Let us uncover in this message vital attributes highlighted on the CV/Resume of David the Shepherd boy when he was being recommended to King Saul. They are attributes worth emulating in our Christian Journey today. I call them the attributes of Champions. David was surely a champion in his generation. As a teenager at only seventeen (17) years, he became a national hero by killing Goliath, the dreaded giant and warrior of Israel’s chief enemy of the time, the Philistines. Not only that, it is also on record that David never saw any form of defeat/failure all his life. He was the greatest king that Israel ever knew, and thousands of years after his demise, his star is still celebrated in Israel today. Thus, it is important to study about the things that made this outstanding champion in scripture. Five (5) unique accolades were used to describe this champion to the king:
1Samuel 16:18
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
#1. Cunning or Skillful in Playing (the Harp)
You may be highly spiritual as a Christian/believer, but you need skill to make it to the top. You must develop skillfulness in something. You must have a special skill that can be advertised as did the shepherd boy David.
While it is true that bible says favour is not to men of skill (meaning it is not the principal determinant of favour), yet it was David’s skillfulness in playing the harp that featured as a foremost factor in securing a place for him in the palace. His skillfulness in playing the harp was the first thing mentioned on his CV, not his godliness. Usually, an employer is not looking for a prayer worrier or just someone that fears God. He’s first of all looking for someone who possess the competence needed to get the job done. If that criteria is met, then other attributes such as God fearing, etc are considered. Bible says:
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men - Proverbs 18:16.
The gift in this context does not only refer to one’s natural endowment but also cultivated skills that have become an endowment. For instance, no one is born with a gift of knowing how to play a musical instrument. It is a skill that is cultivated by learning, then as the individual develops expertise in this skill, it then becomes part of their endowment. So I believe David took time to learn to play the harp until it become a gift. Then others began to take notice of his talent and began to advertise for him. Thus, his cultivated gift/talent began to open doors for him to places far beyond his wildest imagination.
Well over a decade go, I was privileged of God to be appointed to a highly sensitive role in a prestigious international christian organization as the new Regional Secretary for West Africa. As I reflect on my journey to this former role, I assert that while the favour of God was certainly the door opener, my skillfulness in writing and experience in administrative work and IT, also played a fundamental role in securing that opportunity.
What’s the import of this lesson? If you have a natural gift/endowment, go ahead and sharpen it until you develop skillfulness in using it. On the other hand, if you cannot point to any natural gift/endowment in your life, then cultivate one by learning a relevant skill, and that will enhance your portfolio for accessing the palace. Here is how scripture summarized David’s 40-year reign in Israel:
Psalm 78:70-72
[70] He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
[71] From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
[72] So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
So we realize that skillfulness or skill remained an integral factor of David’s kingship of 40-years. Like David, you will ascend your throne and dine with kings in Jesus name.
#2. A Mighty Valiant Man and A Man of War (A fighting spirit)
To secure your place in destiny you need to be a mighty man/woman of war. In other words, you must possess a fighting spirit. Bible says concerning our adventure in this world that we wrestle:
Ephesians 6:12-13
(12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
We’re engaged in a daily contest against wicked forces. So there’s no place for the chickenhearted. My spiritual father and mentor in the school of faith, Bishop David Oyedepo once said: “you need a lion heart to have your lion share”. And bible says:
A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; - Proverbs 30:30
The lion who is king of the jungle does not run from any adversary. It’ll challenge anyone no matter their strength. And that’s who you are in redemption. We belong to the tribe of lions. Jesus is known as the lion of the tribe of Judah (see Revelations 5:5). So never turn your back on enemies. Face them to phase them out. Life does not give us what we deserve. It gives us what we fight for. So we must posses this fighting spirit like David. In Psalm 18:34 David Said:
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Years ago while on a pastoral mission with my family, on a certain day, my wife called from home that she could not walk. She could not lift up herself from the sofa that she sat on. It was like a spirit of paralysis had overshadowed her. In spiritual anger, I blasted on the phone: “Satan loose her and let her go” and I went on with my business. Good-news is the devil heard the blasting and fled, because as I got back home in the evening, my wife was already up and about on her two feet. Glory to God! Without this fighting spirit, my darling wife would’ve been a cripple long ago.
Under the influence of this same fighting spirit, I wrote in my journal recently, “when all my enemies are long gone, I will still be here”. You see, you and I need this kind of boldness of heart to survive in a wicked world. May God teach your hands to war from today in Jesus name.
#3. Prudent In Matters
The third attribute mentioned about David to the king was that he was prudent in matters. Among the meanings assigned to the word prudent in the dictionary are: discreet, wise, careful and responsible. So David was a young man that was discreet, wise, and careful in handling matters and he did so in a responsible manner. We can use one word to replace all that which is Wisdom. So David was a man of wisdom. One of his servants once remarked about him:
… and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth. 2Samuel 14:20
Good news is that there is a king sitting inside every child of God. According to scripture our redemption in Christ has made us kings to reign on the earth (See Revelation 5:9-10). But unfortunately, until we cultivate wisdom, that king will never rise to sit on the throne. This is because kings reign by wisdom. Lets read it in Proverbs 8:12 & 15.
(12) I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
(15) By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
By wisdom king’s reign. So to lack wisdom is to miss your throne. There’s a throne waiting for every child of God in this life (thrones are waiting in every field of human endeavor), but it is by wisdom that we access our thrones. This is why bible says, “Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom, and in all thy getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).
When David got to the palace, bible says he behaved himself very wisely (see 1Samuel 18:12-15). The result was that he did not lose his place (he maintained his position), and from being a servant in the palace, he moved on to become the king.
The wisdom of God is our guaranteed access to the throne; not only that, it keeps the throne. So let’s go for it. But how do we get it? One may ask. Three ways we can access God’s wisdom are as follows:
- Seek for it in prayer (see James 1:5)
- Through Word Study (see 2Timothy 3:15). God’s Word or bible is God’s wisdom in print.
- By associating with the wise--through physical association where possible but also through their books and other learning materials such as audio and video teachings (see Proverbs 13:20)
#4. A Comely Person
The fourth (4th) attribute that featured in the recommendation that was given about David to King Saul was that he was a comely person. Now let us examine that shortly.
The word comely as used in King James bible means good looking or attractive.
While David was naturally good looking, I do not believe there is any ugly person in this world, because bible says we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God (see Psalm 139:14). When the favour factor is at work, good looks don’t really matter as the favour of God makes one look good in the eyes of others. But one dictionary meaning of the word comely is decent. So it implies that no matter our natural looks, we must cultivate the appearance of decency. A person can be naturally good looking but lack decency and that can become a factor of disfavour when destiny is being decided.
For instance, Joseph of the bible was a man of unusual favour. Prior to his appearance before the king, bible testified that he was a man well-favoured by God and man (see Genesis 39:6,20-22). yet when he was called from the prison to appear before Pharaoh in the palace, bible says he shaved himself and changed his clothes (see Genesis 41:14). In other-words, he put on decency like a garment. He wore a decent appearance. He eliminated everything that will make him look indecent. No wonder he gained instant acceptance with the king.
So is it possible that some very skilled and probably highly spiritual people may have missed some great opportunities in life simply for lack of decency in appearance? I think it is. If this factor was not important, it would not have featured on the recommendation presented to the King about David the shepherd boy.
#5. The Lord is with Him (Divine Companionship)
Of all the attributes mentioned about David, this is the most important. Bible says in Proverbs 21:31:
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
In other words, no matter how skillful, no matter how valiant in battle, no matter how wise and decent one may be, the most crucial factor that puts a finality on the decision is one’s proximity to God. When God is on your side, everything must work in your favour. Apostle Paul Said:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31
I can testify with all sense of humility that this is my greatest trade secrets in life. Years ago, in one of my previous administrative roles, a renown Man of God in the same ministry where I was serving came to my office one day and said to me “anytime I come to your office, I feel God”. What an unusual privilege. To have God with you is the greatest privilege of life. Till date, that has remained my competitive advantage in the race of life. To enjoy God’s ever abiding-presence and companionship is our guarantee for sweat-less triumph in life. When you’re clothed with God’s presence, you’re clothed in favour which secures strange open doors. Only the doors that can be shut on God will be shut against you (see Psalm 24:7-9). The greatest obstacles bow at His presence so nothing can stand against you (see Isaiah 64:1 & Psalm 144:1-7). In other words, you enjoy unstoppable progress in life when God is by your side.
But how do we secure God’s companionship in the journey of life? The answer is simple: when we seek to please Him always in all that we do. Jesus said:
He that sent me is with me: The Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please Him - John 8:29
Doing always the things that please God secures and maintains his ever-abiding presence/companionship with us.
So the question is what are the things that please God? Let us name a few:
*A Lifestyle of Thanksgiving and Praise pleases God
The Psalmist said:
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. - Psalm 69:30-31
*Walking in the fear of God pleases God
God was boasting about His servant Job in the book of Job chapter one (1) verse eight (8):
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
In essence, God was openly pleased with this man called Job. And the reason given was that he feared God and hated evil!
*Obeying God pleases God
This is how Abraham for instance, won the heart of God. By his addiction to obedience to God (see Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 17:1/2-3/7/10-13/23-27, Genesis 22:15-18). So God called him friend (see Isaiah 41:8). That is, God became his companion in the journey of life.
*Giving (and that cheerfully) pleases God
“...for God loveth a cheerful giver” - 2Corinthians 9:7
This includes giving to advance the gospel and God’s kingdom agenda on the earth (Haggai 1:3-8), giving to the servants of God (Galatians 6:6, Romans 15:27, 1 Corinthians 9:11), and giving to the needy (Proverbs 28:27, Proverbs 19:17) among other forms of giving.
For instance, David whom God refereed to as a man after His heart, was a great, liberal giver. He gave a fortune towards God’s house (1 Chronicles 29:1-5). Even prior to his enthronement as king, He had six hundred (600) men living under his care (1 Samuel 25:13); and that number did not take into account the wives and children of these men (in those days women and children were not numbered). So in essence, David had well over 600 mouths in his household that fed daily from his table.
I believe the five core attributes of David that we have related here, will make anyone emerge a champion in life.
Now, permit me to prophesy into your life. A time is coming very shortly that great and honorable men and women from far and near will look for you as they looked for David. They will inconvenience themselves just to meet with you in Jesus name. Shout a loud amen if you believe it!
Meanwhile, if you do not have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so now. Accepting Jesus as lord and saviour is fundamental key to enjoying God’s companionship. Jesus said:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me - Revelation 3:20
So will you open the door of your heart for Jesus and allow God to come into your life. If you will, please say this simple prayer:
I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He shed His precious blood for my sins. Today, I confess Him as Lord and Saviour. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me!
Amen.
Congratulations! if you said that prayer. The Word of God says you are now a new creature and old things are passed away. All things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). In other-words, God will never call your past life (sins/faults) to remembrance. They are totally forgiven and forgotten. Check this:
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25)
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more (Hebrews 8:12)
If you have said this prayer, we encourage you to get into a strong bible believing church near you where you can grow in the Lord (1st Peter 2:2 and 2nd Samuel 7:10). You can receive more inspiration by connecting through our various social media handles below:
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Remain ever blessed.
Jesus is Lord!
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