Three things found in David's youth... (part 3)

Today let us look at the third and final instalment in this mini study concerning 3 things found in Davids life as a young man that influenced and characterised his entire service for God. They are very simple but immensely practical and challenging and I hope they are of benefit as we share them together.

3. The Staff

Remember that it was as a youth that David took his staff in his hand and marched out to meet the giant Philistine Goliath! 1 Sam 17:40"and he took his staff in his hand..." The staff I would judge to be a symbol or a picture of the presence, support and guidance of God. Just look at the confidence of David: "this day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand and I will smite thee... for the battle is the LORD's" David clearly lived close to God and enjoyed intimate and meaningful fellowship with his God. This was to his infinite advantage as it gave him a wonderful confidence to accomplish a great work for God! Let us too, like David, live close to God and read his Word, speak with him in prayer and gather with his people to worship and learn more of him.

[caption id="attachment_78" align="alignleft" width="191" caption="A middle eastern shepherd with staff and rod"][/caption]

Of course, such confidence and faith in God (symbolised by the staff) provoked ridicule from the enemies of God: "And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him... Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?" Here the very symbol of the presence and guidance of God is the object of scorn and ridicule, and I'm sure you will agree that not much has changed today! The world will laugh at us for trusting in God and having confidence in him but we know from the Word of God that "it is better to trust in God than to put confidence in man" Ps 118:8 Our faith in God is constantly under attack, and we will always be mocked for trusting in God rather than following the so-called 'wisdom' of the world.

I am sure that this experience in the Valley of Elah stayed with David for the rest of his life and that he treasured the lesson of coveting the presence, comfort and guidance of God as he would later reflect: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

David clearly valued the presence and guidance of God throughout his life as his writings in the Psalms would also clearly bear out, but he learned this valuable character trait as a youngster and I draw this simple application for us today: As believers we should seek to cultivate the guidance and presence of God in our day to day lives. As with David this may mean coming out of our 'comfort zone' and facing confrontation, standing up to the enemies of God and maintaining a bold testimony for God, but it is at those times that we most realise and appreciate the presence, comfort and guidance of God in our lives. This is what I learn from the staff.

I trust these simple thoughts on things in David's youth will be a blessing and of practical benefit to fellow believers.

Yours in Christ,

Mark