Dearest e-votees-
Day twenty-one of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible.
If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:
Peace,
Karl
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Day 21 Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-28:19
Our readings for today give us the information needed for answering the essay topic "Compare and contrast Saul and David." The difference is in their hearts.
We get strong suggestions as to where to look early in the reading: "Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (16:7, NIV)
We are animal in nature. We make quick (and sometimes survival-necessary) judgments with our eyes. We look at what is before and make fast judgments (sometimes unduly hasty). This is complicated by the fact that media and persistent sin have so distorted what is good, right, desirable and healthy. We would do well to learn to not trust our own insights without seeking the counsel of those who are wiser and more perceptive.
Prayer is the ultimate form of seeking counsel from one so much more wiser and perceptive than we could ever hope to be. Our readings our full of examples of people seeking advice and counsel--from seeking God and God's spokespeople to asking friends and family to even the not-so-advisable seeking advice from a dead prophet which violates even your own royal edict.
God knows us. God knows our hearts. God knows others. God knows their hearts too. God came into the world to save all who would be saved since God knows our hearts all too well. God's heart is love. Jesus showed us God's heart. God looked at Jesus' heart and said "Behold, my beloved, with him I am well pleased. Listen to him."
Change our hearts, O God. Make them ever new. Change our hearts, O God. May we be like you. Amen.
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