Don’t Listen to Ugly
Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7b
Rejection. Most people have experienced rejection in their lifetime. Some say that rejection is a regular visitor. Whether it is your teenaged friends leaving you out of the group, rejection from your mother, father, or a stepparent, an unfaithful spouse or friends that leave you behind when you experience a divorce.
No matter the rejection, it is terribly painful.
King David was acquainted with rejection. His brothers never wanted him around. His father didn’t think he could be God’s anointed because he was the youngest and smallest of his sons.
When David volunteered to face Goliath, he was met with scoffing. His oldest brother accused him of an evil, boasting intent. King Saul said, You can’t go fight the Philistine. You’re just a youth! (1 Samuel 17:33). No one believed he was big, strong, or smart enough.
But, in the past, God helped him kill a bear and rescue a lamb from a lion’s mouth. David had full confidence that He would do it again. Because of David’s lack, Saul tried putting his armor and sword on him, but it just weighed him down and made it difficult to move.
David shed the unnecessary, picking up his slingshot. He faced the giant in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel (1 Samuel 17:45). David defeated Goliath by sinking a stone into his forehead.
David didn’t seek man’s approval. He didn’t try to impress the king, worry about what his brothers thought about his intentions, and didn’t listen to those who thought he didn’t measure up.
What he did do was remember how God had rescued him in the past and shared his experience with others. Then he trusted what God had spoken over him when Samuel told him he was chosen and set apart.
Friend, you are chosen and set apart, too. Are you going to listen to those who say you don’t measure up? Will you remember what God has done for you and believe what He has spoken over you? Choose who you will believe.
Johna Clemons
