Week 14   Day 2 

                       appearances are not always what they seem   

                                the big is not always strong

                                the small is not always weak

                                the smile which masks the sadness

                                the crowd which hides the loneliness

                       we put a lot of stock in appearances however

                                they are visual reminders

                                they are strong persuaders

                                choosing products for their visual appeal

                                selecting some friends on the basis of looks

                       the story in Samuel reminds us

                                appearances may distort or detract

                                but God looks on the heart

                                if God does that perhaps we should too
                                        look within at

                                                    the heart

                                                    and soul

                                                    and spirit

                                                                             ---rus 

                                SAMUEL ANNOINTS AGAIN
      God has a pattern of choosing the least likely person.
                                              I Samuel 16

    1The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul,

seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?  Fill your

horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. 

For I have provided a king among his sons."  2Samuel said,
"How can I go?  If Saul hears it, he will kill me."  But the Lord
said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice
to the Lord.'  3Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show
you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name
to you."  4So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to
Bethlehem.  5He consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited
them to the sacrifice.

    6When they came, he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the

Lord's anointed is before Him!"  7But the Lord said to Samuel,

"Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because

I have refused him.  The Lord does not see as man sees; for man

looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 

8So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. 

He said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one."  10Thus Jesse

made seven of his sons pass before Samuel.  And Samuel said

to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these.  11Are all the young

men here?"   He said, "There remains yet the youngest, and he is
keeping the sheep."

    And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him.  For we

will not sit down till he comes here."  12So he sent and brought

David in.  Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. 

The Lord said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!"  13Then

Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of

his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from

that day forward.  So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

    14The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing

spirit troubled him.  15Saul's servants said to him, 16''Let our

master command to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the

harp.  And it shall be that he will play it when the distressing spirit

from God is upon you, and you shall be well."  18One servant

said, "I have seen a son of Jesse who is skillful in playing." 

    19Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me your son

David, who is with the sheep."  21Saul loved David greatly, and

he became his armorbearer.  23Whenever David would take a

harp and play it,  Saul would become refreshed and well, and

the distressing spirit would depart from him.
               _{This Bible passage was condensed from the NKJV}

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The Bible Condensed. From Genesis to Revelation (Old Testament and New Testament)
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