TOPIC: QUALITIES THAT BREEDS GREATNESS
Memorise: Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs 22:29
Read: 1 Samuel 16:14-19
14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
Message
King David had some skills, gifts and qualities that set him on the path to greatness. 1 Samuel 16:18 says this about him:
“Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.”
The first quality noticeable in David is that he was ingenious in playing musical instruments for the worship of God. David was a diligent worshipper. True and diligent worship of God sets you on the path of greatness. Secondly, he was a mighty, valiant man. Courage to take major decisions, bravery in the face of negative circumstances, boldness to confront obstacles that are on your way to greatness and heroic feats will all lead to greatness. David’s greatness began when he confronted and defeated Goliath the giant (1 Samuel 17:1-58). While King Saul and his soldiers saw Goliath as a problem too big to hit, David saw Goliath as a problem too big to miss - one problem but two different perspectives.
David also was a man of war. Life is full of battles. Christianity is warfare. This is why we are called Christian soldiers and are also endowed with weapons and armour (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Warfare has to do with strategic planning, strategic thinking, strategic sleeping and eating, strategic spending and strategic attitude. We are calibrated for greatness, hence the Bible says that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). King David was also prudent in matters. Prudency means to be discreet, careful, wise and circumspect in order to avoid undesired consequences. Greatness eludes many Christians because they say God is in control and refuse to do things decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).
To achieve greatness, you have to be prudent in your finances and in taking decisions. In addition, he was a comely person. To be comely means to be a fine looking person, to have some charisma, to speak well in private and public, to have good carriage and to have an attractive personality. Such people attract favour easily. Greatness can be linked with favour from God and favour with men. Even Jesus had to be endued with stature and favour (Luke 2:52). When King Pharaoh asked that Joseph be brought hastily before him, Joseph thought it expedient to shave and change his clothes (Genesis 41:14). Many Christians are shabby and ignorantly think that is humility. Know how to package yourself properly in order to receive favour for greatness. Finally David was great because God was with him. Let God be with you.
Action Point: If God be with you, nobody, no obstacle, no limitation can stop you from achieving greatness.
Bible in one year: Mark 7:1-9:13; Job 18:20-19:12
SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, 2014 by Pastor E.A Adeboye of RCCG
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