But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).
When Samuel told King Saul his reign would end, he referred to a man he had not yet met. David turned out to be the one Samuel called “a man after God’s own heart.”
God certainly loved David like He does each one of us. But what did God do? He sent him big brothers who treated him like the baby in the family. God provided lions and bears who threatened the sheep David was guarding. And He sent Goliath across David’s path.
Well, you say, “I thought if God loved me this much, I wouldn’t be having these struggles. I thought I would sail through life unopposed.”
No—in fact, because God does love you so much, because He’s got such a bright future for you, He will use the difficulties in your life to refine you, grow you, and prepare you for your future. The size of your problem may well be an indication of the size of your future. If you are facing a big problem, don’t get discouraged. God may well be preparing you for something big in your future. Whenever God gives us a Goliath, He always gives us the strength, the determination, and the fortitude to overcome. We will never face a challenge in life that, with God’s help, we cannot overcome. Even when it’s difficult, even when the bottom falls out, in the middle of that adversity, there will be a supernatural strength, a peace that passes all understanding, a joy rising up in our spirit. God gives us exactly what we need when we need it.
Isaiah 43:1-2 NKJV But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. [2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 48:10 NKJV Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
John 16:33 Voice I have told you these things so that you will be whole and at peace. In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble, but you need not fear; I have triumphed over this corrupt world order.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. [12] In those days when you pray, I will listen. [13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. [14] I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”