A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson
And David said unto Achish, “But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” –1 Samuel 29:8 (KJV)
David, the courageous warrior who defeated Goliath and several other threats to his country, was fired several times.
When King Saul grew jealous and tried several times to kill him, David was fired. He lost his job and physical security. Now impoverished, David fled to the wilderness and ultimately became a mercenary. He fought with the Philistines against enemies other than Israel.
After a few years of marauding success, David and his mercenaries failed a security screening within the army of the Philistines. He was fired again. “But what have I done?” he said.
Every time I read this story, I am catapulted backward in my life story to the times when I too was fired, twice. If it has never happened to you, count your blessings. Losing a job—especially when it happens unexpectedly—makes you wonder about your calling, your value in the marketplace and your personal worth.
This Bible story about King David gives six points of instruction about how to make your transitions setups for future triumphs. When we outgrow our current positions, get fired or get promoted, David left an example of how to spiritually and graciously move on.
After being fired for outgrowing his former position, David did six things:
#1: He grieved his losses.
#2: He encouraged himself in the Lord.
#3: He responded immediately and appropriately to crisis circumstances that enveloped him.
#4: He maintained his integrity and the caliber of his leadership.
#5: He recognized that God’s hand was preserving and preparing him for a higher calling.
#6: He prayerfully walked into God’s next assignment for him.
Losses of all kinds demand grief. Grief is simply the lamentation of insecurity brought about due to changes, controlled or unexpected. Insecurity can even exist when we have confidence in the providential assurance of divine anointing and appointment.
David encouraged himself in the fact that he was anointed by God. He met every disappointment and danger knowing that God had shared a vision of his destiny. The lion and the bear were preparations for his Goliath experience. Goliath was preparation for his military leadership. The care for the men who followed him into battle and their families was proof of what character he would display in his role as King.
What vision has God given you? What experiences have you survived that demonstrate how time and circumstances have been preparatory for your destiny? Encourage yourself in the Lord! Sing some songs of comfort. Rehearse a testimony of deliverance in your life. Reflect upon a moment of inspiration or divine intervention and remember how God is always with you.
The New King James Version of the Bible translates Ecclesiastes 9:10 with these words: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.
He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.
You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.
#1: He grieved his losses.
#2: He encouraged himself in the Lord.
#3: He responded immediately and appropriately to crisis circumstances that enveloped him.
#4: He maintained his integrity and the caliber of his leadership.
#5: He recognized that God’s hand was preserving and preparing him for a higher calling.
#6: He prayerfully walked into God’s next assignment for him.
Losses of all kinds demand grief. Grief is simply the lamentation of insecurity brought about due to changes, controlled or unexpected. Insecurity can even exist when we have confidence in the providential assurance of divine anointing and appointment.
David encouraged himself in the fact that he was anointed by God. He met every disappointment and danger knowing that God had shared a vision of his destiny. The lion and the bear were preparations for his Goliath experience. Goliath was preparation for his military leadership. The care for the men who followed him into battle and their families was proof of what character he would display in his role as King.
What vision has God given you? What experiences have you survived that demonstrate how time and circumstances have been preparatory for your destiny? Encourage yourself in the Lord! Sing some songs of comfort. Rehearse a testimony of deliverance in your life. Reflect upon a moment of inspiration or divine intervention and remember how God is always with you.
The New King James Version of the Bible translates Ecclesiastes 9:10 with these words: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
When David returned home, three days after being fired, his home had been ransacked and burned. His family and the families of his men had been kidnapped. David consulted God. He needed a reaffirmation from God of his destiny and direction.
Don’t be hasty in your next steps. Consult God. Once affirmed, go heartily, with diligence in pursuit of Divinity’s next step for you. Leaps of faith always entail risk but trusting God’s guidance has dividends that are often unseen until reviewed in retrospect.
Soon after his victorious return to Ziklag David is informed about the death of Saul and several of his sons. He realized that the hand of God had kept him from being involved in a military attack against Saul and Israel. It was then that David realized that his setback was God’s way of protecting him and preparing him to come back to Judah, not as shepherd or soldier, but as King.
David did not gloat over the death of Saul. In fact, he grieved it as a personal and national tragedy. He prayed about his next step. Where should he go? How should he engage his anointing to be king?
Here is a final instruction for us: Seek and listen to the voice of God. Act accordingly.
Whenever God sets us up, we should enter our new roles with humble confidence. Let the “men of Israel”, those whom God will choose, declare, celebrate, and inaugurate you. Be humble but confident in the role to which God will deliver you. When He does open your new job to you, prayerfully seek to grow in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man.
Let’s Pray: Dear God of providence and destiny, if anyone reading this is in transition after being promoted, retired or released from their meaningful employment, please help them to feel your presence. Do for them what you did for David and reaffirm your plan for their lives. Set them on a path to fulfillment. Guide them and guard them along the way. Deliver them from evil and into your purpose for their existence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Just the Beginning” by Kurt Carr with the Kurt Carr Singers. Listen to it here.
~*~
Author Bio:
Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.
Don’t be hasty in your next steps. Consult God. Once affirmed, go heartily, with diligence in pursuit of Divinity’s next step for you. Leaps of faith always entail risk but trusting God’s guidance has dividends that are often unseen until reviewed in retrospect.
Soon after his victorious return to Ziklag David is informed about the death of Saul and several of his sons. He realized that the hand of God had kept him from being involved in a military attack against Saul and Israel. It was then that David realized that his setback was God’s way of protecting him and preparing him to come back to Judah, not as shepherd or soldier, but as King.
David did not gloat over the death of Saul. In fact, he grieved it as a personal and national tragedy. He prayed about his next step. Where should he go? How should he engage his anointing to be king?
Here is a final instruction for us: Seek and listen to the voice of God. Act accordingly.
Whenever God sets us up, we should enter our new roles with humble confidence. Let the “men of Israel”, those whom God will choose, declare, celebrate, and inaugurate you. Be humble but confident in the role to which God will deliver you. When He does open your new job to you, prayerfully seek to grow in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man.
Let’s Pray: Dear God of providence and destiny, if anyone reading this is in transition after being promoted, retired or released from their meaningful employment, please help them to feel your presence. Do for them what you did for David and reaffirm your plan for their lives. Set them on a path to fulfillment. Guide them and guard them along the way. Deliver them from evil and into your purpose for their existence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Just the Beginning” by Kurt Carr with the Kurt Carr Singers. Listen to it here.
~*~
Author Bio:
Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.
He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.
You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.
