“Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in… I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth… And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the Lord will build you a house. When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever…
“After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines.
“And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.
“David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah-Hamath… So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.” 1 Chronicles 17:4,7-8,10b-12; 18:1-3a,14
David was a man of many talents. His years as a shepherd and the youngest brother of eight taught him much about the majesty of God and the differences of men. He was a vigilant leader, loyal protector, passionate writer, and strategic warrior. He was bold, curious, courageous, creative, and tenacious. He loved his Lord, and wanted to do great things for Him. God had a unique place and special purpose of establishing His kingdom in Israel for this man after His heart. Though David wanted to do more for God, when He narrowed it down to a focused objective for his season as king, David accepted his call with zeal.
Do we? With so many choices before us, and varied opportunities to busy ourselves with work and service, we may find we’re stretched thin, doing many things with mediocrity and few things well. We can’t set realistic priorities because our focus is too wide and we try to do too much. We jump to fill needs that arise, but find that when it comes to our niche, we have draining energy. How well do we know the narrow way the Lord would have us walk and put to best use our gifts?
The key to fruitful living in the center of God’s will is ongoing communion with Him who made us. He planted us in our specific time and place for eternal reasons. While many may share some abilities, likely we have certain gifts that He intends we exercise exactly where we are. The Lord promises to direct our paths, and teaches us to say ‘no’ to what would distract us from the kingdom needs meant for us. (Esther 4:14; Isaiah 30:21; 49:1-3; Acts 17:26)
Where has God planted us? What family, workplace, neighborhood, church body? Among which needy individuals, for which roles, in what relationships and conversations? Would we seek His priorities each morning for the hours He’s ordered ahead? (Proverbs 3:5-6; 4:25)
Father, keep my ears keen to listen and my feet swift to go as You call, that I might further Your purposes to Your goodness and glory.
As the rain and snow 