A King in Shepherd’s Clothing

Do you really know what you are capable of?

You see, God knows us better than we do and He made each one of us with a certain calling on our lives. Let’s take David for example: In 1 Samuel 16 God told Samuel to anoint the new King from one of Jesse’s sons. When Samuel saw Jesse’s son, Eliab, he thought to himself that this must definitely be the son he had to anoint as King. I mean, he “looked” like a King. His impression of Eliab was influenced by his appearance and how he carried himself, so to Samuel, Eliab seemed to be the best choice. But he wasn’t. God stopped Samuel in his tracks and told him: “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).

After this Samuel had a look at 7 of Jesse’s other sons, to see if God had chosen any of them. None of them were chosen by God. After this Samuel asked Jesse (probably very confused) if he had any other sons, and Jesse said that there was another one – David. When Samuel saw David, God told him to anoint David as the new King!

Now, Jesse knew Samuel was looking to anoint one of his sons, but he never bothered to make sure David was there in the first place. So not even David’s father thought he was worthy of Samuel’s attention. But God chose David and Samuel anointed him as the new ruler of God’s people. You see, people might have certain impressions of us, but God knows who we really are. Not even the way you see yourself might be true – God is the only one who really knows you.

When you consider this in your own life, you have to ask yourself: “Am I like David?”. Am I just someone with an unnoticeable job (like a shepherd), who’s family and friends consider me as someone who isn’t capable of being anything great (like David’s father)? Am I underestimating what God is capable of doing through me? Am I a king in shepherd's clothing and I just don’t know it yet?

God has something great in store for all of us, but it’s up to us to find out what it is. Pursue God, find out why He made you, why he placed you in the town you live in, why He placed you in the family you were born in, why He gave you certain personality traits – what He made you for. You see, we all have a calling and it’s up to us to pursue God and to find out exactly what that calling is. God cannot bring your calling into fulfillment, unless you allow Him too.

So, walk with God – pursue Him and His calling. You will be amazed at what He is capable of doing through you!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11