“There is still the youngest” Jesse replied. But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats. 1 Samuel 16: 11 (NLT)
In my devotion time this morning, I read about David’s inception into leadership. Although, I have read this many times, I stumbled over more information that made me appreciate the journey more and more. If you have not had the opportunity to read about young David, who would become king David, who God called a “man after His own heart”; it’s a stunning story about what is takes to become a leader. You can read all about this in 1st Samuel.
Many look at leadership as a source of power, but many in leadership do not embody power at all. Why? well, because that power can only be sourced through the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. David was hand picked by God, not man selected by committees. Even Jesse; David’s own earthly father counted him out and mentioned him last to Samuel before bringing him in front of this well known priest/prophet. The Lord confirms to Samuel by saying “This is the one; anoint him” ( 1 Sam 1:12b).
As I gleaned over this, I thought about everything David was doing in that time and realized, he was in training. He was a shepherd boy, tending to his father’s flock. He was also a musician skilled in playing the harp. He was described to king Saul as a brave warrior, a man of war, and with good judgment. One statement that struck out to me that made this even more of a poignant description was that the “Lord is with him” ( 1Sam 1:18).
I pondered over the importance of having the Lord with us and how we never know what is being said about us when we are not around. That speaks to character – which can only truly be lived out righteously with Him in our lives. Leaders without character are like shells without any filling. Leaders without the Holy Spirit are like pools devoid of water-empty and dry. Once Samuel anointed David, the Bible states that the “Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on” (1 Sam 1:13).
He stepped into a different level in that moment spiritually. He may have been overlooked before and even in that moment by his entire family and community, but God saw something in him that was undeniable. He even becomes king Saul’s armor bearer (1 Sam 16:21), a prestigious title that continued to prepare him for his eventual assignment as king.
So the next time you question your season or seasons of training, think about the humble beginnings that David walked through. He was appointed for a such a time and took hold of what he was directed and assigned to. And you know what, no matter how flawed, and how overlooked, or how broken we feel, we can too.
Stay Encouraged.
Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.
Complete Your Calling 