A Servant First

1 Samuel Chapter 17

I love the story about King David’s younger years, especially leading up to when he removes the 9ft, trash-talking, giant named Goliath. This guy had been taunting the Israelites for so long and no one from the Israelite army was willing to get into the contact zone until David.

If you read through 1 Samuel chapter 17, you get a real insight into this story regarding David and others’ opinions towards him. David was just a shepherd boy in the eyes of these so-called soldiers. As we know, David would eventually step in to take on the giant that was set before him and successfully take him down and kill him. He even went as far as removing Goliath’s head to let the Philistine army see for themselves that their great giant of a warrior was no more. This caused them to turn and scatter followed closely by the Israelites in pursuit.

David was a servant first before the battle. He had been in training, while still leading and protecting his flock, to the point where in 1 Samuel 17:34-37 David recalls he had already fought his own battles killing both the lion and the bear to protect his flock. I love where David speaks up and says, “Let your servant go and fight.” Saul was insulted, thinking, “Who is this kid with no armour but so willing to step into the battle?”

So how does this apply to where we are at or what may unfold this season?

Firstly- God’s timing is everything. David was not in hiding; he was in training. God has allowed us to go through experiences in preparation for what will lay ahead.

Secondly- Never try and wear someone else’s armour. Saul had offered his to David to try and be someone else. God certainly never made any mistakes in the way He has trained and equipped us: we’re all uniquely designed. To use a snowboarding or skiing example, I’m sure we wouldn’t be able to operate or perform to our fullest if we were using someone else’s setup. It would be too big, too small, or plainly just wouldn’t feel right .

Lastly- Be a servant first like David. Never forget the greatest example of a servant– Jesus. Matthew 20:28 explains, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” As we humble ourselves and are willing to serve first, God will lead and use us this season in ways we never expected or thought was possible. In the victories, remain humble as the praise always returns to the one who made and gives us strength.

My prayer for us all this season would be in this verse: “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5).
 

By Brian Rae | Aberdeen, Scotland