Bible-Prayer-Europe Equipping Center

Becoming a Man of God

by Jay Powers © 2009

CHAPTER 7- THE PREPARATION 2 (DAVID)

Samuel, in our previous chapter, was at the first step of his spiritual walk: learning how to hear from God. But what happens when you have heard from God but nothing seems to be coming of it? You’re still the same on the outside, but on the inside, there burns divine inspiration, a calling. 

Such is the story of the young David. In 1 Samuel 16, God chose David to be the new king of Israel. There was just one little problem (so it seemed): the current king, Saul, was still alive. What do you do when you know God has great things for you but yet, here you sit in school, or at a job that’s boring? David faced this challenge by remembering one important principle: be faithful in the little things. He could’ve told his father after Samuel anointed him king, “Listen, Dad, now that I’m to be the king, things are going to be different around here. You will address me as Your Majesty and dinner will be promptly at 6 PM. Get someone else to tend the sheep; that task is far beneath someone of my stature. After all, I am the next king of Israel.” But he didn’t react that way. He was still Jesse’s son and he was still responsible for the sheep. He continued serving God, the quality that led God to send Samuel to him, and he still did things with excellence. 

This was the main difference between David and Saul. Both are described as good-looking; both kept livestock. But Saul, after becoming king, did whatever he felt like doing, regardless of God’s will. David, even when he became king, still remembered the Lord and served Him with the same passion he did as a shepherd in Bethlehem. David was faithful in the little things while he waited on kingship. We must do the same. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells two parables. Both deal with this principle. Jesus was pleased with the virgins and the servants who were faithful with the resources he gave them to manage. He was displeased with those that were foolish in preparation. The five foolish virgins were not prepared to wait for the Bridegroom’s appearing; they wanted Him to come right then and there. The wicked servant had very little faith. He basically reasoned, “It’s just a talent.”

Sound familiar? That’s because we as Christian men make the same mistake. We look at a skill God has given us and say, it’s only this, or it’s only that. Instead, we must look at what we have as this: it’s something. In John 6, Jesus used a boy’s lunch to feed thousands. The point is this: that boy gave what he had (which, if understood correctly, was a gift from God anyway) to Jesus. So David gave what he had to the Lord. So we must give what we are, our talents, our personality, our life, to Jesus. God will multiply it to bless many. That little boy had no idea what Jesus could do with his lunch, but by being faithful to the Word which commanded a heart of giving, that boy was witness to a miracle. To those starting out in ministry (or those longing for larger areas of influence), the Word is clear: don’t give up. Sow good seed and prepare for a big harvest. If you follow God with your whole heart, he will prosper you more than your wildest dreams.

 KEY VERSES: 1 Samuel 16, Matthew 25, John 6