"Anointed Failure" April 25 Readings: 1 Samuel 9-10, Luke 16, Psalm 51:8–14, Proverbs 11:21-22

Today's Readings - 1 Samuel 9-10, Luke 16, Psalm 51:8–14, Proverbs 11:21-22    

Devotional - Anointed Failure

I remember eavesdropping on a conversation between my dad and another pastor, in which they were discussing how churches find pastors. Among Baptists, the church chooses its own leader, forming a search committee, fielding resumes, examining recommendations and finally bringing a candidate to the church. In the other pastor's denomination, the district superintendent (whatever his official title was) would select pastors and assign them to churches. My dad asserted that our system had to be the worst possible system. Our friend disagreed. His denomination's system had to be worse.

Selecting leaders for God's people has always been tricky.

1 Samuel 9-12 (today's reading and tomorrow's) tells the story of the selection of Saul as the first king of Israel. He was everything the world wants in a leader - impressive, charismatic, appealing. The nation that made him king would be blessed. Tall, handsome, energetic and enthusiastic; this new king had the people of Israel excited.

Of course, it didn't work out that way. Saul was not careful in obedience to God and eventually, God set him aside. Samuel anointed a young shepherd boy from Bethlehem to succeed him. David had few of the physical characteristics or innate talents of Saul, but he was the one whose house was established by covenant as an eternal line.

What was the difference between Saul and David? By human metrics, Saul was the better candidate. There are few pulpit committees that would not have chosen him over David. But in God's eyes, David was the better man. Why? Because David was a man of obedience, a man after God's heart. Saul was self-confident, willful and often not obedient.

God doesn't need our creativity or our talents. To a God who can create a universe simply by speaking, our creativity is not so impressive. He is an awesome God and our own arrogant sense of self-importance fades in the bright light of God's glory. The sacrifice that pleases God is a sincere heart, a devoted life, a body yielded to his service, a pure and undiluted passion for him.

I wish I knew how to quantify that principle for pastoral search committees. I can't. But the principle is clear in Scripture. The greatest quality of a leader, or any believer for that matter, is simply obedience and a willingness to do whatever God has said.

Father, I am reminded that it is not about my talents, abilities or efforts, but about obedience to you. May I be more like King David than King Saul - a man whose greatest quality is obedience. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Are you more concerned with external things or with your character and godliness?