They Are Watching

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 16:18, Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.”

There is something to be said about being faithful in our walk with the LORD. David spent much time tending to his family’s sheep. During his time taking care of his responsibilities, it seems that he also took time to sharpen his skills as a musician. We know from previous verses that he was a handsome young man, but was not really described as a young man who would be seen as a warrior. Nonetheless, here we get a glimpse of David from a different perspective. We previously said that David was treated more like a servant than a son, and here we have a servant of the king recommending David to fulfill the position of the king’s musician. God used a distressing spirit that was tormenting King Saul to introduce David to the palace and to Israel. The circumstances God uses in our lives to place us where He wants us are not coincidences. What is interesting about what this servant said is that it was most likely unknown to David that someone was watching him while he carried out his “everyday” routine of serving his family. This servant must have been watching and listening as David sang and practiced playing his instrument during those lonely and quiet nights. It is quite possible that he would have seen David face the lion and bear David speaks of later, or David may have possibly recounted it for him (1 Samuel 17). This servant may have even witnessed him do something else to protect his sheep. The servant seems to have a personal relationship with David, as he describes his speech as prudent, or wise in his dealings. Most Christians do not realize that King Solomon asked God for wisdom based on his father, King David, teaching him the importance of wisdom. In Proverbs 4 King Solomon records the advice King David gave him regarding the pursuit of wisdom. The fact of the matter is that people are watching us, even when we think they are not. What kind of testimony would we hear if someone was watching us without our knowledge? Would we be the first person they would think about or recommend if someone was seeking to fill a position that required diligence, skill, courage, and wisdom? In his description of David, the most important statement this servant made was this, “the LORD is with him”. Can that be said of you and me? Does the way we live, serve, and treat others, give clear indication that the LORD is with us? Are the people who are watching us live out our Christianity of the opinion that the LORD is with us, or do they see a hypocrite who says one thing about their faith but lives another? Whether we realize it or acknowledge it, people watch us. Our spouses watch us, our children watch us, our grandchildren watch us, our family, friends and co-workers all watch us. What testimony are we putting forth? The testimony this servant gave of who David was glorified God. Can we say the same of ours? We may think that our everyday routines mean nothing, but in reality, every step we take in life, every choice we make, can either lift up Jesus in our lives, or bring a blemish to the Name of the LORD. Let us do all we can to live a life that exalts Jesus, because whether we like it or not, “they are watching”.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).