relationships (1 Samuel 16:1-13) Commitment and Contentment

(1 Samuel 16:1-23) Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, because I have chosen a king for Myself among his sons.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? When Saul hears about 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 And you shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you.” 4 So Samuel did what the Lord told him, and he came to Bethlehem. Then the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?” 5 And he said, “In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is standing before Him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass before Samuel. But he said, “The Lord has not chosen this one, either.” 9 Next Jesse had Shammah pass by. And he said, “The Lord has not chosen this one, either.” 10 So Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the boys?” And he said, “The youngest is still left, but behold, he is tending the sheep.” So Samuel said to Jesse, “Send word and bring him; for we will not take our places at the table until he comes here.”

12 So he sent word and brought him in. Now he was reddish, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

We can learn from Samuel who had such high hopes for Saul.  Perhaps he had just a little too much hope in the man, because after the Lord said that He rejected Saul as the king over Israel, Samuel mourned.  Perhaps Samuel also felt a personal blow to his ego for not being able to "convert" Saul.  And I know that when God told Samuel to fill his horn with oil and move on, this was literal.  But in the same sense, as we move on in life, we can ask God to fill our hearts with comfort, peace and strength.  Most importantly, we are to fill our souls with the Lord, not with anyone or anything else.  Jesus is literally our soulmate, who is the only one who can fulfill us!

This is very important to remember when it comes to relationships with others.  Back when I was single and going on a few first dates or developing friendships in order to get to know someone better, at times I placed high hopes in certain guys, really wanting them to be the "right guy" for me.  And when these relationships didn't work out, and I'd find myself a little brokenhearted, I had to stop "mourning" - or - licking my wounds and ego - and move on with my life.  Even accepting the fact that maybe it was God's will that I remain single.  So I really had to trust the Lord to be my everything, so I could be content in all things!  This is NOT about being content with sin or troubling situations, but being content with God and His will.

If we are not content, we will become desperate.  This is when we start making stupid and very bad decisions.  So it is very interesting that when Samuel saw Jesse's eldest son, he assumed that he surely had to be the next "chosen one".  Since people tend to look at the outward appearances, even Samuel was about to "make the same mistake twice".  No, God looks at the heart!  As should we when we are choosing leaders, or friends, or a spouse!

If we align ourselves with unbelievers, it will be very difficult to be content in all things, because they will be moving in very different directions, away from God's will.  And things will become contentious, or you will find yourself compromising.  But to align ourselves with those who are also believers, seeking after the Lord and His will, means that we will be going in the exact same direction.  Not that we are perfect, but God and His word is!