1 SAMUEL 16:10-11

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?” 

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”  Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

TO PONDER

Do we give up too soon?  Do we settle for second best, choose any one of the options available, knowing deep down none of them are the correct answer?  Do we ask God “Are there more options coming?”  Do we wait and sometimes, wait and wait some more, for the right answer to come and be fully recognised with finality and certainty?  Do we wait, standing up, on guard, watching quietly, patiently, ignoring the sore feet and aching back?  Do we sit down, get comfortable, doze off, daydreaming of what might be, and miss the answer when it comes?  

And when the answer comes, metaphorically the young lad, dirty, runt of the litter, doing the menial tasks the older boys have outgrown, awkward and unprepared, do we see beyond that with trust, courage, integrity and faith in a God who is looking for something in us to put a kingly crown on. Something we feel unprepared for, but with our identity intact in Jesus, we are fully prepared. 

PRAYER

Help us Jesus, to see not what we offer up, or choose, but what you choose in us, or send to us, that is beyond our expectations!  Give us patience as we wait, trust in what we receive, and courage as we go out.    Amen

Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra