February 20, 2012 - Monday of Quinquagesima
Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Daily Lectionary: Job 15:1-23,30-35; John 6:60-71
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It sure must have surprised Jesse and his sons to learn that it wasn' t necessarily the biggest and strongest among them who would be chosen to be king of Israel. Instead, it was David, the baby of the family — the young kid left to mind the sheep and do the chores while his older brothers prepared for a sacrifice and meal with the visiting prophet.
But that' s the way God so often works. He has a different grading scale than the rest of us. He sees what can' t be seen by you. It was much the same way on another journey to Bethlehem: Mary and Joseph, just another couple heading south for the census with nothing to distinguish them from anyone else. Yet the Savior of mankind took on flesh and was born to this average couple from Nazareth.
God our Father has a way of doing that over and over again. People who seem so average on the outside wind up being the ones through whom He works: Moses, David, Peter, Paul. All average folks on the outside, yet God called them to do wonderful things for His people.
It is just as true today. Their work might not have quite the same level of awesomeness as dividing the Red Sea or being the greatest king the nation has ever known or defending the faith before hostile governors, but there are plenty of people marked with the sign of the cross who are doing God' s work among you.
Yes, even you. You may not be the most remarkable person among your circle of friends and acquaintances, yet God Almighty has seen within your heart and He knows the plans He has for you and your gifts. Not sure? Look back to your Baptism. He saw it there. Marked with His holy Name, y ou are worthy of His attention. He sees in you a great future — one with Him for all eternity. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
O’er ev’ry foe victorious, He on His throne shall rest, From age to age more glorious, All blessing and all-blest. The tide of time shall never His covenant remove; His name shall stand forever — That name to us is Love. (LSB 398:5)
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