Are you craving a word from God this evening? I am! Today we will move into 1 Samuel 16. This is where David enters the picture for the first time. Please read this chapter with me and let's see what God may be wanting us to take away from this. This is Michele, by the way, and this is what I hear God impressing upon me:
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (v. 7)
Well, that could be good or bad depending on what you see, Lord, when you look at my heart. It's good because I don't have to impress you with the way I look on the outside, the clothes I wear, the way I do my hair or the shape of my body. But, it's bad because you do see what the real me is all about. There are times when I know I'm not very pretty on the inside. You see my desire to share your love with others but you also see me at my worst when I'm not showing your love. Sometimes even to those I love the most. You see it all! Nothing can I hide from you.
....And the Lord said, "This is the one, anoint him."
So as David stood among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. (v. 12-13)
Did you pick David because you saw him as perfect? I have to think no because you know all and were very aware of the sin David would find himself in as time went on. This is very encouraging to me because even though David was far less than perfect you called him "A man after your own heart". I want to be a woman after your own heart. A woman whose desire for relationship with you is the most important goal in my life in spite of my frequent slip-ups. I want to leave a legacy of faith for those who follow behind me. I want to be real about my imperfections. No hiding and acting as if I'm perfect. Nothing can I hide from you. So, since you see all, I may as well bring my whole self to you and ask you to help me change the parts of me that are less than desirable. That's what David did in many of the Psalms.
One of the servants said to Saul, "One of Jesse's sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that- he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him." (v. 18)
What an honor to be thought of in that way. The qualities described here are top notch. God, your awesome presence was obviously evident in David. So much so that the servant's pointed this out in explaining to Saul who David was.
Although you see your children exactly as they are, you continue to love us anyway. That's the good news!
Please share with us any comments that you may have. It's always great to hear how God speaks to each one of us in his Word.
The human heart is indeed a mystery. It can be so loving and noble at times and so full of darkness at others. And more than anything else, the condition of our hearts will determine the way our life goes. Only God can change our hearts. It was David who wrote, "Create in me a clean heart, O God..." That's the kind of prayer that God will always answer if it's prayed with sincerity and consistency. Great post, Michele. Thank you!
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