Devotion • July 9
Today’s Scripture 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. (NRSV)
Reflection
“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.”
This story hits home with most of us, I would assume. We have all had experiences where we were thought to be not fit for something. Back in 2014, I was invited to teach children’s handbells at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians worship and music conference. I was thrilled! And honored, since I knew how important this conference is to so many people (myself included).
At that time, I was attending a handbell conference, and someone introduced me to the person that was leading the adult bell groups at this future event. This leader went off the rails, upset that she did not choose who was going to teach that summer. It was embarrassing, and hurtful, knowing that I am a good teacher.
We have made amends since that moment. But it does remind me of David. Why do we judge who can serve? We all have gifts blessed to us by God. We are all welcome to the table. Our faith isn’t about us — it’s about serving others, in so many ways.
Prayer
Loving God, thank you for the gifts with which you have blessed me. Help me to serve you, using those gifts for their full potential, even when I, and others, are unsure. Amen.
Written by Briana Belding-Peck, Family Ministry Coordinator
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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