THE SCHOOL YEAR ended not the way many imagined it—at home.
With the pandemic, in-person activities have become impossible, and many schools are putting together virtual graduation ceremonies.
Whenever there’s a crisis, there’s a frenzy.
Wherever there's an outbreak, there's confinement—and our abode has become our safe place.
These are difficult times, but we must not make them the worst of times.
The Narrative
AFTER FORTY DAYS of uncertainty, David delivered Israel out of the Philistine's hands—and everyone was pleased.
Then, the king drafted David into his service, and Jonathan made a covenant with him.
As they returned from the war, the people were so excited. They came out in numbers singing and dancing with their tambourines.
'Saul has slain his thousands, and David, his tens of thousands' was their song. (1 Samuel 18:7)
This song irritated Saul, and he went after David. (1 Samuel 18:8)
They had dipped their feet in the friendship pool, but they were not going to swim.
Things you cannot change
DAVID LOVED the king, but Saul hated him—who can stand jealousy? (Proverbs 27:4)
All he tried to do was fit in, but Saul thought he wanted to take his place.
When David stepped out to fight Goliath, God gave him the chance to change the plight of Israel.
However, when Saul came after him, there was nothing he could do to change the king's mind.
Do not stop living
HE ACCEPTED his plight, looked unto God and did not stop living.
Likewise, your life may change, but you must not sit and sulk.
When the children of Israel were in Babylon, God told them to build houses, plant gardens and eat their produce. He told them to marry and have children and pray for the land where they lived. (Jer. 29:5-7)
He told them to keep living.
Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—they may often be overwhelmed—but God rescues them from what oppresses them. (Psalm 34:19)
God will save you from whatever is threatening you.
God will never leave you in the lurch
Do not feel alone?
THERE WERE TIMES that David felt abandoned and alone, but he never stopped trusting God.
He was at a low point when he said, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?"
And he ended his prayer, saying, "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." (Psalm 13:1;5)
As a believer, its possible to reach a point where you feel God has abandoned you—but God never leaves his own in the lurch.
You're a creature of meaning
DAVID UNDERSTOOD that he was a creature of meaning. He woke up every morning, knowing that he was on God's mind.
He was touched by this privilege and asked, "What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him?" (Psalm 8:4)
When you realize that God loves you, your relationship with Him takes a new turn.
Open the door
EVERYTHING he did was deliberate and purposeful. David began his day spending time in God's presence.
He never stopped worshipping God—Your steadfast love is better than life, and my lips will give You all my praise. (Psalm 63:3)
He understood that God had an agenda for his life. And God has one for you too.
God has prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies. (Psalm 23:5)
And God will make your life-threatening situations seem like a non-event.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
THINGS THAT DEFINED David were fleeting when he ran from Saul, but they were not him.
God will make you go through situations that will deepen your relationship with Him.
Like David, make sure that you come out better skilled than you went in.