The Lord can train each one of us. He is willing to teach us what He has called us to do. David was trained as a warrior while watching the sheep under his care. God can also teach us while serving faithfully in the field where He has placed us. David’s training required facing the challenges of his job, such as delivering his lambs from attacking lions and bears.
“Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” (1 Sam 17: 36). God trains us by allowing challenges to come our way. He wants us to trust Him for deliverance and victory when such challenges come. Have you considered that where you are and what you are going through are part of God’s training curriculum for the promotion He had prepared for you?
“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” (Ps 144:1). David was a very skilful warrior and a proficient musician. He emerged first against Goliath in that epic battle. When he engaged in that battle, he was a teenager who was not old enough to enlist in Israel’s regular army. After winning that battle, he was made an army troop leader. His exploits as a troop leader were spectacular. From there, he led many military efforts and won almost every battle.
When we read David’s story, some get the impression that he was an untrained young man God just picked and used. That view has a little truth, but it is not the whole truth. David was not an untrained warrior. Today’s passage tells us that he was trained for his tasks. Yes, David was not ready for military service and was not enrolled in Israel’s army; but that should not presuppose that he was untrained. He tells us how he got his training; God trained him! That was the secret to his success as a warrior; he had the best Trainer. Allow the Lord to prepare your hands for all the great things coming to you.
