Power Point - January 31, 2006
January 31, 2006
Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”
…So [Jesse] sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” --1 Samuel 16:10,12
After all seven sons paraded before Samuel, Jesse finally admitted there was one more, his youngest, tending the sheep in the fields. When Samuel saw David, he immediately anointed him as the chosen one of God. No one could have imagined it. He was not popular with his brothers, his father ignored him, and he was a little strange always. He was constantly gazing up into the heavens and trying to comprehend the incomprehensible.
But God’s choice was contrary to human reason, conditioned upon the heart response of David, and characterized by heavenly recognition. You can be educated, polished, and refined, and also still be futile, foolish, and fruitless. Self is the enemy of service, and many people do not understand what that means. We are to daily die to ourselves — no matter our appearance, position, or status — and follow and serve Jesus!
Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Like David, you may be small and seemingly insignificant in this life. And you also may be totally unaware of the high calling God has upon your life.
God wants to use you and He cannot do great and mighty things in your life until you surrender to Him. In David, God made a king out of a pauper because he had a believing, willing, courageous, pure, grateful, and settled heart. When your heart is right with God, you determine to obey and serve Him in your circumstances, whatever they may be, and you surrender all to His Lordship, then He will lift you up to new heights and enlarge your service for Him.
WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS? DAVID, BOTH ANOINTED AND BLESSED BY THE LORD, HAD HIS HEART FIXED ON GOD. IT’S NOT TOO LATE — GOD’S CALLING YOU.
