Handyman
Today’s Verse:
And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. ~1 Samuel 16:23
I did not grow up with much exposure to fixing things around the house. After I got married, I quickly started to adapt to being a handyman for routine projects. For other, more involved projects that required more expertise, I would hire a handyman to help me. A handyman is someone who is helpful with repairs and replacements. We think of someone like this as being able to fix anything. Our passage this morning speaks to our hearts about being a spiritual handyman in the lives of others. Let us see how David was a handyman to Saul. Let us see the importance of being an encouragement to others who are in need.
We see a crisis.
“But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” Saul was in a bad place in his life. He was a troubled king due to a series of bad and disobedient decisions that he had made. God’s presence was not evident in his life. His joy was gone. He had sleepless nights. He thought about his situation so much that he was overwhelmed with anxiety and negative thoughts. He was in a crisis that affected his whole well-being. Do you know the signs of someone in crisis? The servants of Saul were quick to see that he was in a crisis and needed help fast.
We see the credentials.
“And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.” What kind of person would you go to for encouragement? One of Saul’s servants had been observing David. David stood out as a man who had good expertise playing the harp; demonstrated heroism, bravery, and wisdom; had a good appearance; and had the Lord’s hand on his life. An encourager must be someone who walks with the Lord, is publicly proven in matters, is discreet in his decisions, and uses his talents well. David was a young man who did not waste his teenage years. When this reference of him came up, he was already living a model testimony. He was proven as an encourager!
We see the commission.
“And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand….” David was there when Saul needed encouragement. He knew the effect that music had on the spirit of a person. He played the harp with his hand to bring encouragement to Saul. He saw when Saul was down in spirit and had musical selections ready to play. To be an effective encourager, we must always be ready to respond. We should be able to detect a need when it arises. We should be willing to give all the time it takes to help the other person. We should give our best effort and determine that we are ministering for the purpose of being a blessing.
We see the consolation.
"Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." David’s encouragement was a big help to Saul! An encourager helps make the one needing encouragement well. He is an agent for change in the life of the one suffering. Saul was better off because of David’s encouragement.
David was a true “handyman.” He came to Saul’s side and helped him get well and beat a discouraged spirit. Look around you and be a handyman in someone’s life today!
Have an encouraging God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Mark 14