The King’s Choices

Read: 2 Samuel 7:1-16

This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. 2 Samuel 7:8

IN WORD

When God told Samuel to anoint David as king, David was out in the fields tending flocks. Even his own father and brothers seemed to consider him a marginal member of the family. The older brothers fit the image of a king: rugged, manly, strong in their opinions, and skilled as warriors. David was into music and sheep. Sure, he had killed a lion and a bear in defense of his flock, but nobody else had witnessed those events. Other than that, he spent most of his time passively, with no one to talk to but God.

But that was the key. The insignificant brother was conversant with the King of the universe. He had cultivated the heart and the art of worship. He was strong in an entirely different arena than his brothers—a skilled warrior in the making, to be sure, but even more skilled at a greater endeavor. He was learning the heart of God.

Those are the kinds of people our King chooses to represent Him—people who are responsive to Him, humble yet strong, seekers of His heartbeat. Our origins neither qualify us nor disqualify us. Our past scars and missteps do nothing to dissuade Him from choosing us. He has His own sort of preparation that doesn’t match the world’s standards. He chooses us like He chose David: He looks for the heart of a worshiper and a warrior of faith.

IN DEED

Many of us look at our own potential for success with the same eyes the other sons of Jesse did. We forget that God is not bound by the images our world has created. It makes no difference whether we fit the stereotype of a good businessperson, artist, minister, father, mother, or whatever else. Our heavenward attributes are far more important than the impression we make. Sure, we need skills and excellence and strengths. But most of all, we need the heart of a worshiper. That’s who our King looks for. His people are called to be His people in every way.

ADDITIONAL READING: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

God wants the heart.

THE TALMUD