I Learned 3 Things...
"Muhammad" stayed longer on my heart than I expected.
Moving beyond Muhammad’s lesson seems difficult. I know it’s not the pleasantness of his face that holds me, because the memory of his face is as vague as darkness.
But, why can’t I move on? Does the lesson feel incomplete? What more is there to tell than what I have already told? What deeper insight could possibly be drawn from Muhammad’s tale?
Lord, speak to my heart like you always have. Jesus, reveal the mystery that lies in plain sight.
He says, “go to the Bible”. The story of Eliab, a brother of David.
1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7 NLT
[1] Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”
[6] When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” [7] But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
What does this mean, Lord? Who is Eliab?
Eliab looks so much like a thing, and yet, is not it¹.
From the Scripture, we can tell he had the physical features of a king, yet he never became one. Is it because of his heart?
Proverbs 19:21 NLT
[21] You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
What are you saying, Lord?
Sometimes, it is not because you are lacking. But, because it is not My will.
A child can become a doctor, an engineer, a mother, an employee, an employer or even a gatekeeper to realms. But, only My will stand— no one else's.
Your life is like the wind. It's not unpredictable; it flows with direction. I tell it where to go. Every hurt or rejection is in alignment with My purpose.
So, Eliab is not evil?
Eliab was never meant to be king over Israel. Not because I couldn't empower him. He is kept for something else.
Something inferior?
There is nothing inferior in My will. Everything is connected- every detail. Just as the sun, moon, stars, clouds, and rain come together to form a day. And, days form seasons. So is every man as important as another.
Eliab was not meant to be king, just as Jonathan, the son of King Saul, was not meant to reign over Israel.
God Knows Where Your Life Is Headed.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT says; For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Just because it's not time yet doesn't mean it is not His will.
Just because it’s not His will doesn't mean you won't get better.
Just because you don't know “better” doesn't mean it's not good.
If it is God's will for you, it is perfectly tailored to suit you.
Proverbs 20:24 NLT
[24] The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
Remember: Lord directs your path. You don’t.
.
.
.
Eliab looks so much like a thing, and yet, is not it¹.
¹ Reference: from the first lesson article [link]
Essence: Eliab looked so much like a king, yet he was not one. Just as Muhammad looked like a northerner, yet sounded like the south. God is teaching us that appearance is not identity, and calling is not defined by resemblance but by divine ordination.