Before God will bless you, He will test you. Before God will promote you, He will humble you. Before God will expose you, He will hide you. Before God will anoint you, He will process you.

Before David was a King, he was a shepherd.

The anointing will hide you before is exposes you.

“When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” 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.” Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” - 1 Samuel 16:6-12

Samuel the prophet, instructed of the Lord to anoint a king, went to visit the house of Jesse. Upon hearing of Samuel’s intentions, Jesse presented his sons before the prophet. But Jesse left out a son; he didn’t present David. David was the unconsidered son of Jesse but the next king of Israel.

Why did Jesse leave David out of the line up? Was it because of his work as a shepherd? Was it because of his age? Was it because of his strange behaviors of worship? Or was it simply because of the ability of Jesse’s other sons? Maybe Jesse thought, “My other sons are so qualified that David doesn’t stand a chance.”

David was anointed, and that anointing caused him to be hidden for a season. Whatever thought it was that ran through Jesse’s mind, ultimately it was God who kept David hidden. Like a developing baby is protected in the womb, so God will hide his anointed until their time.

Hiddenness is an important part of being anointed. Though hiddenness does not mean inaction, it does mean that you’ll at first be overlooked and counted out. Others will not see the value in you at first, but that will only be for a season.

Hiddenness brings growth. Hiddenness brings intimacy with the Spirit. In hiddenness, your prayer life is developed, revelation is received and your patience is tested. Don’t rush this season; it’s crucial to your ministry’s foundation. Don’t be discouraged when you feel overlooked. God is processing you. The deeper the roots go, the taller the tree will grow.

In fact, in every stage of growth, you will experience a level of hiddenness. Every level of promotion is preceded by a season of hiding. God must process you before you go on to the next level of your calling. At each stage of growth, a new influence or ability is revealed. Embrace the hiddnness and be glad.

Others may think the job belongs to another, because of their ability, connections or position. But remember this: nobody expected David the shepherd to become David the king except God; The next in line are the unlikely ones.

Don’t despise the staff; it is the key to the crown.

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