In scripture, we see David as a powerful king, a great leader, one of the heroes of faith. But, David wasn't raised in a wealthy, influential family. He wasn't trained to take the throne. In fact, he came from a very poor family. He was the eighth son of a man named Jesse. His brothers were involved in the military. They had somewhat significant positions, but David didn't. His job was to take care of his father's sheep. He was low man on the totem pole, so to speak. He was looked down on and seen as secondary. His family thought, "Oh, that's just David. Let's stick him out in the shepherd's fields. He's never going to amount to much."
In the natural, it didn't look like David had much of a future. He came from a low- income family, no education. His own father didn't believe in him. But, just because people write you off doesn't mean God writes you off. Circumstances may be against you, but that doesn't change what God has prepared for you.
One day, Samuel the prophet came to Jesse's house to anoint one of his sons to be the next King of Israel. Seven of the sons were lined up in the house expecting to be chosen. Samuel had his bottle of anointing oil. He got to the first son. Samuel turned the bottle of oil over, but the oil would not flow. He knew that he was not the right one. He went to the next son, turned the bottle over, but again the oil would not come out. He went down the row again and again and again. Same thing through all seven sons. Samuel was kind of confused. He thought, "I know God said it's one of Jesse's sons, but the oil just will not come out." He said, "Jesse, I don't know. Maybe I missed it, but I know it's not any of these sons."
Jesse said, "Well, Samuel, I do have one other son. His name is David. He's out in the shepherd's fields, but I know it's not him. He is the youngest. He's small. He's never going to amount to much."
Samuel said, "Bring him in." David stood before him. Samuel turned the bottle over, and the oil began the flow and flow and flow. He knew right then that David was to be the next king.
Today, realize it doesn't matter what other people think. It doesn't matter what anybody says about you—even your family! It doesn't matter where you are from or what you look like. God knows what He has placed in you, and He will bring the right people who will recognize your gifts. Nothing can hold you back! You are not defined by your past. You are greater than your past, and God will position you and launch you forward into the destiny He has prepared for you!
"…man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)