{ Day 256 }

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. —1 Peter 5:5-7

When David was promoted to Gibeah, he continued to live from his heart as he did in Bethlehem, faithful to his small responsibilities. Though he was beginning to taste the favor and esteem of men, he continued to be faithful in insignificant tasks. God knew this season of favor would only be temporary. He wanted David to learn to respond with humility and love whether in Bethlehem or Gibeah, isolation or the national spotlight. Often, the Lord will give us a certain amount of success to equip us for the wilderness years that are yet ahead. We will suddenly find ourselves in a position of prominence or leadership where people value our time and opinions. But that’s never the end of the story. Life alternates between times of promotion and times of struggle, times of favor and times of difficulty. When we learn how to lean on Him alone in times of success, we will know how to find Him in times of difficulty.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Father, never let me lose sight of the fact that all I am and all I have come from You. Give me a heart of humility and love for You, and help me to be faithful in the little things. My source is in You, alone.

Most people never imagine that the season
of success will change, but it
almost always does.