Wednesday, December 17, 2008
1 Samuel 16:10-12 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here." So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!"
LET'S GO TO BETHLEHEM -- WITH DAVID
I've seen the signs outside more than one city, so it does happen. A person born and raised in a town leaves and becomes famous. If they become famous enough, the city eventually puts up a sign at the edge of town: "Home of . . ."
David grew up in Bethlehem. He walked the same roads Jacob and Rachel traveled. He likely watched his father's sheep in some of the same fields where Ruth gleaned Boaz' grain.
If we could go back and walk the streets of Bethlehem with David, we would be traveling with a celebrity. David wasn't just given the keys to the city, the city itself came to bear his name. If signs had been posted on the outskirts, they would have read: Bethlehem, the City of David.
Bethlehem was known for its agriculture, for its flocks and herds. It was not a place you would think to look for the next King of Israel. Yet, God sent Samuel to Bethlehem, to the home of Jesse, because He had chosen one of his sons to be king over his people.
Humanly speaking, David was an unlikely choice to be king. But David was God's choice -- and God made him a great king.
God has also chosen us. We are called by the Holy Spirit to be His children by faith. And as God's children, we are also chosen to be His witnesses to the world.
Do we think of ourselves as unlikely or unfit choices? God has chosen us of his grace, not because of what we "bring to the table." He will also equip us for our task by His Word. He will make of us fit witnesses, even as He made David, a shepherd boy, into Israel's greatest king.
Bethlehem was once called "the city of David," but one far greater than David was born there. We rejoice to call Him our King.
God grant that the sign at the entrance of our hearts always reads: "Home of Christ the King!"
