April 16, 2014 - Wednesday

Start Time: 6:28 A.M.

End Time: 6:49 A.M.

Title: Samuel Anoints David

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1 – 23

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→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.

NOTES:

Ø God knows how to move on when His people are stuck!  It is said that God regretted making Saul king yet He did not linger on the regret and become depressed like most of us, like Samuel in this passage.  God is a God of solutions not of problems.  He does not dwell on the problem, He fixes it!  And when Saul refused to obey and stand with Him, God sought for a new king who seeks after His own heart.  We can learn from God by ensuring that we do not dwell on what we cannot do but find ways on how to overcome and win against our problems.  Know that God is God and His will or plans continue even when we choose not to be used by Him.  His works do not end just because we said no to Him; His works continue despite of our stubbornness and disobedience.  Let us not allow to be taken away from His plans because we want to be with Him and not against Him.  We want to be on the winning side and that side is God’s only!

→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.” ¹¹ So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” here 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.

NOTES:

Ø God does not look at the outside appearance, He looks at our heart and when He chooses us, His Spirit comes powerfully upon His chosen one!  Jesse had 7 sons, one looks great than the other, yet the great in Samuel’s eyes is not enough in God’s eyes.  Man’s perceptions or thoughts or rationality is way below God’s so it is important that when we make decisions, we ask God for He alone can see what our eyes could not. 

→ Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil^[a] spirit from the Lord tormented him.  Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.  Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”  Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

NOTES:

Ø God finds way to place us in the place where we are expected to serve His purpose!  David was a shepherd from a place where king Saul never heard of yet God ensured that David finds his way to the palace in the presence of Saul for David will one day rule as a king and what better way to learn his duties but to be under the present king?  Look at how God orchestrated david’s entrance to the palace.  It was as if it was all a mere coincidence.  A servant of king Saul suggested David’s ability to play the lyre and king Saul himself, was pleased of his company.  All these things were made to happen for God’s purpose in David’s life and Saul’s life as well.  All for the Glory of God!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for You are not stuck like us.  Thank You for You do not dwell in the problem but You always find a way to fix it.  Lord help me to see that trait and build it in me as well.  Let me be a solution not only to my problem but also to others instead of becoming the problem for myself and to others.  Help me Lord to understand the greater value of Your plans in our lives or in the world and let me know that Your plan does not end with me.  So I have to choose either to be part of the plan or becoming the problem.  Help me Holy Spirit to become the solution and not the problem.  Lord help me to see Your perception with the whole picture so I may see the purpose of it all.  Thank You Lord for You always find a way even when it seems like there is no other way.  Thank You because You are greater than any challenges there is and You can always go thru, above, and beyond it.  Help me to put my full trust in You that I may find myself going thru, above and beyond every trials in my way too.  Thank You for Your everlasting love, favor and grace upon me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!