History is occupied by famous people. Most of us remain anonymous. I am sure these famous people are not too different from us. After all, we are all sinners in need of God's salvation and in the end, we all share the eternal life of God. I believe that in the eyes of God, we are equally valuable to Him.
The reading today tells us how God had rejected the seven elder sons of Jesse to choose David to replace Saul (1 Samuel 16:1-13).
God sent Samuel to Jesse to anoint David. Such a mission would provoke Saul and the life of Samuel would be jeopardized. Therefore, God instructed Samuel to camouflage.
And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'
And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me him whom I name to you." (1 Samuel 16:2b-3)
After all, in order to protect innocent life, extraordinary action has to be taken. Learn this lesson.
When the sons of Jesse lined up in front of Samuel, Eliab impressed him with the height of his statue. But he was not destined to be chosen.
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
God looks on the heart. Remember this.
When all seven elder sons were rejected, there remained the youngest, David. He was sent for.
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." (1 Samuel 16:12)
David was ruddy and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. It is not yet time to reveal his heart. We have to patiently wait to see his heart unfold.
When God chose David, I am sure He sees the whole life of David. He has prepared David to take up the kingship despite all the flaws and sins of David. Later in his life, David committed adultery and murder. Yet, God still prepares him, chooses him and blesses him.
God sent Samuel to Jesse to anoint David. Such a mission would provoke Saul and the life of Samuel would be jeopardized. Therefore, God instructed Samuel to camouflage.
And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'
And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me him whom I name to you." (1 Samuel 16:2b-3)
After all, in order to protect innocent life, extraordinary action has to be taken. Learn this lesson.
When the sons of Jesse lined up in front of Samuel, Eliab impressed him with the height of his statue. But he was not destined to be chosen.
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
God looks on the heart. Remember this.
When all seven elder sons were rejected, there remained the youngest, David. He was sent for.
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." (1 Samuel 16:12)
David was ruddy and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. It is not yet time to reveal his heart. We have to patiently wait to see his heart unfold.
When God chose David, I am sure He sees the whole life of David. He has prepared David to take up the kingship despite all the flaws and sins of David. Later in his life, David committed adultery and murder. Yet, God still prepares him, chooses him and blesses him.
I keep my mother in my heart. I keep my friends in my heart. I keep my students in my heart. If I just look at their flaws: addiction, authority abuses, despair, extra-marital affairs, infirmity of body and mind, loneliness ... there are countless. If I look at their merits, there are countless too. Each of us has a role to play in God's plan and each of us, however flawed we are, will share the eternal life of God. Eliab was rejected. Yet he still had a life to fulfill. The rich young man declined the call of Jesus and left no record in the gospels. Yet I am sure he was able to attain salvation in the end. Why am I so confident? It is because God loves to elevate the lowly and makes good out of evil. The way I see it, good and evil are embedded within each other. David, a holy king, committed adultery and murder. It takes a good Lord to draw out good from evil and God is perfectly good. God loved David as well as Eliab, Cain as well as Abel. Our flaws will leave injuries on each other and our future generations. But God will heal us all.
Dear Lord, I pray for the well being of my mother, the godmother of my sons, my friends and students. I entrust them in Your mercy. Heal us, Lord. Amen.
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