TUESDAY May 14, 2019

Rejected and Elected

Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer.
1 Samuel 16:19-21

Notice, there was a great respect and love between Saul and David. Yet one was rejected by God, and one was elected by God. At this point in time, Saul did not feel threatened by David in the slightest––he was just a youth. Saul made David his armorbearer. He did not recognize God’s anointing on David’s life yet, but when he does, his anger will break loose. Why? Saul would become insanely jealous.

Saul would try to continue to rule over the kingdom. He wanted to remain God’s anointed, but Saul was no longer called by God to be King of Israel. The Lord was removing him. David was now God’s anointed; he was called to take over the kingdom of Israel. Saul would become dissatisfied. He should have gone where God had called him to be––back out in the field with the people. Saul should have submitted to the Lord.

It is important to understand that wherever God chooses to use you in His kingdom, you have to be content with that position. It might be behind the scenes or up front leading people. God can change your position any time and move you to a different place. How will you react? Will you choose to resist and be discontent, or will you submissively move and be content?

Paul taught young Timothy the value of contentment in life. He said:

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content (1Timothy 6:6-8).

We not only need to be content with what God has provided for us, but content where he has placed us to serve Him.

Contentment is an embracing of the providence of God.
~George Seevers~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!