You Can't God Can. Mike Lee

one either.’ Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, ‘Nor has the Lord chosen this one.’ 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 16:8-11)

      And Jesse remembers, “Oh yeah, that’s right; I do have one son who is tending the sheep.” And I think implied in that answer is, “But I’m sure it’s not him; he’s just a snot-nosed kid. Perhaps we should have the other seven parade by one more time because maybe you missed something?” But Samuel replies, “Go get him!” So, Jesse sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health, had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one” (1 Samuel 16:12).

      By the way, Jesse and Samuel are like many of us. They assumed that the future King of Israel had to look a certain way and act a certain way. He had to be a people person. He had to have an impressive resume. He had to have a great education. But God says, “That’s not what I’m looking for. That’s not what determines a person’s usefulness to me. Sure, those other young men are handsome and talented, but they’re not right for the job.”

      This brings up the question, “Why weren’t they the right ones?” Well, if we continue to read the story, we discover that God was looking for someone with a specific kind of heart. In other words, even though David was handsome and gifted and talented, that wasn’t the criteria that impressed God. God was looking for a person with the right kind of heart.