Psalm 57:7 “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”
At the time of my writing, the world seems to be straight out of science fiction. There is a viral pandemic, the nation has shut down every sport, churches are told not to meet, States are ordering curfews, and people are wearing masks and gloves everywhere. During this time, Youth Pastors are certainly feeling a lot of different things. “This is what I was made to do, and I can’t do it.” Scrambling to do everything that can be done just to stay in contact with people who aren’t that far away. People you’ve worked with who may not be there any longer when this is all done. Financial pressure on you, your people, and your church. Anger, sadness, and many other ways of putting it are all there in the forefront of hearts. A change in schedule, behavior, and our ministry causes this time to certainly be a watershed moment in every ministry and Youth Pastor out there. David obeyed his parents, played harp for the king, slew a giant, and was anointed to be king over all of Israel. His life and ministry were on the up and up. The sense of the fairy tale ended when Saul became jealous, and David was forced to flee from his own kingdom. “Save me, O God” Psalm 54:1, David prayed, “Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.” Psalm 56:1, the anointed king who slew his tens of thousands, penned down. So, what did David do in his time that he could not do the job he was called to do?
1. David was broken, and grew closer to the Lord.
“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” Psalm 57:1 Right now is the time to be closer to God than you’ve ever been before in your life. David ran from the cave to the Philistines and fought against his own countrymen. All this while he built the mighty men, won victories, and showed character above that of any other man. This is when David showed himself to truly be a “man after God’s own heart.” What are you doing? Are you spending more time working on the live stream than bathing in the living stream? Are you confiding in God, or confiding in friends/followers? Take this time to be under God’s wings. Bury your face in that sweet fabric of the Lord’s garment.
2. David was threatened, and let God fight his battles.
“Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.” Psalm 59:9 David could have killed Saul and taken his kingdom. Instead, David allowed this time for the Lord to do it His way. If Jesus were building your Youth Group, what would he do differently? This is a time to inwardly reflect, list out our battles, and let God defend us in them. Are you following your pastor like you’re following the Lord? Let us take this time to conform ourselves to what our Pastor needs, and evaluate if we are doing the work or God is.
3. David was delivered, and he was not moved.
“Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalm 63:7-8 David found the Lord, and “followed hard after” Him. Too many times, the celebrations lead to backsliding. Be determined in your heart to rejoice “in the shadow of thy wings” and follow the Lord in step when this is over. Use the tools you’ve earned, follow the plans you make, and reset the atmosphere in your classrooms.
Jesse McCammon | Pastor
Flora Calvary Baptist Church | Flora, Illinois
https://www.floracalvarybaptist.com/
