Richard Shepherd

Follo the Shepherd King Richard Shepherd

This Scripture Adventure is a journey through David's life and his reign as king, a reign with its ups and downs, failures and successes. More than a list of historical facts, David's life and legacy provide us with several life lessons, lessons that can serve to guide us daily, even moment by moment, whether we are serving only as "king" over ourselves or as leader over many. There are many "kingdoms" one can successfully rule or one can fail to rule. Which "kingdoms"? The "kingdoms" of "self" (with its many areas), as well as of home, church, school, a team, a neighborhood or community, a region, even a nation.

Here are some crucial facts when looking at David or any other leader: simply knowing his successes will not make us successful. Nor will knowing his failures keep us from failing, but we can learn. Here is an important truth: one does not have to fail personally; one can learn from others' failures and one does not have to succeed in the same way as other "kings" or leaders. When all is said and done, the crucial questions are these: "Have I pleased the Lord?" "Have I followed Him and His Word?" "Have I helped others connect with Him to know and follow Him?" "Have I helped others through their life journey?" David certainly knew the Lord, sought to follow Him and sought to get others to follow Him and His Word. We can learn from David, from his stands and his stumbles, his successes, and failures. After all, it ever remains a matter of the heart--seeking God's heart as well as learning from David's heart for each of our hearts.