The One Year Bible reading for today, Thursday May 17, is 1 Samuel 20:1-21:15, John 9:1-41, Psalm 113:1-114:8 and Proverbs 15:15-17. The Scripture I’ve chosen to focus on is 1 Samuel 21:6.
Scripture
Since there was no other food available, the priest gave him the holy bread – the Bread of the Presence that was placed before the Lord in the Tabernacle. It had just been replaced that day with fresh bread. – 1 Samuel 21:6
Observation
In this passage David is on the run. And if Saul catches him, he will be dead. When David reaches the town of Nob, he seeks out Ahimelech the priest and asks him for bread. The only bread Ahimelech has is the sacred bread of the Tabernacle. While it is unlawful for anyone but the priests to eat this bread, he gives it to David.
Hundreds of years later, Jesus references this same event when the Pharisees challenge Him for allowing his hungry disciples to break off heads of grains on the Sabbath. Jesus replies by reminding him about the story of David and then explains:
Then Jesus said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.’ – Mark 2:27
Both David and Jesus were very clear on their own motivations. David knew he had to escape. Jesus knew he had to speak up for the people. David and Jesus put what mattered first. And if that meant they broke a few rules, they did not lose sleep.
Application
In reading these related Old and New Testament verses, I had to ask myself if I am putting the things that matter most to me ahead of what is less important.
Am I putting God, my family, my prayer life and Bible study first on a daily basis? Or am going through the motions? Checking things off my to-do list? Do I sometimes allow Bible study or family time to become just another task? Am more like the Pharisees when I do that, than I am like Jesus?
The answers to those questions varies from day to day but today’s Scripture has made me more aware of them. I want to have the same clarity of purpose as did Jesus. I want to live my life with my faith and family placed firmly in the center. So I am going to ask God to help me do that.
Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for reminding me of what really matters. Help me to better focus on your Word and better connect with you in prayer. Bless my family and my home. And help me to be more open and responsive to those I love. Help me to keep faith and family front and center in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s One Year Bible reading for Friday May 18 is 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29, John 10:1-21,Psalm 115:1-18 amd Proverbs 15:18-19.
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