This backpack was worn by a one of the men who organized the open-air Gospel Meeting in August 2016 in a village outside of Lilongwe, Malawi. Over 2000 attended. I spoke to one man who walked over 15 miles to attend. Many of the pictures of the children I have posted are from this amazing event.

I Samuel 16

Samuel was grieving over the sad state of Israel. They had a failed King who arrogantly continued to sit on the throne. Saul remained in the position of king but never sought God’s guidance through Samuel anymore. Samuel was distraught – he probably questioned how God could allow his chosen nation to fall into this sad state. I know I’ve been there, done that. Vs1 says “Now the Lord said to Samuel, how long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.”

Us short guys can be used by God too!

When Jesse and his sons came before Samuel, he immediately assumed Eliab was the chosen one. “But the Lord said to Samuel, do not look at his appearance or the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God see’s not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart,” v7. All seven of Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel and none of them were God’s chosen. Samuel asked Jesse if he had another son.  “There remains the youngest and he is tending the sheep.”  They sent for David and when he arrived, God confirmed to Samuel that this was the chosen one. He wasn’t tall in stature but he was handsome with beautiful eyes. Not sure why that is relevant but the text tells us so. When David was anointed, “the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him from that day forward.”

Set your mind on the things above

Lord, give me spiritual eyes to see things from your perspective of eternity. My human viewpoint and shortsightedness often leads to wrong decisions along with doubting, worry and fear. Open the eyes of my heart Lord and make your path for me clear! And then, may I follow Your counsel by faith. Amen