Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years.
1 Samuel 17:12, ESV
David was no one special in the eyes of the people of Israel. He wasn’t even special in his family. He was the eighth son they put out in the fields to keep the sheep. When God led Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king, David was not even brought forward. Samuel looked at the eldest first, who, to him, looked like a king, but this was not God’s chosen. It wasn’t until all of David’s brothers had been rejected by God that Samuel asked if there was another son, and David was chosen and anointed. This is how God works. Not with those who look as though they fit the part all on their own, but those whom God can shine out His glory through. As flawed as all of humanity is, God can do wonderful things and can create something beautiful in what would normally be rejected. David was never described as a perfect man, and his life shows his imperfections, yet he is described as a man after God’s own heart. We are not called to worry about how we can make an impact for God but are meant to surrender to Him and see the great work He can do in and through us as we seek after His heart and make His heart’s desire our own.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.