David was a man after the heart of God, and so David's journey was a little different. Saul got promoted quickly; but David just allowed God to bring him forward. One of the challenges in your life is to build an intimate relationship with the Lord, begin to set goals, based on what you know in your heart God is showing you, and then let God get you there. You don't have to walk over people to get there. You don't have to tramp people down, to get where you need to get. If God has called you to something, He is able to get you there - and that's the thing you see in the heart of David.
We looked at some different seasons in David’s life. First, he was in Bethlehem, where he was unseen - that was up to the age of 17. While he was in the place where he was unseen, he was learning how to be responsible for little things. He was learning how to build a relationship with the Lord, and he faced some challenges there where no one saw him.
That's the season many of you are in right now; the season when you're young, and this is the time to be building a relationship with God. This is the time to be worshipping Him, getting to know Him, getting to hear His voice. This is the time to just be faithful in the small things you have. Keep your eye on just doing small things well. If you have a little task, do it well. If you have a little job to be given, do it well. God will be watching the little things that you do. You are preparing yourself for your next season, and it's very important.
Don't worry about all that's ahead. One of the things that young people tend to want to do is, when they're at school, they're thinking of how quick I can get out of here, and into the workplace. Listen, you've got all the rest of your life to work. The season you're in now - do the very best you can. When David was in that season, unseen, he developed his skill. Develop your skills. Pay money, invest in your skills being developed.
When the time came for him to come forward, it was not because he promoted himself, but because someone said: I know a man, and he's skillful in music. He developed ability there. He was also very anointed with the Holy Spirit. He was also very wise. He also had a fighting spirit. They’d heard how he's fought these battles; how he tackled a lion, and a bear. He had a reputation established at 17.
If I were to go around your friends, and ask what are you known for, what would you be known for? If I mentioned your name, what would they say about you? What they will say about you, will reflect what you've been doing with your life. Right now, you're preparing for your future. Don't waste this time. Don't think about challenging Goliaths in the land, and doing great things for God, unless you're willing to tackle the small things in your personal life.
For some of you, it might just be the managing of your money. It's a giant to beat. It's a lion that will try and intimidate you. Beat that thing. Begin to establish mastery over your money; learn how to save, learn how to give, learn how to invest. Do it when you're young. When you get old, you'll have a heap of money. Start when you're young, don't wait until you're older. Listen, it's not the much that counts, it's what you're doing with the little.
He then went to a place called Gibeah, where he was recognized and promoted, and we found he had some lessons to learn in that season as well. David we able to be in the court of a king, and then go back to the place of shepherding the sheep, out of sight. He could move from the highest place to the lowest place, no problem to him. Some people can't do that, because they want everyone to notice that they're in the highest place. Their identity is about having a position. David could be here, or there; he didn't worry what anyone thought of him, or how it looked. His heart was: I just want to please God. He's going to look after me and take me where He wants me to go. He could move in and out of serving and promotion, just like that.