“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance” (Psalm 78:70-71 ESV).
This is a description of King David, whom God took from the sheepfolds to the throne room, raising him up to be Israel’s greatest king. David was born in Bethlehem, one of the smallest towns in all Israel. He was the youngest of his father Jesse’s eight sons. Yet God saw in David “a man after His own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). For “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).
God loves taking the least and raising them up to prominence. And God cares more for the inner than the outer life. He knew David’s heart. He knew that he could be trusted with God’s people. David would shepherd for God’s people just as carefully as he had his father’s sheep. David had an “upright heart,” a heart of integrity.
Integrity, that’s a character trait greatly needed in leaders today! But the youngest brother from Israel’s smallest town wasn’t just all heart. No, he had “skillful hands” to follow his heart. God had given him skill with people and with administration. David was the shepherd king, the greatest king Israel would ever know.
More than that, David was a foreshadowing of the true Shepherd King, who is Christ Jesus the Lord. Christ’s heart and hands are unmatched! His character and competence are beyond compare. He is the Shepherd who willingly lay down His life for the sheep.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we know that You delight in raising up the small, so that You receive the glory. You seek those who will give You the glory. Forgive us for where we take credit for that which You have clearly given us by Your grace. We boast in You today for all Your blessings. In Jesus’ name, amen.