Greetings again my Brethren. Let us continue to look at the providence of God. Yes we are looking at the call of David and how providence was used by God to call him into service as God does in our lives. There are areas of providence or the characteristics of providence I would like to look at this month: prepared in providence, sent in providence, and protected in providence. The three go together like peas and carrots and cannot be seen one without the other. The first David was prepared in providence as we all are. Even those who never walked with the LORD in any degree are prepared in providence so when the time and hour comes to move from darkness into the light the life has been nurtured to a point that acceptance or rejection of the Gospel message, at that time and understanding, can be made. In 1 Samuel we see in David’s life the selection process to be king did not go as one would think, “Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.” (1 Samuel 16:10-11) In the natural it is the oldest, bravest, smartest son that is selected, but not so in God. God already choose His man and age, strength, and intelligence were not qualifications to be king. God looks at the heart. I am not sure what disqualified David’s brothers, maybe nothing except God had already chosen David. David was working with his father’s sheep, we can see the symbolism developing. Even to this day being a lowly sheep herder is the best job to have. The next area of providence we are to look at is, sent in providence. Not only was David prepared from child hood (because of his faithfulness and dedication to his father) as he slew the lion and the bear which would serve him well as he begins his epic struggle with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:15-58) that propels him throne ward. I think every little boy or girl knows the story of David and Goliath. Jesse (David’s father) sent David to battle to bring some food to three of his older brothers. Now Saul’s army which was engaged in a Mexican standoff blathering at each other, but when David arrived he wanted nothing to do with such babbling. Ultimately David convinced Saul he could defeat Goliath (over nine feet tall), “And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:40) Now here is the sending in providence.
David was armed with weapons he knew how to operate from past experience and past victories. I know I am speaking to some folks here! He knew how to use his staff, which he did not need. God had already prepared David for the day of battle defeating lesser, but just as deadly opponents. David knew how his weapons worked and he knew his strength was in God, how could he lose? David collected five smooth stones, but only used one smooth stone on Goliath. For years I have wondered why David got five smooth stones? Well after David defeated Goliath and beheaded him, “the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.” (1 Samuel 17:52) David needed those four other stones to kill more Philistines. When God prepares and sends you my friend only victory in is in store. There was a great slaughter that day and the next verse said they came back and spoiled their tents. And the third area of providence we are to look at this month is protected in providence. In 1 Samuel 18:5-11 we read of the beginning of the end for Saul as God protected David and gave him favor before the people and even Saul.
“And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.” (1 Samuel 18:5) David was a faithful servant to his father Jesse and Saul. God likes that in His servants and because of that God gave David favor that no one could dispute. How much more valuable is favor over money? Favor and protection to the point the people would sing, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” that angered Saul to the point he threw a javelin at David, but God protected him. Sadly verse 10 says an “evil spirit came upon Saul.‘ When God takes away His protection my friend you are on your way out as was Saul even taking his own life. The favor and protection of God is valued far beyond gold and silver by those who know the LORD.
Next month we will look at three more areas of divine providence so brilliantly displayed in the life of David: enthroned, preserved, and chastened providence three areas one would not think of being divine, but never the less areas of providence in David’s life that enabled him to become the man God wanted him to be. Listen closely my friend do you hear Him call now?
Written By David Stahl
