Called into God’s service
Unless the Lord builds the house,
Those who build it labour in vain. Psalm 127:1
Read 1 Samuel 26:5—12
If I can slip into David’s clothes tonight I may be able to take something with me when I slip into my own clothes tomorrow. It would be this: if it is the Lord who is calling me to his place and purpose; if the Lord has a role marked out for me and a part for me to play; if I have found my God-given passion, my field of service; if this has become my conviction, and has in some way been confirmed to me, that is, if I think I know what God wants me to be doing with my life — then I am only going to be fruitful in this if I do it in God’s way. It is an honourable thing to serve the Lord. However humble, it is a high privilege. I shall need to trust the Lord to reveal not only the service that I am to offer, but, what is even more important, far more, I shall need to trust the Lord for how I am to do it.
My Lord and my God, to be called to your service is the central calling of my life. It is an anointing. To serve you gives my life its central meaning and purpose. If I have found what you have called me to do I can live with energy. I thank you for how you have shaped me. I thank you for those in my church who have helped me discern your purpose. Yet above that, this night I have the young man David as my mentor. As he waited on you for your way so may I. As he entrusted his future and his kingship to you, so may I. As he held back his own hand, and let you fulfil your purpose in your way, let me do that, too. Let me not only pursue your will but also your way. Only then do I really seek your glory.