Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
Feb. 21, 2025
1 Samuel 16:5-13
Now make yourselves holy, then come with me to the sacrifice.” Samuel made Jesse and his sons holy and invited them to the sacrifice as well. 6 When they arrived, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, That must be the LORD’s anointed right in front. 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven’t selected him. God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the LORD sees into the heart.” 8 Next Jesse called for Abinadab, who presented himself to Samuel, but he said, “The LORD hasn’t chosen this one either.” 9 So Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “No, the LORD hasn’t chosen this one.” 10 Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD hasn’t picked any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Is that all of your boys?” “There is still the youngest one,” Jesse answered, “but he’s out keeping the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel told Jesse, “because we can’t proceed until he gets here.” 12 So Jesse sent and brought him in. He was reddish brown, had beautiful eyes, and was good-looking. The LORD said, “That’s the one. Go anoint him.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him right there in front of his brothers. The LORD’s spirit came over David from that point forward. Then Samuel left and went to Ramah.
Good Morning. Open my eyes that I may see!
I’m sure David thought, “Wait a minute! Who me?” Even Samuel seemed surprised that Jesse youngest son, not his oldest, would be the one God called him to anoint. What does David know about anything other than herding sheep? At this point, very little.
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God choosing those who seem unqualified or at least less qualified than someone else. Moses knows he does not have the speaking skills to lead, yet God chooses him and gives him the skills to lead. Mary, a poor peasant girl, is chosen to bear Jesus. Surely, there was a woman with more experience who would have been better prepared for such a task. God does not choose the qualified; God qualifies the chosen.
Jesus chose his disciples not from the well-educated or those with power but from the working people without experience leading a religious movement.
God calls us to do things we don’t expect, and like David, we think, “Who me?” The funny thing is that God seems to choose the least likely candidate. When I was called to preach and lead a congregation of believers, I remember thinking, “Really! I don’t know how to preach.” My age and lack of experience didn’t deter God from calling me. God called, and I said, “Okay, show me the way.” This was my “if you say so” moment.
Loving Lord, Maker of all things! You love us! In your time, you call us in unexpected ways to serve you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God will use me for a good purpose.
God is calling! Will you answer?” Pastor Liz
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