David: A shepherd protects and mourns

A good shepherd will protect his people. His love for the people will remain steadfast even when they lose it, are in despair, or out of control. This is not easy to do, yet we see over and over that David does this for King Saul, his mighty men, and the nation of Israel. His love remained steadfast for King Saul even after he died. 

I find myself asking, Are you willing to keep loving and protecting the ones you are called to serve even when it hurts? There will always be moments where will be hurt by others. Most of us will never face what David did with Saul throwing spears at him. I realize that a hurt from casual words seems silly to make a fuss about when I read stories like David loving Saul. 

This section shows us the depth of David's steadfastness. I am praying for steadfast love. How about you?

You can listen to the story here.

David: A shepherd protects and mourns

David: A shepherd warrior on the run

Do you ever feel like running away from a circumstance? I know I do at times. How do we know when to run? And what should our lives look like on the run?

In today's story summary, we will hear about David running from King Saul. Saul was determined to kill David. It was wise to remove himself. 

What blessed me so much about David was he was able to differentiate himself from Saul's issues and keep his vision of what a good shepherd should do. He promised Jonathan to protect his family. This meant he would protect Saul. 

I also love that David collected a bunch of men that would have been considered a reject in society. They were in debt, depressed, and in despair from many nations. Yet, David accepted them and literally trained them into mighty warriors. Many of them were listed in the Bible as the mighty men of David full of valor. 

And in the one moment David flew off the handle in a rage against one of the sheep (Nabal) that he was called to protect, David listened to a woman and changed his course of action. He could be reasoned with and he showed a heart of repentance. 

Even while on the run, we see that David was growing as a person, leader, and commander. Maturing was one important thing he did not run from.

You can listen to this true story here.

David: A shepherd warrior on the run

David: A shepherd boy becomes a shepherd warrior

What can turn a simple shepherd boy into a shepherd warrior? 

As you listen to today's story about David notice how it is the determination in his heart to protect the honor of the living God. 

When we determine in our hearts to do something this is when we see big dividens. For David, it was his deep abiding love for the living God. All those years worshipping Him on the hills surrounding Bethlehem developed an internal strength that defies logic.

Does your belief in God give you an internal strength that defies logic? 

I often pray and tell God that I want to believe that I do, but in the face of a giant, how might I truly behave? At times, I do not know that I would be so strong, but other times I am certain I would be because I truly trust God. This is okay. Because one thing I have learned over the years, when I am weak, He truly is strong (2 Cor. 22:8-11).

Our giants aren't a physical Goliath. They come in the form of obstacles or struggles like illness, relationships, finances, natural disasters... In all of these, my God has proven faithful! He slayed my Goliaths. So, we may feel like a shepherd boy/girl, but in Him we are shepherd warriors! Amen! 

You can listen to the true story here:

David: A shepherd boy becomes a shepherd warrior