Do You Possess The Kind Of Character God is Looking For?
Good Morning Friends,
In the story of Jesus and in the story of David, God wants us see what is really important in the choosing of a servant leader. God wants us to see that which comes into focus only when we look through the eyes of love. So, Do You Possess The Kind Of Character God is Looking For?
Scripture: The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is now before the LORD.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NRSV)
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.
Romans 5:1-10 (NRSV)
Message: The story of David helps us to see things right. It challenges us to look beyond outward appearances into a person’s heart and character. And yet still we are surprised by the choice of David for King. We are surprised by the selection of Jesus as heir to the Davidic Kingdom. What we need to learn is that it is what is inside that counts. David was born last is the wrong place in the birth order to become king. Jesus was born first but lowly in a manger in the City of David. Here we must face our prejudices and instinctual inclination to raise up those with the best appearance and abilities. This kind of emptiness drives our society. We want someone to look up to… a king… and unfortunately not one on a cross. Maybe it is because we view heroes in the wrong way. Maybe our last choice is God’s first choice. Maybe our fear is not that we be chosen last but that we not be chosen at all. Saul was rejected and so was Jesus. So do you possess the kind of character God is looking for? Maybe God is still looking for people he can call and use for His glory. Maybe God is looking for specific, surprising people to be the Sovereign’s choice because they have learned to love and live the life God designed them to live. Friends, knowing in faith that God has our best interests at heart we can persevere. Knowing that this must produce character, our hope is strengthened with confidence and the love of God in the Holy Spirit that can bless us each and every day.
Pray we see that which God wants us to see. Pray that God sees the possibilities in us when others are confused by appearances. Pray we gain a glimpse in love heaven’s reality and pray some of it appears on earth in us. Pray we realize that we serve a God who sees when everyone else does not. Pray that we believe that God has a plan for our lives.
Pray that we fulfill a dream to become significant because of what God is doing in and through us. Pray we not try to survive by pretense. Pray we realize that God is more concerned about character than our comfort. Pray we be who God wants us to be. Pray we see through the eyes of love. Pray that we make decisions that build our character.
Pray we develop a Christ-like character that produces fruit. Pray we find joy in unexpected places. Pray that the character of God’s love in manifest in us.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 