The Chosen King
by Ivan Kalabric
Advent Devotional ~ Day 14
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5
“God does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1Sam 16:7b
Truly, we are often driven towards things that we believe are the best for us and our family, good looking people, prosperous schools, influential friends, power, money, image…We are running after these things and it makes us tired, empty, lonely and we cannot find comfort in the Lord, because he rejects those things as idols. Israel, likewise, had chosen their king, looking strictly at the outward appearance. Yet, the Lord appointed Samuel to find a King after God’s own heart, the King who is the shepherd. Our chosen King, on whose Advent we are waiting upon, is Jesus Christ. In John 10:11a and 14c, we read in Jesus’ own words: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep… I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
King David was a man after God’s own heart, Jesus is His beloved Son and so we are His adopted children chosen to live with him in eternity. Just as David and Jesus were leaders with hearts of a shepherd, so we are called alike. In John 21, Jesus speaks to Peter, a man to whom he said, “you are Peter, the Rock” and using the same terminology, says, feed my sheep, take care of them. The Shepherd heart of God is a theme that is interwoven throughout the Scripture and it has been a calling passed onto his servants and His chosen ones.
Reflection
As we wait upon our King and his glorious second coming, may our hearts be open, tender and joyous for the working of the Holy Spirit, by whom we will be led into servant leadership in our homes, communities, neighborhoods and our jobs. He will teach us to live humbly, he will mature our hearts and actions, so we can be the people after His own heart, as we obey him out of love. We love, because He first loved us.
Application questions
1. What do you hope to accomplish next year? Do you hope to become a better person, better minister, richer, healthier, or maybe more like Jesus?
2. If your plans for the next year, month or week fail, will you choose to embrace the journey and trust the Shepherd?