Faithful with the sheep
Another young person God used was David. His story is found in 1 Samuel chapters 16 and 17.
David was the youngest son in his family. While his older brothers were old enough to go to battle, David’s job was to take care of his father’s sheep. Being a shepherd may not have seemed like an important job to other people, but God was using that time to prepare David.
David was chosen by God
One day, God sent the prophet Samuel to David’s family because God had chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king of Israel. When Samuel saw David’s older brothers, they looked strong and impressive. But God reminded Samuel that people look at the outside, but God looks at the heart.
David was not the one people expected, but he was the one God chose.
God prepared David in small things
Even while David was young, he learned how to be faithful in small things. He protected the sheep. He spent time with God. He learned to be brave when no one was watching. David even remembered how God helped him fight off a lion and a bear when they tried to attack the sheep.
David trusted God at the battlefield
Later, David went to visit his brothers at the battlefield. That is when he heard Goliath, a giant Philistine warrior, speaking against the army of Israel. Everyone else was afraid, but David trusted God. He knew that the same God who helped him protect the sheep could help him face Goliath.
David told King Saul that he would fight Goliath. Saul tried to give David his armor, but David was not used to it. Instead, David took what he knew how to use: his staff, five smooth stones, and his sling.
David faced Goliath with faith
David told Goliath that the battle belonged to the Lord. David did not win because he was bigger, stronger, or more experienced than Goliath. David won because he trusted God.
This shows us that God can use young people too. David was not a king yet. He was not a trained soldier. He was a shepherd boy who trusted God with all his heart.