For the next five weeks, we’re going to look at the life of King David. He has such an interesting journey and one that all of us find ourselves living from time to time. We can all benefit from taking notes on some of his worst and greatest moments.
Before David was a warrior king, he was a little boy and we meet him fresh off the field from watching sheep. He was the youngest of seven brothers so at the time of introduction, there’s not much to him.
The prophet Samuel was told by God to go and anoint the first king of Israel. Saul, son of Kish, was chosen. Saul looked the part. He stood a head taller than others and was ridiculously good looking. He was the kind of guy that other guys find attractive in a non-sexual way, like a Chris Hemsworth (Thor) or Brad Pitt.
Saul failed God and lost his anointing. So, Samuel was to anoint the next king. This is a little tricky with the current king still alive and the power to take anyone’s life he so pleased. But God instructs the prophet how to handle it and sends Samuel on his way.
He goes to Bethlehem and the elders panic slightly. Samuel was well known and something must be terribly wrong for him to show up like this. But he assures them he is only there for worship and invites Jesse and his sons to participate. (This was an honor for the priest to invite the family personally.)
When Samuel saw Jesse’s first born, Eliab (this name is made up of two words – god-like or mighty and head or ruler), Samuel thought “This is the one!”
But God says, “NOPE! Not him. Don’t judge him by his appearance or height, cuz I have rejected him. I don’t see things the way people see them. People look at external things but I look at the heart.”
Jesse had seven of his sons come before Samuel and none of them were selected. Samuel inquires about any others and Jesse says there’s the youngest but he’s not around. Samuel mandates they wait.
In walks David and we read that he was dark and handsome with beautiful eyes and the Lord tells Samuel, ‘He’s the one.’
It’s interesting that it is noted what David looked like especially after we’ve just heard that God doesn’t look at the things people look at. So, David’s not an ogre, but nonetheless, we know there’s something about his ‘heart’ that separates him from the rest.
That word ‘heart’ is lebab. In Hebrew, this speaks of the inner most part of a person, the soul, the mind, the intentions, the will, and the purpose of an individual.
We’ll definitely be coming back to this because David makes some decisions later in life that cause us to question his heart.
But for now, today, I simply bring this question to the table: What’s in your heart?
What are your intentions? What is driving you and pushing you to make the decisions you are making right now? What’s behind your Intagram posts?
I’m not making any big claims but just want you to take a moment, check your inventory, look past the reflection in the mirror, peel off the filters and let the Holy Spirit shine some light on anything that might be out of line.
Try this: “Search my heart, God. Test me and know my thoughts. See if there is anything offensive to You and lead me in the best way toward wholeness of life” Psalm 139:22-23 (my paraphrase). I pray this most mornings before I do anything else.
#TallDarkHandsome
#LookingInside
#RoyalRisk&Reward
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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