Originally posted: 12/05/2019
So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered, (18:5).
David prospered. Wherever he went he prospered, as though he had the King Midas touch. David’s prosperity is impressive, but in reality, David’s touch had nothing whatsoever to do with his good fortune. It was not his accolades or his accomplishments that brought David prosperity; rather it was the Why of it all: the Prosperity of His Presence.
David was prospering in all his ways for the Lord was with him, (18:14).
Consider the Prosperity of His Presence
By His Presence David Prospered…
- … in relationship
- Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself, (18:1).
- … in reputation
- The women sang as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands,” (18:7).
- … in safety
- Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from his presence twice, (18:11).
- … in ability
- David was prospering in all his ways for the Lord was with him, (18:14).
- … in humility
- But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” (18:18).
- … in wisdom
- Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, (18:30a).
- … in esteem
- So his name was highly esteemed, (18:30b).
How do we respond to the Prosperity of His Presence?
When my son was about twelve years old, we were driving through a beautifully affluent neighborhood when my son announced, “Mom, you should be rich.” I knew his little heart desired his momma to enjoy the blessings wealth appears to bring. My reply came quickly, “Son, I’m the richest woman I know.”
My answer to my son was inspired by the abundance of God’s good gifts I daily enjoyed: my salvation, my family, our ministry, health, friends, and countless other blessings. But today, in 1 Samuel 18, I saw the Prosperity of His Presence prevailing over those presents He so graciously bestows.
And today, in His Word, I received a greater understanding of true wealth; and it is not in His gifts, as generous and wonderful as they are. True Prosperity is what David knew and experienced; the LORD was with him. David prospered because he knew His Presence; and the LORD has provided the way we too can know and experience Him.
The Lord, rich in mercy, has lavished His grace and kindness upon us that we would be saved to know the Prosperity of His Presence.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:4-7).
Let us fervently pray we will come to the place in life where everything pales in comparison to knowing and loving Him. May we truly desire Him and the Prosperity of His Presence above all else.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever, (Psalm 73:25-26).