Character Over Competence – 3 Lessons

We continue this week with the next section of 1 Samuel. This week, we’ve reached God’s choosing of David, son of Jesse, as king of Israel. Pastor Justin called this sermon, Character over Competence, and pointed to three lessons to be learned from David’s life at this point.

Scripture for this week is from 1 Samuel 16:1-13. This is the place where Samuel is getting older and the people no longer want to follow his prophetic words. They now want a king so that they are like the other nations.

Samuel is sent by God to the home of Jesse, of Bethlehem. Samuel mourned for Saul, Israel’s first king. But now God had another in mind. Go read those verses in chapter 16.

God told Samuel that one of Jesse’s seven sons would be the next king. When Samuel saw Eliab, Jesse’s eldest, he thought for certain this was who God meant. He was strong and looked the part of a warrior-king. But God rejected him and the next five sons. It wasn’t until David, the shepherd son, youngest of all of them, was called from the fields, that God told Samuel, Rise and anoint him; this is the one. (1 Sam. 16:12b ESV).

GOD DESIRES CHARACTER OVER COMPETENCE

God previously told Samuel in verse 7, People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (ESV) Then Pastor Justin told us to compare our resume with our obituary. Go ahead. Take the time to write out each of these for yourself. It’s like apples and oranges, isn’t it? I know mine would be. My work qualifications would be sorely lacking since I’ve been a stay-at-home mom and wife for the past 52 years. No way could I be a part of those working today in most fields. My skills are limited to laundry, cooking, and cleaning. Those are admirable jobs, but after all these years, none of those tugs at my heartstrings. I’d like to think my obit would talk about how my life changed when God called me to write for Him about ten years ago. Big difference in those two documents.

Character Over Competence - 3 Lessons @DDuPreeWilliams #faith #KingDavid #CalledByGod Share on X

CHARACTER IS FOUND IN THE WILDERNESS

 If you recall the rest of David’s life, you know he spent decades running from Saul. A friend of mine, author Lori Roeleveld, has written a fabulous book about that time in David’s life. It is one of the best devotionals I have ever read. Here is a link: https://amzn.to/430mEPK

While David was running, hiding in caves, and trying to keep from being killed, he wrote many of the Psalms (about 75) and probably practiced his harp-playing. He spent time talking to and listening to God. He did this by living daily in four states: solitude, obscurity, monotony, and reality. If we had to live like that, would we grow in character or would we become grumbling complainers who accomplish nothing, short of hissy fits?

David wrote Psalm 63 when he was in the wilderness. I particularly like the first eight verses.  Listen to the song at the end of this post, set to these words. Jason told us not to despise our wilderness moments but to lean on God and grow in those times of suffering and feeling far from God. He is the Source of all we have, are, and will ever be.

GOD DOESN’T CALL THE EQUIPPED, HE EQUIPS THE CALLED

God saw something in David that no one else could see, because God saw David’s heart. It’s as simple as that. God sees our hearts.

Despite his imperfections and his sins, David had all the character traits needed to serve his people and most importantly, His God. While he was in the wilderness, as a shepherd boy and later as he ran from Saul, God equipped him with all the things he would need, including a repentant heart, obedience and faithfulness, and dedication to God’s service. These character traits enabled David to fulfill the role to which he had been called when he was but a boy.

What has God called you to do? Remember, you won’t be doing it alone. He knows the very things and people you will need to get you through. And He’s given us the perfect instruction Book. Start there.

As always, if you are questioning your faith or wondering if Jesus really is Messiah, open your Bible to the Gospel of John. Meet Jesus in every verse. (By the way, Jesus is on every single page of your Bible). From there, read the book of Romans which outlines how to live a life as a Jesus-Follower. I am praying for you!

Blessings, y’all!

We are HUGE Paul Wilbur fans. I love this setting of Psalm 63! Blessings, y’all!