David Wasn't the Obvious Choice

Good morning friends.

Today we're in 1 Samuel 16. I've always related to David. Not because he became king but because he wasn't the obvious choice.

    When Samuel arrived at Jesse's house, all the brothers were lined up. One by one they passed before him. They were strong and impressive and all very qualified. The kind of people everyone expected God to choose. Meanwhile David was out in a field watching sheep. He wasn't even invited to the meeting.

   I've spent a lot of my life feeling alot like that. I have never been the obvious choice. Never been the first one picked.Sometimes even the last one considered if I was considered at all. So I know what it's like to feel overlooked. I know what it's like to watch others get chosen while wondering if anyone sees you standing in the field. I know what it's like to feel like you have to prove yourself.

     But this chapter this morning was an amazing reminder for me, God knew exactly where David was. While Jesse, his own father overlooked him, God saw him. While his brothers stood in the spotlight, God was watching the shepherd in the field.

    That's why I love this story so much. Because David wasn't forgotten. He was being prepared. Being left out in the field wasn't a punishment. It was a time training. Having to look after the sheep wasn't a setback. It was a time of preparation.

   The same God who saw David in the field with the sheep saw Moses with the sheep too. He saw Gideon hiding in a winepress. He saw Ruth gleaning in a field. He saw Mary in a little town called Nazareth.

                      And He sees us too.

Sometimes I think we spend so much time trying to get into the room that we miss what God is doing in the field.

    But the truth is, God doesn't need your name on someone's invitation list to fulfill His purpose for your life. When it was time to anoint a king, God didn't ask where the strongest son was. He asked where David was.

    I hope this encourages you today.

If you're feeling overlooked....

If you're feeling forgotten....

If you're wondering if your faithfulness even matters...

                       Keep tending the sheep.

                            Keep showing up.

                Keep being faithful in the field.

     Just because people overlook you doesn't mean God has. The brothers were lined up trying to be chosen. David was out in the field being faithful. And when God went looking for a king, He chose the one who wasn't even in the room. 

Love Pastor Mandy

Ark of Hope Ministry 

Daily Reading 1 Samuel 16