First Things First

1 Samuel 17:20, 22

“Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. David left his things with the keeper of the supplies, ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers.”

Between my husband’s rest day and the next day’s worship service is our lazy family night. Lazy meaning it’s a no-agenda, anything goes, whatever pops-up let’s go thing-y. From dvd watching to baking cookies, angry birds to curling up under the blanket, it’s a treat of some sort. So fun it could keep us up ‘til almost midnight. Calling everyone to bed carries with it my back-to-reality duties as a home manager: pre-prepare breakfast, press clothes, etc. Oh, don’t I deserve a FULL day-off too? Giving in to my rights made some of our Sunday mornings hurried and harassed, and yes, not honoring to God.  

David was remarkably mindful of his duties. Leaving early that day meant he may have tapped the lamb-sitter the night before. Handing over both sheep and supplies to trustworthy men meant he made an effort to seek them. Going straight to his brothers for Jesse’s needed assurance, and not watching around as falsely accused by his brother, meant he was set to accomplish his task as directed. His eye for details and ears to discipline fits him well to be a great servant-leader. He spends time promptly. He secures treasure properly. He succeeds by doing things purposefully. And he didn’t mind attending to this errand despite the glitters of being already employed in the king’s service. Verse 15 says ‘he went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep’. There was no mention of demands or rights or special treatment or day off. He’s first Jesse’s son, the sheep steward, now Saul’s servant, soon holding the scepter. By heart, he keeps this order, and in time, God will fully-honor his obedience.

What time is it?  What’s in your hand? What are His orders? Knowing the answers to these daily life questions is crucial part of the work, but it’s still half the work done. Merriam-Webster defines discipline as control gained by enforcing obedience or order. It is why Paul beats into submission his own body and calls us to take it captive and place it under the Lordship of Christ. The temptation to ‘do not do what you want to do’ or ‘do what you hate to do’ may grow louder every minute, but ey, we can always shout ‘shut up!’. Better yet, look Up! See the cross and how Jesus surrendered his will to the Father. First things first equals putting God first. By heart, let us keep this order. It is His order.