The Invisibles and the ForgottenSample

David

David was an invisible that became one of the most visible Israelites, even for Bartimaeus and people today. A young shepherd, ignored even by his own father. God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be king in place of Saul. Jesse made sure that all his sons were present for Samuel’s visit. That is, all but David. He can stay watching over the sheep, he’s got nothing to offer. But God had already seen what was most important about David–not his appearance, but his heart. When Samuel realized none of the sons present was chosen by God, he asked Jesse if he didn’t by chance have another son hiding somewhere. That’s when they remembered David and sent for him. As soon as Samuel saw him, he anointed him as king, revealing in an unexpected instant what the eternal God had determined long ago.

Years later, God told David through the prophet Nathan, “I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock…" I love the Spanish translation which says, “from behind the sheep.” Other people noticed the sheep before they noticed the shepherd. But it was right there, where maybe David felt indistinguishable amongst the sheep, God had seen and known him. He had heard the songs and prayers David composed for the Lord while he cared for his father’s sheep. God had seen his bravery fighting against a bear and a lion to protect his sheep. His confidence was in God. And it was that confidence and faith that led him to defeat Goliath shortly after.

It is estimated that around 15 years passed between Samuel’s anointing of David and the day Saul died and David began to reign. More than a decade waiting, fighting, and trusting that his time would arrive. And they were not easy years! He was persecuted by Saul and his enemies for years.

Nonetheless, in his loneliness, in his caves and persecutions, he cried out to the Lord of hosts and worshiped Him even when he was depressed, afraid, anguished, and hopeless. And therein lies the fourth lesson: worship God.

When we worship God in spite of our pain, our strength is renewed, and we can persevere through disappointments, persecution, loss, and difficulties. David met the Lord in the valley and God recognized the voice of this child who sang for Him and worshiped Him. Worship God constantly so that when you speak to Him, He recognizes your voice because He hears it frequently. May your songs and worship be a reason to smile for your heavenly Father.

We might think things aren’t changing because circumstances are the same or worse. But our hearts are transformed through worship, and our relationship with God, which is the most important thing we can pursue, grows and matures. There is a word that appears constantly in the history of the kings of Israel and Judah: wholeheartedly. Kings who did not seek the Lord wholeheartedly, did not persevere. But those who, like David, followed Him genuinely, even when they messed up, God restored and blessed them.

Don’t let your circumstances and loneliness restrict your worship. Praise the Lord, sing to Him, talk to Him, tell Him that you love Him even if you don’t have all the answers in life. May your life itself be the worship He deserves, even if you are behind a sheep pen, in a prison, a hospital, or confined to a house with no motivation for living, God sees and hears you. It is my prayer that despite the noise and bustle of the world, when I lift my songs or sighs to the Lord, that He would pause for a second in heaven, smiling because He recognizes my voice.

Prayer

Father, it’s me again. Thank you for listening even to my sighs. Thank you that I don’t need to sing like an angel or be recognized or seen by anyone but you. Thank you that you don’t look at what people look at, but that you look at my heart–may what you find there be pleasing to you. You have known my voice in the valleys and your presence makes me sing. You give me new strength when I worship you. I praise your name, I exalt you. There is no God but you and I confess myself dependent on your grace, obstinate for your love. May my life be my utmost worship. Forgive my sins, help me when I am weak. My praise is for you, for only you are worthy. Your name and your renown are the desire of my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Translation of "Me confieso," the song born at the airport:

The same concert in D major

The same sonnet of an anguished soul

seeking direction

The same discourse that searches for reasons

the same prayers that yearn for an answer, today

I confess I am obstinate for your love

Dependent upon your grace and compassion

My desire is to know you my God

To please you with my life and my devotion

The same clumsiness, the same lesson

of a soul that has seen but that forgets your blessings

The same praise, the same mission

of a soul who knows where its satisfaction is found

I confess I am obstinate for your love

Dependent upon your grace and compassion

My desire is to know you my God

To please you with my life and my devotion

And that despite the bustle of the world,

when I lift my sigh and my song,

in heaven for one second you would stand still

smiling because you recognize my voice//