To Be Chosen

Amalekites......chose God as an enemy, when they ambushed Israel on the way out of Egypt. When the Israelites fled Egypt, these are the people who attacked their rear ranks...the weaker ones, young and old (Dt. 25). They are the ones who had no fear of God, and Moses told the Israelites to never forget what the Amalekites did and that one day this perverse people would be destroyed.

Samuel.....chosen by God, and offered by a mother with a pure heart. The prophet Samuel had served the Lord his entire life. He knew His voice from childhood. God spoke through Samuel to King Saul, and commanded that the Amalekites be destroyed. Upon finding out that Saul had revised God's plan by keeping the choicest animals, Samuel became grieved and sought to question Saul's reasoning. The prophet delivered the bad news to Saul that his throne was to be taken from him. Saul pleaded with Samuel to pardon his sin, and even tore his robe while doing so. Samuel reminded him (on the way out to kill King Agag) that God is not a man, that He should relent.

Saul.....chosen to be king by man's opinion, strong and tall. It was mentioned this week that his name meant "ask for". Israel wanted a king, they begged for one! They refused the Lord God. They got what they "asked for" in a king, just as God promised. Saul was never much for the things of God, as noted in chapter 10....He had become a liability to Israel, to say the least. He heard the command of God to utterly destroy the Amalekite people and their animals, but chose to "better it" by saving the best of the animals for sacrifice, along with Agag, their king. The lesson learned here is that God is more interested in obedience than in sacrifice....besides, was it a sacrifice if Saul never gave anything? God provided for Himself a king...another king. The Bible says He removed His Spirit from Saul and a distressing spirit, a dark mood, settled on Saul.

David.....chosen to be king by almighty God, the least of the family. Even Samuel seemed to be assuming the kingship would go to the tallest, oldest, strongest, or smartest. But, David had a heart that was tender toward the helpless. He tended the sheep, and protected them. He was hopeful, accountable, and most of all worshipful! God said that he had a "heart like His." WOW! The prophet Samuel follows God to Jesse's house in Bethlehem....there he anoints David as king, and at that very moment the Spirit fell on David.

God.....chosen by His people seemingly when things started going badly, Creator and Sustainer of all. God arranged for Saul to know David so well, that he loved David and made him his armor-bearer! I find it interesting that Saul depended on David at this point in his life. The distressing spirit that troubled Saul was only soothed by the soft sounds of his servant's harp. David brought comfort to his king, even before he brought victory....boldly going before Goliath. David wasn't scared!! Why should he be?? It was God's name on the line, not his own. And, David had seen God deliver lion and bear into his hands, why not this giant, too? David said to Goliath, "the battle is the LORD's and He will give you into our hands."

You......chosen by God before the foundations of the earth, the crown of His glory. Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. The Lord God chose to work in and through you. His spirit dwells in you, and slays the giants of this life....just ask David...or Caleb. You serve the same God. He is alive, and He is very active. What will you do in His strength to "let all the world know that there is a God" in your life today???