Ep.04/ New Year, New Beginning, Same God
How to Allow God to do a new thing in You in 2022
LISTEN NOW
David is easily one of my favorite people of the old testament. The depth and complexity of his character inspired me to believe that anything is possible when we have the heart to serve God. David wasn't even in the running to be King.
If left up to the decisions of men, even his own father, Jesse, didn't see him as destined to be King. Not to say that Jesse didn't love or favor his son David. Simply that according to the standards of men, David didn't fit the bill.
Have you ever been elevated to a position you didn't fit the bill? Perhaps you lack the experience, pedigree, or aesthetic based on social norms and expectations of popular culture.
According to popular science, it takes about 7 seconds for people to form an opinion of you. Other research goes further and suggests that we judge others and create pretty solid impressions of them within 1/10 of a second. Can you imagine? Without blinking an eye, someone looks at you and determines your future?
But thank God that his ways are not our ways; his thoughts are not our thoughts.
We can lack experience; we can lack the education, the look, the voice… If you name it— God overcame it and can put us in position anyway. When God sets out to anoint David as the second king of the people of Israel, he is the least likely of candidates. The last of 8 sons, David's life experience until his anointing consisted of caring for sheep as a sheered boy.
When Samuel arrives in Bethlehem, he falls for the 7-second rule the Bible says, "Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord.". God quickly gets Samuel together and reminds 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.
Can you think of a time when you have allowed the appearance of a thing to keep you from pursuing a valuable opportunity?
Here's something to consider. When we judge a person by outward appearance, we don't leave room for God to do a new thing. David did not look like where he was going, but God was preparing him even when he was in the sheep pen.
In 1 Samuel 18, we see King Saul's son Jonathan give David his robe, tunic & sword. Jonathan would have been the natural heir in line for the throne. But even Jonathan saw the favor of the Lord on David. He saw that David would be King and postured this with the gifting of his armor. The word says, "Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself."
David didn't look like a king. He likely didn't speak or think like a King. But God sent someone along the way to Model what was to come. God was making David a new — through every step in his journey. And our God can do the same for you.
I mentioned that David was the 8th son of Jesse. The number 8 is symbolic of new beginnings. It symbolizes the circumcision of the heart through Christ and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. This brought a whole new meaning to the scripture most associated with David “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart." Our new beginning starts when we are made new in Christ Jesus when we have a heart that seeks the purposes of our Lord and Savior.
How good is our God that he used the 8th son to establish a new Kingdom? A Kingdom was established by placing a boy from Bethlehem on the throne. A boy who would become King in the lineage of Jesus Christ. So let David be the example in your life. No matter your shortcoming. No matter where you come from in this world. No matter what the world would have, you believe you lack. Know this. If you can name it, Jesus overcame it. If God looked at the heart of a shepherd boy and saw a King.
There are no limits to what God can do in and through you.
This New Year chose to have a heart after God's own heart. Start with God and allow him to do a new thing in you. The same God who took a boy from Bethlehem and put him on a throne can take you to great heights when you seek his Kingdom first.