RPG Adults
SAMUEL AND DAVID
THURSDAY, MARCH 30
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Jeremiah 17:5-15
“Blessed is the man that
trusteth in the LORD…”
SAMUEL AND DAVID
What had begun as a sore displeasure for Samuel became a burden. After the incident with the Amalekites, Samuel never saw Saul again. Samuel mourned long for Saul (1 Sam 15:35). This was evidence of Samuel’s heart. He was for the nation and he was committed to his task. He prayed for the nation, and taught them the good and right way though they had chosen for themselves a king like the nations around them. But his grief would not change God’s will or purposes. God had provided for Himself a king just as He had announced to Saul through Samuel in 1 Samuel 13:14.
“…the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). Samuel, though a faithful servant greatly used of God and distinguished among the men of his generation, was still a man and was inclined to see as a man. He had asked the LORD, “How can I go?” (1 Sam 16:2), noting the peril that he would put himself in if Saul heard of the errand. Arriving in Bethlehem, Samuel had to assure the elders of Bethlehem who came trembling to Samuel when they saw him appear unexpectedly and were concerned lest there was sin hidden to their eyes (1 Sam 16:4-5). Men are limited in their knowledge and understanding of things, and the heart remains hidden.
“And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he” (1 Sam 16:12). The faithful servant waited on the LORD to reveal his chosen one. He who searches the heart and tries the reins (Jer 17:10) thereof would reveal the right person. This ought not to be limited to the choice of kings alone. How often we fail to consult the LORD and we decide based on outward appearance. We choose churches to attend based on the beautiful buildings, appealing music, the scratching of our itching ears, and the respectability of those who attend. We choose by outward appearance and we try to keep up appearances and so put up a cloak of religiosity and become more like the Pharisee than the publican.
THOUGHT: God knows man’s heart, and He searches it out.
PRAYER: Father, have mercy upon me. Search my heart, and try my acts.