Our Daily Bread For Friday 26 January 2024 Message
Read Our Daily Bread For Friday 26 January 2024 ODB Message written by Marvin Williams and Today’s Insight By Bill Crowder
TOPIC: No More Prejudice
Bible in a Year: Exodus 14–15; Matthew 17
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.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1–7, NIV
1 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.”
Insight
In 1 Samuel 16, David is formally introduced in the Old Testament. However, although David appears in the story in 1 Samuel, he was mentioned much earlier. In Ruth 4:17 we read, “The women living there said, ‘Naomi has a son!’ And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” The story of Naomi is a story of preparation. Naomi lost her husband and sons but gained a lifelong companion and friend in her daughter-in-law Ruth. When they returned from Moab to Bethlehem, Naomi’s losses had made her bitter. But, when Ruth married their near kinsman Boaz, their son Obed brought Naomi renewed hope—and even more, made her the great-grandmother of David, Israel’s greatest king.
Our Daily Bread For Friday 26 January 2024 MESSAGE
Many years ago, Julie Landsman auditioned for principal French hornist for New York’s Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. The MET held their auditions behind a screen to avoid prejudice by the judges. Landsman did well in her audition and ended up winning the competition. But when she stepped out from behind the screen, some of the all-male judges walked to the rear of the room and turned their backs on her. Apparently, they were looking for someone else.
When the Israelites asked for a king, God accommodated the people and gave them a man who was physically imposing like the other nations had (1 Samuel 8:5; 9:2). But because Saul’s first years as king were marked by faithlessness and disobedience, God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a new king (16:1–13). When Samuel saw Eliab, the oldest son, he assumed that God had chosen him to be king because he was physically impressive. But God challenged Samuel’s thinking: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (v. 7). God had chosen David to lead His people (v. 12).
When evaluating people’s ability and suitability for His purposes, God looks at character, will, and motives. He invites us to be attuned to see the world and people as He does—focusing on peoples’ hearts and not their outward appearance or credentials.
Reflect & Pray
Why is it vital not to judge someone based on personal prejudices? What does it mean for you to have a true heart for God?
Compassionate God, please help me not to evaluate people based on their appearances.
READ ALSO: MFM Daily Devotional 26 January 2024 – At the Scent of Water
Our Daily Bread Devotional For 26th January 2024 ODB Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.
