Still in the Field: Chosen by God

David was an unlikely leader.

An Unlikely Choice

He was the youngest of Jesse's sons. When Samuel arrived to anoint the next king of Israel, Jesse gathered seven of his sons and brought them before the prophet. David, however, was left in the fields tending the sheep.

I've often wondered what that conversation at Jesse's house looked like before they ever left.

Samuel had called for Jesse and his sons. Somewhere along the way, it was decided that David could stay behind.

Scripture doesn't tell us why.

Maybe someone needed to tend the sheep. Maybe Jesse simply assumed Samuel would be choosing from the older brothers. We aren't told.

What we do know is that David wasn't there; he was in the field.

Samuel, seeing Jesse's oldest son, thought, "Surely this must be the one."

But God had another plan.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected 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.'" 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

How often do we do what Samuel did?

We look for someone who has the right experience, the right personality, the right education, the right title, or simply the right presence.

We have an image in our minds of what God's choice should look like.

God, however, has never been limited by our expectations.

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The Question That Changed Everything

After Samuel had seen each of Jesse's sons, the Lord still had not identified His choice.

So Samuel asked a simple question.

"Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, 'The Lord has not chosen these.' So he asked Jesse, 'Are these all the sons you have?'" 1 Samuel 16:10–11 (NIV)

"Are these all the sons you have?"

Think about that.

The one God had chosen wasn't even in the room.

The one Samuel had come for was still faithfully doing what had been entrusted to him.

David wasn't campaigning for recognition.

He wasn't trying to convince anyone he was qualified.

He was simply tending sheep.

When Jesse finally sent for David, everything changed.

"So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, 'Rise and anoint him; this is the one.'" 1 Samuel 16:12 (NIV)

Did you catch that?

Only a few verses earlier, God had reminded Samuel that He doesn't look at outward appearance. Yet David is described as healthy, handsome, and having a fine appearance.

So maybe David didn't look as unlikely as we sometimes imagine.

Maybe the issue wasn't David's appearance at all.

Maybe the issue was that no one expected God to choose him.

Isn't that often how God works?

He chooses the person everyone else overlooked.

Recognized by a Servant, Not a King

Later, after David had been anointed, Saul needed someone to play the lyre to soothe him. It wasn't Saul who recognized David.

It was a servant.

"One of the servants answered, 'I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.'" 1 Samuel 16:18 (NIV)

Before a king recognized David, a servant recognized that the Lord was with him.

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Anointed but Not Yet Enthroned

David had already been anointed by God, but he still wasn't sitting on the throne.

Instead, he returned to serving.

He learned.

He grew.

He worshiped.

He waited.

Then came Goliath.

Then came Saul's jealousy.

Then came years of running for his life.

Imagine knowing God had called you to be king while the current king was trying to kill you.

Yet through all of it, one thing never changed.

What God had ordained.

Saul couldn't stop it.

Jealousy couldn't stop it.

Rejection couldn't stop it.

Delay couldn't stop it.

Because when God appoints someone, His purposes are not dependent upon human approval.

Many Davids Today

As I read David's story, I cannot help but think there are many Davids today.

I think there are many people whom God has called to lead, teach, encourage, build, and strengthen His Kingdom, yet they have been overlooked because they didn't fit someone's expectation.

Sometimes it is bias.

Sometimes it is tradition.

Sometimes it is fear.

Sometimes people become so comfortable with what God has entrusted to them that they struggle to recognize when He is raising up someone else.

Whatever the reason, people can miss what God is doing because they are looking for something different than what God has sent.

If You Feel Overlooked

f that has happened to you, I want to encourage you today.

Do not confuse man's recognition with God's calling. They are not the same thing.

If God has anointed you, continue to grow.

Study His Word.

Develop a deep relationship with Him.

Steward His presence with great care.

Allow Him to shape your character while He prepares your future.

Do not spend your energy trying to convince people of what God has spoken.

David didn't.

God took care of that.

Your responsibility is faithfulness.

God's responsibility is fulfillment.

If He has spoken it, He will accomplish it.

It may not happen on your timeline.

It may not happen through the people you expected.

It may even come after seasons of rejection or misunderstanding.

But what God has ordained will come to pass.

So, if today you feel like you're still in the field while everyone else has been invited into the room, don't lose heart.

The God who knew exactly where David was knows exactly where you are.

When His timing is right, He will call you forward.

Until then, keep tending the sheep.

Keep stewarding His presence.

Keep becoming the leader He is preparing you to be.

Because God's calling on your life has never depended on someone else's ability to recognize it.

Where do you feel like you're "still in the field" right now — waiting for God to call you forward? I'd love to hear it in the comments.

As always friends, be well-fed.

John & Stephanie - The Butlers