READ 1 Samuel 16
David is anointed to be king.

INSIGHT
David is indeed an outstanding individual. As a teenager, he is known to be “skillful in
playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome
person; and the Lord is with him” (v. 18). In each of these things, David is not just lucky.
David works hard at all the things for which he is known, including the fact that “the Lord
is with him.” Each of us has been given talents and abilities. Like David, if we are to
achieve our God-given potential, we must be disciplined with the things that advance
those abilities.

PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord that we are the objects of His tender mercies and powerful leading:
Lord, you have treated your servant well,
Just as you promised.
Teach me good judgment and discernment,  
For I rely on your commands.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,  
But now I keep your word.
You are good, and you do what is good;  
Teach me your statutes (Psalm 119:65-68).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I lift my eyes to you,
The one enthroned in heaven.  
Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand,
Like a servant girl’s eyes on her mistress’s hand,
So our eyes are on the Lord our God
Until he shows us favor.  
Show us favor, Lord, show us favor,
For we’ve had more than enough contempt
(Psalm 123:1-3).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Love is patient, love is kind.
Love does not envy,  
Is not boastful, is not arrogant,    
Is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable,  
And does not keep a record of wrongs.
Love finds no joy in unrighteousness
But rejoices in the truth.    
It bears all things, believes all things,
Hopes all things, endures all things
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater trust in God’s sovereignty
• The spiritual condition of our national leaders
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love
So that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days
(Psalm 90:14).