I Samuel 16:5
‘He said, “In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.’
As far as we know Jesse was an ordinary guy working a job and raising a family. He had eight sons; most were adult men, while David was the youngest, probably in his early 20’s. In the following chapters we learn that Jesse was an old man.
While Jesse was proud of his family, there’s nothing indicating that he thought that they were going to be great. He was probably surprised that they were invited to the banquet. The house was busy with everyone putting on their best clothes and possibly contributing to the meal.
A day or two before, life was normal. The typical concerns of the day were on their minds, David cared for the sheep, the other brothers may have been working the land, they may have had their own trades or possibly hired themselves out to the people of the area.
When day would break there would be the bustle of activity with people readying themselves for the day; the smell of breakfast was in the air. They didn’t know a messenger was en route with the invitation.
Some things lead to this. In Luke 16:10 Jesus shares a general principal of faithfulness, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” It begins by being faithful with little. These are humble days when we are the least. We get the menial jobs. In time we are given more responsibilities and we are working our way up. Anyone who is a consistent hard worker rises in the ranks. It’s safe to say that Jesse and family were faithful hard workers.
Attitude is important. We are to enjoy every step of the way. Zechariah tells us not to despise small beginnings. Take joy in every part of the journey. Be grateful every day, every step along the way.
When we trust the Lord with our lives, He does much more with us. As we honor and trust Him, He guides and blesses us. Proverbs 3:5 & 6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
We know that Jesse’s family feared God. David spoke of God in wonderful ways. The family contributed to that. David was raised in the faith. He had amazing insights that we read in the Psalms. He knew that God loved him and He loved and trusted God. The day came when Jesse’s family was invited and David was anointed king.
The Lord works with us in the same way. One day we get the news of a promotion or of an opportunity that’s opened up. All of the sudden, we’re on another level. This is God’s blessing.
We aren’t to grow proud, as the Lord is the one who gave it. Psalm 75:6,7 says, “For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the desert comes exaltation; but God is the Judge, He puts down one and exalts another.”
Lord, thank You that You are orchestrating our lives. Thank You for the great opportunities You provide. Help us not to be proud, but grateful and trusting.