David the Shepherd

God's Teenage Heroes -- David the Shepherd
David lives in our memories as “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 13:
14).  Even as a youth, his heart was loyal to God.  This early love for God was the force
which made him such a great man in his later years.

David sowed the seed of a good, pure heart in his youth, and later reaped the good
harvest (Galatians 6:7-8).  His example illustrates the benefits of remembering our
Creator in the days of our youth.  What profitable lessons can teens today learn from
David?

David’s Heart Was Pure
When God sent Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king of Israel, Samuel was
impressed by Jesse’s stalwart young sons.  Eliab, the oldest son impressed Samuel
the most—he looked like a leader!  Samuel responded “Surely the Lord’s anointed is
before Him” (1 Samuel 16:6).  But the Lord said to Samuel “Do not look at his
appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him.  For the Lord
does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks
at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).  The tender heart of young David pleased God more than
any of his physical qualities.

God knows our hearts.  While friends and other people make judgments based on the
outside, God sees us from within.  He knows more about our thoughts and hidden
secrets than even we know (1 Kings 8:39; Hebrews 4:12-13).  

God is concerned most with our hearts.  He cares about our actions too, but if the heart
is pure then proper actions generally follow.  The Bible says “Keep your heart with all
diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).  All the sacrifices and
worship we may offer to God are worthless if they are not motivated by a pure heart.  “For
you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering.  
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart—these, O God,
you will not despise” (Psalm 51:16-17).

God looks favorably on the tender, innocent hearts of young people, “for of such is the
kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).  Will you transplant the heart of God into your own
bosom?

David Was A Hard Worker
He had a tough job as a shepherd.  Working a couple of hours after school and on
weekends at McDonalds is nothing compared with a shepherd’s work.  David constantly
watched the sheep, rounding up the strays.  He was their only protection from
predators—having to fight bears, lions, and wolves (1 Samuel 17:34-36).  He even slept
in the fields with them at night.  Shepherding was a tough job!

While his father and brothers were at home, he was out working hard.  When Samuel
sought him, they had to send to the fields to bring him back because he was again
working with the sheep (1 Samuel 16:11).

Did you ever wonder why your parents have so many jobs and chores for you to do
around the house?  Why are we expected to go out and find a job ourselves?  Is it
because our parents are lazy and stingy with their money?  

Hard work teaches us to be industrious and responsible as adults (Lamentations 3:
27).  Some work harder to beat the system and get something for nothing than they do
to obtain what they need.  God has no use for lazy people “For even when we were with
you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2
Thessalonians 3:10).

David Was Humble
David was anointed by Samuel as the next king of Israel, and the Spirit of the Lord came
upon him that day (1 Samuel 16:13).  What an exciting, monumental day in the life of a
young man!  The next king of Israel!  Wow!!  Everyone ought to treat him special now—
right?  No more herding sheep, no more cold nights under the stars, no more lions and
bears, no more hard work—right?  Wrong!  He went right back to the fields (1 Samuel 16:
19).

What does that say about David’s character?  David was humble.  Honestly, how would
you react if you found out that you were going to be the next king?  Would you think you
were special?  Would you expect people to cater to your whims?  Would you expect
someone else to take care of your chores?  Maybe get the ‘big head’?  The temptation to
boast would be very strong, wouldn’t it?

Yet, David did not become boastful, arrogant, or assertive.  He continued to fulfill his
family obligations.  

There is always danger in thinking too highly of ourselves.  “For I say, through the grace
given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he
ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith”
(Romans 12:3).

God thinks everyone is special—He sent His Son to die for us didn’t He?  So no one
deserves special treatment over another.  David was humble enough to recognize that.  
Are we?

David Found Favor In The Sight Of The People
Some people have a wrong impression of Christians.  They think that Christians are
just a bunch of geeks and losers who can’t make it in the real world.  Especially is this
impression true among young Christians.  Don’t think that only ‘losers’ are religious.

David was not just some goofy religious kid.  He was very handsome (1 Samuel 16:12),
maybe even somewhat of a ‘heart-throb’ (1 Samuel 18:20,28).  He was well rounded—
being an accomplished musician, warrior, and prudent speaker (1 Samuel 16:18).  He
was a real achiever.  Today, this young man could be his high school class ‘favorite’ or
be voted ‘most likely to succeed’.  

David was praised for his morally upright life (1 Samuel 16:22; 18:5).  He gained the
respect and admiration of many wise and mature people.  Young people today can also
find favor among God and adults, by applying some of these same principles to their
lives (1 Timothy 4:12).

Conclusion
David had many things going for him, but the greatest of these was his dedication to
God.  That alone made him a great man.  Young people today, who control their hearts
as David did, can truly be men and women “after God’s own heart”.  Where does your
heart lie?

--Rob Harbison