Nancy Taylor Tate
Our relationship with the Lord has two aspects: our devotional times apart with Him, as well as the outworking of that which we receive from Him, applied in life situations. Both are equally important. Finding the right balance between the two can sometimes be a challenge.
Service will often challenge devotion. Our need for times apart with the Lord is something we never outgrow. Yet as life goes on, we realize it is not only those times apart, but practicing His presence throughout the day, that brings us into the full outworking of God’s purposes in our lives.
Sometimes I speak of things I used to do years ago and, at times, I’ve felt bad that I no longer do them to the same extent. However, very recently, the Lord reminded me of David — the years he spent on the hillsides, watching the sheep … playing his harp … resting under the stars.
Later, when David’s life became busy with increased responsibilities, he spent his time in other ways. Yet it was those earlier times that formed within David a heart toward the Lord — that which caused the Lord to choose David from among the sheepfolds to lead His people.
In the outworking of the call of God on his life, David became increasingly busy with added responsibilities. Nevertheless, underlying all he did was that same heart toward the Lord, that which marked his life all his days. Just because David was busier, did not mean he loved the Lord any less than when he had hours to play on his harp.
A faithfulness was formed within David that God used for His higher purposes. David’s heart toward the Lord positioned him for God to deal with his personal problems, while using him to lead His people.
My prayer is that our hearts will always be turned toward the Lord, whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in. Whether having precious times in our prayer closets or practicing His presence as we busily perform the duties entrusted to us, may we value and prioritize making choices that are pleasing to the Lord.
May the Lord perfect us, as He also uses us for His glory. In the course of life, regardless of what comes our way, may our lives be marked by faithfulness.
The scriptures below are only a few of the many to be found from the life of David. The first causes me to think of David taking care of the sheep, as he worshipped on the hillside; the second, when David had more responsibilities; and the third, his heart toward the Lord which, regardless of circumstance, never changed. May these verses minister to you and encourage you, as they have me.
“…the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart…” 1 Samuel 13:14
“He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.” Psalm 78:70–72
This brings us back to the verse we began with this year. May this be the posture of our hearts:
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4