The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Monday, January 15, 2024
Guidance, Anointing, and Sanctification
Psalm 86; 1 Samuel 9:27—10:8; 2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 2)
Introduction
with Commentary
Monday, January 15, 2024
Guidance, Anointing, and Sanctification
Psalm 86; 1 Samuel 9:27—10:8; 2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 2)
Introduction
This thematic exploration delves into three significant passages from the Bible, each offering unique insights into the spiritual journey of believers. Psalm 86 is a heartfelt cry for God's guidance and mercy, reflecting the soul's deep yearning for divine direction in times of distress. In 1 Samuel 9:27—10:8, we witness the anointing of Saul, symbolizing the transformative power of God's chosen leadership and the fulfillment of divine plans. Finally, 2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1 teaches about the importance of being sanctified in Christ, urging believers to live in purity and separation from worldly influences. Together, these scriptures provide a comprehensive view of the believer's walk with God, encompassing guidance, anointing, and the call to sanctification.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 86
The Cry of the Humble for Mercy and Guidance
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 86
The Cry of the Humble for Mercy and Guidance
Psalm 86 is a heartfelt prayer of King David, expressing his deep dependence on God in times of trouble. It is a blend of petition and praise, demonstrating David's trust in God's steadfast love and faithfulness. In this psalm, David seeks God's mercy, guidance, and protection against his enemies. He acknowledges his own neediness and God's greatness, contrasting his human frailty with God's omnipotence. Psalm 86 is a beautiful example of a soul seeking communion with God, recognizing His power to save and sustain.1 Hear me, LORD, and answer me, *
For I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; *
Save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God;
3 Have mercy on me, LORD, *
For I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, LORD, *
For I put my trust in you.
5 You, LORD, are forgiving and good, *
Abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, LORD; *
Listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you, *
Because you answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, LORD; *
No deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, LORD; *
They will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; *
You alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness; *
Give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, LORD my God, with all my heart; *
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me; *
You have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.
14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; *
Ruthless people are trying to kill me—
they have no regard for you.
15 But you, LORD, are a compassionate and gracious God, *
Slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
show your strength in behalf of your servant; *
Save me, because I serve you
just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, *
For you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the words of Psalm 86, I come to You with a humble heart. Like David, I acknowledge my need for Your mercy and guidance in every aspect of my life. I ask for Your protection and strength in times of trouble and for the grace to trust in Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Help me to walk in Your truth and to cultivate a heart of praise, recognizing Your greatness and sovereignty over all things. May Your presence be my comfort and Your wisdom my guide, as I seek to live in a way that honors You.
Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
In 1 Samuel 9:27—10:8, we witness a pivotal moment in the history of Israel: the anointing of Saul as the first king. This passage marks a significant transition from the era of the judges to the monarchy. The narrative begins with Samuel, the prophet, instructing Saul to send his servant ahead so that he can reveal to Saul the word of God. This moment sets the stage for a series of events where Saul is anointed, given specific signs to confirm his calling, and ultimately, transformed into a new person equipped for kingship.9 27 As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.”
10 1 Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance? 2 When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?”’
3 “Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.
5 “After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. 6 The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. 7 Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.
8 “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.”
Commentary
Anointing of Saul (Verses 9:27-10:1): Samuel's private anointing of Saul signifies God's choice of Saul as king. The anointing with oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit's empowerment for Saul's future role. This act underlines the divine aspect of kingship in Israel, where the king is not merely a political figure but also a spiritual leader.
Prophetic Signs (Verses 10:2-7): Samuel provides Saul with three specific signs to confirm his anointing. These signs involve meeting two men near Rachel's tomb, encountering three men going to Bethel, and joining a group of prophets. Each sign is fulfilled precisely as Samuel describes, emphasizing that Saul's kingship is part of God's sovereign plan.
Transformation of Saul (Verse 10:8): The final verse hints at a deeper transformation within Saul. When he turns to leave Samuel, God changes Saul's heart, preparing him for the responsibilities of kingship. This internal change is crucial, indicating that while external anointing is important, true leadership also requires inner transformation.
These verses in 1 Samuel demonstrate the intricate interplay of divine sovereignty and human agency. While God chooses and equips Saul, Saul must respond and step into his role with faith and obedience. The passage serves as a reminder of God’s active involvement in the lives of His people and His power to equip and transform them for His purposes.
In this passage from 2 Corinthians 6:14 to 7:1, Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church with a powerful message about the importance of being distinct in faith while living in a world with differing beliefs. Paul uses the metaphor of 'unequal yoking' to illustrate the potential dangers of closely aligning with those who do not share the same faith and values. This segment of his letter is a call to the Corinthians to recognize the distinction between believers and non-believers, not as a means of separation, but as a way to maintain the integrity and purity of their faith in a diverse and often challenging world.6 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”
7 1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Commentary
The Metaphor of Unequal Yoking (Verses 6:14-16a): Paul begins by advising against being 'unequally yoked with unbelievers,' drawing from a common agricultural practice where two different types of animals should not be yoked together. This metaphor extends to relationships, business partnerships, and other forms of close associations, emphasizing the potential conflicts and compromises that can arise when fundamental beliefs and values are misaligned.
The Call to Separation (Verses 6:16b-18): Paul continues by quoting Old Testament scriptures, reminding the Corinthians of God's promise to dwell among His people. This presence demands a level of holiness and separation from the world's impurities. The call is not for physical isolation but for spiritual distinctness, where believers are in the world but not of it, maintaining their identity as God's 'temple'.
Purifying Ourselves (Verse 7:1): The passage concludes with an exhortation to 'purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.' This purification is not just about avoiding sin but actively engaging in practices that promote spiritual growth and moral integrity. It's a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ, reflecting his holiness in every aspect of life.
In essence, 2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1 challenges believers to consider how their relationships and interactions with the world align with their faith. It's a call to discernment, commitment, and the pursuit of holiness in a complex world, always remembering the promise of God's presence and the grace that empowers them to live out their faith authentically and boldly.
Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]
The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Monday, January 15, 2024
Guidance, Anointing, and Sanctification
Psalm 86; 1 Samuel 9:27—10:8; 2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1
Today's selection of scriptures delves into the profound themes of God's omniscience and human agency. Psalm 139 celebrates the intimate knowledge God has of us, recognizing His presence in every moment of our existence, from our formation in the womb to the complexities of our daily lives. In 1 Samuel 2, we witness the interplay of divine providence and human choices through the lives of Eli's sons, contrasting God's blessing on Hannah's family with the consequences of disobedience. Matthew 25:1-13, through the Parable of the Ten Virgins, challenges us to be prepared and vigilant, emphasizing the importance of readiness for God’s kingdom. Together, these passages invite reflection on how our choices align with God's overarching plan, urging us to seek wisdom and understanding in our journey of faith.
