Shepherd To King-Day 13

10 Sep Shepherd To King-Day 13

Scripture:  2 Samuel 7:8-11-NLT- “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared:  I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel.  I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes.  Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth!  And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed.  Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel.  And I will give you rest from all your enemies.  Furthermore, the LORD declares that he will make a house for you – a dynasty of kings!’”

You can find the rest of the story here: 2 Samuel 7 and further readings here: 2 Samuel 5; 1 Chronicles 11

Observation:  God is always with us.  He promises that he will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).  Just like with David, God is with us in the good times and the bad times, and he has a plan for each one of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). He is always faithful to his promises.

Application:  I have always been a planner.  This became a problem for me the spring of my junior year in college.  I was attending Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Because my minor was in Missions, I was preparing for a three-month summer practicum at an orphanage in Guatemala.  This was the perfect trip for me (so I thought) because I would be able to use my teaching degree in Education to work with the children living there.  However, I was informed that the missionary at the orphanage was going to be on furlough, and the trip would not be possible.  My advisor offered me another trip to Brazil.  This trip was quite different from the trip to Guatemala.  I would be required to preach as well as teach in the area churches and help with the local seminary. When I heard the word “preach”, my first thought was, “Absolutely not!”  There was no way that I could do that.  Fear was getting the best of me. 

My advisor, a wonderful godly man, told me to go home and pray about it.  I did just that. After seeking God’s guidance, I knew that I needed to go on that trip.  I was still scared, but I trusted that God was with me, and if he wanted me on this trip, he would give me the abilities that I needed.

That trip to Brazil in 1993 changed my life.  Yes, it was difficult.  I was asked to do things that were out of my comfort zone, but God was always with me, and I felt his comfort and presence during those challenging times.  Through the connections I made that summer, I was able to return to Brazil to do my student teaching and acquired my first teaching job.  I am so glad that I trusted him and his promises for my life.  The best part of that summer was that I met my future husband!  I always thought that I would meet the man of my dreams at college.  God had other plans, and they were so much better than mine.

I am so thankful that we serve a God that loves us and is always there for us.  God was always there for David.  He was faithful to his promises for David’s life, and we can trust him to be there for us and faithful to his promises in our lives.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for always being there for me.  When I feel alone, I know that you are right there by my side. You promise to never leave me or forsake me.  I thank you that you always keep your promises and you have a plan and purpose for my life.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Next Steps: 

• Join us here again tomorrow to read Day 14
• Continue reading about David to see how God fulfills his promises through David’s son, Solomon, the building of the temple, and best of all, through Jesus, David’s descendant, and our Lord and Savior. 
• Schedule a time for your Slot and Spot.  Use this time to read and reflect on God’s promises in his Word.  
• Set aside time in your day to spend time in worship.  The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3 KJV).  This is the perfect time to connect with him and enjoy his presence. 

Kim Pereira/Journey Kids Area Coordinator

Kim Pereira has been attending The Journey since October of 2021.  She loves serving in Journey Kids with her husband, Acacio.  She is a part of the JLI Evening Program where she hopes to continue to develop her leadership skills. She is also a mother to four wonderful children.