Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 16:1-13
16:1 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons."
16:2 Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'
16:3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you."
16:4 Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, "Do you come peaceably?"
16:5 He said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
16:6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed is now before the LORD."
16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one."
16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one."
16:10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these."
16:11 Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here."
16:12 He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one."
16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
Message:
At this point in the scriptures it shouldn’t be any surprise that God sees beyond what we see. He looks within the heart and not at the exterior, and he doesn’t follow societies’ laws. David didn’t look like he fit the part, and he was the youngest son and should therefore have had the least amount of right to such an anointing. However, God saw in him a leader. David would go on to slay Goliath, and would become a king. David had a heart that was willing to follow God, and do His will.
What has God called you to do in
your life? Have you opened your heart and listened to His call, or have you
questioned His trust in you? It’s not hard to look at challenges in life, and
to say, “Surly there is someone better for this task, Lord!” However, if God is
calling you, there is a reason. If we trust the Lord, and strive to do His
will, we can see the beauty of His plan as it unfolds.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for looking at our hearts, and not at the exterior things that mankind focuses on. Guide us that we may see what You see. Give us strength and courage to trust you, and lead us through the challenges of this day. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
673 God Be With You Till We Meet Again http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh673.sht
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for looking at our hearts, and not at the exterior things that mankind focuses on. Guide us that we may see what You see. Give us strength and courage to trust you, and lead us through the challenges of this day. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
673 God Be With You Till We Meet Again http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh673.sht
May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God
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