You raised me up to walk on stormy seas
I was strong when I was on Your shoulders
You raised me up to be more than I can be
Then he asked Jesse, "Is this it? Are there no more sons?" "Well, yes, there's the runt. But he's out tending the sheep."
Samuel ordered Jesse, "Go get him. We're not moving from this spot until he's here." Jesse sent for him.
He was brought in, the very picture of health - bright-eyed, good-looking. GOD said, "Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one."
Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching.
The Spirit of GOD entered David like a rush of wind, GOD vitally empowering him for the rest of his life. 1 Samuel 16:11-13 The Message.
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"Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine." Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine.
You're too young and inexperienced - and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born."
David said, "I've been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I'd go after it, knock it down,
and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I'd grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference - I killed it.
And I'll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. GOD, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear,
will deliver me from this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:32-37 The Message.
Overlooked by man but chosen of GOD. Runt of his family became king of his nation.
Shepherd. Warrior. Poet. Musician. Man after God's heart. Passionate. Courageous. Loyal.
The world looks for success, titles, status, popularity, money, fame, power. But God looks at the heart.
For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV.
God is equally interested in shaping the landscape of our hearts, as landscaping the world that we live in.
Like parents raising children, He understands that the best teaching tools are trials and the most important lessons are self-realised. It's only when we see how and where we have gone wrong, are we then ready to make changes. To purify metals, the alchemist puts them in the fire. As long as it takes to remove the impurities, to turn them into gold. Likewise, GOD does so to refine the substance of our heart and mould our character.
"And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children." Hebrews 12:5-6 NLT. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living, for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:11 NLT.
On the anvil,
Sv "+
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