Facing Your Giants 1 Samuel 16
Chapter 2 tells of the chapter in David's life long before his encounter with Goliath. Samuel was sent to Bethlehem to anoint Saul's replacement as King of Israel. God directs Samuel to Jesse's house where seven of Jesse's eight sons come before Samuel. Not a bad looking bunch. Samuel thinks of Eliab, "Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD,” but God said, "No". The reason? "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 As almost an afterthought, Samuel mentions to Jesse, "Are you sure this is all of your sons?" Jesse then "remembers" David who is tending sheep in the field.
As soon as David was brought before Samuel, God said, "He's the one. Anoint him." The forgotten one was the chosen one. The last was first. The least was greatest.
There have been times in my Christian walk I have felt lesser to those who can sing, preach or run a lay ministry. But this chapter in David's life reminds us that God can and many times does choose what the world would see as the "lesser" to do the greater works for Him. A trumpet solo on Sunday morning- cool, dramatic, uplifting. Purchasing an Angel Food basket for a family- not cool, not dramatic, but fills little tummies, maybe gets mom and dad by until that next check arrives.
God looks deeper than the outward appearance of a person. I don't imagine God is too impressed with a BMW or a Ralph Lauren logo on a shirt. Who's logo is on my heart? That's the most important question.
Great insights concerning lesser and greater. Interesting thought about logos. What if every piece of clothing I own had a fish or cross logo? What if every restaurant tip had a note attached that said "God loves you?" What if every "How ya doing" was answered with "I'm doing great. God's blessing me really good?" What if every interaction was concluded with a silent "Please bless him, Lord?"
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