God's Annointing

1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16:1–13 NKJV

1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.” 4 So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 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.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Main idea: God calls the most unlikely people, seeing beyond external appearances and focusing on the heart.

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Key Quote: God chooses unlikely people to accomplish his purposes so his power can be made manifest in their weakness.

Introduction

FFirst impressions are important BUT we almost always make them off of external appearances. We look very superficially at the exterior and often fail to search out the truth of a person by getting to really know them.

Today we will continue talking about Samuel and explore the beauty of how our Heavenly Father

looks beyond our exterior and chooses the most unlikely people

to manifest His power in spite of our weaknesses.

We’re going to take a look at the anointing and calling of David as king,

despite his humble background and appearance.

Now, let's dive into how God calls the most unlikely people, looking beyond the appearance, and manifesting His power in our weakness.

Looking Beyond the Surface

In today's passage, we see God instructing Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king of Israel.

This is a powerful reminder that God often looks beyond the exterior when selecting those He wants to use for His purposes.

The world may judge us based on our appearance, our background, or our qualifications, but God sees our hearts and knows our true potential. This is a crucial lesson for us to learn, as it can help us to recognize the value and potential in ourselves and others, even when it may not be immediately apparent.

When Samuel arrived at Jesse's house, he was presented with Jesse's sons, who were all impressive in their own ways.

Samuel, like many of us, was initially drawn to the eldest son, Eliab, who had the appearance of a strong and capable leader.

However, God quickly corrected Samuel's perspective, reminding him that He does not look at the outward appearance but at the heart.

This is a powerful reminder that God's ways are not our ways, and His criteria for choosing those He will use are often very different from our own.

As we continue reading the passage, we see that none of Jesse's seven sons who were present were chosen by God. Instead, it was the youngest son, David, who was out tending the sheep, who was anointed as the future king of Israel.

David was not the obvious choice based on his appearance or position in the family, but God saw something in him that made him the perfect candidate for the role.

This demonstrates that God is not limited by our human expectations or assumptions, and He is more than capable of using the most unlikely people to accomplish His purposes.

This truth is not only applicable to the story of David but is also evident throughout the Bible and in the lives of many believers today. Time and time again, we see God choosing the weak, the broken, and the outcasts to demonstrate His power and love. In doing so, He shows that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and He receives the glory for the work that is accomplished through us.

As we apply this truth to our own lives, it is essential that we learn to look beyond the packaging in ourselves and others. We must resist the temptation to judge ourselves or others based on external factors, such as appearance, background, or qualifications. Instead, we should strive to see ourselves and others as God sees us, recognizing the potential that lies within each of us and the unique ways in which God can use us for His purposes.

This perspective can be incredibly freeing, as it allows us to let go of the pressure to conform to the world's standards and expectations.

Instead, we can focus on developing our relationship with Jesus Christ and seeking His will for our lives, trusting that He will use us in ways that we may never have imagined.

As we do this, we will begin to see the beauty and potential in those around us, even when their packaging may not be what the world would consider impressive or noteworthy.

In order to truly embrace this perspective, we must also be willing to let go of our own pride and self-sufficiency.

We must recognize that it is not our own strength, intelligence, or abilities that qualify us for the work God has called us to do. Instead, it is His grace and power working in and through us that enables us to accomplish His purposes.

It is knowing that through the applied blood of Jesus and surrender to the Holy Spirit that an individual can be used.

As we humble ourselves before Him, we make room for His Spirit to work in our lives, transforming us into the people He has called us to be and using us in ways that bring glory to His name.

As we learn to look beyond the packaging in ourselves and others, we will begin to see the world through God's eyes.

We will recognize the potential in every person we encounter, and we will be more open to the ways in which God may be calling us to serve and minister to those around us.

This perspective will not only transform our own lives but will also have a profound impact on the lives of those we touch, as we become instruments of God's love, grace, and power in the world.

What if we simply “got over ourselves”, our traditions, our expectations, or selfish desires and started to see people the way God sees them? The way Christ saw them as He was dying upon the cross becoming sin!

God Calls the Most Unlikely People

God calls the most unlikely people, and this truth is evident throughout the Bible. Time and time again, we see God choosing individuals who, by human standards, would not be considered the best candidates for the tasks at hand.

Yet, God's wisdom and sovereignty are displayed as He uses these individuals to accomplish His divine purposes.

"God chooses unlikely people to accomplish his purposes so his power can be manifest in their weakness."

In the story of David's anointing, we see this principle at work. Samuel, the prophet of God, is sent to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king of Israel. As Jesse's sons are presented to Samuel, it becomes clear that the Lord's choice is not based on outward appearance or human qualifications. Instead, God looks at the heart and chooses the youngest and seemingly least qualified of Jesse's sons – David, who was out tending the sheep.

This choice of David as king may have seemed surprising to those around him, but it is a powerful reminder that God's ways are not our ways.

He sees beyond the surface and knows the potential within each person. David, the shepherd boy, would go on to become one of the greatest kings in Israel's history, a man after God's own heart. His life was marked by both triumphs and failures, but through it all, God's anointing and presence were evident.

The story of David is not an isolated incident. Throughout Scripture, we see God choosing unlikely individuals to carry out His plans. Consider Moses, who was slow of speech and tongue, yet was chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Or Gideon, who was the least in his family and from the weakest clan in his tribe, yet was called to deliver Israel from the Midianites. And let us not forget Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, who played a crucial role in the Israelite conquest of the Promised Land.

These examples, along with countless others, demonstrate that God is not limited by human expectations or qualifications.

He delights in using the weak, the broken, and the overlooked to display His power and glory.

As the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

1 Corinthians 1:27–29 NKJV

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

This truth should bring us great encouragement and hope.

We may feel inadequate or unqualified to be used by God, but He sees beyond our weaknesses and limitations. He knows our hearts and desires to work through us for His glory.

When we feel weak, we can take comfort in knowing that God's power is made perfect in our weakness, as

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

As we reflect on the story of David and other biblical examples, we must ask ourselves:

Are we willing to be used by God, despite our weaknesses and shortcomings?

Are we open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, allowing Him to empower us and equip us for the tasks He has called us to?

When we embrace our dependence on God and trust in His strength rather than our own, we can experience the joy of being used by Him in ways we never thought possible.

Furthermore, recognizing that God calls the most unlikely people should also impact how we view and interact with others. We must be careful not to judge others based on their outward appearance or perceived qualifications. Instead, we should see them as God sees them – with potential and purpose, regardless of their background or current circumstances.

As believers, we are called to be agents of God's love and grace in the world, reaching out to those who may feel unworthy or unqualified.

We must be willing to look beyond the surface and see the heart, just as God does. By doing so, we can help others discover their God-given potential and encourage them to step into the plans and purposes He has for their lives.

The story of David's anointing serves as a powerful reminder that God calls the most unlikely people. He is not limited by human expectations or qualifications, but instead looks at the heart and chooses those who are willing to be used by Him. As we embrace our weaknesses and trust in God's strength, we can experience the joy of being used by Him in ways we never thought possible.

And as we extend this grace to others, we can help them discover their God-given potential and purpose, regardless of their background or current circumstances. May we always remember that God's power is made perfect in our weakness, and that He delights in using the unlikely to accomplish His divine purposes.

His Power is made perfect in Our Weakness

Manifesting God's power in our weakness is a central theme throughout the Bible, and the story of David's anointing is no exception. As we have seen, David was not the most obvious choice for a king in the eyes of the world. He was the youngest of his brothers, a shepherd boy, and not considered as important as his older siblings. Yet, God chose him because of his heart and his willingness to be used by the Lord.

This concept of God's power being made perfect in our weakness is echoed in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where he writes, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

This passage reminds us that it is not our own strength or abilities that matter, but rather our dependence on God and our willingness to be used by Him, even in our weaknesses.

One of the ways we can manifest God's power in our weakness is by embracing the gifts of the Spirit.

These spiritual gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit, and they enable us to serve the body of Christ and further the kingdom of God.

In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 NKJV

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

These gifts of the Spirit are not given to us based on our own merit or abilities, but rather as a demonstration of God's power working through us. When we operate in these gifts, we are tapping into the supernatural power of God and allowing Him to work through our weaknesses to accomplish His purposes.

BUT TO USE AND OPERATE IN OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTINGS WE MUST BE WILLING AND OBEDIENTLY SUBMITTED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Another way we can manifest God's power in our weakness is by engaging in spiritual warfare. The Bible tells us that we are in a constant battle against the enemy, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

ANY SITUATION, ANY WORDS, ANY PUSHING/MANIPULATION ETC… THAT IS SET TO KILL STEAL OR DESTROY (A PERSONS CHARACTER, ETC…) IS FROM THE DEVIL! IT IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND MUST BE DEALTH WITH IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE (SATAN’S AMBASSADORS) ARE BEING USED.

In Ephesians 6:10-12

Ephesians 6:10–12 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

As believers, we are called to engage in this spiritual battle, not in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. When we recognize our own weakness and rely on God's strength, we can overcome the enemy and break strongholds in our lives and the lives of others.

In addition to embracing the gifts of the Spirit and engaging in spiritual warfare, we can also manifest God's power in our weakness by participating in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Throughout history, there have been times when God has poured out His Spirit in a powerful way, leading to revival and spiritual awakening. These outpourings often occur when believers recognize their own weakness and cry out to God for a fresh touch of His Spirit.

In Acts 2, we read about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, when the disciples were gathered together in the upper room, praying and waiting for the promise of the Father. As they humbled themselves and sought the Lord, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them, and they began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. This outpouring led to a powerful revival, as thousands came to faith in Christ and were added to the church.

As believers, we should continually seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives, recognizing that it is not by our own strength or abilities that we can accomplish anything for the kingdom of God, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

David's anointing as king serves as a powerful reminder that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. As we embrace the gifts of the Spirit, engage in spiritual warfare, and seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we can manifest God's power in our lives and be used by Him to accomplish His purposes. Let us, like David, be willing to be used by God, even in our weaknesses, and trust that He will work through us to bring about His kingdom on earth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my dear brothers and sisters, let us remember that God's ways are not our ways. He looks beyond our outward appearance and sees the potential within each of us. As we go forth today, let's embrace the anointing and spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit has given us, and be open to the outpouring of God's love and power in our lives. Let us be instruments of revival and bring the heart of God to those around us, breaking down strongholds and overcoming the enemy through the blood promise of Jesus Christ.

And now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.