A Man After God's Own Heart

Friends,

I am always amazed by the life of the Psalmist, David. Being a shepherd boy, he tended his father's sheep, and just did what he normally would do daily.

Little does he realise that one day, he would be the one chosen by God to lead be the King of Israel after God rejected Saul as King. Prophet Samuel was appointed to annoint this new King.. but who would it be? What would the new King be like? In 2 Samuel 16:5, it says "he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice"

In verse 6 he saw Eliab and thought "that must be him!" In verse 7, the Lord told Samuel "do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Wow! this passage really encourages me that God does not see things from the human perspective.

How I need to repent for seeing things with my own eyes.. just like the way man sees them.. Many times I fail to realise that God does not work in the same way world does. The world approves man of great wealth, high position and power and salutes those who hold authority.. or have talents and skills.. but not God!

In verse 10, we see that Jesse made all of his sons pass before him, but he told Jesse "neither has the Lord chosen this one". He asked Jesse if there is anyone else and Jesse answered "there remains yet the youngest, and there he is keeping the sheep". Samuel then asked for him to be brought in, and in verse 12(b), the Lord said "arise, annoint him; for this is the one!"

Physically, all of his brothers had better stature and even taller and bigger in size than David.. but in God's eyes, David was the one. He went on to take over Saul's leadership as God had said "he was a man after His own heart". (1 Samuel 13:14).

May this short sharing bless you as you reflect upon David's life and calling.

Meng Choo