Day 12: The King
”Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
Over the last decade, most Christmases we’ve done ‘Bubblegum & Fluff’ for Primary 7 kids. In it, we take aim to take away some of the fluff that surrounds Christmas, so that we can get the juicy centre – the true story of Jesus.
As part of Bubblegum & Fluff, I’ve had the privilege of playing ‘Professor Christmas’ – a brainy but scatty old dude who apparently knows loads about Christmas. Professor Christmas invites the kids to do experiments to try and figure out what might be inside several presents. We measure things like size, sound, and smell, but the point is that unless we open the gift, we’ll not know what’s actually inside the wrapping.
The prophet Samuel was once given a similar lesson.
The Lord told him to anoint a new king for Israel, and sent him to Jesse, from Bethlehem. One of his sons would be the new king.
Israel’s first king, Saul, looked the part. He was a big lad who could have been a mighty king. But he was rejected, because he rejected the Lord.
So, when Samuel was being introduced to Jesse’s sons, God warned him not to judge by appearance. One by one, Samuel met seven of the sons, but it was the youngest and smallest son who had to be called in from the fields of sheep.
David was the one. Nobody expected he would be king, but he would lead God’s people by faith.
When faced with Israel’s giant enemy, David didn’t need Saul’s armour, helmet, and sword, he took a simple slingshot, and trusted the Lord.
Samuel was told:
“Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
What might look impressive to our eyes, might be the very thing the Lord calls weak.
What might seem valuable to us, may be worthless to the Lord.
What mattered was David’s faith. He was a good king, but all his days were tainted with sin. He was far from perfect, but he trusted the Lord.
That first Christmas didn’t look impressive, but it was truly the most valuable treasure. Nobody would have thought that his wee baby who couldn’t even hold his own head up was the one who held the entire universe together.
But Jesus is the one. He is the true king.
Aren’t we all impressed by things that don’t have eternal significance? Bigger or more glamorous doesn’t mean better.
Guard yourself from being captivated by worthless things. Take time to see the beauty and glory of Jesus. Run to the Bible and fill your head with the greatest story ever. Bow in awe at the true King and give him your worship.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways.”
This is the LORD’s declaration.
Isaiah 55:8
Written by Pete Bell
A Thought to Remember: Jesus is the true King we need. A Bit More to Read: 1 Samuel 16-17, Psalm 23, Isaiah 55 A Question to Ask: What captures your attention, and how might you fill your head and heart with more of Jesus? A Song to Sing: Noel A Picture for the kids: Slingshot