Bible in One Year:
Sunday, October 11, 2009
(Lk 22 - Lk 24)

Memorise: "For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth" (2 Cor 10:18)

Read: 1 Samuel 16:6-13
6 ¶ And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.
7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

After king Saul disappointed God as leader of the nation of Israel, Heaven declared a man-hunt for the next king. Even after Jesse's family was chosen, there were many contenders for the crown. When Prophet Samuel got to the house of Jesse, and saw all Jesse's sons in their best outing, he was confused. It took God to decide who would wear the crown. The one who would be anointed by God for a special assignment has to be recommended by God, not man. David was chosen but that decision was not a product of men's recommendation. God is not a democrat but an autocrat. He speaks and it is done. If God were a democrat, David would never have been king because not even his father or his envious brothers would have voted for him. Jesse brought seven of his sons before the national prophet and closed the chapter. He did not even give young David a chance! It took God to reopen the door Jesse had shut for David to finally emerge. God thinks about those who nobody thinks of. If everyone denies you the opportunity to live, God gives you what men thought they had robbed you of. Are you presently being counted as unqualified, ineligible for a particular position or higher task? The Lord will beat the decision makers and scheme you in. The world targets the more qualified for assignments but Heaven targets the least qualified, but most yielded to God for heavenly assignments. Are you qualified for Heaven's use? 

Every year, people are ordained as ministers, deacons, deaconesses, assistant pastors and pastors. But the truth is, when it comes to ordination, it is only those with heavenly recommendation that can be truly ordained. If you are not recommended by God, even if highly anointed hands are laid on your head, you will receive nothing. Hence, Psalm 75:6-7 says God is the One who promotes. If God does not promote you but men lift you up, you remain at the level you were before the promotion came. In the same vein, if God did not demote you but men did, you will retain your spiritual placement, anointing and favour before Him. Do you have Heaven's recommendation? To be recommended by Heaven, you must please God and be His favorite. Are you seeking to please God or man? The One whose steps you should be following - Jesus Christ, lived to please God so as to be commended by God. Who are you looking up to? 

ACTION POINT:
Father, let me be approved before your eyes!