1 Samuel 16:12-16: a reflection

12He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. The LORD said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.” 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. 14Now the LORD’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 15Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. 16Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”

When Samuel anoints David, the youngest son, unlikely and overlooked, something happens: the Spirit of the LORD came mightily on David from that day forward. God had chosen David, and now he equipped him, giving his Spirit for the calling ahead. David was young, untested, the least likely of his brothers; but the God who chose him also equipped him, coming upon him by his Spirit for the task to which he was called.

Notice that God equipped the one he had chosen. David was not obviously qualified; he was the youngest, overlooked, a shepherd boy. But God had chosen him, and having chosen him, God equipped him, giving his Spirit for the calling ahead. The equipping came not from David's own qualifications, which were slight, but from God, who supplied by his Spirit what the calling required. God does not only choose; he equips those he chooses, supplying what they lack for the task he gives them.

That is an encouragement, for we can feel unqualified for what God calls us to. We may feel, like David, overlooked, untested, lacking the qualifications the calling seems to require; and we can shrink back, feeling inadequate. But God equips those he calls, supplying by his Spirit what we lack, as he equipped the young David for the calling ahead. When you feel unqualified for what God calls you to, remember that God equips those he chooses; he does not call you and then leave you to supply everything yourself, but gives what the calling requires. Do not shrink back from God's calling because you feel inadequate; the God who calls you also equips you, supplying by his Spirit what you lack, as he equipped David for the task to which he was called. Trust the God who calls you to equip you, giving what you need for what he asks, as his Spirit came on David for the calling ahead.

Lord, when Samuel anointed David, the youngest son, unlikely and overlooked, something happened: the Spirit of the LORD came mightily on David from that day forward. You had chosen David, and now you equipped him, giving your Spirit for the calling ahead. He was young, untested, the least likely of his brothers; but the God who chose him also equipped him. Show me that you equipped the one you had chosen. David was not obviously qualified; he was the youngest, overlooked. But you had chosen him, and having chosen him, you equipped him. The equipping came not from David's own qualifications, which were slight, but from you, who supplied by your Spirit what the calling required. You do not only choose; you equip those you choose, supplying what they lack. That is an encouragement, for I can feel unqualified for what you call me to. I may feel, like David, overlooked, untested, lacking the qualifications the calling seems to require; and I can shrink back, feeling inadequate. But you equip those you call. When I feel unqualified for what you call me to, help me remember that you equip those you choose; you do not call me and then leave me to supply everything myself. Keep me from shrinking back from your calling because I feel inadequate; the God who calls me also equips me, Lord, supplying by your Spirit what I lack, as you equipped David. Help me trust you to equip me for what you ask.