LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF KING DAVID, (PART 6).

TEXT:

"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." (Proverbs 29 verse 23, King James Version).

God's Word has instructed us to be of humble spirits. "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.", says Prov 15:33. We know very clearly also that God hates pride and arrogance. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit ...", says Prov 16 verses 18 to 19.

     Prophet Samuel's anointing of David was done in secret. It was a matter that was known only to the prophet himself and the household of Jesse. Had it been a public matter, king Saul would have heard of it and probably would have killed them all. Indeed, prophet Samuel knew that Saul would kill him if he knew about his going to anoint someone else in his place. (1st Samuel 16 verse 2).

     For sometime, David was in the court of king Saul playing his harp before him so that he might be healed from the torment he was experiencing from an evil spirit that was plaguing him (see 1st Samuel 16 verses 14 to 18). David's selection to play the harp in king Saul's court, we might say, was a divine arrangement by God to position him in the place of destiny. It's like how the Lord allowed Joseph to be sold into Egypt where his destiny was fulfilled. There, in the palace, David had a first hand opportunity to learn how things were run in the Kingdom. This, to me, was to prepare him for the throne. May the Lord position you to help you to fulfill your destiny, in Jesus name.

     Aside from playing the harp, It got to the point that David became Saul's armour bear (1st Samuel 16 verse 21) and at the king's request to Jesse, David stayed permanently in king Saul's palace (1st Samuel 16 verse 22). Nevertheless, it was like Saul didn't actually know who David was (see 1st Samuel 17 verses 55 to 58). This could be as a result of the impact of the evil spirit that troubled his mind. When the Philistines came down to fight against Israel, Saul left for battle and sent David back to Jesse; and while he was at home, David went back to feeding his Father's flocks at Bethlehem (1st Samuel 17 verse 15). This is marvelous!

        David was of a humble spirit. A proud person would not do so. Though he had tasted luxury in the court of the king, David remained humble. Again, he never allowed pride to come upon him following the anointing of God's Spirit upon his life and particularly, with Samuel having anointed him to replace Saul as king. Despite all of these, and many more, it's amazing to learn that David remained humble enough to go back to keep his father's flocks in the wilderness.

    Like I said above, had David been a prideful and arrogant person, he would not have been able to do so. According to the Scripture readings for today, humility brings honour and a man's pride shall bring him low in life. What many people don't know is that God watches how we conduct ourselves in life and He gives to every one what he deserves (Job 34 verse 11, Proverbs 24 verse 12)

    One common feature of the humble person is that he's patient. Impatience, on the other hand, is a well known sign of arrogance and independence; and God wants us to always rely on Him. David was a man endowed with great patience. He was anointed king by prophet Samuel at about 15 years of age. It took 15 years thereafter before he could become king of Judah and another 7 years thereafter to become king over all of Israel. So, after Samuel's anointing, David waited for 15 years to become king (of Judah) and 22 years to become king over all of Israel. In his waiting, he found himself exiled and running for his life from one cave to the other in the wilderness of Judah. On two occasions, he had the opportunity to put an end to Saul's life and to assume kingship, but out of the fear of the Lord, he chose not to do it. Instead, he chose to wait for God's time.

       Brethren, we have so much to learn from the life of king David. May we find grace to emulate this old saint of God, in Jesus name.

PRAYER:

Father, thank You because I am born again and as a result, I can do better in life to please You than King David did, in Jesus name.