ZION NEWS: JULY
Inside Out
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7b
King Saul, Israel’s first king, was still alive and ruling the nation when the Lord sent the prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem. The purpose of his mission was to anoint a new king. The tension was extreme. (vs. 2a) “But Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.” Also (vs. 4) “the Elders of the town trembled when they met him (Samuel). They asked, “Do you come in peace?”.
The Lord said to Samuel, “ ’I have chosen one of his sons to be king.’ ” (vs. 1b) As seven of Jesse’s sons from oldest to youngest passed before Samuel, he was sure each was the one. Yet, “The Lord has not chosen these.” (vs. 10) David, the youngest was still out in the field “tending the sheep”.
What made David’s heart different? What was in his heart? What wasn’t in his heart? What was his passion? What motivated his behavior? What did the Lord see in him that He didn’t see in the other brothers?
The answer is found in the Old Testament, as well as the New: “But now your kingdom (Saul’s) will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” I Samuel 13:14 And, “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘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
David is not sinless or without faults. He clearly does things over his lifetime, which the Lord is not pleased with. He endures the Lord’s discipline many times. (see Psalm 51 or read 2 Samuel 11:1-12:17) But David always turns back to the Lord. His heart steadfastly returns to its desire to love and serve His redeemer. “he will do everything I want him to do.’ “
David receives the “Helper” to enable him in fulfilling the Lord’s will. “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 upon David in power.” (vs.13
“ ‘ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.’ “ Matthew 5:6 “ ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’” Matthew 5:8
What does the Lord see when He looks into my heart? Our hearts?
Blessed is the man, woman, or child who has a heart after God’s own heart 24/7. Phillippians 1:6 (NIV) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
His by grace,
Chris
Service & Schedule
Sunday Worship Service: As local guidance and your level of comfort changes in the coming weeks and months, please continue to use health safety precautions where appropriate when physically attending worship. (There are health safety guidelines posted inside the church.)
Message theme/Scripture schedule for Sunday mornings in July:
7/5 “Your Presence, Lord 10” 1 John 5:1-21
7/12 “A Little Quail With That Whine?” Numbers 11:1-35
7/19 “Spiritual Self Affliction” Numbers 12:1-16
7/26 “Faith” Numbers 13:1-25 (read) 13:26-14:4 (preach)
A Chapter a Day Congregational Readings: 1 Thessalonians (7/1-7/5), 2 Thessalonians (7/6-7/8), 1 Timothy (7/9-7/14), 2 Timothy (7/15-7/18), Hebrews (7/19-7/31)
The “Wow!” Factor
After the final notes concluded at a recent symphony performance in Boston, the conductor hadn’t yet lowered his baton when a child exclaimed, “Wow!” The break in protocol, magnified by excellent acoustics, didn’t upset the participants or audience, however. Instead, several later said it brought them great joy. One even called the moment life-changing.
The incident was especially meaningful because the child, a 9-year-old named Ronan, has autism and is generally nonverbal. Music, his family says, tends to attract his interest and make him happy. When symphony officials learned Ronan’s identity, they arranged a private performance so he could meet some musicians.
How often do you shout “Wow!” — in a good way — at what you see and hear? You may tend to do so on vacation or while observing God’s natural wonders, but what about during your day-to-day life? Think about the people you encounter and their talents — and your own. When have these sparked a “Wow!” of thanks to God?
Every blessing, large or small, is a wow-moment — a gift from God that warrants our praise.
—adapted from HomeTouch Ministry
“Your worth consists in what you are and not in what you have. What you are will show in what you do.”
~Thomas Davidson
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