TRUST GOD FOR SUCCESS
The Word of God says, if we trust God with all our heart and do not depend on our own understanding, he will cause us to succeed (Proverbs 3:5-6). And it says, delight in the Lord and he will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4).
DAVID TRUSTED GOD AND WAS SUCCESSFUL
David was a shepherd boy, who was seen as a runt by members of his family and countrymen. However, the Lord saw him as “a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). God sent his prophet Samuel to anoint David as the next king of Israel. The Lord had rejected Saul as king of Israel because he chose to do his own thing rather than trust in the Lord (I Samuel 16). David was favored even more by the Lord.
GOD ENABLED DAVID TO KILLED A GIANT ENEMY. In David’s journey to the throne, he slayed a fearsome giant enemy of Israel. An enormous Philistine giant named Goliath dared any man of Israel to fight him one-on-one. All the men of the army of Israel ran in fear. David volunteered to fight the giant. Although King Saul of Israel viewed David as just a boy, David persuaded the King that God had enabled him to kill a lion and a bear, and he would fight Goliath.
David confronted Goliath with five smooth stones and a slingshot he had used to kill the lion and the bear. Facing Goliath, David told him you come against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin, but “I come to you in the name of the Almighty God” (1 Samuel 17:45 ). David killed Goliath with his sling and a stone. Then he used Goliath’s own sword to cut off his head.
GOD MADE DAVID A SUCCESSFUL MILITARY LEADER. David rose to be a captain of the army of Israel. God gave him many victories. The people of Israel chanted king “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousand” (1 Samuel 18:7).
In a state a jealousy King Saul tried repeatedly to kill David, but God protected him. Even Saul’s own son Johnathan, who admired David, secretly helped David.
On more than one occasion David had opportunities to kill King Saul, but didn’t. David viewed King Saul as having been anointed by God. Being a man after God’s own heart, David refused to kill the King.
THE LORD MADE DAVID A KING. God rejected Saul as King because he chose to do his own thing rather than trust in the Lord for success. God allowed Saul to die an ignominious death. After Saul’s death, God made David, “a man after God’s own heart” King of Israel.
God is no respecter of individuals; what he did for David he will do for us (Acts 10:34). The Bible tells us that if God did not withhold his only begotten Son Jesus Christ from dying for us, he will not keep any good from us who trust and walk upright before him (Romans 8:32; Psalm 84:11).
THE LORD FORGAVE DAVID ALTHOUGH HE SINNED.In his humanity, David sinned against God. He committed adultery, and killed the man whose wife he took. However, because he repented, God forgave him, spared his life and let him remain King (2 Samuel 12:7-13).
God forgives us when we repent of our sins. God is faithful and just to forgive, and to cleanse from all unrighteousness because the atoning blood of His Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:7-9).
THE LORD GOD MADE DAVID GREAT. David had in his heart to build a house of worship for the Lord. Recognizing his heart, the Lord told David, “I will make your name great, like the name of the greatest men on earth” (2 Samuels 7:9). The Lord declared that he would establish a house for David. “I will raise up your offspring to succeed you… and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-13 ).
David came to be recognized as the greatest King of the Old Testament. His Psalms attest to his heart- and- soul fellowship with the Lord. His Psalms are inspirational to many of us today. My aunt taught me to recite the 23rdPsalm when I was just a boy. When my Aunt was sick and nearing death, I encouraged her to recite the 23rdPsalm. This Psalm has inspired me during much of my life’s journey.
The Lord is my shepherd, my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down
In green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he
Leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
For his name’s sake,
Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod
And thy staff the comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my
Head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
GOD MADE DAVID A GRANDPARENT OF JESUS CHRIST(Matthew1:1-17). And God permitted David to foresee the resurrection of the Lord (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31).
GOD MAKES US GREATER THAN KING DAVID
However, the Lord said, even the least of us who believe in him, and are born again of the Holy Spirit, are greater than past great people like King David (John 3:5-16; Matthew 11:11 ). And the Lord has decreed that we now reign as kings and priests in his spiritual kingdom (Revelation 5:10; Luke 17:20-21). Furthermore, when we trust in the Lord God with all our heart, according to his faithful Word, he causes all things to work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
