The Pastor Says ...
“Overcome Being Overlooked”
I Samuel 16:1
I am sure that a few of you have had the undesirable misfortune of not being picked for basketball, football, kickball, or whatever-kind-of-ball you have played. I’m sure some of you have had the experience of being the last one picked, if not picked at all. I recognize that not being picked, being rejected, being overlooked, being looked over not only happens when you are a child, but can happen in our adult life as well.
We’ve all had our shares of times in which we were overlooked. It happens to children. It happens in the church. It also happens on the job. It even happens in families.
David, young David, had the same problem. When God had chosen a new king over Israel to replace Saul as king, David’s daddy and his brothers, all overlooked him. It wasn’t enough that Mama overlooked him. It wasn’t enough that sisters overlooked him, but his father and seven brothers never considered him as an option! David had to become one who overcame being overlooked.
Chapter 16 opens up in the midst of God finding a new king. Samuel is questions by God, “How long Samuel are you going to mourn over Saul? How long are you going to weep and be in sorrow over Saul? Get up! I’m already looking for a replacement. I’ve already found someone to be king. Saul is no longer king. I’m rejecting him Samuel. It’s time to move on!”
God said he’s looking to get past the past and move on. God says I’m looking for a new leader. I’m looking for a new teacher. I’m looking for new preachers. I’m looking for new pastors, directors, lawyers and mayors. I’m looking for a new president. I’m looking for somebody to rise up into leadership, and I’ve already got you picked out. I already have your name etched in history, and I want to elevate you. I want to move you up to another level, but someone said, “ -- you can’t.” Someone said, “-- you won’t.” Friends have discouraged you and your family has doubted you, but God says, “I have chosen you!”
David, God is looking for a new king, and it seems like everything and everybody has looked over you and overlooked you, but thank God -- God can see what other folk don’t see!
God already knows what he has in store for you. No matter what folk have said to you in the past; no matter what people have done to you in the past – God already knows what He has in store for you.
Look at verse 1, chapter 16. It says, “I will send thee to Jessie, the Bethlahimite, for I have provided me a king among his sons.” This says that God knows where you are. I know you don’t think anybody notices you. I know you think you’re hidden behind all the history of your family, but God is saying, “I already know where the next king is staying. I already know where the next leader dwells. I already know where the teacher is. I know where you are!
God already knows where I am. Why don’t you say that to your spirit today. God already knows where I am. God already knows where I’m walking. God knows how to find me. Nobody can hide me from God. When God is looking for me, he knows where I am. Not only that, but he said, “I’m sending you to Jessie’s house. I’ve already provided me a king among his sons.” God knows who you are. Notice it didn’t say I’m going to send you to Jessie’s house because I want Jessie to be king. He said Jessie is not the king. One of his sons is king!
He said He knows exactly who he’s calling. He not only knows where they are, but also who they are. Thank God that He can find you even in the midst of a crowd. God knows where you are, and he knows who you are!
That’s wonderful to know because when I have problems; when I have trials and tribulation, I don’t have to feel like God can’t find me. I don’t have to feel like God doesn’t know me. I know now that God knows where I am, and God knows who I am. I also want to add this for extra credit: He also knows whose I am. God knows when you belong to Him. God knows when you don’t belong to Him. God knows He made you, and God knows what He can do with you. He knows His own children.
I want you to go to Jessie’s house. Jessie is from the clan of Benjamin. Jessie belongs to the people of Israel. Jessie belongs to my chosen people. I know whose they are chosen. When God is anointing leadership in ministry; when God is anointing leadership in church—God knows to put people in who belong to Him.
He knows where we are. He knows who we are. He knows whose we are, and also knows what He wants us to become. He said I’ve picked; I selected; I’ve chosen; I’ve provided me a king among Israel. He said I’m not looking for a prince. I’m not looking for an armour bearer. I’m not looking for a fighter. I’m looking for a king. I know what I want you to become. I know what role I want you to play. I know what gifts I want you to get. You don’t have to rely on anyone to give you something. You don’t have to depend on someone else to identify what you have. God says I know what I want you to do.
You ought to go on rejoicing because you now know that God knows what He has in store for you. In spite of folk overlooking you, and looking over you, you can overcome being overlooked by knowing that God knows what He has in store for you!
