A boy came rushing into the Bethlehem town square. He was obviously quick footed, as he had outpaced the runner who had gone to fetch him. He came directly to where Samuel was and bowed down in respect to the old prophet. Samuel inspected him. He smelled of sheep and his cloak was old and worn out, but that couldn’t hide the fact that he was as handsome and well-built as his seven older brothers who were standing nearby. “You must be David”, said Samuel. “Yes I am”. “Then let’s proceed”, said Samuel with a smile. “You’re the one I was waiting for.” Samuel took his horn and poured the oil on David’s head and spoke a blessing on him. He then proceeded to carry out the sacrifice hurriedly, knowing that the main reason for his coming was already complete.
Looking back at this event, we see a few things. Nobody knew the significance of what had taken place then. Nobody in the house of Jesse even in their wildest dream thought that David would one day be king over Israel. They didn’t think highly of him, in fact they despised him even after this event. Yet this young boy is the one God had chosen because He knew he was after God’s own heart. God also knew of his abilities, he was able to fight off a lion and a bear to protect his father’s sheep. A show of loyalty which nobody else but God himself had seen.
God had chosen him to carry out His assignment to lead the nation of Israel. David wasn’t the most popular guy in his peer group, but when God qualified him it didn’t matter who agreed with His choice or not. David even had been overlooked for a ceremony which he was invited, yet by God’s design he was supposed to be the main event. The stone the builders rejected had become the chief cornerstone.
God has anointed all of us to carry out His will on earth. He’s well aware of what we can accomplish, He deposited those gifts in us. He’s confident of us completing our mission, He’s the one who’ll chart the course anyway. He’s well aware that there are many negative voices which don’t believe in us, He doesn’t need anyone else to validate His plans for our lives.
So David, in the near future would slay Goliath the champion who was feared by all Israel, skillfully play the harp for the King, become a renegade and finally ascend to the throne of Israel. What would have happened if he had allowed the dissenting voices of his family in his youth to silence him? He would have remained an unused stone, not the pillar of the nation. Ignore the voices telling you how worthless you are, and follow the one Voice which has ability to breathe life into dry bones.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
The Main Event : Part 1
The old man, staff in hand, wearily strolled into the town square and looked around. He was obviously a man of great importance, judging by the way everyone was treating him. In the middle of the open arena he saw the hastily built altar and stepped forward to inspect it. He stared at it for a few minutes as the wind blew his thin hair on his face. “This will do”, he whispered to a younger man who stood by his side. The second man looked at him suspiciously as his long white beard moved as he spoke. “Please bring the heifer I came with. And call all the guests I’ve invited, it’s time for the afternoon sacrifice. “
With those instructions, the other man sped off. Other invited guests started streaming into the town square while speaking in hushed tones. Prophet Samuel had told the Bethlehem residents that he had come all the way from Ramah to their city just for a sacrifice. Nobody was buying that line. They knew that God had sent him here for something big. They just hoped that it was a good big thing. Samuel keenly looked at the surprised guests trooping into the square. A thin smile broke across his face when he saw one of the old men coming flanked by seven young, tall, strong and handsome men. “Yes Lord. The main event”, Samuel whispered to himself.
When all the men had gathered in the open square he walked directly to the old man he had spotted earlier. “You must be Jesse the son of Obed”, he said. “Yes I am, highly distinguished prophet of the Lord. Your servant has come with his seven sons, just as you had commanded”, Jesse replied while bowing down in respect. “Let’s proceed then. We have something to do before we continue with the sacrifice.” Samuel opened the leather pouch he was carrying and took out his horn, which was filled with oil. At this point it dawned on Jesse what was happening. One of his sons was being anointed today! This sacrifice could be just a façade, a smoke screen to cover up the main event! Nevertheless, he composed himself and let Samuel continue with the ceremony.
Samuel asked for Jesse’s sons to be presented to him. Eliab, the oldest stepped forth. He was tall and handsome and his hands looked like those of one who was experienced in battle. His confident demeanor sealed the deal in Samuel’s eyes. “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed”, Samuel muttered under his breath as he proceeded to pour the oil in his horn on top of his head. “Stop”, he heard The Voice telling him. I have not chosen him. I’m not moved by people’s physical appearance as you are. Proceed with the inspection. I’ll let you know when he comes.” “No, that’s not who the Lord wants”, he said to Jesse as Abinadab stepped aside. He repeated a firm no as the rest of Jesse’s sons were paraded one by one before him. “Are these all your sons?” A disappointed Samuel asked Jesse. “All of them?” “Well”, Jesse replied, “technically there’s another one son, but he’s just tending our sheep. We figured out his presence is not going to be necessary here because important matters are taking place”. Samuel, now visibly angry barked at him, “Send him here. I’m not proceeding with this ceremony until he comes.”
With those instructions, the other man sped off. Other invited guests started streaming into the town square while speaking in hushed tones. Prophet Samuel had told the Bethlehem residents that he had come all the way from Ramah to their city just for a sacrifice. Nobody was buying that line. They knew that God had sent him here for something big. They just hoped that it was a good big thing. Samuel keenly looked at the surprised guests trooping into the square. A thin smile broke across his face when he saw one of the old men coming flanked by seven young, tall, strong and handsome men. “Yes Lord. The main event”, Samuel whispered to himself.
When all the men had gathered in the open square he walked directly to the old man he had spotted earlier. “You must be Jesse the son of Obed”, he said. “Yes I am, highly distinguished prophet of the Lord. Your servant has come with his seven sons, just as you had commanded”, Jesse replied while bowing down in respect. “Let’s proceed then. We have something to do before we continue with the sacrifice.” Samuel opened the leather pouch he was carrying and took out his horn, which was filled with oil. At this point it dawned on Jesse what was happening. One of his sons was being anointed today! This sacrifice could be just a façade, a smoke screen to cover up the main event! Nevertheless, he composed himself and let Samuel continue with the ceremony.
Samuel asked for Jesse’s sons to be presented to him. Eliab, the oldest stepped forth. He was tall and handsome and his hands looked like those of one who was experienced in battle. His confident demeanor sealed the deal in Samuel’s eyes. “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed”, Samuel muttered under his breath as he proceeded to pour the oil in his horn on top of his head. “Stop”, he heard The Voice telling him. I have not chosen him. I’m not moved by people’s physical appearance as you are. Proceed with the inspection. I’ll let you know when he comes.” “No, that’s not who the Lord wants”, he said to Jesse as Abinadab stepped aside. He repeated a firm no as the rest of Jesse’s sons were paraded one by one before him. “Are these all your sons?” A disappointed Samuel asked Jesse. “All of them?” “Well”, Jesse replied, “technically there’s another one son, but he’s just tending our sheep. We figured out his presence is not going to be necessary here because important matters are taking place”. Samuel, now visibly angry barked at him, “Send him here. I’m not proceeding with this ceremony until he comes.”
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