DELIVERY BOY TURNED DELIVERER.
1 SAMUEL 17:1-13 / 45-50.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU FELT AS IF PEOPLE WERE LOOKING DOWN ON YOU IN A WAY THAT MADE YOU FEEL USELESS AND INSIGNIFICANT????
OR PERHAPS AS THE YOUNGEST IN THE FAMILY WHAT YOU THOUGHT OR FELT ABOUT SOMETHING DID NOT MATTER BECAUSE OTHERS THOUGHT, "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ANYTHING".
MAYBE YOU WERE PERCEIVED AND LABELLED AS BEING USEFUL FOR ONLY ONE THING OR NOTHING AND AS A RESULT YOU SAW YOURSELF AS UNIMPORTANT AND NOT WORTH VERY MUCH.
IN THIS STORY OF THE DELIVERY BOY TURNED DELIVERER WE SEE SOME OF THAT AT WORK.
BUT WE ALSO SEE SOMEONE WHO GOD VIEWED VERY DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHERS.
WE SEE THAT IN 1 SAMUEL 16:1-13.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this 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 powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
THE LORD TOLD SAMUEL HIS FAITHFUL PROPHET,
WRONG CONSIDERATION SAMUEL, WRONG CHOICE SAMUEL. YOU ARE LOOKING AT THINGS ALL WRONG.
I DON'T THINK MANY PEOPLE LIKE TO BE PROVED WRONG BUT IN THIS CASE A TRULY GREAT PROPHET OF GOD DID GET SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE HE DID NOT RELY ON GODS INSTRUCTIONS BUT THOUGHT HE WAS QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO MAKE A DECISION WITHOUT GODS INPUT.
EVEN THOUGH GOD HAD PREVIOUSLY TOLD HIM, "YOU ARE TO ANOINT FOR ME THE ONE I INDICATE."
You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
PERHAPS WE ALL NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT OUR HUMAN INSTINCTS, OUR HUMAN ABILITIES AND OUR WAYS DO NOT AND CANNOT COMPARE WITH GODS KNOWLEDGE, GODS SUPERNATURAL ABILITIES AND GODS WAYS.
"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.
MOSES GOT IT RIGHT WHEN HE SAID,
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
GODS WORKS, GODS WAYS ARE PERFECT, OUR WAY MUST GIVE WAY TO HIS WAY.
THERE IS AN OLD SAYING, "ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD".
AS HUMAN BEINGS WE ARE NATURALLY INFLUENCED BY WHAT WE PERCEIVE BY THE APPEARANCE OF THINGS.
WE CAN TRAVEL ABROAD AND BUY A ROLEX WATCH FOR A FEW POUNDS. BUT IF WE TAKE IT TO A WATCH MAKER AND ASK HIM TO LOOK INSIDE AND TELL US IF IT IS REALLY A ROLEX WATCH HE WILL SMILE AND TELL US TO WISE UP.
A GENUINE ROLEX WATCH WILL COST US HUNDREDS OF POUNDS.
WE OFTEN CANNOT HELP BUT BE INFLUENCED BY APPEARANCE BUT OFTEN THINGS, INCLUDING PEOPLE ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.
JESUS WAS NOT GENTLE NOR SYMPATHETIC TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO HE FOUND TO BE HYPOCRITES.
Matthew 23:27 “Alas for you, you hypocritical scribes and Pharisees! You are like white-washed tombs, which look fine on the outside but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all kinds of rottenness. For you appear like good men on the outside—but inside you are a mass of pretence and wickedness. (Phillips translation.)
IN THIS INSTANCE SAMUEL WAS INFLUENCED BY ELIAB'S APPEARANCE AND HEIGHT.
BUT GOD TOLD SAMUEL HIS CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING SOMEONE TO SERVE HIM.
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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart".
IT IS WHAT IS INSIDE A PERSONS HEART THAT MATTERS TO GOD, AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH APPEARANCE.
SEVEN OF JESSIE'S SONS PASSED BEFORE SAMUEL BUT THE YOUNGEST ONE AND THE CHOSEN ONE WAS NOT EVEN MENTIONED UNTIL SAMUEL ASKED, IS THIS ALL THE SONS YOU HAVE.
DAVID HAD NOT BEEN ASKED TO ATTEND THE SACRIFICE CEREMONY, HE WAS THE ONE WHO LOOKED AFTER THE DUMB SHEEP, WHY INVITE HIM??
OFTEN THE PEOPLE GOD CHOOSES TO ANOINT AND APPOINT TO SERVE HIM WOULD NOT BE OUR AUTOMATIC CHOICE.
IN FACT THEY MAY NOT EVEN BE ON OUR LIST OF HOPEFULS.
THAT IS TRUE OF MY JOURNEY TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PULPIT.
WHEN THE CHURCH REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTED ME CONCERNING PREACHING FOR THE CHURCH HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS NOT ON HIS ORIGINAL LIST OF PEOPLE TO INVITE.
IT WAS ONLY AFTER HE HAD EXHAUSTED THE NAMES OF EVERYONE ON HIS LIST AND ANOTHER PASTOR MENTIONED MY NAME TO HIM THAT I RECEIVED THE CALL.
IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE AT THAT TIME I WAS ATTENDING LURGAN ELIM CHURCH AND I WAS UNSETTLED INSIDE BECAUSE I REALLY FELT THAT GOD HAD SOMETHING MORE FOR MY LIFE BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS.
THE PASTOR WAS SHARING FROM THE STORY OF DAVID AND SAID THAT WHEN GOD HAS A SPECIFIC PLAN FOR OUR LIVES WE DON'T NEED TO JUMP UP AND DOWN TO DRAW ATTENTION TO OURSELVES. HE SAID THAT GOD KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE IN LIFE AND WHEN HE WANTS US HE WILL FIND US.
I ACCEPTED GODS WORD FOR MY LIFE THAT MORNING AND I PRAYERFULLY WAITED FOR HIS CALL AND HIS CALL WAS TO PASTOR THE CHURCH I GREW UP IN FROM A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD BOY, SIMILAR TO THE AGE OF DAVID WHEN SAMUEL ANOINTED HIM.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
ONE THIRD OF JESUS CHOSEN DISCIPLES WERE HUMBLE FISHERMEN.
THEY WERE NOT ACCLAIMED SCHOLARS, THEY WERE NOT KNOWN FOR THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS, THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SPECTACULAR FISHERMEN EITHER.
REMEMBER IN THE STORY HOW THEY TOLD JESUS THEY HAD FISHED ALL NIGHT AND STILL CAUGHT NOTHING.
IN THAT ENCOUNTER WITH PETER AND HIS BROTHER ANDREW JESUS PROPHESIED INTO THEIR LIVES. HE TOLD THEM THAT HE WOULD MAKE THEM INTO FISHERS OF MEN.
Matthew 4:18-20 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE SPEND THEIR LIVES IN THE QUEST OF MAKING THEMSELVES INTO THE PERSON THEY THINK THEY OUGHT TO BE.
I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN OUR LIVES IS FOLLOWING JESUS AND ALLOWING HIM TO MAKE US INTO THE PERSON THAT HE WANTS US TO BE.
A YOUNG SHEPHERD BOY WAS CHOSEN BY GOD TO BE HIS ANOINTED ONE. THE ONE WHO WOULD REPLACE SAUL AS KING.
Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this 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 powerfully upon David.
GODS ANOINTING AS WE WILL SEE BRINGS WITH IT, AUTHORITY, PROTECTION, DELIVERANCE, VICTORY AND SUCCESS.
FAST FORWARD NOW TO 1 SAMUEL CH 17.
KING SAUL AND THE ARMY OF ISRAEL ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE AS THEY FACE THEIR PHILISTINE ENEMIES WITH THEIR NINE FOOT GIANT WARRIOR CALLED GOLIATH SPOUTING TAUNTS AND ABUSE DAY AFTER DAY.
THEY ARE SCARED STIFF AND THERE IS NO ONE WILLING AND BRAVE ENOUGH TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FACE THIS PHILISTINE MOUTHPIECE.
IT IS INTO THIS SITUATION THAT DAVID IS SENT BY HIS FATHER JESSIE TO BRING FOOD TO THOSE OF HIS BROTHERS WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR KING SAUL AGAINST THE PHILISTINES.
1 Samuel 17:12-19 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”
IN ESSENCE DAVID WAS TO DELIVER THE SANDWICHES FOR HIS BROTHERS, SEE IF THEY WERE OK AND RETURN HOME WITH AN UPDATE OF HOW THINGS WERE GOING ON THE FRONT LINE.
A SEEMINGLY SIMPLE TASK BUT IT WOULD TURN OUT TO BE A DEFINING MOMENT IN THE YOUNG DELIVERY BOYS LIFE.
BUT BEFORE THE DEFINING MOMENT YOUNG DAVID HAD TO FACE A DEGRADING ATTACK FROM HIS OLDEST BROTHER ELIAB.
1 Samuel 17:28-29 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?
MAYBE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP AN OLDER SIBLING IN YOUR FAMILY GAVE YOU A HARD TIME FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
BUT IN DAVIDS SITUATION THE REASON FOR THE HARSH TREATMENT BY HIS OLDEST BROTHER MAY BE APPARENT.
IT IS LIKELY THAT ELIAB AS THE OLDEST SON IN THE FAMILY THOUGHT THAT HIS POSITION IN THE FAMILY SHOULD BRING HIM BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS.
DIRECTLY WITHIN THE FAMILY HIS POSITION AS OLDEST SON WOULD BRING HIM CERTAIN BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS BUT PERHAPS ELIAB THOUGHT THAT THESE BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS SHOULD EXTEND BEYOND THE HOME SETTING.
HE WAS LIKELY EMBARRASSED AND OFFENDED WHEN GOD TOLD SAMUEL NOT TO ANOINT HIM EVEN THOUGH SAMUEL WAS WILLING TO DO SO.
PERCEIVED REJECTION OFTEN LEAVES A BITTER TASTE IN SOME PEOPLES HEARTS AND MINDS.
ELIAB MAY WELL HAVE FELT THAT SOMEHOW HIS YOUNG BROTHER WHO HE PERHAPS THOUGHT WAS ONLY GOOD FOR LOOKING AFTER A FEW SHEEP AND NOT MUCH ELSE, CHEATED HIM OR ROBBED HIM OUT OF THE LORDS ANOINTING UPON HIS LIFE.
A JEALOUS HEART OFTEN CARRIES WITH IT BITTERNESS AND RESENTMENT AND I THINK THAT IS WHY ELIAB ACTED SO ANGRILY TOWARDS DAVID.
DAVID COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HE HAD DONE WRONG TO ANGER HIS BROTHER. SOMETIMES WE CAN ENCOUNTER THAT WITH PEOPLE.
THEY SEEM TO GET ANGRY WITH US OR ANNOYED WITH US FOR NO GOOD REASON. PERHAPS IT COMES FROM A JEALOUS HEART.
SAMUEL WAS A WELL KNOWN RESPECTED AND FEARED PROPHET OF GOD.
AN ANOINTING ADMINISTER BY HIM ON GODS BEHALF WOULD HAVE MEANT A GREAT DEAL TO ANYONE.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT ELIAB'S ANGER TOWARD HIS YOUNG BROTHER DAVID HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM DELIVERING THE SANDWICHES AND ASKING A FEW QUESTIONS, BUT HAD MORE TO DO WITH THE GRUDGE HE WAS CARRYING AGAINST DAVID IN HIS OWN WICKED HEART.
DELIVERY BOY TURNED DELIVERER.
YOUNG DAVID, GODS ANOINTED BECOMES THE DELIVER FOR SAUL AND HIS FRIGHTENED ARMY.
1 Samuel 17:32-37 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
"YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO GO OUT AGAINST THE PHILISTINE AND FIGHT HIM". THAT IS WHAT SAUL BELIEVED CONCERNING DAVID.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO PERHAPS HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU WHAT YOU CAN'T DO AND WHAT YOU CAN DO. WHAT YOU ARE GOOD FOR AND WHAT YOU ARE NOT GOOD FOR.
DAVID DID NOT TAKE TO HEART KING SAUL'S NEGATIVE VIEW OF WHAT HE THOUGHT HE COULD NOT DO.
SAUL DID NOT YET KNOW THAT GOD HAD CHOSEN AND ANOINTED THIS YOUNG BOY TO BE HIS SUCCESSOR.
HE DID NOT KNOW THAT SAMUEL INSTRUCTED BY THE LORD HAD ANOINTED DAVID.
I SAID EARLIER THAT GODS ANOINTING BRINGS WITH IT, AUTHORITY, PROTECTION, DELIVERANCE, VICTORY AND SUCCESS.
ALL OF THAT IS BORN OUT IN THIS EVENT IN THE LIFE OF YOUNG DAVID.
David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
DAVID HAD TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN HIS GOD. THE GOD WHO ENABLED HIM TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF A BEAR AND A LOIN.
DAVID FULLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE ANOINTING, POWER AND PRESENCE OF GOD WITH HIM MEANT IN HIS LIFE.
DAVIDS OWN BROTHER ELIAB DESPISED HIM, NOW THIS GIANT WARRIOR GOLIATH DESPISES HIM.
BUT TAKE NOTE OF THIS. IS DOES NOT MATTER ONE LITTLE BIT WHO DESPISES YOU OR BELITTLES YOU WHEN GOD HAS ANOINTED YOU FOR HIS SERVICE.
IF GOD IS FOR YOU WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU.
Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
1 Samuel 17:41-47 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
THE DELIVERY BOY DELIVERED SAUL AND HIS ARMY FROM THE PHILISTINES AND THEIR CHAMPION WARRIOR GOLIATH BECAUSE GOD HAD ANOINTED THE DELIVERY BOY AND GOD WAS HIS STRENGTH, HIS POWER AND HIS DELIVERER.
FRIENDS WE CAN BE WHATEVER GOD ANOINTS AND APPOINTS US TO BE FOR HIM.
MAYBE AS OTHERS LOOK AT US THEY DO NOT SEE ANYTHING OF WORTH OR VALUE IN OUR LIVES.
REMEMBER THAT GOD DOES NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO OUTWARD LOOKS, HE PAYS ATTENTION TO WHAT IS INSIDE OUR HEART.
BE ENCOURAGED IF YOU FEEL OVERLOOKED OR UNDER VALUED, EITHER BY FAMILY OR OTHERS.
GOD SEES YOU FOR WHO YOU REALLY ARE, NOT FOR WHO YOU APPEAR TO BE TO OTHERS.
GODS ANOINTING TRANSFORMS OUR LIVES AND ENABLES US TO LIVE AND DO ANYTHING HE DETERMINES FOR HIS KINGDOM THROUGH OUR HUMBLE LIVES.
GODS ANOINTING TURNED A SIMPLE SHEPHERD BOY AND DELIVERY BOY INTO A GREAT KING AND SERVANT OF THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.
WHO KNOWS WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH OUR SIMPLE LIVES.
AS LONG AS WE REMEMBER THAT, "THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS". DAVID KNEW THAT AND LIVED THAT.
THE SHEPHERD BOY, THE DELIVERY BOY AND THEN THE KING. PRAISE GOD FOR WHAT HE CAN DO WITH AND THROUGH OUR LIVES.
1 SAMUEL 17:1-13 / 45-50.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU FELT AS IF PEOPLE WERE LOOKING DOWN ON YOU IN A WAY THAT MADE YOU FEEL USELESS AND INSIGNIFICANT????
OR PERHAPS AS THE YOUNGEST IN THE FAMILY WHAT YOU THOUGHT OR FELT ABOUT SOMETHING DID NOT MATTER BECAUSE OTHERS THOUGHT, "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ANYTHING".
MAYBE YOU WERE PERCEIVED AND LABELLED AS BEING USEFUL FOR ONLY ONE THING OR NOTHING AND AS A RESULT YOU SAW YOURSELF AS UNIMPORTANT AND NOT WORTH VERY MUCH.
IN THIS STORY OF THE DELIVERY BOY TURNED DELIVERER WE SEE SOME OF THAT AT WORK.
BUT WE ALSO SEE SOMEONE WHO GOD VIEWED VERY DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHERS.
WE SEE THAT IN 1 SAMUEL 16:1-13.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this 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 powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
THE LORD TOLD SAMUEL HIS FAITHFUL PROPHET,
WRONG CONSIDERATION SAMUEL, WRONG CHOICE SAMUEL. YOU ARE LOOKING AT THINGS ALL WRONG.
I DON'T THINK MANY PEOPLE LIKE TO BE PROVED WRONG BUT IN THIS CASE A TRULY GREAT PROPHET OF GOD DID GET SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE HE DID NOT RELY ON GODS INSTRUCTIONS BUT THOUGHT HE WAS QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO MAKE A DECISION WITHOUT GODS INPUT.
EVEN THOUGH GOD HAD PREVIOUSLY TOLD HIM, "YOU ARE TO ANOINT FOR ME THE ONE I INDICATE."
You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
PERHAPS WE ALL NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT OUR HUMAN INSTINCTS, OUR HUMAN ABILITIES AND OUR WAYS DO NOT AND CANNOT COMPARE WITH GODS KNOWLEDGE, GODS SUPERNATURAL ABILITIES AND GODS WAYS.
"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.
MOSES GOT IT RIGHT WHEN HE SAID,
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
GODS WORKS, GODS WAYS ARE PERFECT, OUR WAY MUST GIVE WAY TO HIS WAY.
THERE IS AN OLD SAYING, "ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD".
AS HUMAN BEINGS WE ARE NATURALLY INFLUENCED BY WHAT WE PERCEIVE BY THE APPEARANCE OF THINGS.
WE CAN TRAVEL ABROAD AND BUY A ROLEX WATCH FOR A FEW POUNDS. BUT IF WE TAKE IT TO A WATCH MAKER AND ASK HIM TO LOOK INSIDE AND TELL US IF IT IS REALLY A ROLEX WATCH HE WILL SMILE AND TELL US TO WISE UP.
A GENUINE ROLEX WATCH WILL COST US HUNDREDS OF POUNDS.
WE OFTEN CANNOT HELP BUT BE INFLUENCED BY APPEARANCE BUT OFTEN THINGS, INCLUDING PEOPLE ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.
JESUS WAS NOT GENTLE NOR SYMPATHETIC TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO HE FOUND TO BE HYPOCRITES.
Matthew 23:27 “Alas for you, you hypocritical scribes and Pharisees! You are like white-washed tombs, which look fine on the outside but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all kinds of rottenness. For you appear like good men on the outside—but inside you are a mass of pretence and wickedness. (Phillips translation.)
IN THIS INSTANCE SAMUEL WAS INFLUENCED BY ELIAB'S APPEARANCE AND HEIGHT.
BUT GOD TOLD SAMUEL HIS CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING SOMEONE TO SERVE HIM.
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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart".
IT IS WHAT IS INSIDE A PERSONS HEART THAT MATTERS TO GOD, AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH APPEARANCE.
SEVEN OF JESSIE'S SONS PASSED BEFORE SAMUEL BUT THE YOUNGEST ONE AND THE CHOSEN ONE WAS NOT EVEN MENTIONED UNTIL SAMUEL ASKED, IS THIS ALL THE SONS YOU HAVE.
DAVID HAD NOT BEEN ASKED TO ATTEND THE SACRIFICE CEREMONY, HE WAS THE ONE WHO LOOKED AFTER THE DUMB SHEEP, WHY INVITE HIM??
OFTEN THE PEOPLE GOD CHOOSES TO ANOINT AND APPOINT TO SERVE HIM WOULD NOT BE OUR AUTOMATIC CHOICE.
IN FACT THEY MAY NOT EVEN BE ON OUR LIST OF HOPEFULS.
THAT IS TRUE OF MY JOURNEY TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PULPIT.
WHEN THE CHURCH REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTED ME CONCERNING PREACHING FOR THE CHURCH HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS NOT ON HIS ORIGINAL LIST OF PEOPLE TO INVITE.
IT WAS ONLY AFTER HE HAD EXHAUSTED THE NAMES OF EVERYONE ON HIS LIST AND ANOTHER PASTOR MENTIONED MY NAME TO HIM THAT I RECEIVED THE CALL.
IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE AT THAT TIME I WAS ATTENDING LURGAN ELIM CHURCH AND I WAS UNSETTLED INSIDE BECAUSE I REALLY FELT THAT GOD HAD SOMETHING MORE FOR MY LIFE BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS.
THE PASTOR WAS SHARING FROM THE STORY OF DAVID AND SAID THAT WHEN GOD HAS A SPECIFIC PLAN FOR OUR LIVES WE DON'T NEED TO JUMP UP AND DOWN TO DRAW ATTENTION TO OURSELVES. HE SAID THAT GOD KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE IN LIFE AND WHEN HE WANTS US HE WILL FIND US.
I ACCEPTED GODS WORD FOR MY LIFE THAT MORNING AND I PRAYERFULLY WAITED FOR HIS CALL AND HIS CALL WAS TO PASTOR THE CHURCH I GREW UP IN FROM A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD BOY, SIMILAR TO THE AGE OF DAVID WHEN SAMUEL ANOINTED HIM.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
ONE THIRD OF JESUS CHOSEN DISCIPLES WERE HUMBLE FISHERMEN.
THEY WERE NOT ACCLAIMED SCHOLARS, THEY WERE NOT KNOWN FOR THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS, THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SPECTACULAR FISHERMEN EITHER.
REMEMBER IN THE STORY HOW THEY TOLD JESUS THEY HAD FISHED ALL NIGHT AND STILL CAUGHT NOTHING.
IN THAT ENCOUNTER WITH PETER AND HIS BROTHER ANDREW JESUS PROPHESIED INTO THEIR LIVES. HE TOLD THEM THAT HE WOULD MAKE THEM INTO FISHERS OF MEN.
Matthew 4:18-20 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE SPEND THEIR LIVES IN THE QUEST OF MAKING THEMSELVES INTO THE PERSON THEY THINK THEY OUGHT TO BE.
I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN OUR LIVES IS FOLLOWING JESUS AND ALLOWING HIM TO MAKE US INTO THE PERSON THAT HE WANTS US TO BE.
A YOUNG SHEPHERD BOY WAS CHOSEN BY GOD TO BE HIS ANOINTED ONE. THE ONE WHO WOULD REPLACE SAUL AS KING.
Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this 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 powerfully upon David.
GODS ANOINTING AS WE WILL SEE BRINGS WITH IT, AUTHORITY, PROTECTION, DELIVERANCE, VICTORY AND SUCCESS.
FAST FORWARD NOW TO 1 SAMUEL CH 17.
KING SAUL AND THE ARMY OF ISRAEL ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE AS THEY FACE THEIR PHILISTINE ENEMIES WITH THEIR NINE FOOT GIANT WARRIOR CALLED GOLIATH SPOUTING TAUNTS AND ABUSE DAY AFTER DAY.
THEY ARE SCARED STIFF AND THERE IS NO ONE WILLING AND BRAVE ENOUGH TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FACE THIS PHILISTINE MOUTHPIECE.
IT IS INTO THIS SITUATION THAT DAVID IS SENT BY HIS FATHER JESSIE TO BRING FOOD TO THOSE OF HIS BROTHERS WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR KING SAUL AGAINST THE PHILISTINES.
1 Samuel 17:12-19 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”
IN ESSENCE DAVID WAS TO DELIVER THE SANDWICHES FOR HIS BROTHERS, SEE IF THEY WERE OK AND RETURN HOME WITH AN UPDATE OF HOW THINGS WERE GOING ON THE FRONT LINE.
A SEEMINGLY SIMPLE TASK BUT IT WOULD TURN OUT TO BE A DEFINING MOMENT IN THE YOUNG DELIVERY BOYS LIFE.
BUT BEFORE THE DEFINING MOMENT YOUNG DAVID HAD TO FACE A DEGRADING ATTACK FROM HIS OLDEST BROTHER ELIAB.
1 Samuel 17:28-29 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?
MAYBE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP AN OLDER SIBLING IN YOUR FAMILY GAVE YOU A HARD TIME FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
BUT IN DAVIDS SITUATION THE REASON FOR THE HARSH TREATMENT BY HIS OLDEST BROTHER MAY BE APPARENT.
IT IS LIKELY THAT ELIAB AS THE OLDEST SON IN THE FAMILY THOUGHT THAT HIS POSITION IN THE FAMILY SHOULD BRING HIM BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS.
DIRECTLY WITHIN THE FAMILY HIS POSITION AS OLDEST SON WOULD BRING HIM CERTAIN BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS BUT PERHAPS ELIAB THOUGHT THAT THESE BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS SHOULD EXTEND BEYOND THE HOME SETTING.
HE WAS LIKELY EMBARRASSED AND OFFENDED WHEN GOD TOLD SAMUEL NOT TO ANOINT HIM EVEN THOUGH SAMUEL WAS WILLING TO DO SO.
PERCEIVED REJECTION OFTEN LEAVES A BITTER TASTE IN SOME PEOPLES HEARTS AND MINDS.
ELIAB MAY WELL HAVE FELT THAT SOMEHOW HIS YOUNG BROTHER WHO HE PERHAPS THOUGHT WAS ONLY GOOD FOR LOOKING AFTER A FEW SHEEP AND NOT MUCH ELSE, CHEATED HIM OR ROBBED HIM OUT OF THE LORDS ANOINTING UPON HIS LIFE.
A JEALOUS HEART OFTEN CARRIES WITH IT BITTERNESS AND RESENTMENT AND I THINK THAT IS WHY ELIAB ACTED SO ANGRILY TOWARDS DAVID.
DAVID COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HE HAD DONE WRONG TO ANGER HIS BROTHER. SOMETIMES WE CAN ENCOUNTER THAT WITH PEOPLE.
THEY SEEM TO GET ANGRY WITH US OR ANNOYED WITH US FOR NO GOOD REASON. PERHAPS IT COMES FROM A JEALOUS HEART.
SAMUEL WAS A WELL KNOWN RESPECTED AND FEARED PROPHET OF GOD.
AN ANOINTING ADMINISTER BY HIM ON GODS BEHALF WOULD HAVE MEANT A GREAT DEAL TO ANYONE.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT ELIAB'S ANGER TOWARD HIS YOUNG BROTHER DAVID HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM DELIVERING THE SANDWICHES AND ASKING A FEW QUESTIONS, BUT HAD MORE TO DO WITH THE GRUDGE HE WAS CARRYING AGAINST DAVID IN HIS OWN WICKED HEART.
DELIVERY BOY TURNED DELIVERER.
YOUNG DAVID, GODS ANOINTED BECOMES THE DELIVER FOR SAUL AND HIS FRIGHTENED ARMY.
1 Samuel 17:32-37 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
"YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO GO OUT AGAINST THE PHILISTINE AND FIGHT HIM". THAT IS WHAT SAUL BELIEVED CONCERNING DAVID.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO PERHAPS HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU WHAT YOU CAN'T DO AND WHAT YOU CAN DO. WHAT YOU ARE GOOD FOR AND WHAT YOU ARE NOT GOOD FOR.
DAVID DID NOT TAKE TO HEART KING SAUL'S NEGATIVE VIEW OF WHAT HE THOUGHT HE COULD NOT DO.
SAUL DID NOT YET KNOW THAT GOD HAD CHOSEN AND ANOINTED THIS YOUNG BOY TO BE HIS SUCCESSOR.
HE DID NOT KNOW THAT SAMUEL INSTRUCTED BY THE LORD HAD ANOINTED DAVID.
I SAID EARLIER THAT GODS ANOINTING BRINGS WITH IT, AUTHORITY, PROTECTION, DELIVERANCE, VICTORY AND SUCCESS.
ALL OF THAT IS BORN OUT IN THIS EVENT IN THE LIFE OF YOUNG DAVID.
David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
DAVID HAD TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN HIS GOD. THE GOD WHO ENABLED HIM TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF A BEAR AND A LOIN.
DAVID FULLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE ANOINTING, POWER AND PRESENCE OF GOD WITH HIM MEANT IN HIS LIFE.
DAVIDS OWN BROTHER ELIAB DESPISED HIM, NOW THIS GIANT WARRIOR GOLIATH DESPISES HIM.
BUT TAKE NOTE OF THIS. IS DOES NOT MATTER ONE LITTLE BIT WHO DESPISES YOU OR BELITTLES YOU WHEN GOD HAS ANOINTED YOU FOR HIS SERVICE.
IF GOD IS FOR YOU WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU.
Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
1 Samuel 17:41-47 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
THE DELIVERY BOY DELIVERED SAUL AND HIS ARMY FROM THE PHILISTINES AND THEIR CHAMPION WARRIOR GOLIATH BECAUSE GOD HAD ANOINTED THE DELIVERY BOY AND GOD WAS HIS STRENGTH, HIS POWER AND HIS DELIVERER.
FRIENDS WE CAN BE WHATEVER GOD ANOINTS AND APPOINTS US TO BE FOR HIM.
MAYBE AS OTHERS LOOK AT US THEY DO NOT SEE ANYTHING OF WORTH OR VALUE IN OUR LIVES.
REMEMBER THAT GOD DOES NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO OUTWARD LOOKS, HE PAYS ATTENTION TO WHAT IS INSIDE OUR HEART.
BE ENCOURAGED IF YOU FEEL OVERLOOKED OR UNDER VALUED, EITHER BY FAMILY OR OTHERS.
GOD SEES YOU FOR WHO YOU REALLY ARE, NOT FOR WHO YOU APPEAR TO BE TO OTHERS.
GODS ANOINTING TRANSFORMS OUR LIVES AND ENABLES US TO LIVE AND DO ANYTHING HE DETERMINES FOR HIS KINGDOM THROUGH OUR HUMBLE LIVES.
GODS ANOINTING TURNED A SIMPLE SHEPHERD BOY AND DELIVERY BOY INTO A GREAT KING AND SERVANT OF THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.
WHO KNOWS WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH OUR SIMPLE LIVES.
AS LONG AS WE REMEMBER THAT, "THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS". DAVID KNEW THAT AND LIVED THAT.
THE SHEPHERD BOY, THE DELIVERY BOY AND THEN THE KING. PRAISE GOD FOR WHAT HE CAN DO WITH AND THROUGH OUR LIVES.
