Shepherded By God

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Psalm 78:70-72

When the prophet Samuel wondered who God had in mind to be Israel’s next king after He rejected King Saul, Samuel was sent to the family of Jesse of Bethlehem. The eldest son, Eliab looked to be the best prospect and Samuel thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 1 Samuel 16:6. That turned out to be so not true. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (verse 7)

David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons, yet he was the one God had chosen. Samuel anointed David that day in front of his brothers, and “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” (verse 13)

David led Israel for many years, but before that he had to endure much hardship and years in the desert because of King Saul. God gave David opportunities to grow in grace and endurance by facing those challenges. He was preparing David for His special purposes. The words from Psalm 78 describe how David led Israel: “David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” From humble beginnings, this man rose by the Spirit of God to lead the Lord’s people with integrity of heart.

“The Lord is my shepherd,” says David in Psalm 23. There are examples in scripture that remind us that God as our shepherd. (Gen 48:15, Psalm 28:9, Jn 10:11) In Psalm 78, David is said to be “the shepherd of his people Jacob.” The verse goes on to say, “And David shepherded them. . .” David was Israel’s shepherd, and God was David’s Shepherd. We who help lead God’s people must first be led by our Father in heaven.

I’ve seen my share of hard times. When our son was born with a serious health condition causing developmental delays, God helped me thank Him and gain courage to learn to care for my son. My faith and my prayer life grew as a result. Through those years, I did my best to shepherd my children and found joy in teaching kids in Sunday school and Awana Club.

How about you? I’d love to hear how the Lord has guided you through and delivered you from evil and harm. Write a note in the comments or send me an email testifying about how the Lord has worked in and through you because of challenges and setbacks. Let’s celebrate the way God shepherds us and the integrity and skill we gain in the process. We stand as survivors and give glory to God!

Please pray for the nation of Israel today as they are at war with terrorists from Hamas.