The Next Right Thing, One at a Time

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:3-4

“Samuel… anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward… And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer... And whenever the harmful spirit was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed...

“David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem... Jesse said to David his son, ‘Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers, [and] these ten cheeses to the commander. See if your brothers are well.’ Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 

“And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. David ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, Goliath came up out of the ranks and spoke as before... David said, ‘Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?‘ 1 Samuel 16:13,21,23; 17:15,17-20,22-23,26

The youngest-in-the-family shepherd boy, who, when gazing at night stars, wondered at his own significance, lived his life before God from one step to the next. Whether tending sheep or playing the harp for the king, carrying nourishment to the battlefield for his brothers or taking on a threatening giant, David obediently went about each day as God bid him. Taking thought for his Lord rather than himself, expending his vitality for God’s glory not his own, freed him to do the next right thing. (1 Samuel 18:23)

And by this steadfastness, God would form David’s heart after His And train him to do even greater things. No magical potion, no spectacle of initiation, no famous announcement, simply a steady plodding under the Spirit’s anointing along the right path each day. (Acts 13:22)

When overwhelmed with many responsibilities, needs unmet, tasks undone, will we take one at a time and do just the next right thing? If we carry the enormity of all burdens at once, we can bend under pressure and become paralyzed.

Do we prefer the popular, the dazzling, the sexy, the noticeable show of service? Or are we willing to do the next right thing, whether mundane, menial, or magnificent? If our desire is for notoriety, we will necessarily miss out on what God has for us, and on showing Him off to others. But when we do all in His name and for His fame, He receives the glory, and matures our character. (1 Samuel 17:46-47; Romans 12:11,16)

Lord God, align my energies and determination with Your plan for each day. Keep me faithfully doing Your assigned next right thing, for Your praise and honor.