2 Samuel 8:13
“And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomitesh in the Valley of Salt.”
David was a warrior. It started in his youth. He was shepherding the family sheep when a lion came. At a different time a bear came. He killed both predictors. We weren't informed how he did it. Probably with the sling. He described the situation as the Lord delivering them into his hand.
Later, he was delivering lunch to his brothers at an army encampment when David heard Goliath taunting the entire army of Israel. As he heard this, he said, "Who is this philistine that he taunts the army of God. What would be done to the man who defeats him?" Saul hears of it and calls him over. David says he'll fight the giant. Saul gives him the ok. Which is crazy, as he is handing the fate of the nation over to a high school sophomore.
The fight begins with David running to the battle line, takes out a stone from his bag and slings it at Goliath. It says it sank into his forehead. David takes the giant's sword and cuts his head off. Israel charges the philistines and they are defeated. This is how David was introduced to the nation of Israel.
God made a name for David. God put great faith in David. He knew all of this was God's doing. For the next decade or so David was on the run from Saul and his army. He knew David would be the next king and he wanted him eliminated. This must have kept David humble from such great accomplishments and popularity.
Saul and Jonathon are killed in battle and David becomes king of Judah. A few years later he becomes king of all Israel. He brings the ark of God to Jerusalem and the people devote themselves to God by David's example. God further makes a name for him.
David did big things. He was equipped by God and groomed with particular circumstances. Once he was ready, he was promoted to the next circumstance and would grow into it. This happened again and again.
God has plans for all His children. Some will be great, others won't be. Some are meant to be the small parts. Just as many parts of the body are inside and their function isn't seen. However they are important to the body and are prized by God. Some are given ten talents, others are given one. The important part is that they are used.
God will make a name for all of us to the extent necessary. The ultimate purpose is for God to be glorified and people to be brought to Christ. We all have a sphere of influence. He will use us in that context. He will give us favor for those He wants to reach. He knows how to knit circumstances to draw others to Him.
The Lord will make a name for us to the extent He wants to reach those around us. Sometimes it's big, other times just enough. We are quite clear it's not our doing. We have had many circumstances that have taught us that it's Him, not us. We don't take the credit, but praise Him.
Lord, thank You for how You work. You've given us David to be a hero and to bless us. You've given us a name to aide others. Help us to praise You and to be a blessing. Thank You.