This morning, we’re continuing our series entitled, “Unexpected” where we are going to recall the truly unexpected ways in which God worked in the past and some of the unexpected places and times where He showed up. 

These reminders of God’s faithfulness and miraculous power and authority will serve to encourage us in our present and give us hope toward our future.

This morning, we’re going to continue building from a previous message in this series when God unexpectedly stepped aside as King of Israel and allowed His people to replace him with a man named Saul. 

As King, Saul tried to keep a balance of obeying God, but also pleasing people.  He also did not accept responsibility for his own actions, but always excused them away.  A very unexpected sentence came from God’s mouth.  He said, “I regret that I have made Saul king.”  God regretted a decision that He had made even though He knew what the outcome would be when He made it.

Saul rejected God’s clear word to him, so God rejected Saul as king.  Relationships just don’t work one way. 

Now God may have rejected Saul as king, but His eye was on another man to take this position.  One whose heart was after His own and who would faithfully follow Him and represent Him as king.  This may be a familiar account to most of us, but let God speak a fresh word through it and do a new thing in your life this morning.

Many of us don’t think much of ourselves and of our daily chores and routines.  Our lives are mostly full of things that seem small and insignificant that most others don’t even notice.  Rest assured, though, that God notices it all.

David was a young man out serving his family by shepherding his father’s flock.  When God sent Samuel to Jesse’s household  to anoint one of his sons as the next king of Israel, David wasn’t even a consideration.  Yet another unexpected way for God to work!

1 Samuel 16:6-13

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 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.”

12 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.”

13 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.

When everyone else counts you out, even your own family, don’t let it get you down.  Be the person who God called you to be and you can never go wrong.  Live a life of integrity, loving God and others with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Do it whether alone or whether in front of others.  Integrity catches God’s attention, especially in this ever-deceitful world!

Whatever you do, do it with all of your heart because it is ultimately Jesus that you are doing it for. 

God took note of the dedication of David to carry out this household chore of tending the sheep.  God took note of the warrior that he was when it came to protecting his father’s sheep.  God took note of the care that he showed toward each and every one of those sheep in providing for them and leading them.  David’s shepherd heart was exactly w