Focus
Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.
Read
1 Samuel 16:11-13 (NRSV)
Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
Reflect
When I professed faith in Christ at the age of 17, I would have laughed if someone had told me that I would be serving as a Hospice chaplain and a pastor in just 18 years. Seeing how God works outside of our definitions and expectations amazes me. In the above verses, Samuel experienced an example of God working in an unexpected way.
Israel’s first king, Saul, had turned away from God, so God told Samuel to anoint a new king. Following God’s instructions, Samuel went to Bethlehem to offer a sacrifice. Among those he invited to join him for the sacrifice were Jesse and his sons.
Knowing that God had chosen a new king from among the sons of Jesse, Samuel looked upon each one, thinking, Surely, this is the one God has chosen. Each time God said, “No.” When Samuel had met all of Jesse’s sons, God still had not identified the new king. So, Samuel asks if any of his sons is not present. Jesse’s response was, in effect, “Yeah, the youngest one is out in the fields. It’s his job to take care of the sheep. He isn’t important enough to be here.” Samuel insisted that this youngest son be summoned from the fields immediately.
Just imagine being out in the field. It was lonely. David was perhaps playing his harp as he watched the sheep graze. Then a messenger arrived and told David to join his father and brothers at a sacrifice Samuel was hosting. When Samuel saw David, God told him, “This is the one.” David became king, even though he was originally overlooked. He was called “a man after God’s own heart” and was the beginning of the kingly line through which Jesus came. Let the story of David remind you that God often looks past what we see and uses what we overlook.
Pray
God of David, help us to be open to your Spirit’s work. Let us remember that you look upon the heart. Help us not to judge the outward appearance and to celebrate the work that you are doing in our world. Amen.
Go with God.
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