Little David's Sanctification

1 Samuel 16:5,11,12

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Jesse and his sons had to be sanctified before Samuel could do the sacrifice and anoint the new king. That shows us they weren't ready, clean or usable. They had to get some things right before God. David wasn't there. He was out there in the field being faithful, caring for the sheep. He was the youngest, probably the smallest, and had a job that left him alone out in the field. God knew David was the one he wanted. He told Samuel the other sons' hearts were not right, but David's was. He didn't have to go get sanctified when He got called by Samuel. He was already sanctified!! That word sanctified means: Made holy, consecrated, set apart for sacred services. Consecrated means: devoted or dedicated to the service and worship of God.  

God didn't have to clean him up before anointing him.  In order for God to use someone they must be usable! I heard a preacher say a few weeks ago, "don't pray for God to use you, pray that you'll be usable." David was usable, ready, willing, humble, faithful in the small, loved the Lord even when no one else was looking. He was real. God won't use the fake, the dirty, those who won't sanctify themselves. Sanctify yourself NOW so when He is looking to use someone you'll be ready. "He doesn't call you to get faithful, he calls you because you already are faithful!" Stay devoted! Stay dedicated! Even if you think no one is watching or if you feel like it doesn't really matter! It so matters. Keep watching the sheep! Keep being faithful in your field! Don't miss the call because of the dirt in your life! You can't be a living sacrifice without first being sanctified.