025 BBB: 1 Samuel 16-24

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A Listening Heart

God wanted to be the people’s King. He told them their desire to be like the other nations in this was a bad idea.

“The LORD will bring you and your king, whom you set over you, to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods of wood and stone.”   – Deuteronomy 28:36 

“Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”   – 1 Samuel 8:18

The people chose Saul because he was tall, mighty, and a sure match for the kings of the nations around them. Despite God’s dissent over Israel having a king (because of all the predictable pitfalls), God makes His choice. And the shepherd-boy never looks back. He learned courage while tending his father’s flocks. Such experiences propelled him into the face of a truly formidable adversary. When 10 foot tall Goliath taunted Israel, ALL the other soldiers hid in the rocks.

But not the shepherd-psalmist of Israel. Only one of five smooth stones was needed to take down this lion and bear of a man. David’s heart training came through – and the giant came tumbling down. Only a young man who had killed the lion and the bear could vanquish and take the head of the monstrous Philistine. Only a youth named David. Only a heart inspired by courage from God Himself.

“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”  – 1 Samuel 17:36

“But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; save me in Your lovingkindness.”  
– Psalms 31:14-16

Enjoy, warrior reader!

Dave & Burnadette