...though not in the sight of others
King David was a courageous, mighty warrior. But he didn't start out that way. From the looks of him, there were far better men to be king; men who actually looked 'kingly' with their might and stature. Men who other men actually saw as leaders.
When Samuel first saw Eliab, he was sure he was the one God had chosen. But God told 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” (1 Samuel 16:7). After evaluating all seven sons, all of which they thought could be God's chosen one, God tells Samuel, "The Lord has not chosen any of these." And so Samuel asks Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" Jesse replies, “There is still the youngest. But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” Samuel tells Jesse,"Send for him at once...We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
Jesse's "But" said it all. Oh, yeah, uh, I have another son, my youngest, BUT he's out watching the animals. David wasn't even a contender in the 'race.' Matter of fact, he wasn't even in the race! But David was never last draft-pick or king by default, no, he was always first round pick by God's standard, even though he was eighth by man's. What a testament to how much our 'vision' can be off!
In Isaiah 55:8-9, God tells us, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
What are you thinking or seeing from a humanly perspective? Who or what are you resigning to the 'pasture' instead of putting up for the 'kingdom?' Perhaps you're the one who has been put out in the 'field' while others are put up for promotion. Find comfort in the truth that promotion comes from God alone (Psalms 75:6-7) and that he will promote you in due time.
How incredible that God took a boy, a mere 'Shepard,' who man didn't even consider in the ring for king, and elevated him to be leader of an entire nation, God's choice nation! God saw David as he would be, not as he was. What is God possibly calling you to based on who you will be, not who you currently are?
When Samuel first saw Eliab, he was sure he was the one God had chosen. But God told 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” (1 Samuel 16:7). After evaluating all seven sons, all of which they thought could be God's chosen one, God tells Samuel, "The Lord has not chosen any of these." And so Samuel asks Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" Jesse replies, “There is still the youngest. But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” Samuel tells Jesse,"Send for him at once...We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
Jesse's "But" said it all. Oh, yeah, uh, I have another son, my youngest, BUT he's out watching the animals. David wasn't even a contender in the 'race.' Matter of fact, he wasn't even in the race! But David was never last draft-pick or king by default, no, he was always first round pick by God's standard, even though he was eighth by man's. What a testament to how much our 'vision' can be off!
In Isaiah 55:8-9, God tells us, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
What are you thinking or seeing from a humanly perspective? Who or what are you resigning to the 'pasture' instead of putting up for the 'kingdom?' Perhaps you're the one who has been put out in the 'field' while others are put up for promotion. Find comfort in the truth that promotion comes from God alone (Psalms 75:6-7) and that he will promote you in due time.
How incredible that God took a boy, a mere 'Shepard,' who man didn't even consider in the ring for king, and elevated him to be leader of an entire nation, God's choice nation! God saw David as he would be, not as he was. What is God possibly calling you to based on who you will be, not who you currently are?