Speaking of shepherding (last week’s post), that’s exactly what David was doing when the prophet Samuel came in search of the next one to be appointed King of Israel.

The Lord told Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king. Which one? Well, He would tell him after he arrived.

Has the Lord ever done that to you? “Trust me this far,” He says, “and then I’ll lead you the rest of the way.” That’s called “the Spirit at work.” So you trust and He leads.

Samuel had done that before. So, off to Bethlehem he goes in search of Jesse and the boys. As soon as Samuel lays eyes on the oldest son, Eliab, he figures this must be the one. Keep in mind that King Saul was handsome and very tall. Maybe this fine-looking first born is to be God’s annointed.  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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

So Jesse parades the next six brothers before Samuel, but Samuel does not get the “go ahead” for any of these young men. “Is that all there is?” Samuel asks.

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” I Samuel 16:11

Samuel says they will wait, go get him. Now this is one of those times when the next verse picks right up as though David flew in instantly. I don’t know how far out in the fields this shepherd and his sheep were, but we’re probably talking in terms of hours than minutes.

While the Lord made it clear that appearance is not everything, we are told, in fact, that David was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. He finally arrives and somehow in Samuel’s soul, the Lord says:

“Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” I Samuel 16:12

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers.

…and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. I Samuel 16:13 

Have you ever sensed that the Lord has given you a particular task and you go about trying to put things together and find that things fall in place in unbelievable ways? That would be the Spirit of the Lord at work in your life.

Have you ever felt you needed to have a difficult conversation with someone and you go over and over the possibilities of what to say? You almost call to cancel, but you pray once again for direction. When you confront the person the words just seem to flow out of you, words you didn’t know you had in you. That would be the Spirit of the Lord at work.

From that day on, whether in victory or defeat, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” That power is available to us as well.

~ Joyce ~