Let’s see if you can guess today’s unlikely hero because, as you know, – it’s never who you think. This person started in the most menial of jobs. People who held this job were on the lowest rung of society. They were marginalized and overlooked. However, this same person eventually held the highest, most powerful position available. Who would have predicted this surprising outcome for this most unlikely of persons?
Apparently not even Samuel the prophet would have chosen this person or predicted this outcome. Samuel was just as surprised as anyone else, when he received this direction from God concerning Israel’s future king.
“The Lord said to Samuel, . . . ‘I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.’ . . . When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’ ” (1 Samuel 16:1 & 6)
BUT –
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ ” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Ok, so Israel’s future king wasn’t who Samuel would have chosen. But who was it? Our story continues-
“Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ So he asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ ‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse answered, ‘but he is tending the sheep.’ ” (1 Samuel 16:10-11)
Now Samuel must have thought from sheep herder to king was an impossibility for anyone. But, as it turns out, not impossible with God. Samuel wisely deferred to God’s judgement in this matter.
“Samuel said, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.’ So he sent and had him brought in. . . . Then the Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; he is the one.’ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” (1 Samuel 16:11-13)
That was the beginning of King David’s unlikely story. What happens next is just as surprising and unlikely. The Israelites were at war with the Philistines. David’s older brothers were serving in the army, but David was left behind at home to tend the sheep. David was considered too young, too weak, too inexperienced, perhaps not brave enough to be a warrior. David was overlooked and as it turns out, underestimated.
David was relegated to the job of shepherd until one day, David’s father sent him to deliver food to his brothers and the Israeli army. David found himself on the battlefield where he learned everyone was afraid to face the Philistine named Goliath. Goliath had issued a challenge, inviting anyone who dared to fight him on the battlefield. No one in the Israeli army had accepted Goliath’s invitation – until David arrived on the scene.
David accepted the challenge and went out to the battlefield to meet Goliath, who was over nine feet tall. David wasn’t even wearing armor. He brought only five stones and a slingshot with him. Goliath was known as a champion warrior. David was a shepherd boy. The likely outcome would seem obvious given the facts. And yet –
“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” (1 Samuel 17:48-50)
Talk about your unlikely hero. The whole Israeli army had been too afraid of Goliath to fight him, even clad in all their armor and carrying swords and shields. David, a young shepherd boy, did with one stone what the whole army had failed to do – defeat Goliath and the Philistines. I’m sure no one predicted that outcome. Like I said, it’s never who you think.
David did eventually become Israel’s king and was having a successful reign. That is until he messed up big time. We are talking adultery and a cover up and a murder. At this point I would predict that David could no longer be used by God and I would expect that God would abandon David altogether. But that’s not what happened. King David was repentant. After first trying to hide his sins from others and from God, David confessed his wrongdoings to God and asked God’s forgiveness. And God forgave David! David got a second chance. David’s relationship with God was restored.
This gives me great hope and great comfort. How many times do I mess up and think God must be done with me now? But no – God does not give up on me or on you either, dear readers. We have this assurance –
“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
God is faithful to finish what He’s started in each one of us. His word tells us –
“If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)
No one would have chosen a shepherd boy to lead the nation of Israel – but God did. Today God is choosing you and me for whatever good purposes He has in mind for each of us. We just have to answer His call. After all, it’s never who you think. Today it’s you! Today it’s me! Sure, like King David, I’ve messed up big time. But, like King David, this is my prayer –
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. . . . Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. . . . Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You.” (Psalm 51:1-2, 7, 10-13)
sincerely, Grace Day
