February 28, 2024

God makes it very clear that He judges us by our heart and not our outward appearance. He sent Samuel to the home of Jesse to anoint the next king, but this time, God will choose rather than leave it to the people. Jesse brought each of his sons, seven of them, before Samuel, but God didn’t choose any of them. Samuel asked Jesse if he had any more sons, and he told him his youngest was tending the flocks. So, Samuel told them to get him, and they would not sit down until they returned. David came in, and God told Samuel that he was the one, and he anointed him with a full horn of oil. As soon as Samuel anointed him, the Holy Spirit came upon him. However, the Holy Spirit left Saul.

But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 1 Samuel 16:14

Because the Holy Spirit left Saul, he was greatly afflicted and wanted music to help quiet his soul. So Saul asked his servant to find someone to play for him. The servant knew David could play the harp and the Lord was with him, so Saul sent for him. Do others notice that the Lord is with you? David loved Saul and became his armor-bearer. When David played for him, his spirit quieted. That began David’s training because it placed him amid the government. Little did he know of the trials he was about to face at the hand of Saul. When God calls us to his service, He trains us; it’s not easy, but if we stay the course, the outcome will be a blessing to us and the people around us. Long-suffering will feel like punishment, but God doesn’t train wimps. Stand strong, mighty warriors of God; He’s raising up men and women of courage, and that takes perseverance. 

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. 1 Samuel 16:18