Anionted!

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. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." 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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." -- 1 Samuel 16:5-7 NIV


I've written a bunch over the past few days about us embracing our true nature which is God's nature. I strongly believe that is key to realizing a life that is fully devoted to following Christ and that being fully devoted is the way to Heaven. With that in mind, I want to take the next few days taking a look at the life of David.

David began life as simple shepherd, the youngest of Jesse's sons. Our story picks up with the verses above after Samuel has been sent to Bethlehem by God to find Israel's true king. King Saul had proven himself unfaithful to God but he had been the king the people wanted, so God gave them their wish. Now, it was time to set things in motion to put the blood line on the throne that would lead to Jesus.

Samuel took one look at one of David's older brothers and thought that he would surely be the man God would appoint as king, but God tells him "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at." God had a much bigger plan than Samuel could see. As He always does, God chooses to transform the least of us into the strongest that His magnificence would be displayed and not ours.

I've been telling you repeatedly not to believe the things the world will say about you. You might think I was focusing on the bad things, but I meant the good things too. Don't let the world tell you how awesome you are for having done something good either! Listening to that praise and keeping it for yourself is just as bad for you as believing the bad things they say. Recognizing that every good thing we do comes from God is a means of staying humble and serves to spread God's love at the same time.

We were anointed, you and I, to do meaningful things throughout our lives. We may not be chosen to be a king or maybe not even famous, but our work is no less important. Think about it. Jesse receives very little credit for anything except giving birth to David, but he was a critical component in David's creation and upbringing. David's brothers certainly had a hand in his development as a young boy. We all have roles to play and that role changes as the circumstances of our lives change, but God is central to all of it. He doesn't see you the way anyone else sees you. He knows your true self and what your full potential is. He's prepared you for the things you've already done and is preparing you now for the things you have yet to do.

We'll learn more about David's life over the coming days but understand this. God knew David would be Israel's true king long before he appointed Saul to the post. He knew how David would need to be prepared to be king and be sure a variety of people and means were used to do just that and likewise with each of us. It's part of what makes God so awesome! For today, here is how the beginning of David's story ends...

So he (Samuel) asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down [a] until he arrives." So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." 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 upon David in power. -- 1 Samuel 16:11-13 NIV