June 29, 2022

1 Samuel 16:6-13 (HCSB)
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before Him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” 8 Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either,” Samuel said. 9 Then Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either.” 10 After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord hasn’t chosen any of these.” 11 Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him. We won’t sit down to eat until he gets here.” 12 So Jesse sent for him. He had beautiful eyes and a healthy, handsome appearance. Then the Lord said, “Anoint him, for he is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord took control of David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

Mark Jenkins 
With Saul rejected by God as king, it was time to anoint God’s chosen successor. Samuel, like us, feared for himself when facing a call to do right when others might consider it wrong. Samuel was to find Jesse and anoint the son God chose. As Samuel looked at them, his mind went where we all go…it must be the best looking, the tallest, the strongest…But, God had other plans and stated that appearance isn’t key but what’s in a man’s heart – that’s important. David, the last son, the youngest, a shepherd, HE was the chosen one. Once God revealed his selection, Samuel anointed him and the Spirit of the Lord took control of David.  What a beautiful picture. God knows us, He knows everything. He knows our actions…many others know those, but He knows our hearts, how we truly feel and react. God sees greater potential in each of us to serve Him and His kingdom than we see in ourselves. I left you yesterday with “God wants us to study His Word, to understand Him…He wants a relationship…are we doing what God calls us to?” Do you think David was ready at this time to be king? No, but God was preparing him and He is doing the same for us!

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