Prelude to Victory

Lately, I’ve been contemplating my life and career choices. I’m wondering if I am doing what God would have me to do at the time I’m supposed to be doing it. Am I behind? Should I be doing more? Am I working at my full potential? It seems as if things aren’t happening at the time and speed in which I would prefer. One morning as I sat down to have time with the Lord, he put the story of when David was first anointed King in front of me and opened my eyes to see a new perspective on a prelude to victory.

1 Samuel 16:14 – 23 Is the story of when Saul had an evil spirit that could only be soothed and removed when David, a skilled musician, played the harp for him.

Prior to David playing the harp to soothe Saul, he had just been anointed king by Samuel. This ruddy, beautiful-eyed, handsome shepherd boy was chosen as the new king of Israel out of all of his brothers. Yet, after he was anointed, he was sent back into the fields to continue watching over his father’s sheep.

Hold up. How do you go from being anointed as king to having to go back out and sleep in the field with the sheep? How do you go from being told you were chosen to rule over God’s people to making sure each of your Daddy’s sheep is accounted for?

1 Samuel 16:14 says “Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him.” Saul’s servants stepped in and recommended that he have someone anointed come in and play for him to soothe his spirit and provide some relief. Lo and behold, they bring in David, mighty man of valor, God’s chosen, to play for him. Do you think this was a coincidence?

Absolutely not.

The Lord put that evil spirit on Saul so he would need to be soothed. I also believe that the Lord put David on that servant’s mind as a solution to Saul’s agony. God is always working behind the scenes. He places favor on us that puts us in the right places at the right time that He sees fit.

Think about it: David became an armor bearer for the man in whom he would replace as king. This one threw me for a loop. David had to serve the king as an already anointed king before he could officially be king (say that slowly).

It makes sense though. As a young shepherd boy, David was hardly ready to walk into the kingdom and rule God’s people. Nope, God had to put him in a position to serve so he could walk in the purpose that was pre-destined for his life. Being an armor-bearer was David’s prelude to victory.

It’s almost as if God said, “Let me give you a taste of what will all be one day yours. Go on in there and play for King Saul so he will learn to love you while you become familiar with the kingdom and how it works.” God set David up so that not only would he know the inner workings of the kingdom, he would have favor with the people and be in a position to take over right where he was needed.

What prelude does God have you in right now? Perhaps you have been anointed to start your own business, write a book, lead a church, become a leader in your company . . . and yet, you haven’t seen any of it come to pass yet. Maybe you’re working for that guy you don’t really like or you are serving in your church and haven’t heard anything else about what ministry you are called to lead. Maybe the right position for you has yet to open up and you feel like you’re stuck in a role that doesn’t cater to your full skillset and capabilities.

Whatever it may be, have faith that God’s favor is on you and He is readying the circumstances-  just like He did with David. Don’t discount what your prelude looks like. The boss that you don’t like could be the one who recommends you for that new position due to your good attitude and hard work. The work you are doing in church may connect you with someone who knows of a church who needs a new pastor. That side hustle may be seen by the right person who is looking to invest in a smart business venture. Whatever it is, know you are there for a reason, stay patient and humble.

After David was anointed king, he went back to being a simple, patient shepherd boy. While he waited, God put him in a place of service so he could learn and then receive the future blessings that would manifest in his life.

Everything is not always as it seems.

God is always working on our behalf. He has exciting, amazing plans for each one of us. I believe He is going to do exceedingly and abundantly above what we could ever ask or think. Stay in position and watch Him work. Trust His process and lean not to your own understanding. He will reveal your path in due time. You could be living the prelude to your victory at this very moment.