OBEDIENCE IN SMALL THINGS
From a young age, David was consistent in the work that was put before him. As the shepherd in his family, he tended to the flock every day. This was not a glamorous job. It consisted of long, hard days caring for stinky, unintelligent animals. Yet, even in this obscure job, he was obedient in the role his father gave him.
Not only was David obedient, but he was willing to risk his life for the sake of his sheep. As wild animals came, he learned how to kill them–anything from wolves to bears. He did what was necessary to protect the sheep and did not view the work as a waste of his time.
David was faithful in shepherding the sheep without knowing that one day, he would be given a greater responsibility, to kill Goliath. By the time he stood in front of Goliath, David stood with confidence knowing that God had provided and protected him before, so why would he not do it again? That confidence did not happen overnight though—it was developed over years of David being obedient as a shepherd boy to his father’s flock. He was faithful with small things over time, which prepared him to be faithful when he was facing a giant.
In Luke 16:10, Jesus says: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
It’s also important to remember that David was assigned the task of shepherd boy with no promise of a greater life, and he was seemingly okay with that. Often, we become motivated by the potential for future success. The promised reward drives our hard work. David, however, was promised nothing. He was content to work in obscurity and be faithful on a daily basis in the field with those sheep.
Even after being anointed as king, there was a long period of time when David had to continue to be faithful and wait patiently until he could take on his new position as King of Israel. He wasn’t perfect, and throughout his time as king, David committed some pretty terrible sins. And yet, he is still referred to as a “man after God’s own heart.” Even in his brokenness, David lived a life of faithfulness, continually walking in repentance and eventually obedience to the work the Lord called him to.
Read 1 Samuel 16:1–13, 17:32–37, and 41-51.
- What does 1 Samuel 16:1–13 tell us about how God judges humans? What does this teach us about God?
Now, read Psalm 51.
- Psalm 51 shows us a prayer of repentance from David. This Psalm can help us in repentance. Read the Psalm and write your own prayer of repentance below.