“Prepared” Children

“When I grow up, I want to serve God.” If that is your heart’s desire, it is a good one! After all, if God’s people don’t do the work of God, who will?
Of course, you don’t have to wait until you’re grown up to serve God. Last week we examined the blessings on children who honor their parents. Did you read it? Have you honored them this week? Being loving and kind, and being a servant to others in your home are a few ways you can serve God now!
You can also prepare yourself for future service. This is what David did, and God noticed. Surely David was only a teenager when he stood against Goliath. But it was no accident that he was such a success. David knew what he could do, and he knew what God could do for he had prepared himself in at least three ways during his childhood years.
First, David prepared for an occupation. He learned to take care of sheep. Though probably a boring job much of the time, he learned what sheep were like and how to meet their needs. He practiced with his sling and became increasingly accurate and confident in using it. It was no accident his stone hit the giant right where he planned it. David risked his life to protect the sheep on two occasions, facing a lion and a bear. Though he wasn’t a shepherd when he grew up, he learned skills there that made him a success in caring for people in his kingdom.
Second, David learned a skill. During down time while caring for his sheep, David practiced his music lessons. He became so good that even as a teen, he was a famous harpist in the country. When Saul needed a musician to play for him, the king’s assistant recommended David. “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings.” (Prov. 22:29) David’s skill with music led him to write many of the Psalms that continue to bless people today. If you are taking music or art or swimming or ?? lessons, keep at it! You never know how God will use this tool in the future.
The most important way David prepared himself was taking time to meditate on the Bible. He said, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” (Ps. 119:97) The Old Testament law might seem boring to think about all day, but David learned the Person and ways of God through mulling it over in his mind. This was the main reason God said he was a man after his own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) meaning, a man who loved and hated the same things God did. While you are young, fill your mind with Scripture, think it over, and apply it to your life. You can’t imagine what God will do with a person so prepared! (Isaiah 64:4)