Week 12. March 22. God looks at the heart.

Week 12.  We have entered into familiar territory.  We remember the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David from childhood days in Sunday School.

I liked the sweet story (in Chapter 1-3) of the little boy Samuel who grew “in the presence of God” under Eli.  I liked thinking about his mother bringing him a new little robe each year as he grew up, and how he wore a little linen ephod.   I liked Chapter 3 when God began to reveal himself to Samuel.

It was interesting as we read about tall King Saul, Samuel the dedicated prophet, and the chosen boy David, that they all had strengths and weaknesses. The scriptures don’t hide the ugly parts.  But that makes the characters seem more real to us.  So, there were many familiar scriptures this week, and a few surprises, too…those Philistines continued to be a problem.  The ark was moved around.  Battles continued.   The people forgot to honor God, but God continued to work on their behalf anyway.

One of my favorite verses was Chapter 16, verse 7.

We are in the midst of the Lenten Season…  

The Lord looks at our heart.