Preparation is the key to success. The former football coach of the University of Alabama uses a phrase often that says, “it’s part of the process.” He is teaching his players that there will be a greater chance for success if they go through the proper preparation. This is true in anything we do in life. Going through the process requires discipline, desire, and attention to the details. If you want to be successful, don’t shortcut the steps. Each step is essential if you desire a positive outcome.
David is an excellent example of someone who followed the process. In I Samuel chapter 17, David learned total dependence on God. As a youth, he obeyed his father and cared for the sheep. He was their shepherd and their protector. He killed a lion and a bear to protect them, and he understood it was God who enabled him. As a young man, Samuel anointed him to be the next king of Israel under God’s instruction. However, it would be years of preparation before God would dethrone Saul. I’m not sure David understood what was happening when Samuel anointed him, but it did not change David’s focus. Whatever position God placed him in, he was disciplined to obey, and he excelled.
I Samuel 16:11-13 “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remained yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”
When he accepted the challenge to defend the Israelites against Goliath, he was ready. Because he saw God’s faithfulness through obedience, he was able to go forward with confidence. His heart desired to please God; he understood that God gave him victory; he was only an instrument to be used.
I Samuel 17:47 “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.”
Now, King Saul’s gratitude gave him a position over the men of war. No longer would he be the keeper of sheep but the leader of men. He lived at the palace and had a position in the King’s army. I Samuel 18:5 tells us, “David behaved himself wisely.” Because of his desire to defend the people of God and the honor of God, he was accepted by the people and Saul’s servants.
I Samuel 18:5 “And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.”
Because David was wise and paid attention to the details, he was successful as a commander. In his new position, he continued with an attitude of humility. He received great praise, respect, and honor because he killed the enemy. God’s grace was evident in David’s life. He did not become proud and egotistical because of his success. God placed him within Saul’s inner circle, where he could learn firsthand what was expected of a king.
Later, Saul became jealous of David because the people praised David more than him. Saul became so angry that he tried to pin David to the wall with his javelin. Saul missed and became afraid of David because he knew the Lord was with him. He promoted him to captain over thousands to keep David from his presence!
I Samuel 18:11-14 “And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. Therefore, Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.”
This was another step in the preparation for him to rule Israel. If you can master thousands of men, you can rule a country! Each thing that happened in David’s path prepared him to be the next king. The humility that defined this young man is again exhibited when he was offered the king’s daughter for marriage. He thought it was above him to become the king’s son-in-law. His humility was genuine, and his respect for the office of the king was great. When David’s feelings were made known to Saul, he sent word for David to bring him 100 foreskins of the Philistines as a dowry for his daughter. David brought two hundred!
I Samuel 18:27 “Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king’s son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.”
God has a plan for each of us. We must be like David and approach the seemingly “little things” with the same desire and exuberance as we would the “big things.” No task is too little or unimportant if it brings glory to God. The preparation starts with the complete surrender of our will to His will. Our surrender will bring obedience. When the task seems great, we must remind ourselves that there is a cause. As we humbly obey and serve, our faith will grow. We may not understand what God is doing, but if we have studied, prayed, and sought His will, He will direct our steps. The path and the destination will produce fruit for His glory when we trust and obey. Don’t get weary. The trials, tribulations, joys, and day-to-day tasks prepare us for that great day when we see Jesus.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Are you disciplined enough to stay the course no matter what hindrances come? Is your heart’s desire to obey and honor God, and are you paying attention to the details and learning along the way?
