What a glorious thought to know you are safe and secure living under the watchful care of the Good Shepherd. The Old Testament story of David and Goliath provides a great foreshadowing of our Savior’s watchful care. It also points out that just because you are watched over, doesn’t mean you won’t be taken and need to be delivered. David did what Christ does today! Can I say that again? David did, as the shepherd over his father’s flock, what Christ does as the Good Shepherd of every child of God. This is a mirrored image of our Savior in David’s life. It also points out that just because you are watched over, doesn’t mean you won’t be taken and need to be delivered.
“But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, “I went out after it and struck it, and delivered [the lamb] from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught [it] by its beard, and struck and killed it.“ I Samuel 17:34-35
The sheep David watched over were just as we are today, most often oblivious to the threat of lions and bears. Since we live in the territory of lions and bears, we are always subject to their attacks. The closer you walk beside the Shepherd, the less chances you have of being taken from the flock, but still many are taken today. The apostle Peter understood exactly what being taken felt like and wrote to warn the followers of Christ.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.“ I Peter 5:8-9
David valued his father’s sheep and so when one came under attack and was taken, he went after it and delivered it. This gives us something to think about. Was there ever a sheep taken that David didn’t go after? Was there ever a sheep taken that had been taken before? Was there ever a sheep taken that David gave up on? Was there ever a sheep taken that David would make an example out of to the other sheep? Every child of God will see one day how many times they were taken and then delivered by God. If God has saved you and delivered you from the power of darkness by the blood of Jesus, He will never not deliver you.
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of My Father’s hand.“ John 10:28-29
I have said this recently, that if you are a child of God, deliverance is in your future. You may not need it right now, but because of the nature of our enemy, you will at some point and many times throughout your life. And so this truth should cause us to be thankful, humble, watchful, and inspired to stay close to the Father. Being safe and secure under the watchful care of the Savior doesn’t mean you can be careless in your walk with God. It means you will be delivered when you need to be delivered. Praise God!