Tag: Psalms (Page 2 of 2)

He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants—God’s own people, Israel.
-Psalm 78:70-71

When it comes to the great heroes of the Bible, David is a clear favorite. He was a righteous king, a courageous warrior, an acclaimed musician, and an incredible poet. I mean, what’s not to like? The guy did it all.

I think it’s important to remember that while God did do amazing things through King David’s life, he wasn’t born into royalty. David wasn’t handed anything on a silver platter. These verses from Psalms are a nice reminder of David’s humble beginnings. Yes, he did eventually lead God’s chosen people as king of Israel. But he first had to lead sheep.

First of all, being a shepherd wasn’t exactly the most prestigious job of the time. It was hard, dirty, stinky work, but it took a lot of responsibility. Sheep turned to their shepherd for direction, for needs, and for protection — just like Israel would for David later on. Unbeknown to him at the time, it was just the type of experience he would need down the road as Israel’s king. This was his training ground.

This idea made me think of what the  “sheep pens” of today are. Those simple, ordinary, day-to-day situations that we take lightly. God may have already chosen us from the classroom, sports team, restaurant, delivery truck,  or cubicle, and is using that moment to prepare us for our future.

God, I know you have great plans for my life. Wherever I’m currently at, teach me and use me. And if I must care for “sheep” first, so be it.

God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.

Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
-Psalms 19:1-4 (MSG)

What a beautiful illustration David makes here. The universe is God’s art gallery, and the sky is his canvas. His glory and goodness is all around us.

I think sometimes we need a reminder of powerful God is and how finite we are. His “bigness” contrasted with our “smallness” helps to put life in the proper perspective.

One thing I’ve always loved about Carolina basketball is the tradition that Dean Smith started of pointing to the person who passed you the ball before you scored. It’s a simple nod to the passer acknowledging, “You got me the ball… You were a part of this… It wasn’t all just me.”

In these verses David also makes the point that God’s creation is constantly speaking to us, pointing us back to him. It’s sort of like his signature on the painting. Sort of like the scorer pointing back to the player who made the assist. It’s as though nature itself is talking back at us saying, “No, no, no… I know I’m beautiful, intricate and all that jazz, but I didn’t just happen. Someone else had a part in all of this, and I’ll show you who.”

So maybe the question isn’t so much, “Has God revealed himself to me?” but rather, “Are my eyes open?”

I’ve never been much of an X-Files fan, but Mulder and Sculley were right about one thing: the truth is out there.