The joy of service
1 – “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
2 – And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
3 – And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
4 – And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
5 – And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
6 – And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him.
7 – But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
8 – Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
9 – Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
10 – Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
11 – And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12 – And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
13 – Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” (1Samuel chapter 16 verses 1 to 13)
- It helps you in discovering your potential.
“For we are God ‘s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” (Ephesians chapter 2 verses 10 AMP)
- It helps you in discovering God.
12 – “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
13 – To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” (Deuteronomy chapter 10 verses 12 to 13)
- It helps you in discovering your true self.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians chapter 4 verses 13)
- It helps you build capacity.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1Corianthians chapter at verses 10)
- It helps you in discovering purpose
13 – “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 – I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians chapter 3 verses 13 to 14)
- It helps you keep relevant.
5 – “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 – In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 – Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 to 7)
- It helps you gain access.
1 – “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 – By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans chapter 5 verses 1 to 2)
- It brings elevation.
12 – “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
13 – Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” (1Samuel chapter 16 verses 12 to 13)
- It helps you stands out.
“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” (Proverbs chapter 22 verses 29)
- It brings promotion.
“This I know: the favor that brings promotion and power doesn’t come from anywhere on earth, for no one exalts a person but God, the true judge of all. He alone determines where favor rests. He anoints one for greatness and brings another down to his knees.” (Psalms chapter 75 verses 6 to 7 TPT)
- It brings prosperity.
“If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.” (Job chapter 36 verses 11)
- It makes you an outstanding leader.
42 – “But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 – But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 – And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
45 – For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark chapter 10 verses 42 to 45)
