A Successful Servant

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“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.’ 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.’ 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.”—1 Samuel 16:11–13 (NIV)

Without question, this passage represents one of the most pivotal events in the history of Israel—and by extension, world history. It marks the moment when God raises up the ruler through whom Israel’s trajectory will be forever altered.

Does that sound like an exaggeration? It’s not. For it’s here that we’re introduced to the man God alluded to earlier (1 Samuel 13:14), who would replace Saul and lead His people according to His heart. It’s here that David is brought into God’s unfolding drama.

Through his life, the Lord will not only bless Israel, nationally, but will also establish a blessing for the human race, spiritually (more on that in the weeks ahead). And as we see God work to bring about this new birth for Israel, and all humanity, there are a couple of details that would be wise to highlight because they set a spiritual precedent for how the Lord works in our lives, as well.

Take careful note of where David was as Samuel came to his home. He was actively out in the field tending to his father’s sheep. This speaks to the nature of faithfulness in David, who was probably a young teenager at this point. But we see he was “busy about his father’s business” when Samuel came to announce the Lord’s calling on his life.

The Lord is always looking to build on faithful hearts like David’s. He works with those who aren’t seeking after the glory or the limelight, but who are just being faithful in the field they’ve already been placed in. Those are the ones God is looking to entrust greater responsibility to. When we’re faithful with the little, the Lord has a way of allowing us to be faithful with more.

Also, we can’t miss that David was anointed with oil prior to his becoming Israel’s next king. Samuel didn’t just show up and say, “David, you weren’t what I was expecting . . . but good news, God has chosen you to serve as king!” But with the calling came an anointing.

Throughout the Bible, oil represents God’s Spirit, who empowers His people to fulfill their calling. Mark this well: The anointing of God’s Holy Spirit is always a prerequisite for serving Him. The Lord wants us to glorify Him as we serve Him and the people He calls us to serve. But He also knows we really can’t do that without His supernatural help. So, He anoints us with His Spirit before He sends us out in service.

As it relates to you and the calling God has put on your life (and if you’re a believer in Christ, according to Ephesians 2:10, you’ve been called), you should cling to this truth with all of your heart. Remember, the Lord’s looking for faithfulness right where you are, wherever that is. Don’t look ahead to the degree that you overlook what He’s placed before you.

And don’t forget . . . you need His Spirit’s covering and empowering in order to be a successful servant. What makes a successful servant? Someone who’s found faithful and empowered by God’s Spirit.

Pause: What key lessons do we learn from this passage about serving God successfully?

Practice: Consider how you can define or measure faithfulness in regards to what God has already entrusted to you.

Pray: Lord, we don’t deserve the honor of serving You. But we understand You call us to serve according to Your grace, and we’re responsible to do so in a way that glorifies You. Help us to be successful in our service to You, and may we never forget that we do this by being faithful and remaining dependent on Your Spirit. May we serve You the way You’ve called and provided for us to. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.