One of my favorite places to visit is the mountains. We’ve visited different National Parks out west, and one is better than another. Oh, the magnificent strength in them.
I remember standing on the walkway of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with tears streaming down my face as I was before the beauty of creation. I was overwhelmed with emotion.
King David cried out “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61: 2)
- There’s a place we were called to stand in Him, above our circumstances.
As I read the entire Psalm, it is clearly a prayer for restoration back to God’s presence. He’s crying out for that higher place, the place to God’s presence where He is under the shelter of His wings. He says, “May we be enthroned in God’s presence forever, appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.” (Psalm 61: 7)
- His appointed love and faithfulness sends protection. (Shared from 61, Paraphrased)
Love and faithfulness was established in the Old Testament covenant. In the New Testament, “We died to the law so that we might belong to another.” (Romans 7: 4) Who is the other? His name is Jesus.
Paul discusses his struggle with sin, telling us, “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7: 15) He expresses this wrestling a little further, and confesses, “When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” (Romans 7: 21)
This is why we agree with David saying, lead me to the rock. Jesus is our rock! Only by living IN Him are we free. How I long for Him! (Shared from Romans 7, Paraphrased)
Samuel was longing for Saul. The Lord asked him, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel.” (1 Samuel 16: 1a) Samuel was grieving him.
He instructs the prophet “Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be a king.” (1 Samuel 16: 1b)
- God chooses leaders. We must accept His choice and move forward.
He chooses the unlikely candidate, a man that Samuel is to “Not consider his appearance or his height.” (1 Samuel 16: 7)
- The Lord looks at the heart of a man, not the outward appearance.
All of Jesse’s sons pass before Samuel, but none were chosen as the Lord’s anointed. He then asks Jesse if he had any more sons? Jesse answered, “There is still the youngest, but he is tending sheep.” (1 Samuel 16: 11)
- God appoints young and old for his work. Never disqualify according to age.
Why wasn’t David in the line-up at first? Didn’t his father think he was capable?
- Our heavenly father always thinks we are not only capable but able.
David is then sent for and when he appears before Samuel, the Lord tells him to “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” (1 Samuel 16: 13)
Samuel then “Took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power.” (1 Samuel 16: 14) He goes back to tending sheep.
- God has an appointed time for us to step up into our calling. It’s His time, not ours.
Saul is distraught at this point. The Spirit of the Lord departed from him and an evil spirit came to torment him. Saul’s attendants ask for a man who can play the harp to minister to Saul at the times of torment.
They go and find David. He is described as a man, a warrior, and speaks that the Lord is with him. Jesse, David’s father, gives him permission to go to the house of Saul. Saul liked him very much and “David becomes one of his armor-bearers.” (1 Samuel 16: 21) He then remained in Saul’s service.
- David’s first call was to worship, so is ours.
- Those having a Davidic anointing, understand this call.
- Leadership is a call to lead, but also a call to servanthood.
Take notice that David was just anointed, still tending to his sheep. God then appoints him to deal with tormenting spirits.
- Leadership will require you to take a place of authority over spirits.
I love how we are being shown the importance of music being used to minister. The presence of worship, and the anointing, release spirits. David is being trained up in servanthood and warfare ministry, while he is assisting Saul.
- Sometimes we see ourselves as just a helper when God is doing something greater in both parties.
The higher place that leads us to the rock, is the place of worship. Worship takes us up from that place of worry as we focus on the one, where the battle is won.
This is how I fight my battles…(Shared from 1 Samuel 16, Paraphrased)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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