April 17, 2000
Lessons for April 30
LIFE & WORK SERIES:
There is honor in any task if it is done for the King
___1 Samuel 16:1-13
___By Debra Hochgraber
___Women's Evangelism Consultant, BGCT
___As a young Christian, I had the opportunity to be in a great church youth group with very special leadership. They gave of their time sacrificially. They worked at understanding what was happening in our lives, so truths could be easily applicable. They were fun, but expected an earned respect. They modeled servanthood. We learned a lot, but more importantly, they planted deep in my heart two concepts which I realize now shaped my walk with Jesus Christ: Spend time with the Lord daily in prayer and Bible study; andserve the Lord through his church.
___The institutions of family and church are of God's design. There are privileges and responsibilities that come with being a part of a family. There are privileges and responsibilities that come with being a child of the King also. As brothers and sisters, joint-heirs with Christ, believers are to serve the Father through his church. The Lord gifts us through his Spirit to equip us to serve.
___The example before me was of joyous service. As a seventh grader, I began my service in a children's choir. Responsibilities through the years changed numerous times. There was a particular call to vocational ministry at one point. But the highest calling, the first calling, has never changed--serve the Lord through his church.
___1 Samuel 13:14 tells us the Lord found a man to be the new king of Israel, a man seeking God's heart. We do not know who it is until we meet David in 1 Samuel 16:12. For these five weeks, we are going to look at some of the qualities that define David's life ambition--to seek the very heart of God. We do not see him seeking to be king. We meet him as a young shepherd. After his anointing by Samuel, he returns to that task. It is the appointed place of service for that time. In fact, he will serve the king as armor-bearer and musician (16:19-23). We will see him next week as a warrior. David will not even take the opportunity to become king into his own hands, although he has been anointed for the task (chapter 24).
___David must have learned that we are to serve the Lord in whatever way he chooses, when he chooses. There we will find joy.
___When Samuel anointed David, "the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power" (16:13). Since Pentecost, the Spirit has indwelt believers at the time of salvation. That is our anointing for service. God's plan for a lifetime often includes various areas of ministry, new spheres of influence, sometimes a call to vocational ministry. But the power comes in our willingness to fulfill God's purpose for the Spirit's anointing in our life.
___History views David's most important role as king. God's favorite picture might be the shepherd boy. In either scene, he was serving the Lord willingly, obediently.
___For those who have fulfilled God's purpose through service, thank you. We have seen into the heart of God through you.
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