September 14, 2020
I greet and bless you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of 1 Samuel 16:7, “ But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” From the above context we understand that our God does not look for appearance but He looks at our heart. When Samuel the Prophet, had anointed Saul as king, it was his tall stature and good looks that caught the prophet’s attention and yet Saul turned out to be a real disappointment to Samuel, for his heart was not pure before the Lord – but as this messenger of God came to anoint one of the sons of Jesse – as God’s chosen king, we discover Samuel to once again judge the quality of the Israel’s future king, by his outward appearance and not by the inner attitude and motive of his heart – but the Lord doesn’t see things the way man see things. People judge by outward appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart. When Samuel looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. Even the best of men will look at the outward appearance. It was also an exhortation to godly thinking. God told Samuel, “Your natural inclination is to only judge on outward appearance. But I can judge the heart that you can’t see. So, look to me. Samuel learnt to seek the LORD and seek God’s heart and mind when looking at people. : God told Samuel that He had not chosen any of the seven sons of Jesse attending the feast. It wasn’t that these sons of Jesse were bad men, but they were not God’s choice. God had a man in mind different from Samuel’s or Jesse’s expectation. Samuel then inquires if Jesse had another son. Then Jesse said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” This shows the low regard David had among his own family. First, his father didn’t even mention him by name. Second, he wasn’t even invited to the sacrificial feast. Third, he was only called to come because Samuel insisted on it. . When we learn that David was the youngest of the eight sons, we also find that he was underestimated by his father and his brothers. He had very low regard in his own family. It wasn’t because David’s character or conduct was unworthy, it was simply because he was the youngest of eight sons and he was tending his father’s sheep. Thus we see that God had not chosen any of Jesse’s older sons. God often chooses unlikely people to do His work, so that all know that it is God’s work, not man’s work. He wants to work in a way so that people regard His servants with high esteem as they regarded Samson: they wondered at the secret of his strength. You may not be intellectual or well thought of in your family circle; you may be despised by others for your faith in Christ. Perhaps you had only a little share in the love of your parents, as David did. But remember that those who are rejected of men often become beloved of the Lord.” David was called for this great anointing when he was out keeping the sheep. David simply did his job and was faithful in small things and what his father told him to do. Keeping the sheep was a servant’s job. While Keeping the sheep David spent a lot of time looking over the sheep and looking at the glory of God’s creation. God built in him a heart to sing about His glory in all creation While keeping the sheep David had a special heart, a special care. He knew how sheep needed the care and help of a good shepherd. He learned that he was a sheep and God was his shepherd. During these years, God built in David the heart that would sing about the LORD as his shepherd as in Psalm 23 . David had to trust God in the midst of danger. David had lions and bears and wolves to contend with and the sheep had to be protected. “The country round Bethlehem was not a peaceful paradise, and the career of a shepherd was not an easy life . David’s years as a shepherd boy were not waiting time; they were training time. David was a great man and a great king over Israel because he never lost his shepherd’s heart. Hence God chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that had young .He brought him, to shepherd Jacob, His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands as a King ,over Israel for forty years. God is calling you for a greater purpose. Your Father or brothers may not know that, God had chosen you. You may hold a low post in your office or may be of low profile. Your height and looks does not matter to God. David was called for this great anointing when he was out keeping the sheep. David simply did his job and was faithful in small things and what his father told him to do. Do sincerely what you are told to do. God will exalt you in His time. Be cheerful in the Lord and rejoice in Him even though you may have to go through much struggles, God will glorify you. God bless you. Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Loving Father, thank You for this warning not to rely on outward appearances, knowing that the heart of man can be so deceitful. Help us to keep our mind fixed on Jesus, so that we may be pleasing in Your sight. Thank You for being so good to David. Even though he was despised by his father and his brethren, You loved him. You helped him to protect his sheep and gave him strength to fight the lions, bears and wolves. You thus prepared him to fight Goliath the Philistine, who came against the people of God. My Dear Lord, have mercy on us and help us to be committed to God in our lives, like David, who was a man after your own heart.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
