Weekly Memory Verse:
If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross every day, and follow me continually. Luke 9:23 (ISV)
Meditation Thought:
What mindsets do I need to change so I can join God in His work?
Today's Reading - 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (CEV) Choose another translation
One day he said, "Samuel, I've rejected Saul, and I refuse to let him be king any longer. Stop feeling sad about him. Put some olive oil in a small container and go visit a man named Jesse, who lives in Bethlehem. I've chosen one of his sons to be my king." Samuel answered, "If I do that, Saul will find out and have me killed."
"Take a calf with you," the LORD replied. "Tell everyone that you've come to offer it as a sacrifice to me, then invite Jesse to the sacrifice. When I show you which one of his sons I have chosen, pour the olive oil on his head." Samuel did what the LORD told him and went to Bethlehem. The town leaders went to meet him, but they were terribly afraid and asked, "Is this a friendly visit?"
"Yes, it is!" Samuel answered. "I've come to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. Get yourselves ready to take part in the sacrifice and come with me." Samuel also invited Jesse and his sons to come to the sacrifice, and he got them ready to take part. When Jesse and his sons arrived, Samuel noticed Jesse's oldest son, Eliab. "He has to be the one the LORD has chosen," Samuel said to himself.
But the LORD told him, "Samuel, don't think Eliab is the one just because he's tall and handsome. He isn't the one I've chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts."
Jesse told his son Abinadab to go over to Samuel, but Samuel said, "No, the LORD hasn't chosen him."
Next, Jesse sent his son Shammah to him, and Samuel said, "The LORD hasn't chosen him either."
Jesse had all seven of his sons go over to Samuel. Finally, Samuel said, "Jesse, the LORD hasn't chosen any of these young men. Do you have any more sons?"
"Yes," Jesse answered. "My youngest son David is out taking care of the sheep."
"Send for him!" Samuel said. "We won't start the ceremony until he gets here."
Jesse sent for David. He was a healthy, good-looking boy with a sparkle in his eyes. As soon as David came, the LORD told Samuel, "He's the one! Get up and pour the olive oil on his head." Samuel poured the oil on David's head while his brothers watched. At that moment, the Spirit of the LORD took control of David and stayed with him from then on.
Samuel returned home to Ramah.
(Today's reading came from the Contemporary English Version)
5 comments:
When things don't go according to "plan", it's easy for me to forget that I'm not in charge. It's a mindset shift that God is working on. Knowing that my plan is usually much faster than His, I need to not get frustrated when mine doesn't happen.
I sometimes overlook statements like this in the Bible.
Samuel did what the LORD told him and went to Bethlehem.
Even though Samuel feared for His life, he listened to God and obeyed. Sometimes I say, "I don't want to do that or, why are you asking me to do that." I suppose I have the choice to question God, but isn't He the one who knows best?
I always love this story because it's an example of God picking the little guy...not the tall, dark and handsome guy that society would have chosen.
Holy Spirit show me. This is an awesome passage. Proof that God is in control. I'm glad God looks inward & sees who we really are, or can be. The world is confounded by his insight, so am I.
I see 3 things here for me. First, don't cry or dwell over the past failures. Look for what God has for me to do now. Second, when there is danger, God will give us a way around the danger. Be sensitive to His leading in the most sensible way. Third, and most obvious, I need to use God's eyes to see others who may not be the loveliest people but who may be the ones God has chosen.
I'm so glad that I'm not in charge of anything that God has not given me charge of. It is my goal to walk with the Father. I can't imagine what it would be like if I didn't have his influence in my daily decisions.
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