Over the past several months, I have been reacquainting myself with one of my favorite Old Testament characters: David. My reading started in 1 Samuel 16 when Samuel was asked by God to find a new king. God had rejected Saul as the king over Israel. Samuel was asked by God to obey and trust him, and that is exactly what God asks of us. What we need to remember in our faith journey is that we can only count on him, because God will never lead us astray.
Samuel went to Bethlehem and met with Jesse and his sons. God showed Samuel which son he was to anoint as the next king. I find it very interesting in 1 Samuel 16:7 where it reads, “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.’” Samuel couldn’t help but judge the man by his appearance. This is a reminder to us that we must continually ask God for his wisdom, for only God sees the heart of a man.
God chose David because of his heart, his humility, and his servant attitude. I need to ask myself daily: Am I humble; do I respect those in charge; do I care who gets the credit? God picked David because of his humble attitude to his God and to others. God loved his servant heart. As I continue to read through 1 and 2 Samuel, I understand more about David and why God called him a “man after God’s own heart”. I would encourage you to join me and reacquaint yourself with David and perhaps you will be challenged also to draw closer to our Savior.
I cannot help but think of David’s words in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
We are living in uncharted territory and times now, and perhaps you have anxious thoughts and fear. Let’s together ask God to lead, guide, and direct us moment by moment, day by day. His promises are as true today as they were with David.