Scripture
20 All this took about 450 years.
“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
Reflection
They looked for a king and found Saul; they looked for a Savior and found John. Saul was unable to recognize his limitations (1 Samuel 15:11) but not so John. John knew that people were looking for God’s unique, promised savior and it was not John, he was quite clear on that. (John 1:20, 26; 3:27) It’s not only important to know who you are (your identity) but just as important to know who you are not (Ps. Dale).
Thoughts for the day
- When last did you ask God to tell you how He sees you?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- What is one way you can apply this truth to your life today?
- Who can you encourage with this story/message?
Prayer
Identify anything that is making you weary or burdened and give it back to God. You might like to physically represent this by clinching your hands then opening them.
