The Burden of Becoming What God Has Chosen

Sep 20, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Oil on the Head, Feet in the Field

David’s anointing didn’t erase his daily labor. The oil declared his destiny, but his feet remained planted in the sheepfield. God often prepares us in hidden places, shaping character through ordinary faithfulness. What looks like delay is divine cultivation. True surrender means trusting God’s timing while tending the tasks before us. Spiritual maturity blooms when we serve where we’re planted, not where we’re promoted. [36:26]

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:13, ESV)

Reflection: Where has God placed you to serve faithfully even while waiting for promised purpose? How might today’s ordinary work be preparing you for tomorrow’s calling?

Day 2: Called Without the Cost Revealed

God’s call often comes without disclosing the full journey. David received oil before enduring caves, betrayal, and spears. Divine vision sustains us through unseen trials, but partial revelation protects our willingness to say yes. The weight of becoming requires trusting the Caller more than calculating the cost. What begins with sudden anointing demands daily surrender. [40:39]

I will go, Lord…but I need to know how this will turn out first. I’ll obey, Lord…but only if they apologize. I’ll sacrifice, Lord…but tell me how much it will cost.

Reflection: What hidden costs of your calling have emerged over time? How has God’s faithfulness in past trials strengthened your capacity to trust Him with future unknowns?

Day 3: Spirit’s Arrival and Departure

The same chapter that shows God’s Spirit rushing upon David records His withdrawal from Saul. Divine presence is both gift and responsibility. Saul’s story warns against presuming upon grace while neglecting obedience. Spiritual power requires ongoing dependence—what God gives, He sustains only through willing submission. [56:50]

And the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. (1 Samuel 16:14, ESV)

Reflection: When have you observed someone’s spiritual decline? What practices keep your heart tender to God’s presence amid responsibilities and routines?

Day 4: Entitlement in the Absence of Grace

Saul’s tragic pattern—partial obedience, people-pleasing, image management—reveals entitlement’s slow creep. Presuming upon position while resisting correction drains spiritual vitality. God’s gifts remain fruitful only when stewarded with humility. Every assignment is sustained not by our grip, but through grace-filled dependence. [01:01:01]

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: Where might efficiency or experience be tempting you to rely less on prayerful dependence? How do you regularly recalibrate your heart to grace over entitlement?

Day 5: Proficiency Without Presence

Saul kept his crown but lost his connection. Skill without surrender creates hollow performance. The danger isn’t losing position, but maintaining it without God’s empowering presence. True leadership thrives not through self-sufficient routines, but through daily cries of “I still need Thee.” [01:17:46]

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation. (Psalm 51:10-12, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual habits anchored you in dependence during earlier seasons? How might you revive childlike reliance amid current responsibilities?

Sermon Summary

First Samuel 16 places David between the oil and the throne. Samuel anoints David, and the Spirit of the Lord rushes upon him, yet David still has to return to the long, hard work of becoming what God has chosen. The oil tells David that the field is not the end of his story, but the oil does not tell him how long the road will be, how many tears will fall, or how much the calling will cost.

God reveals the calling without revealing every detail of the cost because a full view of the journey might make people negotiate where God calls them to surrender. Surrender does not take time to negotiate the terms of obedience. Faith does not pretend that the burden is light. Faith refuses to let the weight of the burden cancel its yes to the Lord. The real test is not saying yes when God reveals the calling, but keeping that yes when God starts revealing the cost.

David’s anointing also carries a sobering lesson in the very next verse. The Spirit comes upon David, while the Spirit departs from Saul. Saul is not a pagan king with no history with God. Saul was chosen, anointed, empowered, victorious, and familiar with the presence of God. Saul therefore becomes a warning to David, not fuel for David’s ego. Somebody else’s failure should never become a reason for arrogance. Somebody else’s fall should make every entrusted soul tremble and examine its own stewardship.

Saul’s decline grows through patterns of presumption, self will, partial obedience, people pleasing, and image management. Saul repeatedly wants the authority of God’s assignment while resisting God’s authority over his life. Saul becomes more concerned with how leadership looks before people than with whether his heart is submitted before God. The throne remains under Saul, the title remains upon Saul, and the public still calls him king, but his position has not caught up with his spiritual condition.

Entitlement begins whenever grace given on loan starts being treated as personal ownership. Proficiency can replace dependence, experience can replace consecration, and gifting can reproduce an appearance that prayer no longer sustains. The oil without dependence can become entitlement. A crown without surrender can become corruption. A gift without consecration can become performance. The presence of the Lord, not the oil or the crown, remains the most important thing.

David’s burden is not merely reaching the throne. David’s burden is becoming somebody God can trust on the throne, somebody who never allows the throne to become a god. Grace calls every gifted, trusted, and blessed life to stay on its knees, remembering that everything carried still requires God’s hand.

Key Takeaways

1. Keep saying yes through the cost Surrender does not require a person to enjoy every hard part of the journey. Faith can weep, question, and feel the weight, while still refusing to withdraw its obedience. The cost of becoming often reveals whether a yes belonged only to the moment of calling or truly belongs to God. [49:18]
2. Grace never becomes personal ownership Entitlement starts when an entrusted gift, position, or influence begins to feel possessed rather than received. God’s grace makes much possible, but grace never gives permission for self importance. Humility remembers that the same hand that gave the assignment must still sustain the person carrying it. [71:49]
3. Saul’s fall should make hearts tremble Saul’s story warns against celebrating another person’s downfall as proof of personal superiority. His decline grew through repeated presumption, partial obedience, and concern for public appearance. Another person’s failure should become a mirror for deeper self examination and more careful stewardship. [60:27]
4. Proficiency cannot replace dependence on God Long experience can make a person capable of doing holy things without fresh prayer, fear, or surrender. Ability may preserve the outward appearance of fruitfulness even when private dependence has weakened. God’s people must keep asking whether God is still being cultivated in private, not merely displayed in public. [77:29]
5. The presence matters more than position A throne cannot keep, save, or deliver the person sitting on it. Titles, platforms, applause, and public favor become empty when God’s presence is no longer treasured above them. The deepest desire is not simply for greater blessing, but to be drawn nearer to the Blessed Lord.

## [85:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:35] - Between the Oil and the Throne
[37:32] - The Burden of Becoming
[40:39] - Calling Without Knowing the Cost
[47:37] - Surrender Does Not Negotiate
[50:32] - Chosen but Still Being Formed
[55:01] - Never Entitled to Grace
[57:32] - David Learns From Saul
[62:12] - Saul’s Patterns of Disobedience
[67:22] - The Danger of Divine Drainage
[71:49] - When Grace Becomes Entitlement
[77:05] - Proficiency Without Dependence
[83:06] - Can God Trust You With More
[85:26] - Presence Over Oil and Crown
[88:21] - Draw Me Nearer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 16:13–14
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him.” [35:35] [36:32]

1 Samuel 15:24
“Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.’” [01:05:04]

1 Samuel 10:10
“When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them.” [00:58:17]

1 Samuel 13:8–14
“He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, ‘Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.’ And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ And Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, “Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.” So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.’ And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.’” [01:02:28]

Observation questions

What happens to David in verse 13, and what happens to Saul immediately afterward in verse 14? What contrast does the passage place side by side?
According to 1 Samuel 10:10, what earlier evidence shows that Saul had personally experienced the Spirit of God?
In 1 Samuel 13:8–14, what pressures does Saul name to explain why he offered the sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel? [01:02:37]
What patterns in Saul’s life are visible across these passages: presumption, self-will, partial obedience, fear of people, and concern for public image? [01:06:37]

Interpretation questions

Why might the Bible place the Spirit coming upon David and departing from Saul in back-to-back verses? What warning would David have needed to hear in that contrast? [00:57:32]
Saul had been chosen, empowered, and used by God before his decline. What does his story show about the difference between having a past experience with God and continuing in faithful submission to God?
Saul says he “feared the people and obeyed their voice.” What makes fear of people so dangerous for someone entrusted with leadership, influence, family responsibilities, or ministry? [01:05:15]
David was anointed but did not immediately sit on the throne. How does that help explain why God’s calling often includes a long process of formation before greater responsibility is given? [00:52:29]

Application questions

Is there an area of obedience where the cost has become clearer over time—waiting, forgiving, serving, sacrificing, or staying faithful—and where it has become tempting to pull back from your yes to God? What would it look like to keep saying yes while honestly bringing the weight of it to the Lord? [49:18]
Saul acted when pressure rose and people began to scatter. When pressure comes into your life, what are you most tempted to do without praying, waiting, or seeking God’s direction first? [01:02:45]
Where might partial obedience be hiding in your life—obeying God in the areas that feel manageable while holding back in an area that costs more? What would full obedience look like this week? [01:04:44]
Saul cared deeply about how he appeared before people. Are there places where protecting your image has become more important than honestly dealing with God in private? What kind of private surrender or repentance may be needed? [01:05:28]
Think about a gift, role, relationship, opportunity, or responsibility God has entrusted to you. How can you actively remember that it is grace received, not something you own or deserve? [01:11:49]
Has experience or ability ever made it easy for you to do meaningful things without fresh prayer and dependence on God? What simple practice could help you cultivate dependence again in private? [01:17:29]
What “throne” or “crown” are you most tempted to protect—success, reputation, a title, influence, comfort, or control? How can you make the presence of God more precious to you than keeping that position? [01:25:29]

Sermon Clips

62s

#SpiritualDependence

“Because there's a difference between knowing how to do something and still needing God to do it through you. And one of the most dangerous places you can ever find yourself spiritually is when you have become proficient enough to reproduce the appearance of something for which you are no longer cultivating the spiritual dependence that once gave it to you. I'm a say it one more time. The most dangerous place you can ever find yourself spiritually is when you have become proficient enough to reproduce the appearance of something for which you are no longer cultivating the spiritual dependence that gave it to you. If I'm reading this text correctly, what it suggests on today is that just because you're still able to do it doesn't mean necessarily that God is still with you while you're doing it.”

56s

#SurrenderedFaith

“Surrender does not mean that you never struggle with what God requires. Surrender means your struggle does not get the final word over your obedience unto him. Please, somebody hear me. You can have questions and still surrender. God is omnipotent. Your questions don't bother him. You can have apprehension and still surrender. You can weep and still surrender. You can wish the cup were different and still surrender. You can tell the lord, lord, this hurts and still remember. Because faith is not pretending that the burden isn't heavy. Faith is refusing to let the weight of the burden cancel your yes to the lord.”

45s

#TotalSurrender

“And he would have me to share with someone on today that, hear me, surrender does not entertain the time to negotiate the terms of obedience. I'll say it one more time. Surrender does not take the time to negotiate the terms of obedience. You you you're better communicator than I am. Lean over to somebody near you and just tell them, nevertheless, not your will, but the Lord's will be done. That's what surrender says. Submission says, God, I don't have to understand everything you're doing in order to trust the one who's still doing it.”

66s

#GraceAndHumility

“Because the same narrative that tells David that the spirit has come upon him is now showing David what can happen when somebody becomes careless with the grace that has been entrusted to them as well. That's a word for somebody sitting behind you on this morning. Never become entitled to what only grace alone will allow you to carry. Never become so impressed with what God has placed upon you that you forget the one who placed it on you in the first place. Never become so enamored with the gift that you forget the giver. Never become so comfortable with the position that you forget the sacredness of presence. Never become so impressed with the assignment that you forget the one who assigned you in the first place. Because somebody else's failure should never become fuel for your ego.”

53s

#GodsPresence

“I I I wish I had more time. I can't I can't speak for anybody else right here, but I think somebody in here can testify alongside pastor that I'd rather lose this microphone than lose his presence. I'd rather lose the title than lose his presence. I'd rather lose the office. I'd rather lose the platform. I'd rather lose the pulpit. I'd rather lose the applause than lose his presence. Because what good is the throne if God is no longer with me on it? What good is the position if God is no longer with me in the posture to keep the position?”

54s

#KeepSayingYes

“For the real test of surrender is not whether you can say yes when god reveals the calling. The real test of surrender is whether you can keep saying yes when God starts revealing the cost of the calling. Preach pastor. And maybe that's somebody's testimony here today. You're able to testify. You know what? I didn't know it was gonna cost this much. But Lord, you still been good and I'm a keep saying yes. Lord, I didn't know it was gonna hurt like this, but but you've been faithful, Lord. And I'm a keep saying yes. I didn't know I would have to wait this long. I didn't know I'd have to sacrifice this much. I didn't know becoming would require this much dying to myself. But I'm trusting, Lord, in your will and in your way, and I'm still gonna say yes.”

32s

#TrustGodsPlan

“Instead, God showed you just enough to get your yes. But at the same time, he didn't show you everything that your yes was going to require. And somebody here today ought to thank God that he did not. Because if he had shown you the whole thing all at once, you might have told God, you know what, God? You could find you somebody else.”

76s

#BecomingWhoGodCalled

“Because the burden of becoming what God has chosen is not is not merely getting somewhere. The burden of becoming what God has chosen is becoming somebody who God can trust once you get there. Not somebody who thinks they deserve it and that they're entitled to it. Not somebody who believes they're better than everybody else. Not somebody who forgets where they came from, who starts sipping the sugar of their own Kool Aid, or who starts believing the print of their own press. But somebody who is cognizant enough, humble enough, discerning enough, and grateful enough to say if it had not been for the Lord who was on my side. Lord, I wouldn't have made it. I would not have survived it. I would have never accomplished it. And I would not be here right now. Hear me. Because again, the burden of becoming what God has chosen is not merely getting somewhere, but rather it is becoming someone whom God can trust once you get there.”

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How can calling reveal cost without discouraging obedience?

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How does Saul’s downfall warn those entrusted with influence?