Memo 1123: A Promotion

Last week, we read how Samuel the prophet came to the house of a man named Jesse, looking for the person God would show him to anoint to be the next king to replace King Saul. Samuel was surprised that it was David, the youngest son, who turned out to be the one he was looking for.

After that, we learn that King Saul had some serious mental health problems and so the people around him thought they needed to find someone who was a good musician who could come and play to cheer up the king. Saul thought this was a good idea:

Saul ordered them, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.” One of his attendants said, “Jesse of the town of Bethlehem has a son who is a good musician. He is also a brave and handsome man, a good soldier, and an able speaker. The Lord is with him.”

So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the one who takes care of the sheep.” Jesse sent David to Saul with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a leather bag full of wine. David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much and chose him as the man to carry his weapons. Then Saul sent a message to Jesse: “I like David. Let him stay here in my service.” From then on, whenever the evil spirit sent by God came on Saul, David would get his harp and play it. The evil spirit would leave, and Saul would feel better and be all right again (1 Samuel 16:17-23, GNT).

Let's look at why they chose David to be the king's assistant, even though he was young.

HE HAD SKILL

What set David apart from the others? It was the fact that he was a good musician. He didn't have to advertise his skill, for someone once heard him play and mentioned David's name when they were looking for the person to play for Saul. Just like Samuel with Eli, God used young David to help address a problem that an adult leader was having. God may want to use you, even though you're young, to help others who are older than you are.

That's not all that set David apart from other people in the minds of those who knew him. He was also "handsome, a good solder, and an able speaker." Now David had nothing to do with his good looks; those were from God, but he was also a gifted soldier and a good speaker. God gave him those talents as well, but David had to work to perfect them. He practiced them and then found real-life situations where he could both fight or speak. The best news of all for David, however, was that "God is with him."

HE WAS DISCOVERED

Even though David was young, he was good at what he did and that caused others to take notice of him. He didn't have to tell people he was talented; God showed people that he was. If you become good at what you can do, then people will also find you when they are searching for someone to help them solve a problem or fill a role. In fact, God will help them find you because God is the one who promotes people: "No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another" (Psalm 75:6-7, NIV).

Therefore, you don't have to worry about what you will do in the future. Just like He did with David, God will help others find and promote you but only if you have become the best you can be at what you do. Are you good at languages? Then study hard and become proficient. Are you a good athlete? Then build yourself up and excel at your position. Are you good in science? Then take all the science classes you can and even look for an opportunity to teach science to others, who may be younger or older than you.

Remember, David didn't have to go looking for what he was supposed to do. He was skilled and that opened doors for him. What's more God wanted to use him, and the same will be true for you, but only if you are determined to be good at what you love to do. If you will do your part, God will do His and He won't hesitate to promote you no matter how young you are.