Only God makes us great

1 Sam 22:2 “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.” That particular passage of scripture comes from the account of David running from Saul as Saul was seeking to kill him. Isn’t it interesting how when certain people exhibit various actions others will be attracted or repulsed by that behavior? When certain folks heard about David’s plight, they started identifying with his situation. But, it wasn't the successful and polished who came to join him. It was "those who were in distress or in debt or discontented" who would be part of his army -- and what an army it was! His army would become known throughout the world as the greatest ever assembled, not because of their skill, but because of the God behind the army. God turned David's men into "mighty men of valor". God often uses failure to make us useful. When Jesus called the disciples, He did not go out and find the most qualified and successful people. He found the most willing, and He found them in the workplace. He found a fisherman, a tax collector, and a farmer. Although some of antiquity knew that failure was a part of maturing in God, the Greeks saw failure as disqualification (1 Cor. 1: 18f). Sadly, in the Church, we often treat one another in this way. This is not God's way! We need to understand that failing does not make us failures. It makes us experienced! The worst part about failing would be refusing to get back up once we failed. It may have appeared David quit as he was hiding out in caves with those as destitute as himself, but God was shaping him into being a king who could identify with those to whom life had dealt a heavy blow. (See 2 Samuel 9: 6-7).

Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you!

Kevin