God values Faithfulness and Humility over Fame and Power
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
- Luke 2:8-12 NIV
1. David was faithful.
“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 NIV
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
- Psalm 23 1-3 NIV
“……I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
- 1 Samuel 16:1 NIV
2. David was humble.
“Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them.”
- 1 Samuel 17: 17-18 NIV
“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to be grasped. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave..”
- Philippians 2:6 NLT
3. David used his weapon.
“There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”
- 1 Samuel 17:33 NLT
“…….So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.”
- 1 Samuel 17:39-40 NIV
4. David threw the name.
“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
- 1 Samuel 17:45 NIV
“So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
- Philippians 2:10-11 ESV