1 Samuel 16:1-13

If it had been up to Samuel’s judgment, he would have chosen Jesse’s son Eliab as the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:6).  He must have looked “kingly” to Samuel, but Samuel was committed to obey the Lord’s earlier instructions in 1 Samuel 16:3, “I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you.” As Samuel was impressed by Eliab’s appearance, God reminded him, “...for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

We will often miss the BEST – God’s will – if we do not seek Him in our decision-making. Romans 11:33 reminds us of this, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His Ways!”

When you ask for wisdom from the Lord in making a decision, remember He gives that wisdom generously and without reproach (James 1:5-6). So do not doubt that He will answer your prayer. He will!

David had a heart for God, and for that quality, God anointed him king. He wants your heart too! It demonstrates that we too have a heart committed to Him if we wait on Him and trust Him to lead us in our decision-making.

• Sometimes we wonder if we will discern His answer. What will help us do that?
• One gift of the Spirit is patience. What is another gift of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that will help us as we wait on God?
• Discuss what keeps us from doubting that an answer is on the way.

Make a big circle with a medium circle inside. Write “God’s will” in the medium inside circle. Name some things within the big circle, outside of the medium circle, that can tempt you to not go to Him for your answer or distract you from waiting on Him. Read Ephesians 3:20 to remind you why it’s of utmost importance to resist temptations and distractions that remove you from waiting on the Lord’s perfect answer. 

Dear Lord, Your thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours! Help us to come to You in our decision-making. We want to always live in Your unfathomably wise ways. Please help us wait for Your perfect answers. Amen.