(Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” We already looked at a portion of the life of Moses. Now let’s look at another grace case: David. Before we begin to read about David in 1st Samuel chapter 16, I like to have people read chapter 15. In chapter 15 the Lord, through the prophet Samuel, told king Saul to attack and utterly destroy Amelek for attacking Israel when they came out of Egypt. He was to kill everyone and destroy all possessions, to include all animals. Saul, however, chose to spare Agag, the Amelekite king and he also spared the best of the animals. Saul decided that he wanted to make a sacrifice to the Lord with these animals. God sent Samuel again to Saul, but this time to inform him that he no longer had God’s favor. The prophet told the king that he was no longer “little in his own eyes” and he had somehow arrived at the point where he thought he could disobey, or dismiss, God’s commands. Samuel said, “Obedience is better than Sacrifice.” When Samuel left the king he never went back to see him until the day of his death. This truly grieved the prophet, because he truly loved Saul.
In the next chapter the Lord told the prophet Samuel to visit Jesse’ house, because He had selected one of Jesse’ boys to be Saul’s replacement; the next king of Israel. Jesse hailed from the tribe of Judah, he was a great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth, and he lived in Bethlehem. Samuel knew that if king Saul found out that he was going to Bethlehem to anoint his replacement, Saul would have him killed. So Samuel took an animal for sacrifice, to make his trip look like a routine act of worship. When the prophet arrived in Bethlehem he told the town Elders that he was there for a sacrifice. Samuel then proceeded to Jesse’s house and he asked Jesse to join in, with his sons, in the purification rite normally performed before a proper sacrifice. The text says that Jesse and his sons joined in the purification ritual; I will bring this back up later.
Once everyone was ceremonially clean, Samuel was ready to make his selection. However, before he left for his trip the Lord clearly said to him, “You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” You would think that a prophet would not need to be reminded of this, but there was a reason the Lord said it. As Samuel stood there, looking at Jesse and his boys, Samuel could not help but be impressed with Jesse’s eldest son, Eliab. Samuel thought to himself, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” Samuel was impressed with how good Eliab looked, but the Lord said, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” After Eliab was rejected by God, Jesse went to the next son Abinadab, and the next, and the next, until he had gone through all seven sons. At this point Samuel was confused. He asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse had to admit that he had another son, the youngest, David, but he was out tending the sheep. Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. When the Lord gives you clear instructions, don’t come up with something you think is a better idea.
2. What God has for you, is for you. No one can take your blessing.
3. Even when people don’t think enough about you to even put your name in the running, God has a way of picking you anyway.
4. When you least expect it, while you are doing what you normally do — in this case it was tending sheep — the Lord can bless you and change your life forever.
Closing Confession: Father, like David, I know You have destined me for Your purpose. I am no mistake. I am here for a reason and the doors of opportunity will open for me. While I am waiting on You, I will continue to be faithful to what I am charged to do. I will do what I am expected to do, in excellence, every day, even when it seems like no one is watching. I know You are watching and I know You will open the door of favor in Your timing. What You have for me, is for me, and You will not give it to anyone else. So I will wait patiently, expectantly, and faithfully. When I least expect it, my breakthrough will come and my life will be changed forever. Understanding this I can work faithfully, and whistle while I work! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
