Wednesday, 5 February 2020

1 Samuel 17:20-23 – Hearing rightly


David awoke early in the morning and obediently followed his father’s instruction to carry the provisions for his brothers in the battlefront. He also responsibly left the care of his father’s sheep with the keeper. If we aren’t aware that earlier God had chosen to have him anointed as king, we would be left wondering how could such an ordinary person be king? As we look at David’s life at this point, we realize that God chooses ordinary people for his extraordinary service. And also how we go about the ordinary assignments of daily life will go to make us the person we become.  


When David arrived at the camp, the army was just about to go into the battle array and shouting of the war cry. He left the baggage to the care of the baggage keeper while he went straight to the battle line to greet his brothers. While he was talking to his brothers, Goliath came 0ut bellowing his challenge. He again defied the army of Israel. Four words became very significant in verse 23. The four words are: “and David heard them.” Why are these words critical? In the sound and fury, David heard and identified the threat and would soon be introduced slowly but surely into the role that he was anointed for. He was going to be the person God would use to change the history of the nation.

The lesson we learn here is about discernment, that is, the need to hear what God is saying to us. We live in a highly communicative world. Every day we are bombarded with all kinds of information. Each seeking to persuade us to accept some perspective. It is precisely in such a crowded communication that we need to be discerning. We want to be able to act right and live uprightly. If we hear wrongly, we may come to a different conclusion and act like everyone else. If we hear rightly and accurately discern the situation, it will help us to act rightly. As God-loving people, we need to discern His voice so that we can live obediently to glorify Him. Let’s train our ears to hear rightly!



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