Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”
Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
– 1 Samuel 16:14-23
Devotion
David was known for his shepherding skills and bravery, but he was also an accomplished harpist and musician. He would later go on to write many of the Psalms. Saul obviously did not know that David had been secretly anointed by Samuel as king when he asked David to be in his service. However, Saul’s invitation presented a great opportunity for young David to obtain firsthand information about leading a nation like Israel. Sometimes our plans have to be put on hold, even the ones we feel are God’s plans for our lives. Like David, we can trust that this waiting time can be profitable to fulfill God’s purposes. We can choose to learn and grow during those waiting periods, or get frustrated and perhaps even bitter.
The Big Question
David was known for his shepherding skills and bravery, but he was also an accomplished harpist and musician. He would later go on to write many of the Psalms. Saul obviously did not know that David had been secretly anointed by Samuel as king when he asked David to be in his service. However, Saul’s invitation presented a great opportunity for young David to obtain firsthand information about leading a nation like Israel. Sometimes our plans have to be put on hold, even the ones we feel are God’s plans for our lives. Like David, we can trust that this waiting time can be profitable to fulfill God’s purposes. We can choose to learn and grow during those waiting periods, or get frustrated and perhaps even bitter.
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.