Simple Tasks are Big Deals with the Lord
Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days [Goliath] came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.
And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.”
1 Samuel 17:12-18 ESV
Nobody knew that when Jesse sent out his baby son that day, David would never return home. The job was simple enough, and in light of what his brothers were doing, it was embarrassing. Haul cheese and bread for miles to feed them and their company, then bring back a souvenir to prove they are OK.
When David arrived at the battlefield, however, his brothers were the ones with shame. They were being mocked daily for 40 days and were too afraid to do anything about it. They all knew that David had been anointed like a king by some old man of God, but right now he was just a kid bringing the cheese.
David did what he knew he was supposed to do and God gave him victory in it.
After David kills Goliath, they all come back to Jerusalem, and Saul takes David to live in the castle and be his son-in-law. As they enter the city, the fanfare and singing points out that David is ten times the warrior that King Saul is. Again, a simple thing: walk in to town. God blesses David and gives him favor in the eyes of all of the singers and dancers, and Saul didn’t like it. David was obeying God, and walking in the path God had for him. Saul did not walk God’s path and hated David for it.
When our desire to serve God makes us weird, we are in good company. David was a cheese delivery boy that took on a giant because the giant profaned the name of the Lord. When we are given the simple task that would put us last on the list, God might have a plan to move us to the front.
Jesus washed His disciples feet, and nothing showed Him more gloriously in charge. He died on a cross in shame, showing He is just like every weak member of mankind. Then He rose from the dead, to show that He was first and foremost above all creation.
Simple or huge, God is along with you and He knows what tomorrow holds. He knows if it depends on your rest, your delivering cheese, or diligent perseverance.
Do them all for the Lord’s sake; He loves it.