Heart

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                              

Aloha Dearest Family,

                In 1775 at the second Continental Congress, Col. Washington came into Congress wearing his military uniform as leader of the Virginia regiment. He stood between 6’2-6’4 and was powerfully built. When it came time to choosing a general for the continental army, he was the most obvious choice. He certainly looked the part. Even though he thought the honor was above him, he humbly  accepted this post. Washington had not only the commitment to lead but also the heart.

                This reminded me of the Old Testament record of King Saul. For years the children of Israel were ruled by judges. But there came a time when the people cried to Samuel, the man of God, to give them a king so they could be like all of the other nations. God told Samuel to heed  their request and anoint them a King. So God chose a man out of the tribe of Benjamin named Saul. Like Washington, Saul probably felt that he was not up to the job, for when he was presented to the people, he was found hiding (I Samuel 10:21,22). Saul was a man to look up to – literally, for when he was presented before the people, he stood head and shoulders above them all. Here was surely a king. Now, God told Saul that if he would follow His commands, then He would establish his family to sit on the throne. However, Saul did not continue in the Lord’s commands and God rejected him from being King (I Samuel 15:26). Unlike Washington, he neither had the commitment nor the heart to lead.

                Now God had to choose another King to lead His people Israel. So God sent Samuel to the town of Bethlehem to the family of Jesse to anoint a new king from among Jesse’s sons. Now when Samuel first meets Jesse’s first born, he must have had the stature of a king. 

“So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” (I Samuel 16:6)  But God had not chosen this one as the next king. God then teaches Samuel a very important lesson,

                “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him (Eliab). For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7) 

This is a lesson for the ages. Samuel then had the other sons of Jesse pass in front of him.

                “So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.”  Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.”  Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.”  And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”  And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”  So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.”

 I bet this was quite a surprise for Samuel. Of all of these fine young men he had seen, God chose the youngest, the young shepherd boy, the one no one had expected. But remember, God looks upon the heart.

                David’s story is quite remarkable when we read about him in the Bible. He didn’t always walk perfectly, but David had a very sweet, intimate relationship with God. Just read some of his Psalms to get a better idea. David is referred to in scripture as a “man after God’s own heart”. This means that he put God’s wishes above his own. David knew where his strength came from and he knew that victory could only be accomplished with God’s help.

                George Washington was much more like David than Saul in this regard. He knew that without God’s help he could not succeed in his task. Washington prayed much and asked God for His help. And it has been said that the American Revolution could not been won if it not for George Washington. After being sworn in at Federal Hall, President George Washington, accompanied by Congress, proceeded to St. Paul’s Chapel where, as one of his first official acts, the president offered a prayer of dedication to God on America’s behalf.  “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” May we also be men and women after God’s own heart, with the commitment to do His Will.

                                                  With All love, Ray