Shepherd To King-Day 4

01 Sep Shepherd To King-Day 4

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:4, 17-NLT- “Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! One day Jesse said to David, ‘Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers.’”

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1 Samuel 17 NLT 

Observation: This passage of scripture introduces us to the story of David and Goliath. Each day, Goliath goes out to mock the Israelites and challenge them to send someone to fight him one-on-one, but there isn’t anyone willing to do it. David’s brothers are already with Saul’s army, and Jesse wants David to check on them and report how his brothers are doing. Before David leaves, Jesse equips him with gifts of grain and bread to serve his brothers.

Application: Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life is or what God has called you to do? Trying to figure this out on your own can be difficult. It might feel like you are up against a nine-foot-tall “Goliath.” And when you struggle to figure out God’s purpose for your life, you can feel defeated.

What if I told you that, just like Jesse equipped David with gifts to serve, our heavenly Father equips us with spiritual gifts to serve others?  As I read this scripture, one saying that comes to mind is, “God doesn’t call the equipped; he equips the called.” 

There was a time in my life when I struggled to find my purpose and figure out what God was calling me to do. And when I couldn’t figure it out, it really bothered me. It felt like a “Goliath” in front of me that I just couldn’t get past. However, one thing I did know is that we are all called to serve. As I started to serve and grow in my relationship with God by practicing my “slot and spot” (my time and place with God), my purpose began to crystallize. I started by serving on our Emergency Response Team at The Journey. During this time, I felt God point me in different directions. I began to understand the gifts he had given me and how I could use those gifts in various capacities. I currently serve on the worship team and am the Men’s J-Groups Area Coordinator. However, I would never understand the gifts God had given to me if I had let the giant defeat me and had not begun to serve.

What is holding you back from stepping into God’s best for you? What “Goliath” is standing in your way? Is it the pain of your past, the fear of what people may say, or even feelings of inadequacy?  Maybe that first step is just to start serving in a small way and then let God take it from there.

Paul lets us know in Ephesians 2:10 that we have already been equipped to make a difference in the lives of others. He says it this way, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago”.

Prayer: Father, I ask that you begin to show me the purpose you have created me for and know that I am called to serve you. Please reveal to me the gifts you have equipped me with so that I may use them to serve others, just as your Son did. Amen.

Next Steps:

• Come back tomorrow for Day 5
• In your “slot and spot,” ask God to show you what “Goliath” is standing between you and his best for you.
• After a gathering, attend Plugged In. We have coaches ready to help you find out what your gifts are to begin to serve with and how you can use those gifts to serve others.

Wil Smith/Men’s J-Group Area Coordinator/ Worship Leader

Wil Smith has attended The Journey for five years and enjoys serving on the Worship Team and in J-Groups. Wil enjoys a good cup of coffee, watching all the Philadelphia sports teams, time with the family, and date night with his wife.