Forgotten. Obscure. Reduced to nothingness.

1 Samuel 16:10-11 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these,” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”

David was a forgotten man. Forgotten by his family, forgotten by his own father… and most likely, forgotten by the society he belonged to. He had been relegated to tending sheep. In fact, they defined David by his occupation and by his position. He was not only the last, he was also carrying out a lowly task.

1 Samuel 16:12 So he sent and brought him in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.

You know usually they don’t stop to describe a lowly person – you are supposed to be lost in the crowd. Something about David could just not be dimmed.

1 Samuel 16:13 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 upon David in power.

It was now official. Indeed, David was no ordinary man.

1 Samuel 16:18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”

There’s something about obscurity, about nothingness, about being forgotten. It draws out the beauty of a multi-faceted diamond in you.

David, in the darkroom of his life, had learnt how to play the harp, he had become a brave warrior, had learnt the wit and wisdom of interpersonal relationships, and had developed an intimate relationship with God. There’s nothing like the pressure of life to create a well-rounded, balanced individual.

It’s one thing though, to be in a place of obscurity; it’s another thing when you know deep down inside, you are so much more. And yet, even when we carry greatness, God will quietly lead us to have a glimpse – a trailer – of what He has in store for us. Only, it comes masqueraded as ‘servant-hood’.

1 Samuel 16:1 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.

David came close enough – to catch a glimpse of the palace; but yet, there was still a pull back into his ‘past’ identity.

1 Samuel 17:15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

It’s frustrating when your external circumstances do not align with your internal compass. A light shines through, hope comes alive, momentarily it looks like you are breaking forth – and yet, something keeps drawing you back from what you know you are destined for.

David had served as a shepherd, his time was up; he was anointed as king, but the closest he got was an armour-bearer. He was not quite a shepherd boy, and not quite a king. He was facing an Identity Crisis.

Unfortunately, society can only judge and treat you based on your current situation.

1 Samuel 17:28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with them men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert?

As you struggle to find definition, your family, your associates, your friends will define you by what they have always known you to be.

The onus to break the deadlock on your Identity lies solely on you. This is a fight for Destiny.

1 Samuel 17:30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.

You must turn away and find someone who will not define you by your past. You must turn away and find someone who will listen to you. You must turn away and find someone who believes in you. You must turn away and find someone who will speak life to what is inside of you. You must turn away and find someone who will speak positively about you.

1 Samuel 17:31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

The door will finally open. Every experience you went through will finally begin to make sense. Every skill, every ability, every gift, every talent will finally align.

1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.

David was anointed for greatness. Every experience prepared him for this encounter.

But, he himself needed to know what he carried, to believe in it, and articulate it boldly – to finally break into his place of Purpose.

The treasure hidden in obscurity will finally shine forth. We must, however, know it – and put up a fight for it. And then stand still, and watch God show forth His glory.

I pray you will find grace to pass the test of obscurity, the knowledge and understanding to know your true identity, and the boldness to defend what God deposited in you.

Bon Voyage!