Devotion: Who did God Choose as Vice President?

Dear Faithful One,

With the ongoing Presidential campaign, are you sitting at the edge of your seat waiting to hear who was chosen to run as Vice President? Now, imagine yourself as one of the candidates who could have been chosen. What thoughts were going through your head regarding your future? What happens then when you finally hear the selection and discover you were passed over for the appointment? History will unfold before your eyes but you will not be the one in that house, in that seat, in that inner circle. Have you ever wondered if the choice was God's intention or can human flesh get in the way of God's plans? How can we tell if a specific election was part of God's plans?

Samuel was sent by God to anoint the future King, 1 Sam 16:8-11 reads: Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." 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?" NIV. Observe that Jesse is acting as counselor to Samuel and is confident of his ability to discern potential. So he puts before Samuel his top picks. He offered him Abinadab, then Shammah, then seven others. None were the ones God had chosen.

By Samuel's persuasion, Jesse then pulled David from the field. Don't miss the fact that God shut the door to nine of Jesse's choices because no matter how many false starts, God always fulfills His purpose. On the tenth try, Jesse reluctantly picks David because God allowed him to run out of options and we find Samuel naming the next successor to the throne. I wonder today if you are frustrated because you don't sense a fit in the choices placed before you. Instead of force fitting a choice, perhaps you need a spirit filled Samuel in your life to help you to connect the dots and to confirm, "This is it!"

How did Samuel know who was God's choice? 1 Sam 16:12-13 tells us: Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." NIV. Don't miss the fact that God's choice is followed by an outpouring of God's power. So don't be afraid to look for confirmation and the visible evidence of God's power pouring out from His selections. 1 Sam 16:13 reads, "and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power." NIV.

Oh Faithful One, if you see those who are ineffective in their places of authority, could it be because they were not God's choice for the position? If you do not find yourself operating in God's power, could it be because you appointed yourself or allowed someone who is not Spirit filled to talk you into an appointment? But if you are sure of God's choice, then don't hesitate to ask God for an outpouring of His power. Personally, I say to God all the time, "I desire to live for your dreams. If you allowed me to be passed over for an appointment, then you must have other plans for me that fit your greater purpose. However, if I am your choice, then show the world your hands are on me by showering your favor on me and releasing your power. How else will the world know that you sent me? And if you will not go with me or bless my efforts, then let me sit and wait until you are ready to move forward because I am not in a hurry and there is nothing else I need to get to or accomplish except to be in the center of your perfect will."

Time will prove God's choices. Until then, let's look closer to home at our own lives. Is there someone in your organization who has demonstrated by their ineffectiveness that they are in the wrong seat? Are you in a place where you are trying to force fit your role? What needs to change so you can start flowing in God's power?

God's Word is the compass for my life. When I pray for you, I hear a victory song. I believe in you because I believe in the power of God's Word in you as you put His Word into action.

Love, Anita

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