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Aug
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2010
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Posted 1 years 286 days ago ago by Creator Staff  2 Comments
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by Babbie Mason
I have always admired the life of King David. His gifts, talents and contributions to the Bible and the Kingdom of God are an inspiration to singers, writers, preachers, and believers the world over. In spite of a host of major setbacks in his personal life and although he didn’t always make the best decisions during the course of his reign as King, he was a man who pursued God and loved Him passionately. Ultimately David experienced forgiveness for his sins and the favor of God rested on his life and leadership. David proved that when your heart and life are dedicated to God, you can make wrong decisions and still end up in the right place.
Recently, I was reading the occurrence of how David was chosen by God to be King over Israel in I Samuel, Chapter 16:1-13. After David was anointed as God’s choice to be King, the Bible says that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily. Even as a very young man, the hand of God was on his life and it is beautiful to see how God used David’s plethora of gifts and abilities to further God’s purposes. These gifts and abilities afforded him many opportunities to bless others and bring glory to God.
So, I’d like to take a look at the qualities that David possessed spiritually, personally, and musically. For I believe these attributes set David apart from all the others and made a world of difference for him and ultimately for the kingdom of God. David serves as a shining example to all of us who long to serve God in a ministry capacity.
I find it amazing that even as God prepared and anointed David for service, He also created a place for David to serve and even designed a very real need for him to meet. For in the meantime, over at King Saul’s residence, the Bible says that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul and that an evil spirit had begun to torment and trouble him. One of Saul’s servants suggested that a young musician that he had heard should come to play for the King. He was confident that if this young musician had an opportunity to play for King Saul, the King would be well. That young musician’s name was David..
FIVE IMPORTANT QUALITIES
As I read in I Samuel, Chapter 16:18, I noticed at least five very important qualities that David possessed which I believe every Christian artist and worship leader ought to exhibit in his/her life in order to be fully used by God. This would be a good time to take personal inventory and examine our own hearts and lives and see how we measure up.
1. SKILL
One of the young men said to the King concerning David in verse 18: "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp.”
The first quality that this passage mentions is the fact that David had skill. David’s reputation as a skillful musician had already preceded him. Even as a young musician, people had seen and heard him play. They obviously liked what they heard and they began to spread the word about his abilities. Even though David worked for his father as a shepherd, he quickly gained a reputation as a skillful musician who played beautifully on the harp, no doubt playing his harp and composing songs while he herded sheep. David’s skillful ability eventually led to a full-time position as one of Saul’s armor-bearers.
Whether you know it or not, people are watching you and are taking notes on you. For good or bad, people are saying things about your abilities. Do you know what kind of reputation you have established in your church or community? Are you satisfied with the assessment others have of you or do you see a need for change or improvement? Just because you’re anointed doesn’t mean you don’t have to practice! Maybe you might need a few refresher voice lessons or to improve your piano or guitar skills. Never rest on the successes or the failures of the past. Celebrate your strengths but be honest with yourself and seek God’s help in areas where you are weak.
2. BRAVERY
“He is a brave man and a warrior.”
Like David, you probably have not had to slay any giants or physically run from your enemies, but every one of us has had a need for bravery in the face of difficult challenges and gigantic circumstances. David, the giant killer, will always be recognized as one of the bravest men in the Bible, even when others were skeptical of his decisions. Some people said to him, “You’re too young!” Or, “You don’t have the right kind of weapon!” Or, “That giant is much bigger than you are!” But, with God’s help, David encouraged himself in the Lord. He faced his foes and was known far and wide for his bravery. Although he did have many enemies, with God’s help, David exhibited supernatural confidence in the face of insurmountable odds.
How about you? Do you face new challenges head on and ask God for His help? Or do you cower in the face of adversity and miss opportunities to see God equip and use you for His glory?
The Bible says that evil will always be present when people want to do things for God. As a matter of fact, you should expect resistance anytime you are doing anything for the Lord. Expect resistance from Satan and even from people when you desire to fulfill God’s plan. Guard your heart against doubt and discouragement so that you do not lose your hope in the Lord.
Remember and even write down the victories that God has given you in the past. Share these victories with friends or as part of your testimony. Use your experiences to compose a song of encouragement. However you recount your victories, remember this: a setback is only a setup for a comeback.
3. ABILITY TO SPEAK WELL
“He speaks well….”
The third asset that David possessed is the ability to speak well and articulate what was on his heart and mind. No doubt, he was a good student who loved to read great books. I can imagine him using the art of persuasive words among his brothers or his friends. He would certainly need the ability to choose just the right words to say while in the company of a King who was known to be irritable and irrational.
For some, this gift comes easy. The rest of us have to work at it. If singing or speaking before an audience makes you a little uncomfortable, rehearsing your song selection or even honing your testimony down to a three to five minute presentation and memorizing it will help a great deal. If you have the opportunity to critique a recorded performance of yourself, this will show you some areas where you may need to improve. Practice may not make for perfection, but it certainly helps to build confidence when you must stand before a room full of people. And remember that while you always want to do your best while standing before an audience, ultimately you are standing before an Audience of One. God deserves the best of what you have to offer.
4. FINE LOOKING
“…And is a fine-looking man.”
The term fine looking can obviously mean different things to different people. The term will mean one thing to a young worship leader in a college rock band. It will mean something totally different to that college kid’s mother, who sings in the church worship team on Sunday mornings. Whether you wear blue jeans or a tuxedo, you should always look your best. That person on stage will be a lot easier on the eyes if his/her clothes are neat and hair is clean and neatly combed.
It’s always a good idea to determine ahead of time what the dress code for a given performance is. Then you’ll always be dressed for success. I’ve always found that it is better to dress up than dress down. This makes you look more professional and it makes your audience feel special because it sends them the message that you thought the event was important enough to make a bit more effort. And just as a reminder, put a couple breath mints in your pocket to pop into your mouth as you step down after the concert. This will help to wet your whistle and help you not to offend concert-goers as you greet them after your performance. Remember: little things mean a lot.
(Did I just say that? I guess it shows that I am somebody’s wife and mother. Besides, after being in music ministry for 25 years, I guess I feel like I have earned the right to say a few things. Love me anyway!)
5. A MINISTRY THAT GETS RESULTS
“…And the LORD is with him."
What a powerful thing to say of one’s ministry! Saul’s servant observed David’s ministry right down to its finest element. And this servant, recognizing the anointing of God upon David’s life, suggested that David be the one to come to minister to the King. Of all the qualities that a Christian artist or worship leader could possess, a ministry that gets results is essential. Too often, we are more concerned about promoting our products than we are about promoting the love of Christ and the message of the gospel.
You may have a beautiful voice, exude with confidence and look really good on stage, but if the Lord’s hand is not on and in your life, then what is done on the stage is done in vain.
Flip that coin over for a moment and look at this from another perspective. I have also been in the presence of singers and speakers who had what we would call average sounding voices. And I have witnessed singers and speakers who do not, by the standard of some, possess Hollywood good looks. But when they shared their gift with confidence and conviction from the stage or pulpit, it was obvious that the hand of God was on their lives. I have also observed that when God’s hand is upon a servant’s life, the favor of God will open up many doors of opportunity.
Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord roam to and fro throughout the earth seeking a heart that is faithful to Him that He might fully support it.”
God is looking for servants. He is looking for people who don’t wish to promote their own name and agenda, but have a heart to promote the name of Jesus and the agenda of Heaven. I heard my husband, Charles, say a time or two over the course of our thirty-year marriage, “There’s only one Star and they killed Him.” God is looking for sold-out ones whose only desire is to make Him look good in the earth. Our business is to lift Jesus up above the earth and provide an atmosphere in worship where He can draw all men unto Himself. When we do that, hearts and lives will be touched and changed.
I love how the Bible, God’s Word, encourages us in spiritual, practical and personal ways in areas where we can be our best. I encourage you to study I Samuel 16:14-23. Pray and ask God concerning areas where there is room for growth in your personal life and ministry. I believe no matter how much you sing or how many years you have been “on the road,” there is always room for improvement and introspection.
So let’s agree to the following:
1. Practice and hone our skills a little more each day.
2. Ask God for His strength and courage to face challenges head on.
3. Develop our public speaking skills so that we will always be ready to say the right thing at the right time.
4. Always look our best. As our mothers have always told us, “You only have one chance to make a lasting impression.”
5. Above all, pray that what we do, on the stage or in the pulpit, at the hotel and the house will bring glory and honor to God and that His name—and not ours—is the name that people will remember most of all.
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