Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Then 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.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, October 20, 2018
by Rev. Stefanie Fauth, Clergy Stuff
Recently I was helping a speech coach figure out who would be sent to district level competition in each category. In past years, it was obvious who was the best - but this year was tricky.
There were seniors (in high school) who had worked all four years of their speech career to try to advance - but now there are underclassmen who are so filled with talent, the would be the likely selection.
It’s hard to decide - do you pick based on talent? Amount of time in practice? Age?
These decisions are made even more difficult when you know someone personally - you want to be fair, but if two people are of equal talent, will you let your personal feelings sway you?
It can be hard for those who are passed over - think of David’s brothers: strong, smart and capable, yet they are ignored in favor of young, shepherd David.
How does it feel when God passes over you for another? How can we not be overcome with jealousy and become bitter?
All I know is that being chosen as a king or the next in the speech competition doesn’t change one thing - each person is a beloved child of God, whether they be king or not, competitor or not - God loves us all!
Narrative Lectionary Daily Reading:
1 Samuel 16:1-13
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.” Samuel 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.’ Invite 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.” Samuel 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?” He 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.
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” But 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.” Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Samuel 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.” He 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.” Then 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.
Related & Recent Posts
An
Exceptional
People
Blog Posts
SIGN UP NOW