January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set Apart
Obediently Set Apart
PAUSE
As we open the scriptures this morning, let’s take a moment to invite the Lord to meet us.
Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, we ask you to come and speak to us through your Word. Help us to see what you are calling us to do for your kingdom.
REFLECT
We have been exploring the idea of discovering what incredible adventure God is inviting us into. Today, in 1 Samuel 16, we see two invitations from the Lord unfold – one to faithfully obey despite uncertainty, and another to be set apart for a high position of service.
In the previous chapter, we learn God had become displeased with King Saul due to his disobedience. Rather than obey difficult instructions from the Lord, Saul decided to take an easier route – one which focused on formal religious worship and making himself appear more righteous (1 Sam. 15: 1-35). Saul’s disobedience ultimately led to God rejecting him as Israel’s king.
In 1 Samuel 16:1-13, God invites Samuel to find and anoint the new king that Israel needed; one who would be faithful to Him. This calling was challenging for Samuel because he knew if Saul found out he would try to kill him. There was also the ambiguity of the mission. Samuel had to trust God to lead him safely to a stranger’s home in another city and reveal to him which one of his eight sons to anoint as the next king of Israel. No pressure, right?
Samuel obeyed and met with Jesse in Bethlehem. When Jesse’s sons arrived, Samuel assumed he could tell which one would be king by their looks, probably because he recalled how impressive Saul’s appearance had been. But God reminded Samuel that He does not look at the outward appearance, rather He looks on the heart. Seven of Jesse’s sons went before Samuel, only for each one to find that they were not the chosen one. Finally, Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons. Surely enough the youngest son was out in the fields caring for sheep. David was summoned and immediately when Samuel saw him, God revealed this unlikely boy was the next king of Israel.
Samuel’s willingness to accept the Lord’s invitation, was a pivotal moment for the nation of Israel, and was another step in God’s plan to send the Messiah. Not long after David had been anointed, Saul’s attendants heard about his exceptional musical abilities and outstanding character. They invited him to come and play for Saul to comfort him. Saul appreciated David’s service so much that he brought him into his inner circle to serve as an armor bearer. David’s openness to Saul’s invitation, sovereignly orchestrated by God, would set the stage for his faithful leadership over Israel.
ASK
God chose David, the son whose own family initially did not even invite him to be considered as a candidate to be king. Years later, no one expected the long-awaited Messiah to enter the world as a lowly baby with no army or riches. Paul identified this pattern in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
Is there something seemingly insignificant in your life that God is trying to use for His glory? Ask the Lord to help you take inventory of your life and open your heart to areas, big or small, where He may be calling you to step out in faithful obedience.
What is the Lord’s invitation for you?
YIELD
Once you have spent time thinking about the Lord’s invitation for you, spend some time considering what practical steps you should take to accept His invitation.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for sacrificing your life so that I might have a relationship with you. Help me to not be so caught up in day-to-day activities that I lose sight of the eternal. Help me to be still and take the time to listen to the Holy Spirit. Help me to have the courage to obey what You are calling me to.
As we open the scriptures this morning, let’s take a moment to invite the Lord to meet us.
Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, we ask you to come and speak to us through your Word. Help us to see what you are calling us to do for your kingdom.
REFLECT
We have been exploring the idea of discovering what incredible adventure God is inviting us into. Today, in 1 Samuel 16, we see two invitations from the Lord unfold – one to faithfully obey despite uncertainty, and another to be set apart for a high position of service.
In the previous chapter, we learn God had become displeased with King Saul due to his disobedience. Rather than obey difficult instructions from the Lord, Saul decided to take an easier route – one which focused on formal religious worship and making himself appear more righteous (1 Sam. 15: 1-35). Saul’s disobedience ultimately led to God rejecting him as Israel’s king.
In 1 Samuel 16:1-13, God invites Samuel to find and anoint the new king that Israel needed; one who would be faithful to Him. This calling was challenging for Samuel because he knew if Saul found out he would try to kill him. There was also the ambiguity of the mission. Samuel had to trust God to lead him safely to a stranger’s home in another city and reveal to him which one of his eight sons to anoint as the next king of Israel. No pressure, right?
Samuel obeyed and met with Jesse in Bethlehem. When Jesse’s sons arrived, Samuel assumed he could tell which one would be king by their looks, probably because he recalled how impressive Saul’s appearance had been. But God reminded Samuel that He does not look at the outward appearance, rather He looks on the heart. Seven of Jesse’s sons went before Samuel, only for each one to find that they were not the chosen one. Finally, Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons. Surely enough the youngest son was out in the fields caring for sheep. David was summoned and immediately when Samuel saw him, God revealed this unlikely boy was the next king of Israel.
Samuel’s willingness to accept the Lord’s invitation, was a pivotal moment for the nation of Israel, and was another step in God’s plan to send the Messiah. Not long after David had been anointed, Saul’s attendants heard about his exceptional musical abilities and outstanding character. They invited him to come and play for Saul to comfort him. Saul appreciated David’s service so much that he brought him into his inner circle to serve as an armor bearer. David’s openness to Saul’s invitation, sovereignly orchestrated by God, would set the stage for his faithful leadership over Israel.
ASK
God chose David, the son whose own family initially did not even invite him to be considered as a candidate to be king. Years later, no one expected the long-awaited Messiah to enter the world as a lowly baby with no army or riches. Paul identified this pattern in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
Is there something seemingly insignificant in your life that God is trying to use for His glory? Ask the Lord to help you take inventory of your life and open your heart to areas, big or small, where He may be calling you to step out in faithful obedience.
What is the Lord’s invitation for you?
YIELD
Once you have spent time thinking about the Lord’s invitation for you, spend some time considering what practical steps you should take to accept His invitation.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for sacrificing your life so that I might have a relationship with you. Help me to not be so caught up in day-to-day activities that I lose sight of the eternal. Help me to be still and take the time to listen to the Holy Spirit. Help me to have the courage to obey what You are calling me to.
Posted in 2023 Prayer and Fasting
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January
January 9th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 10th, 2023 - The Burning BushJanuary 11th, 2023 - Strong and Courageous January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set ApartJanuary 13th, 2023 - Faithful Among Enemy NationsJanuary 14th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 16th, 2023 - Be StillJanuary 17th, 2023 - God Inhabits His PraisesJanuary 18th, 2023 - Enjoying God's PresenceJanuary 19th, 2023 - Broken & Contrite HeartJanuary 20th, 2023 - Asking for OthersJanuary 21st, 2023 - Petition and ProvisionJanuary 23rd, 2023 - One Body, Many PartsJanuary 24th, 2023 - Love One AnotherJanuary 25th, 2023 - Unity in the BodyJanuary 26th, 2023 - Consider Others BetterJanuary 27th, 2023 - Living in the LightJanuary 28th, 2023 - Don't Let Anger Control YouJanuary 30, 2023 - The Power of FastingJanuary 31st, 2023 - Pray as You Can
February
February 1st, 2023 - ScriptureFebruary 2nd, 2023 - Sabbath Day, Best DayFebruary 3rd, 2023 - SimplicityFebruary 4th, 2023 - WorshipFebruary 6th, 2023 - Love Your NeighborFebruary 7th, 2023 - Come and See, Go and TellFebruary 8th, 2023 - GenerosityFebruary 9th, 2023 - Caring for the VulnerableFebruary 10, 2023 - HospitalityFebruary 11th, 2023 - Build
2022
January
Covid UpdateDay 1 - Is It Worth It?Day 2 - God Promises His PresenceDay 3 - Aligning Ourselves With GodDay 4 - The Voice of the ShepherdVision 2022 - Begins this Sunday!Day 5 - Rushing or Resting?Day 6 - "By the Grace of God"Day 7 - A Day for Rest and WorshipDay 8 - Ask Boldly and Surrender CompletelyDay 9 - Our Deliverance for His GloryDay 10 - Ask for the ImpossibleDay 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering FaithWhat an incredible start to 2022!!Day 12 - Focus Reveals FaithDay 13 - Impossible Mission!Day 15 - Followers of JesusDay 16 - The Good News of God’s LoveDay 17 - Radical Love Leads People to JesusLet's Try this Again...Day 18 - Relentless CommitmentDay 19 - Unending Power SourceDay 20 - Come and See, Go and TellDay 22 - Many Parts, One BodyDay 23 - A New Command - Love One AnotherDay 24 - One Body and One LordDay 25 - Be Angry, But Do Not SinDo you Belong?Day 26 - The Commandment of LoveDay 27 - The Attitude and Obedience of Christ
March
Day 1 - Seeking the Lord TogetherDay 2 - Ash WednesdayDay 3 - The Baptism of JesusDay 4 - The Word as a WeaponDay 5 - Freedom in ConfessionDay 6 - Love Your EnemiesDay 7 - Anxious for NothingDay 8 - Effective PrayerDay 9 - Amazing FaithDay 10 - The Bleeding WomanDay 11 - Confidence in GodDay 12 - Fear Not!Day 13 - Come and RestDay 14 - Kingdom Minded CommunityDay 15 - The TreasureDay 16 - Peace in His PresenceDay 17 - Raise the RoofDay 18 - A Parent's CommitmentDay 19 - Too Good to be TrueDay 20 - Only JesusDay 21 - The Ninety-Nine and the OneDay 22 - Salvation Through SurrenderDay 23 - Good Rest from a Good ShepherdDay 24 - Read the RoomDay 25 - A Fruitful FaithDay 26 - The Wedding FeastDay 27 - Serve Like Jesus