The Formative Years of David

Pastor Ivey

Our young people just came back from camp and they came back fired up, rededicated and “Alive.” The Testimonies were moving to me personally, not because of the eloquence of speech but because it brought me back quite a few years to all the camp meetings I attended as a teen. The Spirit moving, tears flowing, promises made, callings confirmed. Wow what a high.  Oceanside has a great youth group lead by God, facilitated by Pastor Ivey.  My mind then drifted to what would inevitably happen when the “Mountain top,” the turned back into, "The valley."

Senior Pastor Trey

Our senior pastor (Pastor Trey, as he is lovingly called by all) quoted some of the psalms of David.  As before my mind drifted to the early years of David. Not much is known of David as a child other than that he was the eighth and youngest son of Jesse. David wasn’t the strongest, or the most valued he was just a kid in bible times with the task of tending some smelly sheep. He wasn’t the popular. But what David did have was a lot of time on his hands herding sheep in and out hills and valleys sleeping under the stars. Singing songs to God with only four legged balls of fur for an audience, and they couldn’t critique his sling practice either.  This was not a job the other seven of his brothers would have wanted. 

David as a "Shepherd Boy"

Yet, whatever it was he learned during these times alone; this is what equipped him to become one of the greatest men who ever lived. Oh, what I would have done to be able to spend time hanging out with him during the formative years of David. That would have however defeated what God had in mind.  David needed that time alone with God and God needed that time alone with David to make him whom He wanted him to be. 

David learned to communicate with, to trust in, rely on, and most importantly depend on GOD.  David later became known as a man after Gods own heart I believe mostly because he fostered a friendship with God. 

To the youth of Oceanside don’t long for greatness; long to be the best friends with the God of all creation. By doing this you will:

·        Long to be in His presence all the time.

·        Spend all your time in communication with Him.

·        Constantly abide in His favor, and grace.

·        Know, first hand, His protection and unbelievable provision as if it were an everyday occurrence.

·        Most importantly be great in His eyes.