Floyd & Sally McClung

Chosen For a Special Task

1 Samuel 16:1 - 13

Introduction: The people of Israel people wanted a king like the surrounding nations, but God wanted to be their king. Because they demanded a king to rule over them, God gave them what they wanted. Be careful how you pray…God may give you what you ask for if you don’t ask with trust in God’s goodness.

Chapters 8 - 15 sets the backdrop for what happens in chapter 16 in the life of David. These chapters are filled with wisdom and insight into the ways of God, particularly chapter 12. In this chapter, Samuel addresses the people at Saul’s coronation, reminding them of God’s goodness to them as their loving ruler and Lord. In spite of their rebellion, Samuel proclaims that God will not forsake them for His name’s sake (verse 22).

It is in this situation that we see the bigness of Samuel’s heart. He is severely tested by the people’s rejection, but he responds in the opposite spirit. Samuel says, “…far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you…I will teach you the good and right way.”

Saul was anointed that day to be king. He was anointed with oil from a man made flask. Years later, when David was anointed to be king, oil was poured over his head from a horn of an animal (1 Samuel 10:1 and 16:1). Don’t miss the subtle but important message in this symbolism. There are two anointings for serving God: the anointing of Saul and the anointing of David. Which would you rather have? The people chose Saul, but God chose David. There are men and women who appear to be chosen by God, but their anointing is man made.

Excerpts from God’s Word: 1 Samuel 16 says, “God spoke to Samuel: So, how long are you going to mourn and mope about Saul? You know I’ve rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your flask with anointing oil and get ready to anoint the one I have chosen. Listen, I’m sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I’ve spotted the one I want among his sons… so Samuel took his flask of oil, looked over Jesse’s sons, and when he took one look at Eliab, he thought, ‘This is the one!’ But the Lord spoke to Samuel and said, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have not chosen him. I don’t make decisions the way you do! You are looking at his outward appearance, but I look at a person’s heart.’ So Samuel kept looking until he found the one God had chosen, and when he knew he was the one, he anointed David, with his brothers standing around gawking. The Spirit of God entered David that day like a sudden rush of wind. From that moment, God mightily empowered David, to the end of his life.” (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

Lessons for Prayer and Personal Application:

God’s anointing follows God’s appointing. David was not trained, was not well known, and was not ready, but God appointed him anyway. God sought David out of a place of obscurity and chose him to lead the people. It is the call of God that qualifies us to serve God. You may be hidden from the sight of people, but you are not hidden from the eyes of God. David was too young to lead, was not prepared to fight Israel’s battles, and had no previous leadership experience, but God chose him, and that act of choosing brought with it all that was necessary for the task. God sees you, and though you may be hidden from people, God has a plan for your life that no one else can do.

Unlike the Old Testament, where only a few people were chosen or qualified to be kings or priests, in the New Testament we are taught that we are all chosen to serve God. Each of us is given unique abilities and passions that are placed within us by God to give us a special sphere of influence and service for God. When you become a follower of Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit is given to you to empower you to obey God and impact those around you. Yield your passions and abilities to God, and God will empower you for special tasks that only you can do for Him.

God’s promises are followed by God’s preparation. God gives passions and promises for the future, not only for us to have faith for the future, but also to give us hope for the present. Never try to get ahead of the season of preparation God takes you through. He may have given you wonderful promises, and He may have stirred your heart with passions that make you come alive, but always remember they were given by God to give you perspective on the present process of preparation. Remembering those promises in hard times releases hope for the unseen future God has up for you.

God sees the heart but people see outward appearance and performance. Jesse assumed that David was too young for a special blessing from Samuel the prophet, but God thought differently. Jesse brought forward his sons, one at a time, but God had already made his choice.

Which would you rather have, the choosing of man, or the calling of God? Are you prepared to depend on the Lord, and not be dependent on people’s whims or ideas? Saul feared the people, and because of it, he disobeyed God and forfeited the blessings of God on his life. It is far better to be unknown and approved by God, than famous but striving for everything you have attained.

Personal Illustration: There was time in my (Floyd’s) life, that I was invited to take a prestigious position with an international organization. It felt right. It fit my abilities. When I weighed the pro’s and con’s, everything pointed in that direction. Only one thing was missing: the peace of God. When I wasn’t in prayer it seemed right. Vision for the assignment came easily. I was excited about the potential for impacting people’s lives for God. But when I prayed, the excitement left and all that was there was a sense of unease. Finally, after months of going back and forth about the decision, in desperation one day I said to the Lord, “If this is not your will, I won’t do it.” In that moment peace filled my heart. I heard the Lord whisper these words to my spirit: “Son, I have an assignment for you that no one else can do. Others can take the position you have been offered, but I have a task for you that won’t get done if you don’t do it.” God graciously spoke to me, and gave me understanding that he had special task for me to do. It was not a position that would promote my fame, but an assignment that would develop my character and draw me into my life’s calling. Looking back, when I consider the crossroads I was at, I am reminded of Samuel’s words to the people of Israel: “…do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver…”

Prayer of Response: Thank you, dear Father, that you have called me for a special task. Thank you that you have a plan and purpose for my life. I choose to live for your glory and your purposes in my life. I dedicate my life to live passionately for Jesus and his purposes in the earth. I am not satisfied, Lord, to live a mediocre life. I want more than living for myself. I know that you alone can satisfy me, and that you desire to advance your kingdom through me.

Lord, like Samuel, please teach me to hear your voice and to obey your promptings. Teach me to fear you Lord, and not people. Give me courage for the big and small decisions in my life, for the little steps of obedience that you are asking of me this day. Show me the people that you want me to speak to about you. Give me courage to invest in the people you have brought to me. And help me receive your grace to seek you daily in prayer and the Word.

I believe your promises, Lord Jesus. I trust your word. So I receive by faith the strength I need to obey you. Thank you for the special assignment you have given to me. By your grace, I purpose to discover that special purpose you have for my life.

I welcome your preparation in my character. Do whatever you want to do in me to get me ready for your calling on my life. I want to please you more than I want the approval of people, Lord. Teach me not to seek significance or approval in the wrong ways, Lord. I welcome you to use people, or work, or family, or friends, or money, whatever you want to use in my life to test me and teach me to love and obey you.

Teach me to trust you, lord. Refine out of my character those tendencies to find comfort, security and attention that are not from you. I want to please you more than anything.