Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL:
The main problem with winter for a lot of us is the lack of sunshine. That glorious light gives us energy as well as power to the earth. Have you noticed maple tree buds waiting to burst and daffodils pleading with the sun to give them more vigor so they can rise up and give God the glory, glory?!
There is nothing better than an early spring day’s warm sun hitting your face, your body, your soul – invigorating you to go on with life. It makes you want to do good to all things; it makes you feel like a child again; it makes you want to swing and dance and do cartwheels; it makes you feel reborn/resurrected. Each spring I feel like the chosen one when that mystical power of the sun is flowing into me!
That blessing of sunshine makes me wonder who will be that next person that God shines down his praise upon? For sure it is one with a warm heart, it is one with a giving spirit, it will be the unexpected one who will help you find the Lord, will give to the poor unwarranted in any which way and praises the Lord many different ways. The one who cares for the lesser and speaks out for them like David out caring for his sheep.
Don’t be afraid to be David and accept anointing, to be a leader that carries out God’s calling. Listen for God talking to you like God was to Samuel – you could be royalty!
Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NRSV)
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.” 2Samuel 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.’ 3Invite 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.” 4Samuel 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?” 5He 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.
6When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” 7But 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.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11Samuel 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.” 12He 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.” 13Then 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.