FUNCTIONING AS A KING - PART 3

TUESDAY 08 AUGUST 2023

King David was in touch with his previous experiences in the wilderness, yet God's eyes were on him, even in that state, to give him a new experience that would change his life forever. As God's instrument, Samuel played a leading role in locating David in the wilderness. More below!

Reference: Psalm 21:1 New Living Translation (NLT) "How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD! He shouts with joy because you give him victory."

The next versified statement in Psalm 21 is: Verse 3: You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head (Divine visitation).

How was King David visited? When it was time for God to honour David, He said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? 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 king" (1 Samuel 16:1 NIV).

In fact, the passage consists of dialogue between Samuel and Jesse. According to 1 Samuel 16:10-13, Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The Lord has not chosen these." So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered. "He is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; this is the one." So Samuel 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 powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah" (NIV).

Beloved, when it was time for David to manifest who he really was, God prompted Samuel to visit Jesse. And it wasn't enough for Samuel to just say to Jesse and his sons, "Send for David and have him brought in, it was equally important to finish the statement by saying, 'We will not sit down until he arrives.'" In other words, the honour was complete in words and was also actionable, which I consider as having a verbal and practical value. In his moments of elevation, King David was not aware of what was coming, meaning that his visitation lacks a duplicate in experience. God acknowledged the difference between him and his brothers, which is his "heart" or "inner character" and in the fidelity of that impression, God counted him as his chosen vessel for kingship.

Moreover, this was God's answer to David's prayer, which is noted in Psalm 27:13-14, "I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!" (21st Century King James Version). In another sentence, the best of men could faint or give up, if they stopped believing they could experience a visitation from God. Such visitation helps to position us in the right direction, and its needful that we continue to rely on it to help us accomplish our mission on earth even to the very end.

Beloved, notice that David wasn't even sent for, because no one bothered to count him worthy, let alone bring him, meaning that human beings may shut up their compassion, yet, with God we shall definitely find grace to help. To that effect, Hebrews 4:16 reads, "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most" (NLT). Indeed, David received God's mercy when he prayed, "I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Hannah was also divinely visited after consulting God's mercy. 1 Samuel 2:21 says, "The Lord visited Hannah; and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew before the Lord" (NIV).

Psalm 34:15 says, "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry..." (NIV). Receiving God's mercy is also a divine visitation which denotes that God can never be late; He is always on time, and all He does for His own, He does them wisely and in due time. This should always come across as a great comfort to all born again Christians, no matter the challenge. Stay tuned for part 4. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - 1 Samuel 2:21; Psalm 65:9; Luke 1:68; 1 Peter 2:12.

Guided Prayer: Gracious Father in heaven, I'm joyful that I enjoy the blessings and benefits that are enwrapped in your visitation as they daily unfold themselves before me, in Jesus' Name, Amen!