“I’m not much good for nothing!” Have you ever felt that way? Have you been so down in the dumps that you felt you needed to look up to see bottom? Well, let me set you straight this morning … God created you for His purpose! You – and you alone – have exactly what God wants in you. God does not make mistakes – and He uses you and me as HE SEES FIT – pardon my yelling.
Our study passage today is about when Samuel anointed David to be King of Israel. A little background:
Israel was a theocracy that was led by judges. But the people decided they wanted to be a kingdom because “everybody else” was a kingdom. God relented … and Saul was named King. But while Saul had some good attributes, he wasn’t obedient to God. So God decided to replace Saul. We pick up the story as follows:
1 Samuel 16
Samuel Anoints David
1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “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.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
David had a lot of brothers who looked far more capable than he … but God did not intend for His people to be led by any of David’s brothers … He intended for David to be King. Why? God had examined the heart of each of the ones who stood before Him … and He knew who He wanted. Does that mean that David’s brothers were worthless? NO!!! God had a different plan for each one of David’s brothers … and fulfilled that plan when the brothers were obedient to Him.
So what do we take from this? God has a plan for Y-O-U. He doesn’t intend for someone else to take your place – so don’t let them. Step up to the plate! Give God your life … and allow Him to bless you with what He has set before you.
Now we all know that David’s life wasn’t a bed of roses from that point on. And we also know that David had as many flaws as the next guy. But God knew that David’s true desire was to serve God – even in the midst of David’s failures. And God was faithful to David for all of his earthly existence. God knows your heart too. And He doesn’t promise that our lives will be easy. But He does promise to be faithfully by our side. And that makes me feel good today.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
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