Moving On - "Who Is This"

Song of Solomon 8:5  (KJV)

5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?

This verse comes to my mind as I watch a pastor friend leave a church he has pastored for 8 years to take another church across the country. I know he will do well, but the church he left now must choose a new pastor. I live in a town where it seems like on every corner there is a church and a chicken restaurant. And most of these churches are large churches, this particular church is approximately  100 to 130 and has carved out a nice niche in the community. All the while, it makes the hire of the new pastor so important. Whether or not the new pastor can build on what has already been done so the community will be able to say, "Who is this?".  Or if the church makes the wrong hire the community will say, "Who was that?".  You say, surely this could not happen but I reminded you of 1 Samuel 16: 6-7.  

1 Samuel 16:6-7New International Version (NIV)

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”  7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

 Remember it is the heart that matters, not the outward appearance and credentials.   Somewhere out there, there is a "David" that has been forgotten about.   

1 Samuel 16:11-13New International Version (NIV)

11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”  13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

So my prayer for this church is that God's will be done for this church, so the community will be able to rise up and say, "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning up on her beloved?".