For most people “churched” or “unchurched” we have heard the story of David and Goliath found in 1 Samuel. The story of a small shepherd boy defeating a Philistine giant. The odds were against him, while all eyes were on him. The moment when David tackles the giant before him is the pinnacle of the story for most people and the center of many sermons. But, today when I was reading and reflecting on the story of David another section stuck with me.
For those of you who need a refresher like I did let’s start with a recap of 1 Samuel 16
Samuel was sent by the Lord to go and anoint one of Jesse of Bethlehem’s sons. God did not tell him who would be the chosen one but indicated he would make it known when he arrived. So, Samuel obeyed and set out for Bethlehem. When he arrived he first saw Jesse’s son Eliab and thought for sure this had to be the one God wanted for the job based on his first glance of the boy. But, the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Jesse then had all seven sons in the house pass before Samuel but, he declared that none of them had been chosen by the Lord. Samuel asked Jesse if this was all the sons he had and Jesse answered and said “there is still the youngest, he is tending the sheep.” So they sent for him and had him brought in. They said “he was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.” Then the Lord said “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel did as he said and took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from then on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.
So, what is so important or significant about the story of David’s anointing? Does it really matter how he was chosen? Whether he was the first one Samuel saw or the last? Either way he was still chosen by the Lord, right? Well, for me today the way in which David was called and anointed meant everything to me.
As you read above when Samuel arrived in Bethlehem all of the brothers but David seemed to be in the opportune place to be chosen. They were ready to be examined and hopefully chosen by the Lord. So where was David? He was tending the sheep.
I want to be found tending the sheep.
Today reading this story I stopped and asked myself, “where am I in this narrative?” Am I in the house trying to get the biggest head start on God’s calling for my life, or am I tending the sheep? Am I trying to make sure in the eyes of others I am seen as a ‘suitable Christian leader’ for ministry just as Samuel’s first glance of Eliab seemed to pass the test, or am I tending the sheep? Am I the one wondering why God didn’t pick me for the position, the project, or the title, or am I tending the sheep?
I want to be like David, found tending the sheep.
During the midst of chasing after the calling God has given me I want to be tending the sheep. The hurt, the lost, the broken, the mourning, the confused, the depressed, the addicted, the worried, the anxious, the afflicted. I want to show them the spiritual food the Father has so freely given them. A gift of a divine romance through the blood of Jesus. Something that will leave them thirsting and hungering no more for the things of the world they have held so close.
I don’t want to care what it looks like.
In 1 Samuel 17:34 David says to Samuel:“Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.” While I am keeping my Father’s sheep I want to rescue the ones running from the flock through the power of God’s love. I want to be the Lord’s vessel to pry the wandering from the jaws of death. I know that the God that was with David is the God that is with me and he will be with me in the face of my ‘lions’ and ‘bears’ that come against me.
So, I ask you… will you join me in the field? There are sheep who need tending.
