
“Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
1 Samuel 17:33-37
OBSERVATION:
With no one in sight to battle Goliath, David steps up. His appearance and age cast doubt in Saul’s mind as to whether or not he would be up to the task. David then shares of his past experiences and “training” if you will, that allowed him to defeat lions and bears. He is also sure to let Saul know that God was with him, that it was the Lord that rescued him.
APPLICATION:
I wonder what David must have thought as he was out tending to his father’s flock. I imagine there were times when he may have contemplated the experiences he had out in those fields. Yet, once the situation arises with the Philistine, he realizes right away what it was for.
Never discount the journey.
For years I would often look back on past jobs that I had. Some seemingly so random at the time that they made little sense. I’ve worked with students of all age groups and even adult learners. I’ve worked in various labor jobs, in different fields. I’ve worked in customer service and for numerous companies.
Once I began serving, and eventually working full time in ministry, those seemingly random jobs and experiences, no longer looked random. I draw on them all of the time as I get to serve people from all walks of life.
The Apostle Paul says it this way: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”
I believe that God never wastes a hurt or an experience. He will always use it for His purposes and glory. We just need to be obedient in the midst of the shepherd’s field.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have neglected to see what You were trying to teach me. Thank You Lord for the ability to be a part of Your plans on this earth. May I never, ever discount the journey, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
