When You Are Not Getting An Answer From God | 1 Samuel 16:6-11

Are you desperate for an answer from God but not getting an answer?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16. I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders."

In yesterday's text, we discovered that Samuel's obedience, despite his fear and grief, revealed God's story and plan in Bethlehem. Today, we are going to see that process and David's anointing. Let's read verse 6-11:

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him." But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one." Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one." And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here." — 1 Samuel 16:6-11

Three of Jesse's eight sons are named Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah. These are the oldest three, which will come into play in the next chapter. But God is gradually revealing that he has a way of choosing a leader that is different from how we choose. He does not choose by seen means. He chooses by unseen means.

When we await God's decisions, we must come to terms with how God chooses and reveals his choices. God answers in his way and in his time. We don't always like this because we are forced to stand and wait, and we don't want to wait. We prefer to make a quick choice, by seen means, sit down, and be done with it, and when God does not do it our way and in our time, we get irritated with him. So, I would assume Jesse and his boys are a little irritated with this experience, just like we are when God does not answer the way and with the timing we want.

Here's the lesson: God's answers don't come your way.

They don't because you cannot see the way God sees. God's way and timing probe into the unseen. If you want real, working, divine answers from Him, you must wait for God.

I guarantee there is someplace in your present life where you need an answer from God. The frustration and stress of waiting for his answer will tempt you to seek an answer in your way and in your time. But don't do it. Stand and wait. Be patient. Ask God to quench your fears and anxieties while you are waiting. Ask him to quench your bias and impatience while waiting. And then, when the answer walks into the room, you will know it because God's choice is always way better than yours, even though it does not happen in your way and your time.

#TrustGod, #FaithInTheWait, #GodsTiming

Ask This:
Where in your life are you tempted to take matters into your own hands instead of waiting for God's answer, and how can you practice patience and trust in His timing?
How might shifting your perspective from focusing on the outward appearance of situations to seeking God's unseen purpose change how you approach decisions and challenges?
Do This:
Be patient for God's answers.

Pray This:
Lord, help me to trust in Your perfect timing and to wait patiently for Your answers, even when I feel anxious or uncertain. Quench my impatience and teach me to see with faith, knowing that Your way is always better than mine. Amen.

Play This:
Holy Water.