— by Amanda Lawson

Before David ever met Goliath, he had a reputation…for being a harpist. It’s a beautiful skill, developed by consistent practice, but not overly powerful or commanding, and certainly not the typical hobby of a mighty warrior. Nevertheless, there is much to learn from the harp-playing shepherd-phase of David’s life. 

When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons to be the future king, David was out in the field tending sheep. The youngest of seven brothers, the ruddy, handsome, lion-fighting harpist was not the typical front-runner for kingship. But we know the story, God doesn’t judge as man does; He looks at the heart, and David goes on to receive Samuel’s anointing. 

But he doesn’t rush off to the palace to assume the highest position, he stays at his father’s house and continues to tend sheep. 

Meanwhile, King Saul was struck with fits of rage and his attendants didn’t know what to do. One suggested finding a musician to play, hoping that the music would calm Saul’s torment. Taking the suggestion, another mentioned knowing of a young shepherd boy from Bethlehem who knew how to play the harp. 

One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.” (1 Samuel 16:18)

The harp. His musical ability is what initially brought the future king to the palace. In addition, his willingness to serve bravely and his closeness to the Lord made him a perfect candidate to serve in the king’s court. It is only after that that David impresses the king and the rest of the nation by defeating Goliath, overtaking thousands of Philistines, and rising to be the prolific king after God’s own heart. 

It amazes me that after being anointed to be the next king by the prophetic judge Samuel, David simply went back to the life he knew and waited for the right timing. He didn’t write to Samuel anxiously awaiting the day Samuel would forcibly remove Saul from the throne; he didn’t run to the palace and bust the door down to take what was his. He knew the anointing he carried and trusted that it would come to fruition in God’s timing. All he had to do was be faithful to what was in front of him. 

So he tended sheep, he came to play the harp for the king, and when the time came, he stepped into battle. Where Saul’s fatal flaw was pride, David humbly served and exuded confidence in the promise of the Lord rather than his own ability. 

It seems as though we should be more like David in our professional endeavors—trusting what we have been given and serving faithfully as we wait on the Lord’s timing. Rather than forcing our way in, rushing into ventures that may be “right” but in the wrong timing, what if we were willing to develop the skills we have in the opportunities we’ve been given, trusting that what the Lord says He will do, He will do—whether it is in our timing or not. 

So maybe you are headed toward starting the next unicorn company, but right now the Lord has you tending the flock. Maybe you’re called to serve the boss that’s got a temper, and while you know you’re next in line for his job, you honor his leadership in the waiting. The question is, do you trust the Lord’s timing and are you willing to faithfully steward your present reality while you wait for where He might be taking you.  

It seems that the way we serve matters at every level of our work. Being faithful in the humble stages, diligent in the waiting, and trusting in the Lord’s timing just may lead to the opportunity you’ve been longing for. But even if it doesn’t, if you never make it to the CEO’s office or break records with your P&L, working faithfully, humbly, and diligently will always honor the Lord and bring glory to the One who deserves it all anyway. 

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[ Photo by Biegun Wschodni on Unsplash ]