1 Samuel 16:17-18 NET
So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me." One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him."

Imagine that in a particular area of your life you were called "up" to a higher position or appointment. What about the job where you work? What would you do if you were made a supervisor or manager right now? What if your salary tripled for doing the same work? What if you had access to all the inside and sensitive information about the company or business where you work? What if, suddenly, you were trusted with a company car or an expense card? Could you handle it? Are you truly ready for the call "up"?

David, a shepherd boy, went to bring lunch to his older brothers serving in the army of Israel and heard this giant Philistine soldier taunting the men and defying their God. He successfully killed the giant Goliath with a slingshot and a stone. How was he able to do it? The answer lay in his training in the field with the sheep. He had experience with bears and lions that threatened his father’s sheep, and he knew how to deal with them. Later, because of Saul’s disobedience, God allowed an evil spirit to torment the king. Saul asked for a man who could play an instrument skillfully and bring him some relief. Someone in Saul’s court remembered David, and the court "called" for him, so he went "up" to the palace.

Look at David's resume if you will: skillful, brave, proven, wise, well-spoken, handsome... but here's the most important thing: The Lord's anointing is on his life.

Look at the last statement of the servant—"The LORD is with him!"

If you and I are ever called “up” to greatness, we need to remember that we are first being called to serve. Greatness comes through right preparation and the right heart/attitude. You can be called "up"—but then come crashing "down" if you don't possess the qualities of a godly man submitted unto the Lord's will. The LORD must be with us!

David accepted the call to the king's court and became Saul's armor-bearer as well as his musician.

Some twelve (12) years later, he became King of Israel. David served first, and then he became great…The one who served in obscurity: keeping the father's sheep, was anointed in front of his brothers. Proverbs states twice that before honor is humility.

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*This devotional was originally written in Aug/2020 and published in Jul/2022