Tried and forsaken! Part 2

David was not regarded much by his family and yet God treasured him as a man after His own heart. Though his own father, Jesse, had not thought it necessary to include him when Samuel came to anoint one of his sons as King, God remembered him. God caused Samuel to instruct that they all stand until David was called from tending sheep to be anointed King.

1 Samuel 16:10-11 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.”  So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

David received a standing ovation into greatness; into kingship! And yet this ushered him into suffering upon suffering at the hands of a jealous King Saul. David had to constantly protect himself from being killed by Saul. He foiled one death plot after another, moving with the dregs of society, and sleeping in caves. It was one long, and seemingly unending journey, far from the bliss of Kingship.

Nabal had no regard for David's ilk, for he was a nobody. Anointed King, and yet his state of affairs was a ridicule of a king. David was away from home and family, fighting an unprovoked battle as Saul sought to  kill him.  His brothers could not make sense of what has happening - they had seen him anointed as King. Was this the life of a King? God was training David to know and trust Him only. God was training his hands for war. Psalm 18:34-35 He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.  God was training David's heart to be stoic, and was giving him the stamina to face his enemies. This had to be so, for David as a King was to lead God's children into many wars. God was teaching him through his own trials to be a warrior and to learn the ropes of warfare.

At God's appointed time, he caused David to be celebrated. He became a humble King. Even though he was caught up in sin and fell short at times, his heart was made humble by the things he suffered. David remained a man after God's own heart. He was one of the greatest kings of his time. As King, those that had forsaken him  in his low times wished to be associated with him. God packages great people in humble wrappings. Jesus was a manger born, but He was the King of kings and Lord of lords. Man looks at the outward and judges, but God looks at the heart. He bestows honour on the least expected, and raises them above those that scorn them.

God's training school is not always easy, but no training of His is ever wasted. Though it may not make sense while it is going on, it shall all come together to work for the good of those that love Him. Keep loving God!













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