Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Scripture: I Samuel 16:1-15

After rejecting Saul as King over Israel, God instructed Samuel to fill his flask with anointing oil and go to Jesse of Bethlehem where God had chosen one of his sons to be anointed king. God told Samuel to take a heifer with him to offer as a sacrifice to God and invite Jesse to join him. One by one, Jesse’s sons came before Samuel. They were strong with good stature, but God said no, he isn’t the one.

God told Samuel that He would tell him what to do next. When each son had been rejected, Samuel asked Jesse if there were any more sons. Jesse said yes, but he is small and still in the fields, tending the flocks.

David came before Samuel, bright-eyed and good-looking, and God immediately instructed Samuel to anoint him. He is the one!  God’s spirit entered David like a rush of wind, empowering him for the rest of his life.

This story illustrates to me how differently God looks at people and situations than we as humans view them. Jesse saw his youngest son as too inexperienced and small. He might have been whiny as the baby of the family or not as assertive as his brothers.

God tends to work through the unexpected, using people whom others see as weak. God may have called you to do something, and you think there’s no way you could accomplish it. That’s sort of the point. God works through us to accomplish things we never thought possible – we could never do by ourselves. During Advent, ask God to help you see others through His eyes. He sees willing servants where we may see only the lack of skill or ability. God may see something in YOU – let HIM use you.

Anne Bassett is a Yates member, mother, grandmother and retired nurse.