Last time we briefly looked a the life of David, who would become the second king of Israel. The story starts in the Bible in 1 Samuel where David was anointed king as a youth (1 Sam 16) and 13-17 years later he is appointed king (2 Samuel 5:4). We said last time, being anointed is NOT the same as being appointed! For David, a lot happened before the fulfillment of his anointing. The time between you knowing your destiny in God, and when you fulfill it maybe days, or may be decades. But either way, you can step toward your calling each and every day like David did. Let’s look at how David started preparing himself in the early days of growing into his purpose.
This series is focused on Empowering all Christians to fulfill their purposes and callings in Christ. Even though we will look at the current assignment for David, we can see how our own assignments can help prepare us for all the Lord wants us to accomplish with Him. Then later we will look at any obstacles we need to be mindful as we look to fulfill current mission in front of us.
David was a shepherd before he had any other role or mission. Directly before and after his anointing, he was tending sheep. “So he [Samuel the prophet] asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ ‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse answered. ‘He is tending the sheep’” (1 Samuel 16:11.) “but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem” (1 Samuel 17:15.)
After he was anointed, David had a current mission to take care of his father’s sheep. In that role he help birth new lambs (Psalms 78:70), learned dependence on the Lord (Psalms 23:1, Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want), worshipped the Lord on the harp (wrote some of the Psalms), and learned to fight bears and lions to protect the sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-36.) This was not a glamorous position; shepherds were the lowest rung of society. He was in a season, where he learn to take care of the defenseless from a humble position.
After he was anointed, David had some current obstacles. We read about some of his negative feelings (Ps 23:5, 1 Sam 17:28) where he felt passed over, mocked, forgotten in the fields and jealous of his brothers. He could have sulked away but he did not. He could have used his time to daydream about being king and ignore the sheep that seemed useless to getting to the palace. But instead he was faithful to care for the sheep in front of him.
Keep today’s assignments in front of you. David did not become stuck feeling sorry for himself or daydream and neglecting his current assignments. He kept his current responsibilities squarely in front of him. In the midst of tending the flock, he learned bravery and fighting skills while protecting the sheep that would be necessary in future parts of his journey. After tending sheep, David entered into many other assignments before finally becoming king: was a shepherd in his youth, a soldier and military officer in Saul’s army, and even the leader of band of rogues and outcasts (as we will see in later studies).
In my own journey, a few years ago, as I was reading through the Bible (something I generally do every year or two), I was reading about David, “your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it” (I Samuel 17:34). At the time I was a shepherd (small group leader). I knew a lot about caring for people and their needs but I did not have the tools or skills or authority to strike a lion, and free a lamb. I didn’t know much about spiritual authority or practical freedom in Christ (spiritual warfare is what the Lord meant when he pointed out striking a bear). So I went and learned all I could about spiritual warfare, and the authority of all those found in Christ. In that moment I heard a current assignment, and I knew I needed to pursue it will all my effort.
My admonition is that we all learn what we can in the present season, because any of us might be abruptly called upon to slay a giant. For David, that is exactly what happened when he went from shepherd to killing the giant Goliath. It was his time taking care of the sheep, and his faith in God that made him successful where others would not try (1 Sam 17).
What is your current assignment? David was protecting sheep and killing bears and lions. Your current assignment might be found at your school or workplace or something you find very routine. In that assignment, what are you responsible for or entrusted with? Are you taking your current assignment seriously or are you waiting for the big appointment to come before you are serious? Do you Belong in an Empowering Community that helps you be present in today, while encouraging you into your calling?
David had some current obstacles (which we will address next). David had internal obstacles about the way he felt or viewed his current assignment and peers. David could have acted like king instead of protecting sheep.
Do you daydream about the future without winning this season’s battles?
Are you using the tools and giftings that you have been trained in?
What is your current assignment, on you way to your destiny?
