Who Is God To His People?

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

Here we catch our first glimpse of David the shepherd along with his sheep. Perhaps you might not have heard the whole story though. See, David was just a boy when this happened, much as you yourself are young now. It can seem quite scary indeed for just a boy out there all alone tasked with watching a flock. Sheep are quite active creatures and require constant attention. Without it, they could easily eat what they shouldn't, wander off, or come to hurt. Sure, God was the young boy's shepherd much as he was also his father. What a good, good father to have who watches over his children, perhaps even the best. How often was young David in a situation that he shouldn't have been in to begin with. But thank God for his mercy and grace in spite of it all.

I know, it almost sounds like young David was out there raising himself. In all this time God has provided. See how he sent both a lion and a bear. Doubtless David at times found himself hungry and in need of all things. It is to this situation then that God shows up. I can almost hear him now asking the Lord for his help. In all things God is providing and, in all things, God has shown up. See how the lion comes and catches one forth from the flock. It's method of choice seems to be no more than a lamb borne about in its' mouth. How very like the Lion of the tribe of Judah it is with all things kept in the nose.

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

Yet so does God know his children that well cause it's just who he is. Revelation 5 tells of the Lion of the tribe of Judah which came in looking much as a Lamb that had been slain. Come on now, you mean to tell me what was provided for the want and the need came in looking much like himself. So, David slew this lion with the lamb in its mouth and the bear also that threatened the flock. Surely this young boy David too needed some clothes. Since God had provided in all things himself, he gave also this young boy what he had not to give. Then a day came when danger threatened God's people. A Philistine came in for he was a giant that harbored ill-will towards God and his people. What would become of them then this people that seemed to be left all alone. In all things though God was providing naught but himself. Perhaps this is why David could the Lord is his shepherd ever so well.

David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

When God had provided before though, it seemed such a little thing that he would do it again. Then too this is why David would say the lion, the bear, and the Philistine meant nothing to him. Perhaps this chosen deliverer came in dressed in bear or lion skins. My, what a sight to be seen. God had arrayed his servants as one of the rich for almost no cause at all save only for need. Could it be then that the same God who has provided is the same God that knows. Even so does he know and care for his people well for such is his nature. See here too the cause of the shift. The lion and the bear and even the hunger resolved. With it we see the full nature of God. He is God of the turnaround indeed from lack to everything needed.