Topsy Turvy

David was carrying a newborn baby lamb when his brother shouted from on top the rise. “Dad wants you!”

“What for?” David settled the lamb beside its mother and watched the wobbly-legged baby begin the amazing search for its first meal, butting the ewe’s front leg and falling in a heap.

By now, Micah had joined his brother at the delivery site. “He told me to watch the sheep so you could go. Cute baby. What do I do with it?”

“Make sure it gets a drink. Don’t leave until you’re sure it does because you might have to help it.”

“It’ll figure it out,” Micah declared. “I don’t want to touch it. Phew, you smell like afterbirth and sheep. Nobody will want to be around you. Look at you! You’re filthy.”

“I like to be here for the new lambs,” David wiped his hands on the dry grass. “Birth is exciting.”

“Well, you’re going to see a priest. You better wash yourself well or you’ll be unclean. He’ll send you away.”

Imagine Samuel, in search of a king, meeting this young shepherd. David might have still been damp after scrubbing the unclean remains of the sheep. The scent of the lambs still hung on his robe. Shepherds were lowly.

Samuel was looking for a tall, handsome man to lead Israel and here God brought a shepherd to be anointed. What madness to politicians and generals! It was a topsy-turvy choice, selecting the lowest to be the highest.

David’s resume was spotty and his job skills appeared ill suited for ultimate leadership.

But you know the rest of the story. David became the greatest king in the history of Israel. The man after God’s own heart lifted God’s people to the very height of their history. David spawned the kingly line of Judah, leading straight to Jesus.

Maybe you feel like you need to wash up a bit before standing before God. Maybe you feel your hands aren't clean enough yet and your habits need some straightening.

We look on the outside but God... well, God looks on the heart.

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

1 Sam 16:7