Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 16
Scripture Focus: The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul?” (1 Samuel 16.1)
Devotional Thought: When we elected a new District Superintendent in NC, how difficult it was for me to transfer my loyalty to the new DS. The former DS had given me my first opportunity in ministry, and I considered him a friend. I was grieving over the loss that this change represented.
Samuel's heart was grieved over a change of leadership. Having been personally involved in Saul’s rise to power, Samuel took it hard when Saul fell from grace.
What can we learn from this incident?
· God instructed Samuel to get over it! God had a plan, and Samuel needed to come into alignment with God, not the other way around.
· Samuel wanted to replace Saul with someone like Saul. Samuel had instinctively chosen Eliab because he reminded him of Saul – tall and strong, an impressive figure. It is only natural when we change leaders to look for someone who is just like the former leader, whom we have loved. But, if God wants someone like the present leader in place, he would have left him/her in place!
· The Lord looks on the heart. Samuel couldn’t see what God saw – Eliab’s heart. Eliab was a petty and jealous big brother. Can we trust God to reveal his will based on what he sees?
· God chose the smallest. Most translations refer to David as the “youngest,” but the Hebrew word can also mean the “smallest.” There is some irony in this. Samuel had been impressed by the height and appearance of both Saul and Eliab, but God chose exactly the opposite.
God said to Samuel, “I have provided for myself a king.” It's good to know that God has a plan. Let us always seek to discover and follow that plan!
Prayer: Lord, you have said that you will provide shepherds after your own heart. Help me to trust in you, even when I don't understand changes in leadership. In the name of Jesus, the Great Shepherd, I pray. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 78.65-72
65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a strong man shouting because of wine. 66 And he put his adversaries to rout; he put them to everlasting shame.
67 He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, 68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves. 69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded forever. 70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. 72 With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.
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