1
Samuel chapter 16 provides a great example of how we are so limited
in our ability to see past the “outer man” to know
what is in a man’s heart. Remember in the previous chapter God had
rejected Saul as king over Israel because of his partial obedience to
God. The chapter begins with the Lord’s rebuke of Samuel the
priest, “How
long will you mourn for Saul since I have rejected him as king?”
Spiritually we tend to look backward when we are in a difficult
place. We often try to relive events and actions that brought us
close to God sometime in the past. Our God desires newness in our
relationship. God explains, “I
am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons
to be the king over Israel“.
Later in the chapter we read the sad words, “The
Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul“.
When someone is unwilling to follow God’s direction, He will
simply work His will through another. It has been said; the only
ability God needs in His servants is availability!
God
directed Samuel, “You
are to anoint for Me the one that I indicate“.
I love Samuel’s reaction. “Samuel
did what the Lord said”
without hesitation because God promised, “I
will show you what to do“.
This mature faith no longer questions God’s motives. Mature faith
trusts God simply because God is trustworthy. It is very interesting
to note the reaction of the people of Bethlehem when Samuel arrived,
“The
elders trembled when they met him“.
They asked, “Do
you come in peace?”
That is not the reaction of a people that are honoring God in their
actions. They seem to fear Samuel will bring judgment. To the
contrary, God is looking for someone to BLESS. “For
the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those
whose hearts are fully committed to him”
(2 Chronicles 16:9).
The old priest said, “Consecrate
yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me“.
Everyone is invited; all he asked is that they come with the right
attitude.
When
the sons of Jesse arrived, Samuel immediately picked one out of the
crowd and thought, “Surely
the Lords anointed stands before me“.
In contrast to the choice of King Saul, this time Samuel is
instructed, “Do
not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him“.
God pointed out our biggest human fault, “Man
looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart“.
Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said,
“The
Lord has not chosen these“.
Puzzled, the old priest asked, “Are
these all the sons you have?”
Jesse had one son that was so unqualified by human standards, that
he did not even invite him. “There
is still the youngest… but he is tending the sheep“.
When David arrived, the Lord said, “Arise
and anoint him; he is the one“.
Samuel anointed David with oil and we read, “The
Spirit of the Lord came upon David with power“.
Regardless of how you see your outward appearance, God desires to
work through your life today with power. We are all busy “tending
the sheep” in our lives, but God desires to anoint you too. Are
you willing?