Our Daily Bread Jan 13
After God’s Heart / By: Kay Tee Sim The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.
1 Samuel 13:14
Today's Scripture & Insight:
1 Samuel 16:1–13 (NIV):
16 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.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 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.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 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.” 12 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.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
When senior bankers in Asia were asked what their favorite interview questions were, one of them gave this answer: “How do you define and achieve success?” The CEO of Citibank Singapore explained, “I like to understand motivations for success. This allows me to know the core of the person [I am interviewing] and their values.”
How about God? What does He look out for? We read of an “interview” session in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. The prophet Samuel was tasked by God to identify and appoint the king of Israel, and God gave Samuel this requirement: “People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Seven candidates were interviewed and rejected (vv.8-10). The eighth candidate, David, who was Jesse’s youngest son and the least qualified in terms of achievement, was chosen. He fulfilled that one important criterion that God was looking for: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do” (Acts 13:22).
While it’s important to consider a person’s skills and qualifications, let’s not neglect the weightier issues of character—honesty, veracity, integrity, and humility. This has an important implication for us: as we seek to be God’s good and faithful servant, we must seek to grow in skills and knowledge, and more importantly, to be a person after God’s own heart.
Today’s Hymns:
Living for Jesus
Lord I Offer My Life to You
Scripture to Respond:
Micah 6:8
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
Reflection:
Many believers think that understanding God’s Will is very difficult, and even more difficult to be a person after God’s own heart. God has already told us in the Bible how to be a person after God’s own heart. Through the Holy Spirit’s conviction and help, we can examine God’ Will, reject evil and hold on to the good.
Are you willing, with the help of the Spirit, to live out a life of always rejoicing, continual prayer and give thanks in all things?
Prayer:
Oh Lord, please make me a person after Your own heart, like David.
Please help me to follow Your Will in everything.
Wong Wai Tung (Chief executive officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation) & Sam Chow (Administrative officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation) Translated by Esther Leung
