Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-12.
The Christmas story is not the first time God sent someone to Bethlehem to discover God’s presence anew. Later in the Biblical story (including in Luke’s telling of the Christmas story) we will see Bethlehem described as “the town of David.” This story from 1 Samuel takes us back to where we first learn of that fact. This is David’s hometown. This is where he grew up. And this is where he was chosen to be king.
God had rejected Saul and had chosen a new king for the people of Israel. He sent Samuel to anoint the new king. God also used the occasion to teach Samuel an important lesson about how God sees people. Samuel, like most of us, was too focused on outward appearances and commonly accepted cultural norms. Samuel learns that God looks on the inside of a person. God looks to see what kind of spirit they have; how they relate to and treat people. God wants to know what guides us from the inside.
One of the Christmas hymns (“Joy To The World”) has this line: “Let every heart prepare him room.” Each of us is encouraged to invite Jesus to live inside of us and guide our life. If you do that, you can be assured that when God looks inside of you, God likes what he sees.
Personal Worship Option:
Here’s another verse from an old prayer hymn that perfectly fits this lesson. Written by Adelaide Pollard in 1902, let it be your prayer today:
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!
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