Monday 26 May 2008

DAILY BYTE

Over the next two weeks we’ll be exploring the story of David, the shepherd boy who became Israel’s greatest king. In his story, we can find echoes of our own stories, for David, like all of us, was a complex person. In him we see a mixture of humanity at its very best and its very worst. But throughout the story of his life, the good times and the bad, God was a constant, steadfast and faithful presence. I hope that these reflections over these next two weeks will enable you to recognize the constant, steadfast and faithful presence of God in every dimension of your life. (I must acknowledge my indebtedness to Jim Harnish for many of the thoughts upon which these devotions are based.)

David’s story starts when the LORD sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, to anoint one of his sons as the future king of Israel. Samuel knew the routine, he knew what to look for in a king. He had already anointed Saul, the first king of Israel, who was “…an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites – a head taller than the others.” (1Sam 9:2)

So when Samuel saw the first of Jesse’s sons, a strapping hunk by the name of Eliab, he thought that he had found his man. But God said to him, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him!” (1 Sam 16:7). Clearly, God had other ideas and a different agenda. And so one by one, all of Jesse’s sons were paraded before Samuel, but none of them got the nod.

Finally, Samuel asks Jesse if he has any other sons. That’s when David is remembered, although he isn’t even mentioned by name but is simply referred to as “the youngest”. But when he arrived and Samuel laid eyes on him, God enabled him to see something in David that no one else had seen. For there was within this kid the hidden potential for greatness. There was a great and awesome destiny that lay before him. God’s calling was upon his life. And so Samuel anointed David with oil and we read that “…from that day the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power” (1 Sam 16:13).

Tomorrow, we’ll explore the implications of God’s calling upon our lives and how, like David, it’s not the external things about us but what’s inside that matters most to God.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Gracious God, in a world that is so obsessed with external appearances, I thank you that you look much deeper within to what is inside of me. Thank you that you see me not as the world sees me, but you see all of my hidden God-given potential, and my destiny for true greatness. Amen.

FOCUS SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 16:5-13

Samuel 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 man looks at. Man looks 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, "but he is tending the sheep."

Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."

So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he 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 upon David in power.