Nougat 2

Sometimes, when God calls us into active duty, favour is our portion. It is a good feeling, and we ought to embrace it when it comes. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

1 Samuel 16:21-22 NIV‬

[21] David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.

[22] Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

With Whom I Am Pleased

Have you ever been tormented: i.e., really and truly perplexed, distressed, dismayed, and out of sorts? What did you do, and did you know what caused it? To what extent do we then proceed to permit the said stressors access to our lives time and time again? More critically, do we know what calms us when we’re stressed, and what measures do we take to keep stress at bay?

It is imperative that we take care of ourselves, especially with regard to our stress levels. Honestly, no one else (human) can fully manage it for us. In Saul’s case, music – actually, godly, Spirit-filled music – reduced his stress levels. Those were not the days of Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, etc. It wasn’t even the era of vinyl records or orchestras. What Saul needed was full-time access to Spirit-filled music to soothe his spirit.

David was the solution.

(He was actually God’s solution to all that ailed Saul, and all that ailed God about Saul. But that’s another story.)

Saul’s decision was a wise one. Rather than fetch David from his father’s house (or the fields) at odd times, Saul requested that Jesse send David into his employ. (His words to Jesse foreshadow God’s comment in the gospels about Jesus. Remember those Triune God moments? – i.e., after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and at the Mount of Transfiguration. Could that be yet another connection between David and Jesus?)

Although worded as a request, there was limited scope for Jesse to say no. Not logically, not economically, not socially, and definitely not spiritually. He was present at David’s anointing. He must have had a moment trying to discern how God would move David from the fields to the Palace. But God gave David favour in Saul’s home.

Siblings, there are times when God grants us favour with authority. When we are the ones with whom leaders are well pleased. Though it may be a response to our talents and skills, let us remember the Source of ‘our’ expertise. May we continue to hone our talents and skills, and to embrace our giftings. Then – by God’s grace and favor – we might also be one in whom others are well pleased.

—

May all we seek be found in Christ