Not Forgotten!

As the silver bearded priest walks through the ancient hills of Israel on a narrow trail his stomach begins to churn. Bethlehem lies before him, anxiety and adrenaline run through his veins. Farmers on the hill notice his presence and even some whisper his name. "Is this Samuel?" they ask in fear and trembling. The people of Bethlehem's hearts stopped for a brief moment as they see someone they didn't expect to see. Questions as the elders gathered in the community trying to figure out what was about to take place, "Why here in Bethlehem? What's this mean?" During this time, Israel was weak, the people demanded a king and instead of Saul saving the Nation he nearly destroyed it. So what did God do? He did what no one could have ever imagined. He issued a surprise invitation to a nobody in Nowheresville.

How long will you continue to feel for Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. Fill your container with olive oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse who lives in Bethlehem, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king. (I Sam. 16:1)

I can only imagine what the people thought at the time. Prophets don't visit Bethlehem. But Samuel says that he has come to sacrifice an animal to God and invites the elders, Jesse and his sons to join him. All of Jesse's sons line up one by one as Samuel examines them. Eliab, the oldest, seems the logical choice. Strong, courageous, this is the guy, Samuel thinks. But God says no. Abinadab then seems like the next best choice. He's got dark wavy hair, and wears Gucci suits. What a classy king he would make. But God doesn't care about class. Samuel asks for son number three Shammah. Wow, Shammah is brilliant and very studious, he's even the valedictorian of Bethlehem High. Samuel is impressed, but God isn't. Seven sons pass. Seven sons fail. They all seemed to have the perfect resume, but God looks at the heart. (I Sam.16:7) We know the rest of the story. Samuel asks, "Jesse, don't you have 8 sons?" David was forgotten as he was only a shepherd boy in the hills of Bethlehem.

Have there ever been times in your life where you feel forgotten, excluded, not qualified, un-credentialed that causes you to feel as a misfit or an outcast? I can only imagine how David must have felt as his own father and brothers forgot that he even existed until Samuel asked. But the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (16:7) God uses the misfits and the outcasts to do exploits for His Kingdom. Peoples opinion doesn't' matter, what people say about you doesn't matter, all that matters is what your maker thinks. You are "Not Forgotten!"