"I HAVE REJECTED HIM!"

1 Samuel 16:4-7                      (ESV)
"4 Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, "Do you come peaceably?"
5 And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before him."
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because "I HAVE REJECTED HIM". For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS ON THE HEART."




Have you ever been able to SEE the things of GOD seemingly as plain as the nose on your face, but "this world" can't SEE the same things you do?  Do you ever wonder why everyone can't SEE the error of their ways when it seems evident to you that GOD's Plan is to go a different direction?  1 Corinthians 2:14 says "The natural person does not accept the things of the SPIRIT of GOD, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."  Unless we are willing to be moved to where GOD desires to be glorified by our lives, we risk missing out on HIS direction and blessings for our lives.

GOD's ways are NOT our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and we must come to grips that we can't humanly figure out the things of GOD!  Samuel was GOD's man and he followed the leadership and instructions of The LORD devoutly.  When GOD was to anoint a King HE didn't follow what would appear to be the smartest or mightiest according to man.  Instead HE selected someone who let GOD be GOD and didn't try to share HIS glory!  Samuel examined all of Jesse's sons, but did not choose any of them!  Until Samuel was exposed to David, the youngest, and apparently least equipped, was it that Samuel KNEW he had seen GOD's choice for king.

GOD can speak SO LOUDLY that all of Creation responds, like in Genesis 1 where there was nobody here to HEAR HIM, and HE didn't have to be concerned with HIS voice alarming everyone.  But more often than not, HE speaks gently, so gently that we have to BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD (Psalms 46:10; 1 Kings 19:11)!

Knowing that what we hear is definitely GOD takes more than a casual attempt at listening to and for GOD ALMIGHTY!  When I really NEED to hear from GOD without mistake, I get alone in my special place and listen more than I talk.   When GOD gives me an answer, it is UNMISTAKABLE!  When I try to operate before HE gives me HIS answer, it usually brings turmoil and strife!  Waiting on HIM (Psalms 27:14) is something I will continue to work on!

Samuel, like most, might have had a preconceived idea who GOD would have him anoint to be king.  But GOD told him rather bluntly "I HAVE REJECTED HIM" when Samuel explained who he thought GOD should anoint.  But we sometimes do the same thing!  Until we get alone and listen intently to, and for GOD's voice, we will not be able to hear from HIM!  Remember, GOD looks on the HEART so HE knows the true intentions of a person.   One thing for sure, we don't want to pursue the ones HE has declared "I HAVE REJECTED HIM"!!!