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   Bible Classes (10:00 am)

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   Bible Classes (7:35 pm)

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David: Example to the Young

by David Hartsell

University cities are exciting places – especially at the beginning of each school year. Young adults descend on this area with high hopes and dreams for the future. For Christian students college is a time to learn to be a responsible adult. There will be wonderful experiences mixed with some extremely frustrating moments. Our personal decisions render the consequences, good or bad. To help us consistently make the right judgments, let us consider a youthful David. He displays three qualities that can help young people to grow up spiritually.

David was an industrious young man. When Samuel was told to go to Jesse’s home and anoint one of his sons as the next king in Israel, David was not present. Seven sons passed before Samuel but none of them was the one God had chosen. Upon further inquiry Samuel discovered that the youngest son, David (a teenager), was caring for the sheep in the field. Samuel had David brought to him and he anointed him the next king. Staying busy in constructive things frequently helps others but it also fills the “empty time” that can breed evil thoughts and actions. Later when David became king he had some leisure time that he misused by committing adultery with Bathsheba. This sin ultimately created a firestorm in his family. Too many young people today have too much “extra time” in which they can get into trouble looking at pornography on the internet or associating with the wrong people in chat rooms. God wants young people to enjoy their youth but he does not want them to forget Him. (Ecc.11:9 – 12:1)

Humility is perhaps the most important quality in serving and referencing God. David was a humble young man. Once while King Saul was pursuing David, he unknowingly entered the very cave where David and his men were hiding. (1 Sam.24:1-22) It looked like The Lord had delivered Saul into David’s hand. Some of David’s own men actually made this argument to him. David did go so far as to clip off a piece of Saul’s robe while Saul was indisposed. However, David soon felt guilty for this because Saul was the Lord’s anointed. (1 Sam.24:5-6) A short while after this David emphasized his smallness compared to Saul. “After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?” (1 Sam.24:14) Humility is fundamental in pleasing God and influencing others for good. To be arrogant and lead people astray is serious. (Matt.18:6)

A sincere heart is one of the most attractive qualities David possessed. Today many young men see their persona as being a drinker, a smoker, rough, rude, or manipulative. David was a “real man” who fought a “real giant.” He didn’t brag about his own abilities before Goliath, the giant, but told him that God was the force that would help him defeat him. (1 Sam.17:45) Also, the worldly woman (Prov.7:10-23) is in stark contrast to the Godly woman. (1 Tim.2:9-10). Those things that are highly esteemed by men are an “abomination” with God. (Lk.16:15) If you want to be successful as a young adult follow David’s example by adding these three qualities to your life.

 Other Articles by David Hartsell
Attitudes in Appointing Elders
Eli: A Weak Leader
The Culture of no Consequences