God Can Use Anyone Including Shepherd Boys

“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.” 1 Samuel 16:11

Parenting is everything to me. I love my children deeply and equally. What I do for one I do for the other. It’s so important to me that they both feel loved by me and are treated equally. You can understand why I would have a huge problem with this dad, Jesse.

Samuel the prophet came to town. He was going to perform the sacrificial peace offering. The peace offering meant part of the animal would be burnt before the Lord, and the other part was eaten. This was significant. It meant the people, who were invited would be celebrating. They would be eating it as a ceremonial meal. This was done in a special way. Samuel invited Jesse, and ALL of his sons because Samuel was sent there by the Lord to anoint one of his sons as the next king.

Jesse, took seven out of his eight sons to the sacrificial ceremony. Leaving his youngest son behind. I’m sorry, but I have a major problem with Jesse parenting style. Not only did he leave one out. But the one God had called to be king. Where was the heart of Jesse? Where was his relationship with God? He had no idea the heart of God. Nor the will of God for him or his own children. Definitely, not that of his last boy.

God had specifically said to Samuel, “Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.” God never told Samuel which one. Here was Samuel as each son was brought to him and God rejecting each one. All the seven sons rejected. Imagine Samuel’s confusion as the last one passed by him and God saying, “Not this one?”

Samuel was already afraid for his life by what King Saul would do to him. Now, all of Jesse's sons were rejected. "God, did I hear you right?" Hey, I’ve been there. I understand the confusion. He told Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” I can’t believe Jesse didn’t bring his last son before Samuel by now. I can’t believe Samuel had to even ask Jesse. What was Jesse thinking?

Jesse said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” This statement annoys me even the more. Really, Jesse? A prophet invited you and your sons to a very important ceremony. Did Jesse forget he had an eighth son? Was this last boy rebellious and disobedient towards him? He didn’t even address him by name. The impression by Jesse is, “Yes, there’s another, but he’s out feeding sheep.” In other words, he’s just a shepherd. He’s a nobody. There’s no importance in him being here. How sad.

You see, his family had a low regard for him. This is not hard to imagine. Remember, further in the story. Jesse sends him to bring food during the war and his brother rebukes him? And this after he was anointed to be king. He wasn’t invited to this special ceremony. The only reason why he was brought before Samuel was because Samuel insisted. Samuel wasn’t going to continue the celebration until the last son arrived. Nobody was going to sit down until the last son arrived. I could write just on this statement alone. Samuel was there on a mission. Not even Jesse wound be allowed to stop what God was about to anoint, ordain, and launch. The commission of this last son.

Finally, the youngest son was brought in. David stood before Samuel. God said, “That’s the one. He is the one I have chosen for myself to be the next king. He will lead my people and protect them from harm. He will do what’s right before me and the people. He has a heart after mine.” My own words here. In essence that’s what God said.

Imagine Jesse and his brothers. His family didn’t think highly of him. Not because he was rebellious or disobedient. Simply because he was the youngest. Jesse wasn’t a wealthy man. Had he been, David wouldn’t have been keeping sheep. A servant would be doing that job.

Today, God wants you to know it doesn’t matter if you're respected, honored, or held in high regard in your family. It doesn’t matter if your a Chief Executive Officer or scrubbing the toilet bowl. If you have a heart to do what is right before God and man, it will be God who will elevate you whether you are a shepherd or not.

Please catch the two following points. God will send to you those who will bring you to your God-given destiny. It doesn't matter what you find yourself in or whatever place you find yourself in, or whether you're down in the dumps. Sheep, or no sheep. God brings His glory to any person, and God will elevate, promote, and showcase you, right before your enemies. He does it smack in the middle, “Samuel anointed David in the middle of his family,” those who despise you, hate you, wish harm, are against you, and do everything in their power to stop the call of God in your life. They will witness the elevation of God in your life.

Up to 1 Samuel 16: 23, it seems like everyone had a name. Every one but the youngest son. Jesse referring to David as “He.” God has a name alright. David, which means beloved. God had his eyes on him. God had his hands on him. God has a plan, not just an ordinary plan, but a plan for King of a nation. God dreamed bigger than his earthy father did. David was to become one of the greatest Kings in history.

Remember this, “If God is for you who can stand against you?” This friends is my life and it’s your life, too. One requirement that qualified David and disqualified his own brothers and peers. David had a heart after God. God saw it, and God used it mightily. That was the difference. God could trust David to do what was right before him. David, was found singing, writing, and worshiping in those fields as he watched the sheep. He wasn’t complaining that he had to do the “dirty” job.

Please let God find you in the right of heart as you go about your day. When the attitude is right before him. He will send those who will elevate and promote you to the next level. God’s hand can’t be stopped, hindered, or slowed down. Are you hearing me today?

Rev. Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

Founder and President of Thread of Hope, Inc.

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