The Story of David’s anointing is both refreshing and a warning. It’s refreshing to know that God didn’t choose the firstborn or the tallest or the strongest of Jesse’s sons. However, it is sobering as well because God doesn’t care about most of the same things we care about. He doesn’t judge us or others by human metrics. We like to think that we are worthy based on our talents and usefulness, but thankfully that is not true. We couldn’t do anything to make God love us any more than He does right now. 

During Lent, let us cast off all falsehoods and remember that we are loved. We don’t have to strive. We don’t have to earn God’s love and approval. God chose David because he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:23). Likewise, we are saved by grace through faith. Not by our own work, but by God alone. Therefore, let us put our flesh to death and live each day by faith.