Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 5, 2023
1 Samuel 16:6-13
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, Jesus loves us, one and all!
One of our many human inclinations is to distrust those who look differently from ourselves. If we are honest, we must admit that we feel uncomfortable when we are confronted by one of these different ones. Likewise, we can be tricked by someone’s “acceptable” (in our eyes) appearance who turns out to be not as they seem.
In our time when many seem to have “lost their minds” when it comes to human decency, how do we know those lambs who would are called to feed from the wolves in sheep’s clothing?
We must remember that it is not our place to judge. We are to offer Christ through love, kindness, and compassion. Those who are ready to receive the gift will accept this gift. For those who deny Christ or choose not to accept the gift that we offer, it is not yet their time. It doesn’t mean they will never be ready, so we must give them some time and offer again. Of course, the risk is that we do not know the time or hour of Jesus' return, so we do all we can to gather as many as we can.
Loving God, We thank you! It is so hard for us to accept one another. Help us see You in everyone we meet. Thank you! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I will look for Christ in every person.
Love One Another! Pastor Liz
Comments