Blog Post
Posted by Dion Todd May 23rd, 2025 1,564 Views 27 Comments
It happened, when they had come, that he looked at Eliab, and said, Surely Yahweh's anointed is before him. But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Don't look on his face, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Yahweh sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:6–7 WEB.
The Lord sent Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel and only told him it would be "a son of Jesse." When Samuel arrived, he found that Jesse had eight sons to choose from. So Jesse lined up the seven oldest. The first son was named Eliab, and he was tall and handsome. When Samuel saw him, he thought, "Surely this is the one!" But God told him: "I have rejected this one."
Samuel looked over the first seven sons of Jesse, and the answer was the same: "The Lord has not chosen this one." He finally reached the end of the line and ran out of sons to look at. Confused, Samuel asked Jesse if this was all of his sons. Jesse said that the youngest one was out tending the sheep. So Samuel said: "Bring him. He's the one."
It turned out that God had chosen the little shepherd boy out in the field who was playing the harp, singing, and tending the sheep. Young David had no idea he would become a giant killer and the next king of Israel. His destiny was about to get started.
The Lord doesn't look on the outward appearance as we do. He looks at our heart, the inside parts we like to hide. Why you do something is important to the Lord, like the Pharisee praying on the street corner. They wasted their time because they only did it to be seen by others (Matthew 6:5). So while praying was good, their motives were bad and nullified their actions.
Today, it will be the one that God chooses and anoints who will do His work. When God chooses you for a task, no one can stop you. Though it may feel delayed, it will come to pass in His timing.
God took David, the little shepherd boy, anointed him and raised him up to be the leader of His people. All without the approval of his brothers (1 Samuel 17:28). They looked down on David even while God was raising him up, but it didn't matter nor slow him down.
Keep a positive attitude. Don't let the trials get you down. Keep putting God first, and He will raise you up, even if it means outside of their circle. Only you can stop God's plan for your life. No one else has the authority to do so.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for all that You have done for me. Guide me to where I need to be. My life is Yours. I choose to trust You today in blind faith. I cannot see what is coming, but You already know the outcome and can prepare me for anything that I face. You chose me, Lord, and I choose You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Today is "Feel Good Friday" at the FAAD (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) group! On this day, we uplift each other with posts of encouragement and joy! All are welcome to join and participate! As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.
Post from David Krull
1 month ago
Amen. Father forgive me for stopping Your plans for my life. I thought I was on a righteous path..my foolishness and self wanted to be married when my ex divorced me for another man. I didn’t want to be alone. Marriage was all I knew. So after my Job experience, being sick and housebound for three years suffering extreme pain w cluster headaches..Instead of following You and serving You like my heart wanted…I pursued finding a wife. My loneliness pushed me to “get a life”. Five wives later…I found out women can be as bad as men and I know we men can be bad. My current wife of 13 years lives you but we were definitely unequally yoked so iv been through hell w her. She left me for three years dealing with her life issues..this was the last time I feel like I actually heard from You Lord. I didn’t divorce her. We lost our ranch because of her. My dream…I obtained it..the world to me. But Iv struggled hearing from You clearly. My desire to serve You is back but I’m still have so many medical issues I just don’t see You using me again. I know I separated us. My sins, lust of the flesh and pursuing a life I dreamed about all my life… without You I’m unfulfilled. My life has been empty. I am so sorry Lord. Forgive me. I’m all used up Lord. Iv been wasting my life to where I’m useless for You. Please don’t turn away from me in anger Lord. I don’t know what I could ever do again for You to glorify You in my life..but here I am Lord. My heart loves You. I know You don’t need me Lord. I am nobody. I wasted past 25 years pursuing a life instead of serving You. Lord all I can do is repent and wait to see if You want me Lord. To see if You haven’t thrown me away.
My life now has been drawing close to You like Your word says..I don’t have anything to offer You but a willing heart. Unless You heal me I don’t see how You can use me..esp being married so many times. I served you the first half of my life in just about every area of ministry.. my memory and body…is so bad now I struggle with everyday life just surviving life physically.
But God. I’m not worthy to even hear from You again. In Your great mercy and love..for Your namesake Lord.. here I am. My desire to be an encourager again is back. It’s all about you. I stand on Your living word. Your mercy endures forever. It is new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. You are worthy to be praised. I love you Jesus. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I thought you gave me a project to do twice now past two years but as soon as I started pursuing them…Everything fell apart and couldn’t proceed. Like praying for people. Thought you wanted me to do that at a local park…but I got sick and house bound again past year and couldn’t do it. My mind is willing Lord but my body is not good. I will praise Your Name Lord unto my dying breath…but if You want Lord..here I am.
In Jesus Name.. Jesus is Lord of my life..regardless of how I feel or what I’m going through.
Post from Marilyn Salter
4 weeks ago
Amen. I strive to walk with the Lord and live as He did. I pray that I will do His will always.
Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
4 weeks ago
Dear Heavenly Father, I'm so glad and so thankful that You look at our hearts, as I'm thinking back when I was just a young child and my mind was already pre occupied with the Holy Trinity, Eternity, and so many other questions, and I would come running to my beloved Grandma, my Oma, who truly was my God parent!!! She would always answer me as good as she could and always point to You, and taught me to pray! And I'm sure that You looked on and looked at my heart even though You knew that in due time I would fall into sin! But You, also knowing all things, knew that I was Yours all along! Thank You from the bottom of my heart for drawing me to You by the power of Your Holy Spirit, thank you Lord!!!
Post from Raju Williams
1 month ago
"Deepest condolences to the family of Scott Riegelmann. May his memory be a blessing and may his family and colleagues find strength and comfort."🙏
Post from Susan Petho
1 month ago
Amen 🙏
Post from Wesley Paulus
1 month ago
Amen!
Post from Yvette York
1 month ago
Heavenly Father I Will Always Choose You First.I am So Thankful That You Always Looking Out For Me Please Continue To Guide Me And Teach Me What I Need To Know Amen Good Morning Everyone 😀
Post from Jackie Tipton
1 month ago
Amen ❤️ 🙏
Post from Theresa Bright
1 month ago
Amen 🙏🏻
Post from Marisa Jackson
1 month ago
Amen 🙏 🩷🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏!!
Post from Bella Colliander
1 month ago
Heavenly Father, Thank you for all You do in my life. I love You, I trust You and I ask You guide me where I need to be. In Jesus name, Amen!🕊️
Comment from Lynn Brown
1 month ago
Amen! I hope you are feeling better, Bella.🙏🩷
Post from Sylvia Todd
1 month ago
Good morning, fam, praying y'all have a peaceful and fantastically blessed Friday! 🌼🤲💛
Post from Lynn Brown
1 month ago
Amen! I trust Your will, Lord!
Post from Debi Burton
1 month ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for all that You have done for me. Guide me to where I need to be. My life is Yours. I choose to trust You today in blind faith. I cannot see what is coming, but You already know the outcome and can prepare me for anything that I face. You chose me, Lord, and I choose You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️🤟🏻
Post from Mark Williams
1 month ago
Amen.
Post from Celeste Strenn
1 month ago
Amen❣️
Post from Elena Vasquez
1 month ago
Amen
Post from Wanda Pennington
1 month ago
Yes Lord, guide me for all of my tomorrows in Jesus Name I ask and pray, Amen
Post from Schalk de Beer
1 month ago
Yes my Lord, in Jesus's name I pray, amen. ✝️🛐
Post from Valeri Frank
1 month ago
Amen!
Post from Kevin J. Eck
1 month ago
Amen,
Post from Gloria Nebarez
1 month ago
Amen, the devotion was powerful today. Thank you Jesus! Thank you Pastor Dion
Amen
Post from Kay Collinsworth
1 month ago
Amen
Post from Richard A Smith
1 month ago
Amen. Happy Friday.
Post from Dana Rozell
1 month ago
Amen
Comment from Kevin J. Eck
3 weeks ago
David, God has promised you a future! I have been where you are at, you are a Warrior for Christ. Our God is a do over again God, He will never give up on you, I can testify! Remember, you are on Holy Ground when you feel Life bearing down on you. I believe that is when our Lord is truly using us to be a Light for Him. Shine on Brother, and thank you for sharing!
Comment from Joe Miller
4 weeks ago
David, I understand the loneliness. There are similarities in our stories and I feel very much like you do.
And at 69 and after having been married for 48 years I, too, would enjoy the companionship of another woman again.
Can God use you? David, God IS using you - I have learned and benefitted from what you wrote.
Just knowing that there are others out there like me struggling - and sometimes even winning inch by inch - is an incredible encouragement.
David, never give up! There are better times ahead. God promises it and I just know it.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Comment from Marilyn Salter
4 weeks ago
Oh David, God hasn’t abandoned you. You’re still alive and you still love Him. He can use you where you are. Don’t lose faith brother, He hasn’t.
Comment from Craig Mondello
4 weeks ago
Your world is not falling apart for you David, on the contrary, it's falling together. I know it doesn't seem like it but before God can use us, He has to break us completely, then He will begin to put the broken pieces back together the way He wants. You know David, the fact you are still breathing says the Lord is not done with you yet, there is still plenty to be done for you. You just gave us a powerful testimony, the Lord just used you in a mighty way. God will never turn anyone away and you are not unworthy and that kind of talk you know does not come from the Lord. He's been using you and is building you into what His will is for your life, you've been seeking Him desperately and that is the proof of His working in your life and His pursuing of you otherwise you would not be seeking Him at all. He's building your faith David and most of the things He will do along the way we may not understand but we have to trust in Him knowing He is in control all the way.
James 1: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
God loves you, we all love you brother, you are a brother in Christ rest in that, you are His and He is yours!
Comment from Roseann Rivas
4 weeks ago
God loves you 💖
Your in my prayers
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
4 weeks ago
🙏
Comment from Jackie Tipton
1 month ago
Amen ❤️ 🙏