1 Samuel 16:1-13
And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. Vs 1
And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. Vs 2
And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. Vs 3
And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? Vs 4
And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. Vs 5
And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. Vs 6
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Vs 7
Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Vs 8
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Vs 9
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.? Vs 10
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. Vs 11
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Vs 12
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. Vs 13
Each time I reflect on God using a man for kingdom exploits, I always remember JOHN WESLEY. He is so strategic in my mind because I love singing hymns. I hope we can learn the some lessons in life of this Christian leader. Indeed, he availed himself for the Lord and he was used of Him. We must also be conscious that God is consist in using ordinary men and women who made themselves available.
John Wesley was a man of petite frame. He himself acknowledged this in one of his journal entries thus
"Although I was small (not much over five feet) and too frail for vigorous athletics, I did manage to hold my own reasonably well on the tennis court ".
He must have had the same frame as Paul the Apostle. The great apostle known more for his writing prowess did write on the perception that some in certain quarters had about him during his earthly ministry.
"For his letters say they are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible"
Research has it that these two great champions of the Christian faith have a lot in common. It was not about their heights but about their hearts. Same was with David who was chosen from the Jesse brothers. Eliab, the eldest brother of David looked so supremely and superlatively 'qualified' that Samuel felt like there was no need praying.
Let's be encouraged that no matter our physical estate and frame in life we can be mightily used of God. There is nothing or no one that God cannot use. God has no problem with our but with our willingness to do his bidding.
He will always make the available able!
Regardless of all your perceived inadequacies, you can be His change agent for our time.
PRAYER: Oh God, am nothing without you, My strength can only be found in you. Please break me and use me for your glory.
REFLECTION
Your strength and weakness are useful tools in God's hand. All we need to do is be available.
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