Daily Devotionals

Hall of Faith Week 10 Tuesday

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13

Have you ever looked at yourself in a distorted mirror? Sometimes it can be comical to see ourselves through this kind of mirror. Other times it can be a little bit painful. Regardless, it is comforting to know that we do not look how the mirror portrays us to look. The truth is, even when we are not looking in a distorted mirror, we may have a distorted image of ourselves. We may be so caught up in what the world thinks about status and stature that we stop seeing ourselves how God sees us. There is a better way! Scripture makes it clear that God cares about the heart, not our stature or status, and we will gain freedom if we start seeing ourselves the way that God sees us.

In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel is tasked with anointing a new king for Israel by God. He is told specifically to go to Jesse's house because one of his sons is who God has chosen as Israel's next king. Samuel obeys, and Jesse brings 7 of his sons to be evaluated by Samuel. One by one, God lets Samuel know that none of these seven sons are to be the king. Finally, Samuel says to Jesse, "Are these all of the sons you have?" (verse 11) Jesse replied that there was the youngest son whom Samuel had not seen, adding, "but he's out in the fields watching the sheep and goats" (verse 11). David was such an unlikely person to be chosen as king that his dad did not even bring him to Samuel with the rest of his sons. After all, how could a young shepherd boy go from sheep herding to king? And yet, that is exactly whom God chose. When David came to Samuel, God revealed to the prophet, "this is the one; anoint him" (verse 12). Samuel anointed David, and "the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on" (verse 13). 

It is clear from David's story that God sees things differently than we do. He does not judge by outward appearance or position; he looks at the heart. This includes us. When God looks at us, He is most concerned about our hearts. He wants us to become who He made us to be. When we see ourselves the way He sees us, we can walk in His peace and confidence.

Moving Toward Action

If we want to gain a healthy perspective of who we are in God's eyes, we have to turn to Scripture. Take some time to read Psalm 139:1-24. As you read, make a list of the things God thinks and says about you in this passage of Scripture. After making your list, read through it at least one time. Thank God for the way He created you and the way He sees you. Ask Him for eyes to continue to see yourself the way He sees you as well.

Going Deeper

Read 1 Samuel 16:11-23 (NLT)

Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.

And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

 

Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.

Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.”

“All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”

One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.”

So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine.

So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer.

Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”

And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.