Christ Church Daily Devotion Dec 3 2023

In this Daily Devotion, we read from 1 Samuel about Samuel being sent by God to anoint a new king. Samuel initially judged based on outward appearances, but God taught him that He looks at the heart. This story takes us back to Bethlehem, where David grew up and was chosen as king. It reminds us that God sees what's inside a person and wants to guide our lives. We are encouraged to invite Jesus into our hearts and let Him lead us. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for December 3rd, 2023. Today we will be reading from 1 Samuel chapter 16 verses 1 and 6 through 12. The Lord said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord. But the Lord said to Samuel, 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. Then Jesse called Abinadad and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, The Lord has not chosen this one either. Jesse then had Shammah pass by. But Samuel said, Nor has the Lord chosen this one. Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to him, The Lord has not chosen these. So he asked Jesse, Are these all the sons you have? There is still the youngest, Jesse answered. He is tending the sheep. Samuel said, Send for him. We will not sit down until he arrives. So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, Rise and anoint him. This is the one. The Christmas story is not the first time God sent someone to Bethlehem to discover God's presence anew. Later in the biblical story, included in Luke's telling of the Christmas story, we will see Bethlehem described as the town of David. This story from 1 Samuel takes us back to where we first learn of that fact. This is David's hometown. This is where he grew up. And this is where he was chosen to be king. God had rejected Saul and had chosen a new king for the people of Israel. He sent Samuel to anoint the new king. God also used the occasion to teach Samuel as an important lesson about how God sees people. Samuel, like most of us, was too focused on outward appearances and commonly accepted cultural norms. Samuel learns that God looks on the inside of a person. God looks to see what kind of spirit they have. They have relate and how to relate to and treat people. God wants to know what guides us from the inside. One of the Christmas hymns, Joy to the World, has this line, Let every heart prepare him room. Each of us is encouraged to invite Jesus to live inside us and guide our lives. If you do that, you can be assured that when God looks inside of you, God likes what he sees. Today's personal worship option. Here's another verse from an old prayer hymn that perfectly fits this lesson written by Adelaide Pollard in 1902. Let it be your prayer today. Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. Hold over my being absolute sway. Fill with thy spirit till all shall see Christ only, always living in me.