Living in the Spirit
June 9, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’ He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah. –1 Samuel 16:11-13
A shepherd, one who cares for his sheep, is an image engraved in the annals of Christendom, but it had its start in the call of David to kingship. Governments have existed since the beginning of time charged with the responsibility of assuring the common good. The role of the shepherd is to protect and nourish his or her flocks and was an appropriate background for the purpose for which God called David. The job of shepherd, however, was one of the lowliest. It was dirty, required long hours, never complete. Out in the countryside with perhaps a few other shepherds, it was not a place where one could amass a following or gain respect and admiration.
Oh, we have the stories of David coming from the field and slaying Goliath and later becoming a great general, but when Nathan called him to account for his dalliance with Bathsheba, the prophet reminded David of his role as a shepherd. (2 Samuel 12) Power, greed, and the self-importance complementing them are hard idols to ignore.
We are called to speak prophetically to our governmental leaders today reminding them of their call to assure the common good. We, of course, must overcome the enticements of the idols of power, greed, and self-importance ourselves, before we can fulfill that responsibility.
Prayer: Forgive me, Lord, for succumbing to the call of these lesser gods. When I am exercising my civic responsibilities keep my focus on the common good. Amen.