Spectra Arts

Spectra is a community of adult NWA Christian Artists - photographers, painters, graphic designers, and writers of prose and poetry—all with the same goals. We seek to fellowship with like-minded artisans to collaborate and create art as a way to praise, inspire and foster spiritual growth. Spectra also hosts themed gallery exhibits regularly with the hope of inspiring the viewer toward deeper reflection on scripture. Below is the art displayed at all three campuses reflecting the current teaching series. For more information or to purchase art listed below, contact:

Fellowship Rogers


A HEART FOR GOD

Avery Andersen | Not for sale

Etched Wood

This piece tells the story of young David, a shepherd boy who was born with a gift of music. Rising from his humble roots, God chose David to eventually lead His people because He saw that his heart was good. Throughout his life, David composed songs in Psalms, using multiple instruments to worship, thanking the Lord for His faithfulness as well as crying out seeking forgiveness and God's nearness.

I chose this slice of raw wood to help resemble David's natural talent that God etched into his heart. 


A STONE

Nessia Davis | $0.00

Acrylic and Stone/Contact Artist for price

The five stones represent what David carried in his heart.  Faith.  Trust.  Courage.  Obedience.  Praise.

GOD is greater than any challenge we face.  

The five stones represent what David carried in his heart. Faith. Trust. Courage. Obedience. Praise. God is greater than any challenge we face.

He took the stick in his hand. And he chose five smooth stones from a stream. He put them in his pouch and held his sling in hand. Then he went to meet Goliath.  1 Samuel 17:40 ICB

But David said to him, “You come to me using a sword, a large spear and a small spear. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of heaven’s armies. He’s the God of the armies of Israel! You have spoken out against him. Today the Lord will give you to me. I’ll kill you, and I’ll cut off your head. Today I’ll feed the bodies of the Philistine soldiers to the birds of the air and the wild animals. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel! Everyone gathered here will know the Lord does not need swords or spears to save people. The battle belongs to him! And he will help us defeat all of you.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 ICB


FIVE SMOOTH STONES: GOD'S REFINING PROCESS

Annie Winkler | Not for sale

Original Acrylic

David used five smooth stones, refined in a river and made ready to be used by the Lord to defeat the giant, Goliath (1 Samuel 17). While painting my five smooth stones, I thought about and prayed for my own spiritual refining process. Smooth stones take years to form. As I yield my life to God, He continues to smooth out the rough areas in my life. He is preparing me, as he did David, to defeat life’s giants. David took courage in the Lord, and the Lord was his rock and fortress. (Psalm18:2)

David, a man after God’s own heart, was obedient; he loved what God loved and worshipped with all his might. Throughout his flawed life, he had faith, obedience, trust, courage, and praise for his creator. David also had moments of fear and doubt, and he sinned against God. Yet through it all, he repented. His anguish and need for restoration is so beautifully evident in the raw worship of the psalms he wrote.

God started the refining process in my life when I was a young child. He continues to refine me daily as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to others. My faith has grown by intentionally studying the Word; I am being conformed to the image of Christ. My contentment in Him comes from the understanding that His consistency makes the inconsistent and constantly changing world more bearable. Yielding control to God has refined my once anxious tendencies and changed them into courage. My lack of confidence has grown into trust and assurance that only He can provide. In obedience, I praise Him through my artwork, my daily devotions, my interactions with others, and by seeking His purpose for my life. I pray that I reverently bow down and worship Him as David did.


JUST A FLOCK

Kathleen Whitetree Woolsey | $0.00

Sterling Silver Pendant/Contact Artist for Price

Inspired by 1 Samuel 16:1-13

We see in 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel arrives at Jesse's house to anoint one of his sons. One by one Jesse presents each son to Samuel who dismisses them all. Turning to Jesse, Samuel questions him and learns that one has been overlooked. Jesse did not expect the youngest, David, to be selected, as David had been left to continue herding sheep. When the boy David, the unexpected “insignificant” son, was brought in, Samuel anoints him as Israel’s next King.

This pendant represents the flock of sheep David had been tending; David was a boy, and not considered important enough to be included in a prophet’s invitation. But God sees our hearts and chose a boy herding sheep to lead His chosen people because of his heart.

No matter how insignificant the service may seem that God has called you to, do it faithfully with all of your heart as unto the Lord.


PSALM 1 (a response)

Denise England | Not for sale

Original Poetry

Psalm 1 uses the metaphor of both a dead and a living plant to describe the ungodly and the faithful, respectively. My question for myself was this: what if the ungodly dead plant was me, before Christ? And it was! How do I respond to this Psalm in light of Christ's regeneration?

Poet Malcom Guite used the word "breathe" in his response to Psalm 1 and I incorporated breathing in my response as the dead plant resumes life through Christ: the final breath of death and expulsion, a resuscitation, finally an inhalation and the ability to encourage others towards Christ.


PSALM 4 (a response)

Denise England | Not for sale

Original Poetry

In Psalm 4, David's enemies are defaming him and causing him great distress even while they prosper. He calls out to God from alone in his chamber to help him rest and sleep. The lines of this poem grow progressively shorter by one syllable each as God comforts and stills the poet.


PSALM 5 (a response)

Denise England | Not for sale

Original Poetry

In Psalm 5, David is angry at the vain, selfish and deceitful people that surround (and hound) him. He calls out to God because he knows God will answer and guide him into his presence. Memories came to my mind of times I've visited castles and locations of great historic importance, but I've had to battle through crowds of people more interested in taking the perfect selfie than of appreciating the value of the site. Imagine if a president or king were there? How much more would they be missing the point? In this poem, God hears and leads the seeker, just as he did for David. 


THE FIVE SMOOTH STONES OF DEFIANCE

Tim Howington | $100.00

Original Acrylic

In this series about David there are multiple examples of defiance. Simply put, defiance is a noun that means a daring or bold resistance to authority or to any opposing force. This is clearly seen in the battle between David and Goliath as Goliath defied the God of Israel. He paid dearly for his defiance by one of the five smooth stones that David brought to battle. We see defiance in other stories in the series as well:

  • Samuel defied Saul and anointed David as King
  • Goliath defied God
  • David defied the temptation to kill Saul in the Cave
  • David defied God in his sin with Bathsheba
  • Nathan defied David and called him out on his sin

Defiance is both a negative action to avoid and an aspirational behavior toward righting that which is wrong. Defiance is a powerful emotion that can be expressed in many ways. While there are no specific colors that represent defiance, I have chosen colors that evoke a sense of strength, power, and resilience. Each of the colors can have positive and negative connotations.   


Imagery

David only needed one stone to quell the defiance of Goliath. And in like manner, those of us who hold in our hearts defiance against the person of God, the people of God, and things of God will also find ourselves experiencing the judgment stones of God. Whether in this life or the one to come, none of us are allowed to defy God without judgment.

The imagery is of five defiance stones (the large stones at the bottom) that mete out judgment on the rebellious (the small stones on the top). The recipients of the judgment of God are color coded with judgment stones. Said another way, if you are defiant, there is a stone for you. I wonder which color would represent Goliath's defiance (methinks black)?

The white streaks represent the grace of God that permeates and overshadows us even at our worst. God loves us and extends His lovingkindness even at our worst moments.

Thanks be to God that Christ on the cross took on the judgment for our defiance.


THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Rita Wiley | $75.00

Original Oil over Acrylic

Inspired by 1 Samuel 16: 1-13

Israel already had a king but God chose a shepherd, someone who would lead and care for the flock.

I always looked at this story from the perspective that a humble shepherd boy was lifted to kingship, but this time I noticed something different. I always thought David and his representation of the coming Savior was the point of this story. I thought it was all about promotion, kingship and glory. This time it struck me that it is about the sheep.

Israel already had a king. God was looking for a shepherd. Someone He could trust with what really mattered to Him. He wanted someone after His own heart. Someone who would lay down his life for the sheep. David wasn't chosen because he was so kingly. David was chosen because he was a true shepherd and he could be trusted to care for what mattered to the Father.

And what matters to the Father? His sheep. The flock. What did Jesus tell Peter when He restored him? Feed my sheep. That's it. That's the point. It seems to me that's what it means to be after God's own heart. It's all about the sheep.


THE HEART OF DAVID

Casey Siegel | $495.00

Original Oil Pastel

Like the mighty oak from the humble origins of an acorn, David grew in strength, in magnificence and rivers of living water came forth from him. He bore a heart of flesh that was illuminated to shine for his own King by the extraordinary Spirit of God. David was not spared pain and heartache, nor his sins hidden. We witness God's unfathomable mercy and compassion on his life. We get to witness the birth of the Messiah through David's line.

Christ Jesus forever on the throne!

David's life is a testimony that God is so good and always keeps His promises, even when we don't. David's passion for the Lord is evident throughout the Psalms where he poured his heart out to the Lord through joy, pain, fear, hope, anxiety, sorrow, beauty...

Let the Lord find me upon His return, dancing joyfully with all my strength before Him like David. Using what gifts He so lavishly bestowed upon me, might the art I create bring my Lord honor and glory. May I be quick to repent and search the Scriptures for how I can live more like my Father, made into the image of Christ. May I be known as a woman after God's own heart as I explore the heart of David. 


THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH

Jackie Spedding | Not for sale

“Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scrolls and its seven seals.”  Revelation 5:5

The Lion of Judah has long been a symbol of power, nobility and conquering strength.  

In the Old Testament, Jacob’s deathbed blessing for his son, Judah, likens him to a lion, further stating the (ruling) scepter shall not depart from Judah.

King David, a man after God’s own heart, was of the tribe of Judah, and our Lord Jesus Messiah was also.

Jesus' promised returning to establish an eternal kingdom will find the lion and the lamb lying down together.

So we remember, Jesus came as the sacrificial Lamb but is now our own Victorious Lion.


THE STONES

Gwen Smith | Not for sale

Original Photography

The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37

Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:40

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 1 Samuel 17:48-49

This is a photo of a streambed where David would have picked up his stones. I’ve been blessed to visit Israel twice, and each time I spent some time in the Valley of Elah where this defining moment took place. You may be as surprised as I am that there are not as many small stones of the size that my mind had always imagined.

As David faced Goliath, he ventured into the streambed of Elah, selecting five smooth stones, each carefully chosen for their size, weight, and precision. These stones, larger than a fist and capable of inflicting lethal force when propelled with accuracy, represented David’s trust in God’s guidance and assurance of deliverance.

In this moment, devoid of conventional armor or weaponry, David was emboldened by God’s strength. Standing before the lowering Philistine, he was full of unwavering faith in God’s protection, recalling how the Lord had delivered him from the claws of lions and bears while tending his father’s sheep. With a single stone, and skillful aim, he propelled it from his sling with incredible velocity. The stone found its mark, striking Goliath’s forehead, and the giant fell to earth, defeated by God’s intervention through the hand of the courageous young shepherd.

I’ve wondered why he took five stones because I really believe that if the first one didn’t hit the mark, he would have had no other chance. Some have suggested he knew there were four other giants, and he was coming prepared for further attacks.

Reflecting on this story prompts contemplation about the “giants” in our lives—challenges, fears, or obstacles that loom large and seem unbeatable. Just as David trusted God to conquer Goliath, this story encourages us to trust in His strength to overcome our own giants. Consider taking a walk by a nearby stream, collecting a stone as a physical reminder of faith and courage, symbolizing trust in God’s ability to conquer the giants that we may face.


THE TREE OF DAVID

Janine Emrick | Not for sale

Original Acrylic

Psalm 1:3 “He is like a tree, planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. In all he does, he prospers.”

If our lives were represented by a tree – what would our tree look like? What would David’s look like? David was a man of war. There’s just a touch of red in places that speaks to that.

The fire and greenery around the cave speaks to the life that God brings when we are in our cave. God knows exactly where we are and His goodness brings life to the darkness. What will the tree of your life look like?

Symbolism in this painting:

•Anointing horn and oil

•Shepherd’s staff

•Sling shot and stone

•Sword

•Gold ring – represents David’s kingship as well as his union with Bathsheba

•The cave – David spent so much time in them!

•Saul’s purple robe

•David’s harp

•Hyssop – Psalm 51:7 “Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean…” On the cross, Jesus was given a drink from a sponge on a hyssop branch.

•The cities in the background – represents places David conquered as well as lived

YOU'VE ALREADY WON

Andrea Darby | $500.00

Acrylic/Mixed Media

Inspiration: 1 Samuel 17:1–51 as well as the chorus from: Shane and Shane’s song “You’ve Already Won”

I am a very visual learner, so I wanted to re-create an abstract painting of the battle of David and Goliath in the valley of Elah, Israel to help this story come to life!

I tried to create the landscape as It could have been viewed topographically from an aerial view. I enjoy working in mixed mediums to achieve layers. I like the idea that even a person that is site impaired could feel the topography and visualize the story.

Symbolism within the painting

• White colors are symbolic of David’s role as a shepherd and white symbolizes his pure faith in God. (All the whitish areas are lower elevation, or floodplain.)

• Gold colors are symbolic of a champion in battle or the color for victory. (All the golden area is land at higher elevation.)

• Bronze colors are symbolic of the battle armor.

• The square in the center is the focal point of the battle and battle camps.

• The sand grit texture in the center of the painting is the dry creek bed.

• Gold line running through the center of the entire painting represents the HaEla stream David crossover to battle Goliath.

• The five golden dots in the center represent the five stones that were picked up by David to use in battle with his sling.

• The indention line above the stones represents the pathway he walked to get down the mountain from the Israelite camp on his way to battle Goliath.

• White small circle in the center outlined in gold symbolizes the small stature of the teenage boy David. It is white to represent his faith and his role as a shepherd.

• Bronze larger circle in the center represents the larger stature of the giant Goliath. It is bronze to represent his bronze helmet and armor.

• The top copper metal mesh represents the mountain where the Israelite army set up camp and the lower metal was where the Philistine army camped at Ephes Dammin on the opposite mountain.

• The single rock symbolizes the single smooth river stone that David used with his sling to defeat Goliath.

• The spirals represent significant locations. The top left spiral was the town of Azekah, the bottom right spiral was a town called Socoh, and the top right spiral is the location that would become the Elah fortress at Khirbet Qeiyafa.

Fellowship Fayetteville


"KHESED," A REMINDER YAHWEH IS ALWAYS WITH YOU.

Sabrina Palomino | Not for sale

Alcohol ink on 39.5” x 21.5” - 15 pieces in 74lb Yupo Medium Surface

1 Samuel 20:14-15; 2 Samuel 9:7

A defining moment as a Promise is fulfilled out of a special kind of love called “Khesed”… and it is a reflection of Yahweh’s most Khesed love for us, as He too invites us to His table of welcome.


This striking story led me to a strong and unique friendship that develops between David and Jonathan, the son of King Saul. The two form a covenant with a kind of love called “Khesed”… an unconditional, and unfailing love. Jonathan says to David,


 “But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family…. “ (1 Samuel 20:14-15)

It is said, their souls became one as they loved one another as themselves. Refers to (1 Samuel 18:1, 3)

Time would pass as news would surface of Jonathan’s death. David would grieve the loss of his great friend. He’d later remember his oath. 

“David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1NIV)

David would fulfill his promise when he called to have Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, brought to him.

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” (2 Samuel 9:7 NIV)

 David’s Khesed fulfilled his promise beautifully…and is a reflection of Yahweh”s faithful promise through His perfect Khesed that will one day welcome us to His glorious table.

BATHSHEBA (BASED OFF DA VINCI'S THE HEAD OF A WOMAN)

Rachel Borntrager | $250.00

16”x20”x1.5” charcoal and acrylic on stretched canvas

"Bathsheba" is a portrait of the wife of Uriah the Hittite in the story in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, during the time of David’s rebellion. Working loosely off Da VInci's The Head of A Woman as a reference, I slowly scraped and smeared thin charcoal vine onto the canvas and worked my way around the face, leaving some sections of the portrait unfinished and most of the canvas exposed. The only color introduced is the hint of a milky white dress, symbolizing the comfort she received only after tumultuous loss and tragedy.

BATHSHEBA'S SIDE OF THE STORY

Rachel Borntrager | $250.00

Framed 8”x10”x1.5” acrylic, charcoal, pastel diptych on raw canvas

This piece represents Bathsheba’s story in 2 Samuel 11 and 12 during the time of David’s rebellion. I chose minimal colors, raw and organic shapes, and a soak stain method to visualize an internal and external loss and chaos that Bathsheba lived through. The technique I used relies on my own body’s memories of loss and chaos, and as my breathing and nervous system respond to those memories, my brush moves. This particular piece was made over the course of 3 days, each layer of paint interacts and reacts with the previous layers, much like the consequences of David’s harmful decisions in Bathsheba’s life. 

BEHIND HE VEIL

Kathryn Jonker | Not for sale

Mixed Media

When considering art for this series, this is the passage that came to my mind: God tells King David that his child by Bathsheba would die. David fasts and earnestly prays for the child, but once the child dies, he immediately goes to the temple to worship and then eats. Originally, I wasn’t sure how to create a picture of this; I just knew that this was the story I wanted to highlight. During this time of contemplation, my cousin nearly lost his wife and newborn baby to a difficult labor coupled with influenza: our family earnestly prayed, and thankfully, both mother and baby are living and healing. Also during this time, my sister-in-law was told her 15-week-old fetus no longer had a heartbeat. Despite our prayers for a healthy daughter, she had to go into an emergency D&C to clear the dead and cure a uterine infection.

            We don’t know why God chooses to answer some supplications and not others. We don’t always understand why God allows suffering. We don’t usually get to see the picture God is making: we only see threads that, to us, look ugly. They hurt.

            David’s son died. Anyone who has felt loss knows his pain. He didn’t get to see the end of the story, the fruit of his actions, yet he praised God anyway. David didn’t know that Bathsheba’s next son Solomon would be king, and ultimately the ancestor of Jesus Christ. God was working even during the suffering.

            David didn’t get to see the end of the story, and sometimes we don’t get to see the beauty God is working through our sufferings. Despite that, may we be like David and worship God anyway, and trust He is working and loving even in this.

“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” Job 1:21, NIV

LIGHTHOUSE

Michelle Jordan | Not for sale

Watercolor on canvas (24” x 36”)

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the Horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalms 18:1-2 NIV

David of the Old Testament wrote many psalms asking for deliverance. In Psalm 18 :1-2 he gets it - and as a result he praises the Lord for that deliverance. The lighthouse painting is my representation of God as a rock, fortress, deliverer, a guiding light, and a horn-blowing Savior.

Contact Artist for Pricing

MISTY MORNING MEDITATION

Howard Thompson | Not for sale

Photograph (14x24)

This is a picture of the Grand Canyon of the Ozark’s. When I shoot, I really don’t know what I’ve gotten until I put it on the computer - and sometimes not until I get it back from the printer. When this one returned from the printer, the picture sang of the Psalms. Not the ones that ask protection for David from his enemies. Or even psalms where David is going through depression and despair. No, the photo speaks of meditation on the greatness of God and those longing to be closer to God.

This leads my to thoughts through several verses of the psalms:

“God looks down from heaven
 on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
 any who seek God.” (53: 2)

“The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” (19: 1)

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
 your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
 your justice like the great deep.” (36: 5-6)


This picture places my wife in morning mediation looking onto the mountains and valley as the sun rises - placing her between a figurative heaven and earth. For her heart does cry out to the Lord just like David. And all of us are waiting on the Lord - hoping and praying for a better and complete life in Heaven. 

Fellowship Bentonville


DAVID'S LULLABY

Brenda Godwin | $400.00

20 x 24” Oil on canvas, framed

Scripture | 1 Samuel 16: 17-19 | So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."  One of the servants answered.  " I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp.  He is a brave man and a warrior.  He speaks well and is a fine-looking man.  And the Lord is with him." Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the Sheep." 

“Melody starts deep within my soul and swells my heart and mind, flowing through my fingertips and coaxing from my instrument peace, joy, praise.  The music unfurls across the pasture, soothing the sheep to bed down for the night in safety, finding its way to the lamb that has lost his bearings. This way, Little One, just turn around. Raise your head.  The shepherd sees you; the music calls you.  Come home and sleep.” An inspirational prose by Christine Harris. 

EVEN IN THE FIRE

Haleigh Hull | $250.00

19 x 24 Ceramic mosaic, grout, wood 

Scripture | 1 Samuel 30:1-8 King James Version (KJV) So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 

 Even in the Fire is inspired by All Will Be Well by Fellowship Worship in conjunction with the story of David. Even in the Fire refers to the fires in our life but with the hope and promise that God can use these events for His will. Some fires will be inevitable, and some fires are the ones we start ourselves. I found this connection to David as he did make some poor choices that led to a city in flames. We can have faith that even in our mistakes, all will be well through Jesus and his redemption. 

EXUBERANCE

Liz Cox | $65.00

12 x 12 Collage of hand-painted and mono-print papers on panel

I imagine that David was so overjoyed at the return of the Ark that he danced before the Lord without any thought of anything else, letting the crowd fade away, offering his exuberance as an act of worship. 

I have enjoyed incorporating collage in my recent work and think of it as “painting with paper.” In this piece, I’ve used layers of painted papers to separate David and the Ark from the celebratory crowd, using bright colors to communicate the exuberance of David’s worship. 

PREPARATION

Chris Gross | Not for sale

19 x 22 Colored pencil on paper

Scripture | Samuel 17:34-37 | But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” 

 When reading this passage, v35 was surprising to me; “David went after the lion and the bear, seized it by its hair, struck and killed it and rescued the sheep from its mouth.” This explains why David was not afraid of Goliath like everyone else. 

 In God’s plan for our lives, we have lions and bears that prepare us for our defining moments. How have you been prepared to defend, rescue, or stand in light of opposition the world sees as too great to overcome? 

 

SHADOW SUCCESS

Evan Crawford | Not for sale

11 x 17 Original Poetry 

Scripture | I Samuel 17:1-51 (David and Goliath) 

Psalm 17:7 “Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.” 

Psalm 17:12 “They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.” 

Psalm 139:12 “Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” 

 Artist’s Statement: David’s battle with Goliath seemed insurmountable but was eventually won quite simply. And David gave glory to God for his victories, whether it be over a lion, bear, or a giant. Likewise, we in the Christian life battle a very real enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), yet is overcome ultimately in the hands of God. Sometimes our battles seem larger at the moment than they appear afterward (like shadows). At times they are every bit as big as we experienced! David’s faith inspires me to trust God in the skirmishes of my life and live out of the reality of Who’s I am and give God praise. His life was marked by skill, confidence, and gratitude. I am challenged to ask if I, too, am marked by these traits. 

 

THE HEART

Felicia Chenault | Not for sale

12 x 12 Watercolor and Ink 

 In 1 Samuel 16, we see David anointed and the Spirit rush upon him. Before that, we find Samuel searching for the anointed and focused on height and stature. In verse 7, we hear the Lord say to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” In Acts 13:22 we hear, “He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’” 

 We’re reminded that His ways are not my ways. His thoughts are not my thoughts. My view of success, my striving, my struggles to control and fix things. He asks me to lay it all down and give Him my heart, to trade in my ways for His ways. For His will to be done through me and for me to submit to His sovereign plan.