November 1, 2022

Psalm 78: 70-72 (NIV)

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

Completing a small job with excellence is of eternal value.*

My cousin began his career at Delta Airlines as a baggage-handler and ended it, years later, as their station manager at a busy city airport. He was able to work his way through the ranks because he had what the company was looking for and the company was savvy enough to recognize what he had to offer. If my job-hunting experience is any indication, there aren’t many businesses today who are looking to grow their employees from bottom to top.

God is an employer who recognizes the value of investing in his staff. He took David from his humble, blue-collar background – herding sheep – and shaped him into a military commander and then crowned him king. It is interesting that it was in his lowly job as a shepherd that God prepared David for his ultimate destiny.

I can safely say that none of my readers is being groomed by God to be the king of anything, but I believe that he wants to use each of us to accomplish great things for his kingdom. So what can we learn from David’s example that will help to prepare us for our future assignment?

First, treat today’s assignment as if it as important as tomorrow’s. Because it is. Tending sheep may be a humble occupation but to the sheep in your care, it’s a vital task. Second, carry out the duties of your lowly calling with integrity of heart. David was called “a man after God’s heart.” We should seek after God’s heart in order to maintain a right heart within ourselves. And third, perform your job with excellence. When the psalmist writes that David led them with “skillful hands,” he was talking about the sheep. He didn’t save his best efforts for the prestigious job he hoped was in his future; he gave his best to his current calling.

Whether in a secular job or a ministry, these principles are applicable. God may not choose to take you from the sheep pens, but he will bless you and your sheep when you follow David’s example.

This job has been given to me to do. Therefore it is a gift. Therefore it is a privilege. Therefore it is an offering I may take to God. Therefore it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.*