Daily Worship

Bethlehem

August 08, 2013 0 0

1 Samuel 16:4-13

When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”

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.

Bethlehem:

In which the Wellspring

Gave forth Living Water,

And the Vine

Bore Eternal Fruit,

Make of this place

Your throne, O King.

Make of its people

Your flesh, O Word.

Bethlehem:

Where the wells run dry

For Herod’s pleasure,

And shed blood

Begets yet more blood,

Make of this place

Your throne, O King.

Make of its people

Your flesh, O Word.

Bethlehem:

In which justice fails

But shall flow like rivers,

And shed blood

Shall restore all things,

Make of this place

Your throne, O King.

Make of its people

Your flesh, O Word.

 

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By Mark Calder (Bethlehem)