Growing Deeply

Sunday Sermon

a daily scripture guide

Week of June 13 June 18

God of Surprises - June 12

MONDAY: 1 Samuel 16:1,10-13 Its you, but not yet
Traditionally, the oil in the horn is used to inaugurate a king; however, this
time it is used to designate a king that is to come. David continues to serve as
shepherd, and later tends to Saul all before becoming the official king.
REFLECTION: What might it have felt like to wait to be crowned king? How do
you use your in the mean times?
TUESDAY: 1 Samuel 16:1,10-13 Is this it?
Samuel trusted Gods instruction. He could have left after looking over the
seven sons. Instead, his faith and trust in God leads him to ask, Is this it? Are
all your sons here?
REFLECTION: Remember that faith is less about sight and more about trusting
the word of God.
WEDNESDAY: 1 Samuel 16:1,10-13 Among the seven
Davids anointing before his brothers reminds us that those who may think little
of us can be made to witness God elevate us before their very eyes.
PRAYER: God, you make choices that I may not understand. I am human and
I judge with limited information. You, however, know the hearts of people.
Forgive me when I discount those youve chosen.
THURSDAY: 1 Samuel 17:33,38-41 Hand-me-downs
I grew up wearing hand-me-downs. They never fit just right, but its what I had.
Imagine David wearing Sauls armor, awkward and heavy.
REFLECTION: When have you tried to fill the shoes of someone else? Whats it
like to do that? Did you wear their armor?

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1,10-13 (NRSV)

The Lord said to Samuel, How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected
him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send
you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his
sons.
Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse,
The Lord has not chosen any of these. Samuel said to Jesse, Are all your
sons here? And he said, There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping
the sheep. And Samuel said to Jesse, Send and bring him; for we will not sit
down until he comes here. He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy,
and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, Rise and anoint
him; for this is the one. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him
in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon
David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
All rights reserved.

My Notes:

FRIDAY: 1 Samuel 17:33,38-41 Do you...

This weekend someone said do you. Its so easy to give in to the
unintentional pressure to be like everyone else. David was chosen for a reason
differently than Saul. You, too, while beloved like all of Gods children, are
uniquely you and gifted, and for that reason God chooses you for tailor-made
assignments.
PRAYER: I celebrate who you made me, God. When I try to be someone else I
dishonor the ingenuity of your image in me. Thank you for making me, me.
SATURDAY: 1 Samuel 17:33,38-41 Stones
The river rocks David picks up are part of his offense in slaying the giant.
REFLECTION: What might those rocks represent for you? What grounds you?
Gives you courage, faith?

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