Faithful in the Small Things

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. -- Luke16:10

When we are first introduced to David, he is most noticed for his absence. Can you imagine! Someone known to be a prophet of God (Samuel) and who is held in awe by the common villagers, singled out one family out of all of Israel, and invited them to both sacrifice with him, and share a meal. Seven other sons are trotted out one by one for an introduction, and David, with no mention of protests, tantrums or self-pity, remains with the sheep.

Jesse (his dad) did not get someone else to watch the sheep, a servant, or a neighbor, perhaps. David was simply expected to be the one to put responsibilities before social engagements.

Others may not have voted him 'most likely to succeed'. Even Jesse must have doubted that Samuel could possibly have meant that son to be Israel's next king, or else he would not have had to send for him -- he would already have been present.

We learn about his faithfulness in taking risks to defend that which belongs to another. David, when facing Goliath, likens it to when he had previously faced lions and bears. He had defeated each of these with the simple weapons he had available. (He must have trained with them regularly.)

We are shown that he has taken the 'down time' in his back-woods obscurity to build two important things. He developed a talent for music. He composed, played and sang music of a quality which was sufficient to land him in the Royal Court. He was no 'hack'.

More importantly, he knew who was to be glorified by this talent. He used his quiet time alone to develop a relationship with -- and a faith in -- God which was absolutely critical to the life which awaited him.

We find a person who was not doing things to be praised by men, noticed or seen. David was doing things, because they needed to be done, or perhaps because he understood how each thing we do, if done to honor Him, can be a legitimate act of worship to Almighty God. This attitude energizes a pious drive to greatness, not to make oneself great, but to give proper place to His greatness.

Let us each lay hold of that proper attitude toward God and strive for excellence, not with fear of failing or falling short (rest assured, we ALL have fallen and will continue to fall short) but rather with the knowledge that doing our best for God will positively shape the way in which the lost perceive Him.