Labor Day

# 236 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:20-23, “And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. 21 So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. 22 Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight." 23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. (1 Sam 16:20-23) Jesse follows the custom of the day and the biblical advice of Pr 18:16 as he sends a gift of bread, wine, and a goat to the king. Pr 18:16 says, “A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.” This is wisdom for the ages and works well to this day. Saul is greatly pleased and loved everything about David. Not only did David serve him well as a musician but Saul also put him into service as his armor bearer. That doesn't necessarily mean that David went into battle with Saul carrying his armor. An armor bearer could also serve in the kings court as a gopher, where you would “go for” this or “go for” that for the king. Very useful servants for the king. Evidently, David's time with Saul was a kind of probationary time and having served well, Saul asks Jesse for David to continue to serve him in that capacity. David excelled in all he did. He put forth the effort to do well, whether watching sheep, playing a harp, or just being a gopher. We would do well to imitate him wherever we may be serving or working. Pr 22:29 says, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” In the United States, we just celebrated Labor Day and this example of David's work ethic would be a good one for us to follow as well. Whatever you do in life seek to excel, who knows where such an attitude will lead. Col 3:23 seems appropriate here: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”