Three-in-One

• 1 Samuel 16:1 (MSG)

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Today's reading packed at least three distinctive messages jumping off the page at me: 1) God's plans involve us but are not limited by us 2) God's plans will make the most of the things uniquely ours to give and 3) God's plans involve others with whom our souls may be knit together.

Each one of these lessons could be an entire sermon. I am amazed at how sometimes reading OT stories proves routine and antiseptic and other times they ooze grit, truth, and power? Perhaps it is the reader's expectation that shapes the experience. At any rate, my notes over the next few days are going to unpack these last three ideas and explore them with the attention they deserve.

A sketch to remind me...
1) Samuel is disappointed the one he thought should be annointed as king was not the one God had chosen--God's plans involved Samuel but were not limited by Samuel's narrow vision

2) David puts on Saul's armor initially when he goes out to confront the Philistine--the armor is not his and no matter how safe and strong it was designed to be for its owner, David says it is not "tested" by him. God's plans will make the most of the things uniquely ours. In the case of David at the time, he was a shepherd and he was highly skilled with a sling and knew just the stones required to hit his target

3) Jonathan and David have different destinies yet their souls are knit together. God's plans for us and for others involve us blending our souls together. Risky business, messy business, beautiful business.

More to follow...

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