Have you ever dreamed about when your “ship comes in? Maybe you’ve thought how great it would be to win that BIG lottery jackpot? You and I have been raised to think riches and money are the solution to all of our problems. But, if you searched for the winners of these type of “rags to riches” stories you would find many of them end up in bankruptcy. And, though they “won it all” they found that it brought no lasting joy.
Growing up, maybe you remember the TV show, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”? It was the story of a young boy growing up in West Philadelphia whose mother became concerned for his safety and sent him to live with his uncle in Bel Air… Ok, as you read this, I would love to know how many of you are reciting the words of the opening song? Certainly, Will went from rags to riches.
A few years earlier the Jeffersons were “moving on up to the east side to a deluxe apartment in the sky.” Again, I would love to know how many of you are singing that song? The Jeffersons got to experience life in the rich and fast lane. By the way, depending on which one of these you can recite tells me what generation you are in!
Well, a young shepherd, forgotten and overlooked by everyone except the Lord, moved from the smelly confines of a sheep fold to the aromatic environs of the palace! David went from rags to riches. God lifted him from obscurity to be the king’s right hand man. Overnight he moved into the lap of luxury of the king’s life. But, even then, he didn’t permanently move into the palace. He would go between the sheep fold and the palace.
On Sunday we will continue our look into the life of David. He is now the anointed successor to King Saul. He is as good as already the king in God’s plan. But, many years would pass between the anticipation of the throne and the experience. Please be reading 1 Samuel 16:13-23 to prepare your heart for this episode in David’s life.
What would you do if you were taken from your current situation to the life of the “rich and famous”? For some of us we would forget about God and just live and enjoy all of our new toys. Is that what happens to David? Let’s see
When was the last time you either ate at a buffet or at a pot luck? For me, I eat at Home Town Buffet at least once a month for a lunch with fellow pastors, and, we have regular pot luck meals at church. If I’m not careful, and often I’m not, I’ll go to the dessert table first! You know, so many people are crowding around the entree table that I just figure it is a good use of my time to eat dessert first. No, mind you, I still eat dessert last as well! But, it starts off the meal so well.
Uncertainties surround us. What will the weather be like? Will my favorite sports team win? What color should I wear? Where should I eat? What should I eat? These questions, and many more, haunt us every day. If we just knew the future we would never worry or fret. We could simply glide along knowing what would happen. Or, so we think this is what would happen. Because, what is coming isn’t always a good thing! Instead of feeling a loss when it comes, if we knew the future we would feel it even before we experienced it. Uncertainities can be a good thing.
Imagine for a moment that I knew the San Francisco Giants would win the 2012 World Series at the beginning of the season. One thing I would have never done was get to worried when they lost. I would have simply consoled myself with the reality that they would eventually win it all. The joy of knowing ahead of time that they would win would have given me a sense of joy all season. But, what if I had known ahead of time what the outcome of the 2002 World Series would be? My feelings would have been so different. I would not have been excited at any win because I would have known that they would eventually lose in the seventh game! The uncertainty caused me to watch and hope.
Our everyday lives have much uncertainty built into them. What blessings is God ready to shower down upon me? What trials is God ready to take me through? What will the next call be about? In all of these circumstances I can take refuge in the knowledge that my Lord will do all things for my benefit and good. And, He will do all things for His glory. He will provide His peace along the uncertain trail I walk.
We are about to embark upon a journey to survey the life of King David. Since it is ALL history to us, we might have a tendency to become a bit frustrated with all of David’s moods and choices. Certainly we will learn about choices he should have been better at. But, in some parts of his life if he could have known the future than he could have reacted differently. But, while hiding in the caves to escape from King Saul’s wrath, he was prone to fear. But, I suspect that is exactly the same feeling we would have had, and do have in our lives today.
Join us while we study the life of the great and godly king. We begin this Sunday morning. If you are not able to be here, you can watch our live stream each Sunday morning. Or, you can listen throughout the week to the podcast. Wether you are here with us or join us via the internet, I am praying these messages will strengthen us in our walk.
