God Found His Man!

God Found His Man – A Shepherd Boy!

I Samuel 16:7 …For the Lod seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

?Introduction:

Israel was in a mess. Samuel, the great prophet and leader, was rejected and his boys did not follow his godly example. The people wanted a king like the other nations. God gave them Saul, who was perhaps the best available by human standards. He was impressive, standing head and shoulders above all the men of Israel. He began humbly, but later became jealous, proud, and self-willed. Eventually God rejected him and told Samuel to anoint a new king. Samuel was afraid that Saul would kill him, but God told him to go to Bethlehem, announce a sacrifice, and call Jesse to the sacrifice. One of his sons would be chosen to anoint as the next king.

When Jesse came, he brought his eldest son, a magnificent specimen of a man. Samuel was certain that he was the next king, but God rejected him. Seven sons came before Samuel, but God rejected all of them. Finally, Jesse called David from the field where he was caring for the sheep. God chose him, and Samuel anointed him as the next king. The Lord told Samuel the following: I Samuel 16:7 …For the Lod seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. Let us glean some lessons from this portion of scripture.

God is always in control:

From Samuel’s perspective, the outlook for Israel was bleak. The country had deteriorated spiritually under the period of Judges. God raised up Samuel as a great leader, and he had begun a school of the prophets. Yet the people were not obeying God, requesting a king like all the nations – thus repudiating the rule of Samuel and ultimately the rule of God. Saul began well but made repeated mistakes and showed willful rebellion against God, and God rejected him. Who would lead Israel in this time of need?

Samuel needed to realize that Israel was God’s people and His responsibility, and that God was still on the throne. He needed to trust Him. Paul tells us the same thing in Philippians 4:5-7. Let your moderation be known of all men. The Lord is at hand. 6. Be careful (full of care or worry) for nothing, but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known unto God. 7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

God had not abandoned His people. He was still in control, and He would accomplish His purposes, which are always good.

The Lord is always working:

God was working in the life of David before he was chosen. He loved God. He made many songs praising the Lord while watching the sheep. He learned to care for the sheep, making sure that they were properly fed and watered. He guarded them against wild beasts, even killing a lion and a bear to protect them. He was humble and placed their needs above his own pleasure.

It is remarkable how many great men of the Bible were shepherds. We can name Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Juda, Joseph, and Moses as others who worked as shepherds. Moses was trained as a future ruler in Egypt and well prepared to do that job. But he was self-sufflcient, and God moved him to the back side of the desert, caring for sheep for a total of 40 years before sending him to Egypt. Thus, God is always working, usually in ways that we do not see. Another example would be Joshua, who God was preparing as Moses’ assistant to take over after Moses’ death. A third example was the choice of Elisha to assist Elijah, but they to take over his mantle.

The Lord often uses people others overlook:

Jesse did not even consider David to go to the feast but brought his seven older brothers. Samuel came to consider David only after God had rejected all seven brothers, and asked if there was another son. In looking for Christian leaders, it is not uncommon to find that someone in the background has been prepared by God, and often is more effective in the new situations than the leader who they replaced.

God’s glory should be our motive.

God’s glory is shown in our weakness. When we are strong, then we can depend on ourselves, but in our weakness, we must depend on God. I Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confuse the things which are mighty, 27. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought (nothing) things that are: 29. That no flesh should glory in His presence. The apostle Paul was reminding the church in Corinth that it should not magnify those who seemed to be the most talented or prominent because God delights in using things or persons that man does not see. Notice what God did with Moses. Moses arrived in Egypt armed with only a walking stick. But that stick in the hands of Moses, when empowered by God, broke the power of the most powerful nation of the world and magnified God before the Egyptians.

Paul showed the same thing when he had some sort of demonic affliction or sickness, and God did not remove it after three prayers. Second Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelation, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9. And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

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