That Slight Smell of Sheep

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here? Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” 1^st Samuel 16:11 (NKJV)

How God chooses to work sometimes can be mysterious. The mystery can be in the way He chooses, and with whom He chooses to do it. He will always choose the weaker vessel. The one who is always the last one chosen for that P.E. game. You know the one. Maybe it was you who were "stuck" with having to be his or her captain. Perhaps you were that one not chosen first. God works apart from human counsel or wisdom. He is sovereign and knows the future perfectly. Above all He knows the heart.

When Israel faced having to replace Saul as their king, God did not go into the palace and choose anyone of royal descent. He did not turn to the Israeli War College and choose a mighty warrior. He went to a pasture in Bethlehem and chose a shepherd with a humble heart named David. Some suppose he was a lad of perhaps 10-15 years of age when he was anointed and commissioned as king. He later ruled in Hebron for seven years, then over all Israel for another 33 years. God blessed David’s righteous reign, leading Israel into an era of spiritual growth and economic expansion.

In using people, God uses what the world discounts as weak and foolish to shame down and disgrace the arrogant (1^st Corinthians 1:27). People who may not have the station, looks, or breeding but have hearts that love God with their complete soul and mind are His desire and first choice. In their weaknesses His Strength is made perfect, giving Him great honor and glory.

Scripture says of David that he was a man after God’s own heart (1^st Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). He would not have been Samuel’s first choice for the prophet judged with the eyes. But he was God’s choice for He always judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Seeing others as God sees them is where He wants us to live. We need not be offended because anyone He sends our way might bear a slight smell of sheep. In God’s eyes he is acceptable. In God’s eyes he could be a king in the making.

Jesus, help me today to see others as You do and love them as You love them, realizing grace is always an acceptable sacrifice. Amen

Ken