What a surprise

David -  King of Israel.
Samuel - anointed David youngest son of Jesse KING.

A small, literally small in stature, very young man, or as the scripture tells us, "a young boy". 

He was not even a warrior at heart, nor was he trained as such. David, son of Jesse, was a musician.

Yet he was the one who stood up to the Philistines. In fact David had to practically beg King Saul to let him go before the armies and take on the challenge of the Philistines. 

Because there was not one Israelite soldier brave enough to take on Goliath.

Many of us know the story of David and Goliath form our childhood. 

How David was the youngest of Jesse's sons and the only one who was not a soldier. How David stayed back to tend to his father's sheep while his brothers went off to battle. Then Samuel, the High Priest/prophet of God, came to Jesse's house at direction of God to anoint the next king of Israel. To take the throne after Saul. Jesse was well pleased to hear this news. (as one can only imagine!) Jesse introduced all of his sons but David. When he was through,  Samuel asked him if he had any other sons, because he "knew" the sons that Jesse had brought forth were not the ones God had intended to be King.  Jesse sent for David and Samuel anointed him to be the next King.

Well, you will notice when you read in vrs.6 of ch. 16 of 1 Samuel. Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse. Even Samuel (at first) saw the outward appearance of Davids brothers and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 
However the Lord rebuked him in vrs 7  saying, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at, people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

My point?

I want to encourage those of you out there who don't feel like you are "good enough" or "have what it takes" to accomplish what your heart is telling you God has called you to do.

*key phrase - "God has called you to do"

We as humans are flawed. Generally speaking we naturally have a tendency to judge by outward appearance: be hypocritical: love with condition;   *as humans.

God on the other hand - is entirely the opposite.

God does not judge by outward appearance - He looks at a mans heart.

God is not  hypocritical - he lives what He teaches.

God's love is unconditional - he loved us before the beginning of time. Even knowing all our sins and shortcomings.
And
God is the one who is CALLING you.

God is the one who is placing the
desire in your heart "as you delight in Him".
So
Do Not Be Afraid.
Do Not Fear.
We are living in perilous times. The enemy knows his time is running short and he is doing everything he can think of to try and distract and discourage the called of God.
Keep focused on the Lord.
Stand firm and when you have done everything to stand firm - continue to stand firm!
God is with you! 

So, as difficult as it may be sometimes....(and it does get easier) don't let other peoples opinion of you get you down or discourage you! The Lord, the creator of the universe, Holy Father, God of all, believes in you! Loves you with His life! Every waking moment He thinks about YOU!!! and HE NEVER SLEEPS! Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you right now! (Psalm 121:4)

Oh how He loves you!
YOU are the apple of HIS eye! (Zechariah 2:8) 

And remember - if anyone - even a believer - says anything  that brings discouragement your way - toss it away - it is NOT from God and it does not belong to YOU!

Shalom!
******************     ********************     *********************

Samuel Anoints David

16The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

² But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

⁴ Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembledwhen they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

⁵ Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but theLord looks at the heart.”

⁸ Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” ⁹ Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lordchosen this one.” ¹⁰ Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “TheLord has not chosen these.” ¹¹ So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

¹² So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.