Today’s chapter shows what’s top on the list for importance, when screening someone for the highest role…
READ 1 SAMUEL 16 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
A successful team and any hope of sustained progress, isn’t so much about filling the right seats, as it is filling those seats with the right people. As this epic story progresses, it seems that the playwright for the greatest drama even to unfold in human history, evidently prefers to select His own people for the most important roles and, as it turns out, the best jobs seem to go to the most unlikely people!
Abraham, for example, was a childless nomad yet told that he’d be the head of the world’s largest family – his descendants would be as many as the stars in the sky or sand grains on a sea shore.[a] Jacob, his grandson whom God renamed Israel, was a grasper, advantage-taker and cheat[b], and Ephraim (born last in the family and therefore had least significance) received the right-hand of blessing to become a group of nations.[c]
In the centuries between Abraham’s immediate family and today’s chapter – when Samuel visited Jesse’s house – not much seemed to change. The one chosen to fill the greatest role – the second king of Israel – was yet again, the least likely. So what makes the greatest of leaders? Today’s chapter holds a timeless clue…
“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” [v7]
If I’m wondering today, how to have guaranteed employment selection into the most significant history-changing roles, I need to work on my private life and my skills sure enough. But what’s crucial, is my relationship with the script writer and the content of my heart…
Read More? …CLICK on “26 May – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wondering how to connect with the One who sees your heart? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[d]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
O Lord, the God of Creation, You’re enthroned between the cherubim and You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You’ve made heaven and earth. [2 Kings 19:15]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: Pray for French Guiana[e] & French Polynesia[f]
Your Country: Persecuted Believers
Yourself: Greater compassion for others
Your concerns for today
You answer prayer, Lord. You’re good to all and have compassion on all You’ve made. [Psalm 145:9]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
In all my daily choices, Lord, help me to remember that I’ve been crucified: I no longer live, but instead, You live in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. [Galatians 2:20]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”
Thank-you Lord that the bows of mighty warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength in You. [1 Samuel 2:4]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[g] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Using our Gifting
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” [1 Corinthians 12:27]
[a] Genesis 15:5
[b] Genesis 25:26; 27:36
[c] Genesis 48:19
[d] Matthew 6:5-15
[e] http://www.operationworld.org/country/freg/owtext.html
[f] http://www.operationworld.org/country/frep/owtext.html
[g] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31
What I have learnt: God looks at the heart. Nothing one does to one’s image will ever change one’s heart. If we want change in any shape or form, it starts within our hearts: perspective and ultimately mindset. Before we make any decisions, we need to ask ourselves what our motive is and if our intentions are right. God sees the heart and it is important to have my heart in the right place.