ESOCS Devotional 24 May
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 16:1-11
MEMORY VERSE: “….for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance; but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 KJV
In our text today, we see how and what God considers in His choice of men for His service. The knowledge of this is a key to us to desire to be God’s choice or the choice of man.
It must be clear to us that God does not have dealings with any man who does not have a sincere desire for Him. When men who have no regard for the will of God enter into God’s service by the will of men, God has His own way of doing away with them and putting in place the man that is qualified for the work. Saul was such a man that used his anointing to further his personal desire at the expense of the will of God. God did not spare him. In verse 1 of our text we read, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill thine horn with oil and go I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”
If the LORD chooses you for a task, it is not possible that any man will prevent you. No one contends with God. You have to take the necessary steps to do what the Lord desires. The Lord will not fail to direct your steps. In verses 2-5, we see how God directed Samuel, though he feared that Saul will kill him if he heard of the Lord’s will. In verse 3, we read thus, “And call Jesse to the sacrifice and I will shew thee what thou shalt do.”
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
In preparing yourself, your physical look is not important. It is how and what you consider God in your heart to be. It is not about the service you render in the eyes of men but the sincere decision you take in the heart before and after rendering the service. They must be such that show to God that you have an honest heart to serve Him against all odds. In verse 7 of our text, God rejected Samuel’s choice of Eliab by appearance. We read, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance or on the height of his stature, because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth ...” (See also verses 8-10).
It does not matter how long it takes or what men do to avoid the emergence of the chosen one of the Lord. His time waits for him. Jesse sent David away for an errand while the family hosted the man of God. But when they could not maneuver the situation, everybody had to wait for the chosen of the Lord to return. In verses 11 and 12, we read, “And Samuel said unto Jesse are here all thy children? And he said there remaineth yet the youngest and behold he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said to Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent and brought him in …. And the LORD said, Arise and anoint him, for this is he.”
You should start to live the kind of life that will attract God to use you for a special mission. History has shown that great men in every generation are those whom the Lord anoints for His service.
CHALLENGE: How much are you prepared for the Lord’s service?
ESOCS Devotional 24 May 2020 – PRAYER POINT: I have none else but you oh Lord! Use me for the purpose you desire. Here am I, use me Lord, in Jesus name! Amen.
FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 16:12-23; Revelation 16:15-21; 17:1-14