In a world marked by uncertainty and change, the faithfulness of God and the reality and power of His kingdom stand as a beacon of hope for believers and those who will receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible recounts stories of God’s unwavering commitment to His people, revealing the truth that He is a God who keeps His promises and purposes for those who love Him. Loving God will reveal His purpose in your life, as we read in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
A well-known character in the Bible is a man called David. We all know him as King David. Before he became king of Israel, he had an intense journey of witnessing God’s faithfulness. David was a young shepherd boy faithfully attending the sheep of his father Jesse. God called Samuel the prophet to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be God’s chosen king for Israel. Jesse, David’s father, didn’t even invite David to the ceremony.
As the prophet Samuel passed by all the other sons of Jesse, God told him that none of them were the one he was looking for. Then we see how David was called, and when he arrived, he was anointed by the prophet (1 Sam 16). These events show how David’s family didn’t really regard him as the chosen one; his father and many of his brothers looked down on him.
Later on, we see how David conquered the greatly feared giant, Goliath, in 1 Samuel 17, bringing great victory for Israel. Then David’s biggest challenge started. Saul, the current king of Israel, became envious of David and wanted to kill him to get rid of him. This forced David to flee from the presence of Saul and the kingdom of Israel until Saul died. For many years, David fled for his life, even living for a year and four months among the very Philistines that were the enemies of Israel.
After Saul died, David became king of Judah, and only more than seven years later, he became king of the whole of Israel.
What am I saying? The whole story of the life of David reflects the journey of a man who had a great relationship with his God. He was God’s choice but had to face rejection, persecution, and endure difficult situations to stay obedient and faithful to his character and his trust in God. David guarded his heart and kept being faithful towards God, even in the midst of great challenges and uncertainties.
God knew that David would be faithful with His people Israel since David was faithful with the little flock of sheep, he cared for.
Look at this incredible scripture: Psalm 78:70-72 NKJV:
“He also chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; From following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. So, he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.”
God looks at your heart and wants you to trust Him through all the circumstances and challenges in your life. Why? Because He wants you to know that He is a faithful God and Father who loves you and has a great purpose for your life.
David writes: Psalm 37:25 NKJV:
“I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.”
Today, you can take courage in knowing that God is an enduring, faithful Father who keeps His promises. Will you choose to love Him and trust Him with all of your life?
May you be encouraged and strengthened today to walk faithfully with God on your journey of valleys and mountain tops, enduring in the faithfulness of your Creator and Lord. (By Pastor Andrè Nel)
Kingdom News: The enduring faithfulness of God
