Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 18:10-16
After David killed Goliath, Saul saw in him the courage and skill that military conquerors are made of. "So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war" (1 Sam 18:5).
As we continue to read the story, it becomes clear why David had such great victories. "And David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him" (1 Sam 18:14; cf. 18:12). The root of David’s victories was the hand of God in blessing him. When the Scripture says, "the LORD was with him," it is not just the blessing of God’s presence, but the blessing of God’s power to work in David’s circumstances.
How can we know the hand of God in our lives, our marriages, our families, our church? James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." In practical terms, how do we draw near to God? We see the answer in the Psalms that David wrote.
First, confession of sins. "Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psa 51:7,10). Second, prayer in general. "Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to Thee, when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psa 61:1,2). Third, meditation on the Word of God. "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers" (Psa 1:2,3). Fourth, remembrance of God’s deeds and character. "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land" (Psa 143:5,6).
