Thursday January 28, 2021

In the busyness of our everyday lives, we often fail to prepare our hearts and minds for reading God’s word and experience God in this time. Take a moment to allow this prayer to lead you into your time with God today. 

As I enter into this time of prayer and reflection, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God. 

Holy and loving God, in this new season I invite you to shape my soul with your words and inspire my life with your works. Teach me to walk in the way of peace and grace. AMEN.

Psalm 78:70-72

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

When the prophet Samuel sent word to David’s father Jesse to say that he would be coming to his home to select Israel’s next King, Jesse had seven sons ready to meet Samuel. He didn’t invite his youngest David. Instead, David was left tending the sheep. After meeting the first seven, Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

David went from shepherding Jesse’s flock to shepherding all of Israel. He never became more than he was, but God’s anointing enabled him to see more than he once did. God shared a vision with David far beyond what David previously imagined. God was calling him to be a shepherd king. 

How broad would you describe your vision today? Is it possible that in the pursuit of being more than you are you might be seeing less than you should? Ask God this question today. What am I missing? 

Father, help me to live this day to the full,  being true to You, in every way.

Amen.

*Our opening and closing prayers are  adapted from Lectio365, a mobile application developed by the 24-7 Prayer Network. To find out more about this resource, visit this link.