Power Point - January 30, 2006

January 30, 2006

Then the Lord said to Samuel…“Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons. … I will show you what You shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you. … Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” --1 Samuel 16:1,3,7

Israel was in need of a new leader because King Saul had abandoned his high calling and had been rejected of God because of his disbelief and disobedience. Samuel, led by God, went into the village of Bethlehem to find the new King — God’s anointed one.

In the home of Jesse, all of his sons paraded proudly in front of him, but not one was the chosen one. Samuel passed over several other “Sauls” in the house of Jesse — men who looked good on the outside, but did not have the power of God in their lives. Don’t overestimate or underestimate people. There are those who are well-trained, well-educated, and personable that have since turned from the calling of God and, like Saul, have been put on the shelf.

God the Father wants to place His hand upon those who are obedient to Him and meditate on Him day and night. He is looking for men and women that He can use for His glory. You may envy the attractive, gifted, and intelligent men or women of God and long to be just like them. But you’ll be disappointed to find that some of them lack spiritual depth and commitment.

In Scripture, we’re told that God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. Not many nobles are called to serve the Lord. Instead, He delights to use the nobodies! Realize that in your flesh is no good thing. You cannot serve Him with human ability apart from His divine touch. Be obedient to the Lord, meditate on His Word, and ask for His heavenly touch and anointing in your life.

WHEN GOD CHOOSES TO BUILD UP A MAN OR WOMAN, HE USES DIFFERENT TIMBER THAN WHAT HE USES FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD.