There came a time when Saul’s jealousy got the best of him. In fact, at one point, he demoted David. See 1 Samuel 18:12-16
Guess what? That did not matter to David. So, I thought about how I would act in this situation. I’m doing a great job and making my boss look A-MAY-ZING. 🤣 And then I am demoted because the people are speaking about my accolades more than the leaders. I remain under the leader but pushed much further down the food chain. Do I quit? Do I begin to look for another position? Do I have an attitude? Do I not perform like I used to? I mean what is the point! Or do I trust in God and do what I am purposed to do, at that time, and allow God to work it out? Tough pill to swallow. No doubt. But that’s it. Trust in God as we allow God to work. David trusted in God and allowed God to work it all out and in the end David became king. What looked like a demotion was just part of God’s plan. David knew God controlled his destiny. Man has no control over our destiny. Even when they think they do. So, no matter what, trust in God and watch Him work 😉 Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! So, I was thinking what are the requirements needed to be a shepherd? What makes a great warrior? What about a king?
What I noticed is the requirements or skills needed for being either a shepherd, warrior, or king, for that matter, do not include being a worshipper. Stay with me now. So, I couldn’t help but think although being a worshipper may not have been a qualification for many of David’s assignments, it did demonstrate his heart for God. So, maybe, as we are doing this thing called life, on this side of Heaven, we should keep a heart for the job and a heart for God. I guess those should be reversed, huh? As we serve in our positions, whatever they may be, let’s keep a heart for God and a heart for the job. Worship while you work 😉 Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! Let’s look at David when he challenged Goliath. David ran to the battle line (see 1 Samuel 17:48).
Clearly, David had no fear. None whatsoever. In fact, David ran quickly. Death was not on his mind. David’s focus was not on death. Get this. It wasn’t even about his stones and slingshot. It wasn’t about the size or the strength of his adversary either. The enemy. Goliath. Notice his conversation. Notice his focus. And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37a ESV So, what was David’s strategy? David fueled his faith in the LORD. David remembered what the LORD had done for him in the past. This gave David complete confidence in what He could do. David’s faith was in the LORD. Nothing or no one else. So, something trying to intimidate you? Challenging you? Are you facing a battle? Reflect on God’s greatness. Put your confidence in God’s ability. Be like David. Fuel your faith! Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! At one point, David is having a conversation with the king. King Saul. David is trying to convince the king to let him go fight the giant. They go back and forth and finally the king tells David to go ahead. (see 1 Samuel 17:32-37)
The king then arraigns David in armor. Maybe the king thinks, “Well, at least with the armor on it might soften the blows. Silly kid!” 🤷🏽♀️ But David takes the armor off. He is going to battle with a sling shot and some stones. Let me see. Five stones in a sack to be exact. And he defeats the giant with just one stone, the first attempt, which lands smack dab in the forehead of the giant. Bet that giant didn’t see that coming. So, what do you make of that? David chose not to wear Saul’s armor. The armor, which I might add, was not made for him. David was not accustomed to it. In the past, David did not fight the lions, tigers and bears, oh my, with this armor. In other words, David didn’t try to go in someone else’s stuff to do battle. He used what had worked successfully in the past for him. So, what am I trying to say? Do you 😉 Each of us has skills, talents and abilities. Some God has been crafting in us throughout the years. And He wants us to use them. Whether in battle or just in every day life. He continually prepares us for whatever comes up in our lives equipping us with what we need. So, do you!!! God has given you all that you need. You are equipped. Take off whatever is holding you back and do you!!! Just like David did - Do you! Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.” 1 Samuel 16:18 ESV
I guess I should give you some background. Saul, the king, is being tormented by a harmful spirit. Get this. The harmful spirit is from the LORD. And Saul’s servants know it. Guess they had the spirit of discernment. ☺️ So, in First Samuel 16:18, the servants tell Saul about a man who can provide him some relief. The man they are speaking of is David. Check that out. The servants knew David well, and this was before he became king, and even before he fought the giant. Look at how they describe him. Skillful in playing an instrument, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, in other words, he looked good. Oh, and they knew the LORD is with him. David. The one who tended sheep. David. The shepherd boy. My takeaway: Do what you do well. Be the best at what you do. No matter what the assignment. You really never know who is looking. You never know who is paying attention. Just do what you do well. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! In the last chapter of first Samuel, Saul’s kingship comes to an end.
In a battle with the enemy Saul is injured badly. Rather than dying with the enemy being able to say they defeated him, the king, in battle, Saul preferred to kill himself. So he did. First pride, then the crash — the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. Proverbs 16:18 MSG Let’s pray. Father, Thank You for the lessons from the life of Saul. As I walk out this day to day thing called life, on this side of Heaven, please help me remember it’s about serving You and achieving the purpose that You have designed just for me, for the kingdom. No matter what position or level of influence or title achieved, please remind me it is not about me. It is all about You. In Jesus Name, Amen. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! Still noodling on Saul’s reign this week.
Jealousy. Anger. Rage. Conceit. A list of some things Saul struggled with. And on any given day, me too ☺️ Now me, I tend to focus on my strengths and abilities because that’s where I shine. That’s where my skills and talents come through. That’s what I do well. Anybody?🙋🏽♀️ But what if whatever we accomplish on our own is only a hint of what God could do through us. Which brings me to my weaknesses. So, what if I changed my perspective on my failures and shortcomings? What if I started thinking my weaknesses were there to remind me of my need for God? What if I recognized my weaknesses can be used by God if I just acknowledge them and then leave them in God’s hands to do with as He sees fit? Just a little something to ponder ☺️ Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! Isn’t it interesting how the first man who was king over Israel, Saul, was presented to the people. He was tall, with a striking appearance. Head and shoulders above the rest. He was a warrior. Courageous. A man of action. Nice visual, huh?
But what wasn’t readily apparent were his weaknesses. A few, for example, were that Saul didn’t always follow God’s commands, and he liked to do his own thing, and he failed to understand the importance of obedience. To me, the biggest though, is it seems as though Saul believed he was capable of being king on his own. Saul failed to realize he absolutely needed God and not the other way around. As I thought about Saul and his rise and demise as the first king of Israel, it got me to thinking: we are chosen for a purpose by God but we must never fail to understand we are not capable of operating in the fullness of it on our own. We need God 😉 Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! Have you ever struggled with leadership? Oh, I have. As I walked through the life of Saul and his kingly reign I was reminded of it. Gosh, it’s been about twenty years but I remember the day my ego was severely bruised like it was yesterday. 🤕 The day my manager sat me down and said I would not make it too much further if I didn’t change.
As he continued to coach, I could feel the anger rising up in me. As I fought back the tears, I remember, at one point, looking at him and thinking “Change? I am one of your top performers!” I went home crying that day, pissed, muttering under my breath that this guy had no idea what he was talking about amongst other things 😱 But this guy saw something in me I couldn’t see and knew that I needed to stop managing and learn to lead or I would not succeed. It turned out it was the best advice I ever received in my executive career. In fact, in later years, once I got over myself, as part of the annual leadership meetings I began using my own personal story to illustrate my leadership journey. See, clearly there were facets of leadership I didn’t get. I knew how to get a job done but the aftermath — not pretty. See, like Saul, I had leadership gaps and that is putting it nicely. Like Saul, I didn’t get that leaders must promote teamwork and a winning culture. Leaders must surround themselves with great leaders. Leaders must possess emotional intelligence which is the ability to understand and manage their own emotions. Oh, and those of the people around them, too. So essential for success. My personal struggle with leadership took me from a proud managing controller to a “most of the time” humble enabler, influencer and motivator. My personal struggle taught me leadership takes continuous learning and growth. Leadership is a journey. John F. Kennedy said “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Oh, I could not agree more! Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! But, what if, in the midst of the women singing (noted in 1 Samuel 18:6), Saul grabbed one of David’s arms and raised it up in a celebratory manner, you know hero fashion, as he and David and the rest of the Israelites marched home from defeating Goliath?
What if Saul gave a little speech on how Israel was delivered from bondage, and how once again God gave them victory, and how this time it was through David, and maybe comment on how this is how God’s people work together to benefit the Kingdom? What if he, on purpose, refused to let the negativity (jealousy, pride, etc) festering inside change how he operated as a godly leader? What if Saul realized he didn’t have to be the best but surrounding himself with great leaders would make him even more effective? What if he realized it wasn’t about his title or position but it was about his purpose overall as part of God’s Kingdom? So many what if’s with so much to ponder. ☺️ Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! |
Hey There! I'm LizFounder of Ezra728 with a purpose of creating inspiring messages to strengthen and encourage primarily us gals across the globe. Guys, don't fret. You are definitely welcome, too. Archives
March 2021
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