Psalm 23

"And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them."

{Psalm 78:72} (NIV 1984)

How did God rescue the Israelites from the predicament of their own doing? He raised up a “shepherd”. He chose a man named David, who had integrity of heart (completely in line with God’s heart) and who had skillful hands (the skill to lead). The Bible records the skill of David. His skill in killing large numbers of the enemy. His skill at assembling an army and holding them together. His skill at tribal politics. His skill in external politics. His skill with musical instruments. His skill in making Jerusalem the centre of not only political and economic life, but also the centre of Israel’s worship life. His skill in choosing a successor. 

Make no mistake- David gave the glory to God for the skill that he had. But he had skill, and skill must be developed through practise. 

Our prayers for the deacons, elders and pastors of Parkdale, should be that God would give them skillful hands and integrity of heart, to lead us into God’s will.