His first night with them, I am assuming, was sleepless. Part of the family's livelihood was entrusted to him. The task at hand was shared by no one. He was to account for any losses. He would share any mistakes with no one. Little did he know the magnitude of his place and time on this earth. He would share this first night with only loneliness, the beast of the field, and the few sheep his father, Jesse, had instructed him to shepherd.
His name was David. Later to be called a man after God's own heart, then David, King of Israel. He was a man just like me. His beginnings were meager, with no one but God having high expectations of him. The trials he had in his lifetime and his trust in God allowed him to write many of the Psalms that comfort us today when we are troubled and are faint of heart.
How did he prepare his heart to seek God in a way that was pleasing to Him? Is it possible for you and me to take those first steps he did in building such a faith and trust in God? What about developing such a reverence and love for God that causes us to have a contrite heart when we sin against Him?
His first step toward preparing his heart to seek God was presented to him with no speech, vocal voices, nor even written words. What was presented to him got his attention and prepared his heart to seek more. It is evident that King Saul, David's brothers, and the men of Israel skipped this first step in preparation of their heart to seek God.
What was this first step? It was very simple and it only took a little quiet time alone each day. Does it still work today? Absolutely! The first step for David was taking the time to look up as he lay down at night all alone in the wilderness. The vast universe was in full display before his very eyes telling without a sound the glory of a great creator. Only a fool could deny this proclamation.
Please get your Bibles and turn to Psalm 19:1-4, The heavens tell of God's glory, and the expanse proclaim the works of His hands. Every day pours forth information, and every night breathes out knowledge. There is no speech and there are no words; their voice is not heard. Yet their sound goes forth in all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (The Everlasting Gospel Version)
David could tell by the numberless stars shining in the sky at night and the vast universe, there had to be a creator in control. Without any written word to tell him, he knew something out there was larger, smarter and more powerful than man could ever be. He could also look at the different animals that roamed the earth, the birds of the air, the beautiful plants and trees, and the rest of creation speaking the same way without sound, pointing to a mighty creator. David's conclusion: it would take a fool to believe there is not a creator. He stated this in Psalm 14 :1, The fool has said in his heart there is no God. (NKJV)
When we see all of creation and realize, yes, there is a creator, and He is God, we then recognize how this creation glorifies God. The supreme immeasurable power of God is then realized. At that point we are ready to submit to what this Creator desires for mankind to do in glorifying Him while we are on this earth. There is no doubt of His power, wisdom, intellect, and might. Step one creates our awe for God, getting our attention. When we get step one, we are ready for step two in preparing our hearts to seek Him.
Your assignment for step one is to look up in the sky on a clear night. Can you count the stars? Can you realize the distance from you to the stars you are viewing? Imagine the power and intelligence in putting the heavenly bodies in motion. Now think of the power holding it all in place.
The next morning get up before dawn and read Psalm 19:4-6, Yet their sound goes forth in all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens He has made a dwelling place for the sun, which is like a bridegroom emerging joyously from his bedroom, like an athlete running his race. At the horizon the sun rises, and circles to the west. There is no hiding place from its heat. Now go out and view the sunrise.
We have sunrise and sunset everyday. We do not slow down long enough to realize the power and heat of that yellow globe in the sky each day. This too, glorifies its creator. The apostle Paul in Romans 1:19-20, That which can be known about God is plain among them, for God made it plain to them. His unseen things from the creation of the world, His eternal power and divine nature, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, so that they are without excuse.(The Everlasting Gospel Version)
God is saying that we can see His unseen eternal power and divine nature by looking at the things He has made. These things are visible to us on a daily basis. We have no excuse in not believing in Him, the Creator.
This is step one. Next time we will move to step two, in preparing our hearts to seek the Lord.
Please send me your comments on Facebook or to rhepler52@gmail.com . Please share this series with your children and friends.
We will never be a strong nation again until we all prepare our hearts to seek the Lord. It all begins and depends on you and me preparing our hearts as the young shepherd boy David did. We will then be able to bring down our giants.
Please go to www.amazon.com to purchase my books: The Heart Behind the Stone: Develop a Giant Slaying Heart and 123 Tips For My Grandchildren and Yours. These books can be read to your children and grandchildren to help them develop the faith and trust in God that David had developed.
