Psalm 78 says that God..."chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance."
So God chose, God appointed and God set David in place to shepherd His people. We know from the story of God sending Samuel to anoint a new king, David, man looks at the outward appearance when selecting leaders while God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16). One by one, the sons of Jesse passed before Samuel the prophet and Samuel thought at each choice, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here..."
But the Lord spoke to Samuel in Kingly wisdom saying, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." One by one, the sons of Jesse were rejected leading Samuel to proclaim, "The Lord has not chosen these."
Finally, the youngest son, David, was called from tending his father's sheep. When Samuel saw him, God said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."
What was it that God saw in the heart and life of David? More importantly, when He looks at us, does He see the same things?
Psalm 78:72 gives us a hint in saying, "And David shepherded them (Israel) with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. How did David shepherd his people? With integrity of heart and with skillful hands.
Developing and exercising the skills God gives us is one key part to being faithful in His Kingdom. However, equally and perhaps more important is having a heart of integrity.
Skills applied for God's glory plus God's heart yields fruitful ministry.
May we have both.
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