the Tidings

Considering the Unconsidered

From 1955-1975, television viewers weekly tuned in to a show called Gunsmoke. For 635 episodes, CBS brought viewers the adventures of Marshall Dillon and the characters of Dodge City. Marshall Matt Dillon was played by an actor named James Arness. It is hard to imagine anyone other than James Arness in that role.

JUNE 2023

But the role was originally offered to John Wayne. It was John Wayne’s recommendation of Arness, whom he knew from working on a movie together, that secured the role for the little-known actor.

The perfect person for the role was a person no one considered at first.

In the book of 1 Samuel 16, we are told of how the prophet Samuel was sent by God to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as the new king of Israel. Samuel arrived and looked at Jesse’s oldest son, named Eliab, and he was impressed by his appearance.

But God told Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."

One by one, Samuel examined the impressive sons of Jesse, seven in all. None of them were chosen by the Lord. Samuel asked if these were all his sons. Jesse responded, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." Jesse never considered that his youngest son would be important enough to include in the gathering with Samuel. Samuel commanded that he be brought. The LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.”

This is the first mention of David in the scriptures. Until this moment, he was unknown, not even named or invited by his own father. His identity is in the Lord, who saw in him what no one else could see.

God saw potential in David when no one, including David himself, saw it. God’s grace was working in David’s life before he ever knew it. When no one could imagine that the eighth son of Jesse, who spent his time writing music and tending animals, could become king, God saw that potential.

In a world that focuses on the outer appearance, God looks in deeper ways, remembering those who most do not consider.

Executive Minister