Let us see what God sees
March 25, 2009 (Wednesday)
In reading through the Bible this year, I have reached 1 Samuel, and today I read again the story of God’s selection of David as heir to the throne of Israel.
It was Samuel’s job to anoint him as king. When he went to Bethlehem to find the new king, he did not know which of Jesse’s son it would be. Jesse was honored that one of his sons would be the choice. As Samuel met each of the young men, he listened for the voice of God to tell him if that was the one chosen of God. “Samuel took one look at Eliab (the oldest son), and thought, “Here he is! GOD’s anointed!” But GOD told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. GOD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart” (1 Samuel 16:5-7 The Message).
David was the youngest, and so young that Jesse left him out there in the countryside tending the sheep because he didn’t think his youngest son was old enough to be considered. When David was brought before Samuel, it was clear to him that this was the one God had chosen. He anointed David as king, then everyone went his way back to the activities of the day.
Everyone there seemed to treat the annointing as ordinary, but the day was extra special. David was to become “a man after God’s heart,” meaning his heart beat in sync with God’s heart, he wanted whatever God wanted. We get it wrong so many times as we go by what we hear and see rather than asking God what he wants. Samuel was surprised that David was to be the new king, as was David’s father, Jesse, and all his brothers. No doubt the same sentiments prevailed among all who knew the boy.
Their first impression was totally wrong. We need to remember every day that God’s evaluations may differ from ours, and his are the ones that count. May our daily prayer always be, “Oh, Lord, help us to want what you want.”