“Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him.” – 1 Sam. 16:16-18
In this passage, the Lord removed His Spirit from King Saul and had sent an evil spirit to torment him. His servants suggested bringing in a skilled harp player to soothe him. (By the way – this was God’s way of getting David inside the royal palace, reminding us that His ways are not our ways!) Anyway, one of the servants recommended David, describing him as talented, courageous, wise, and even physically appealing. But the most significant observation he made about David was this: “The Lord is with him.”
David had more than talent, good character and good looks. He carried the unmistakable presence of God in his life. This wasn’t something he declared about himself – he didn’t have to. It was evident to those around him. His relationship with God flowed into his actions, his demeanor, and the way he handled himself, making him stand out even in the royal court.
Of all the qualities that Saul’s servant bestowed upon David, “The Lord is with him” was by far the most important. In other words, the presence of God in David’s life was observable.
How observable is the presence of God in our lives? Do others see the evidence of God’s work in us – not through our words alone, but in how we live, speak, and love? Do we reflect His grace, peace, and strength in our daily interactions with others? Like David, we don’t have to be perfect. But a life aligned with God leaves a mark on those we encounter.
May we live in such a way that others might say of us, “The Lord is with him.”
Former Blackout Artist 