Imperfect people in Gods perfect plan
David - a man after Gods own heart
God was supposed to be Israels king, but the people wanted a king like all the nations around them. Saul was originally chosen, but he was disobedient and so God said he would choose a replacement.
The Choosing of the man of God
When the prophet Samuel went to see Jesse he couldn't go openly because of the political situation, so he went on the pretext of going to make a sacrifice. It is interesting that Jesse only presented seven of his eight sons to Samuel. The first son, Eliab, looked the part (as Saul had done) - tall and handsome. But God then used these memorable words "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart". With none of these seven sons proving acceptable to God, Samuel enquires whether there are any others. Jesse mentions that there is one other, the lowliest, in the least of occupations - a shepherd boy. Yet he was the one that God told Samuel to anoint.
Saul had been head and shoulders above everyone else, and Samuel had been judging by the impressiveness of the boys appearances. How do we respond to people? Do we sometimes just judge by appearances? There are two things at work in all of us. Gods call and human response. Both run on parallel tracks. God has called us before the foundation of the world, yet our choice still matters.
We can see something of Davids heart by reading the psalms which he wrote. They are evidence of the way that David was always growing closer to God, loving God more. We can be inspired by this so that we might seek to grow towards God too. David had plenty of preparation time admiring Gods handiwork in the stars above him while working as a lowly shepherd. Are we prepared to give God time to prepare us? He took 40 years to prepare Moses!
Activity doesn't necessarily show where people are with God, it doesn't necessarily show the state of our inner being.
Gods choice came with heavenly recognition. David was anointed with oil. Compare with Jesus' anointing at the start of his ministry, and the anointing with fire and wind of the disciples at the start of the book of Acts. Have we had a heavenly anointing? Does our work have the Holy Spirits recognition and anointing?
After this anointing, David went back to look after the sheep again. He was skilled musician, and eventually he was summoned to play for Saul who was, by this time, tormented by an evil spirit.
A practical question for us as a church - are we looking for God to show us, or are we looking as humans do?
The Confidence of the man of God (1 Sam 17)
David and Goliath. A well known story. The philistines were occupying Hebrew land and Goliath was a huge champion for them. Goliath spent 40 days taunting them. David only turned up on the scene as a food delivery boy. The Israelites were scared of their opposition and powerless, but David saw things differently and said "who is this uncircumcised foe. to defy the armies of the living God?"
David didn't just see this as a physical problem, but saw the challenge in spiritual terms. His brother Eliab was far from the truth - at this point he still didn't see Davids anointing.
The people of Israel here are like the church, the people of God today. Still weak and fearful in the face of foes which threaten us, still needing a saviour to step forward and win our battles on our behalf.
The Convictions of the man of God
David didn't live a perfect life. He spent much time fleeing from Saul, he had failings which led to bad consequences - affecting others too. Often many friends would be killed because David had stayed with them.
In 2 Sam 11 we see David committing adultery and then murder to cover up his crime. He really displeased the LORD, and so God sent Nathan the prophet to reveal to David the nature and scope of the problem. When David hears the story of a wealthy many stealing a poor mans sheep he is indignant and full of righteous anger - and suddenly he is convicted when Nathan points out that he himself is the bad man in the story.
Although David does get restored there will be consequences for David. There is often consequences that remain from sin even after forgiveness is given.
The Confession of the man of God (Ps 51)
(I wasn't able to write any notes down about this section)
Harry Smith
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