54: Getting God’s opinion. 1 Samuel 16 V6-7

Jesse didn’t think his son David was qualified to be Israel’s next King. After all he was only a shepherd-boy. He wasn’t even lined up with his brothers when the Prophet Samuel arrived, armed with the oil to anoint the new King of Israel. However, Jesse proceeded to present his sons for the prophet who was now going to consult with God about which one of these boys He would choose. But when he saw Elab, (Jesse’s eldest son,) the Bible says Samuel was impressed, and thought “Surely the t Lord’s anointed stands here” Yes, this was surely the one God had chosen, He was Tall, handsome and strong and a general in Israel’s army to boot. 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 man looks at. Man looks on the outward appearance, but The Lord looks at the heart.” (1Samuel16:6-7). So after going through all of Jesse’s sons, and not getting God’s approval, Samuel inquired as to whether Jesse had any more sons, he was told about David the shepherd-boy who was out tending the sheep. Samuel asked for the boy to be brought in to him and God told Samuel “This is the one, anoint him.” I’d like to say a word here about trusting God’s word, God had sent Samuel to Jesse’s house so he knew this was the place he would find the one God had chosen to be King. But when he didn’t find him, he (like us)) could have turned round and gone home thinking he’d made a mistake, but No! He believed God and made further inquiries and God had David brought in, If we are sure God has said something we need to follow it up. I have seen and heard many a word from God at gatherings and prayer meetings go unheeded and often wondered what would have happened had the leadership been more attentive to the confirmed word of prophecy. Sadly we’ll never know!. We all have dreams and aspirations of our own and try as you may, you will never fulfil a dram that is not your own. Stop and think about your personal history. Who or what has influenced your personal plans, goals and desires. Is it possible that your dreams are the result of who your parents or others think you are? or Who you wish you were? Or are they the result of who you really are and what God meant you to be?. You will live the life for which God created you, Only, after you have figured this out. When a dream is right for you and you are right for the dream, the two cannot be separated. T. S. Eliot said, “Whatever you think, be sure it’s what YOU think; Whatever you want; be sure it’s what YOU want” The young child has no clear picture of himself, he sees himself only in the mirror of his parents’ evaluation of himself. A child who is repeatedly told he is a bad boy, or stupid, lazy, shy or clumsy will tend to act out the picture the parents or some other authority figure has painted for him. When it comes to your life’s calling, only one opinion counts – God’s! In order to fulfil his destiny, David had to overcome his family’s opinion of him, which wasn’t anywhere near what God had planned for him. His father had him lined up to be a shepherd, whereas God intended him to be the King of Israel and forefather of the Messiah. Success as God defines it is not a secret; he repeatedly says in His Word that He wants us to be successful in life. But as we all differ in our looks and personalities, so does God’s plan for each of us differ from one to another. Success is simply discovering God’s will for your life and doing it. In order to find that level of clarity, You need to dig in to God”s Word and find what He thinks about success. In (Deuteronomy 29:9) we read “Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do’ So we understand God-ordained success comes with a caveat (Carefully follow the terms of this covenant) and it’s non-negotiable – God will bless you with success IF you follow the terms--- If you want things to work out right in your life, you need to discover your God-ordained purpose and give your life fully to it. In (Romans 8;28) we read ‘All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes” The focal point of our lives should be discovering and doing God’s will. What you believe about that, will determine the direction you take and what you accomplish. Now, there’s a big difference between purpose and talent. You are called according to God’s purpose, not according to your talent. When you are talented but not called, you can be comfortable anywhere. That’s because talent like justice is blind, it sees all opportunities the same. But when you are aware of your God-given purpose, and it governs your life, there are things you simply wont do because you know they will derail, dilute or defeat God’s purpose for you. Being called according to His purposes’ enables you to focus on the development of your talent only as it relates to God’s Will for you So instead of asking God to bless what you are doing, ask Him to reveal His purpose for your life. Once you discover and fulfil that, you will be blessed, Now Let’s read it again,’And we know that God causes everything to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes for them. So have you discovered God’s purpose for your life yet? If not, get into His presence and stay there until He reveals it to you. It’s the only way you will ever be fulfilled. It’s not too late to become what God wants you to be, and do what He wants you to do. If you've been living somebody else’s dream, ask God for a dream of your own and He will give it to you Thank you for reading about God’s purpose for your life, and getting His opinion, it will always be the right one and you will have no regrets. I personally, learned a great deal when applying these principals, I hope and pray you do too. God bless Phaline.