Read Dr. David Jeremiah Daily Devotional for today July 5 2023: Cover and Content
SCRIPTURE: And [Kish] had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. -1 Samuel 9:2.
The best-selling book in history is the Bible because it never disappoints. Other books may have colorful covers and illustrations, yet they have a disappointing message. As they say, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
When Samuel anointed Saul as Israel’s first king, his “cover” did not disappoint. He was tall and handsome; he fit the world’s image of a king. His cover was beautiful, but his content disappointed. He failed to obey God and ended up taking his own life in a battle with the Philistines (1 Samuel 31). Jesus, by contrast, had a plain cover: “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2, NIV). His cover was plain, but His content has never disappointed.
It’s easy to be attracted to, then be disappointed by, the world and its rulers. But Jesus Christ is the Servant-King who has never disappointed—and never will.
If you wish to be disappointed, look at others; if you wish to be disheartened, look at yourself; if you wish to be encouraged, look to Jesus.
Anonymous