The LORD said to Samuel:
“How long will you grieve for Saul,
whom I have rejected as king of Israel?
Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”
But Samuel replied:
“How can I go?
Saul will hear of it and kill me.” (1 Sm 16:1-2a)
Samuel found himself in a jam in today’s reading. God had instructed him to go to Bethlehem so that he could anoint a new king for Israel. Samuel knew that he would be in jeopardy since Israel already had a king: Saul. Samuel, rightfully, was fearful for his life.
But, our plans are not God’s plans and His ways, surely, are not our ways. He wanted Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint a new king.
As the story unfolded, Samuel was presented with many likely candidates. Jesse presented seven sons to Samuel. While Samuel thought any of them would be likely candidates, God told him not to judge by appearance. When all seven sons were rejected, Samuel looked at Jesse as if to say, “That’s all?” Jesse told Samuel that there was one more son, his youngest, tending the sheep.
David was brought before Samuel and God instructed Samuel to anoint David as the new king of Israel.
We have to learn to view the world though God’s eyes and not our own. We have to learn to perceive the world through God’s heart and not our own. We have to listen to the world through God’s ears and not our own.
We can only do that if we are willing to set aside our very selves so that we may let God into our lives more fully.
FAITH ACTION: In quiet reflection today, ask God what His plans for you are. Be ready to set aside your own preconceived notions so that you may better hear God speak to you.