Daily Christian Devotional

January 20, 2026

1 Samuel 16.1-13, Psalm 89.19-27, Mark 2.23-end

In Bethlehem, God overturns human expectations. Samuel looks for stature and strength, but the Lord chooses David, the youngest, the overlooked shepherd. God’s gaze rests not on appearance but on the heart. When David is anointed, the Spirit comes upon him, quietly marking the beginning of a kingship shaped by trust rather than power. God’s choosing is an act of grace, not reward.

Psalm 89 celebrates this covenant faithfulness. God speaks of the chosen one as servant and son, upheld by divine strength and steadfast love. God’s promise is not merely for a moment, but for generations—a reign grounded in mercy and faithfulness.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus challenges narrow readings of the law when his disciples pluck grain on the sabbath. He reminds his hearers that the sabbath was made for humanity, not humanity for the sabbath. Authority here is not harsh or self-serving; it is life-giving. Like David before him, Jesus reveals a kingship that places compassion above rigid control.

Together, these readings invite us to trust a God who chooses the unexpected and exercises authority through mercy. God’s rule is not about exclusion or fear, but about restoring life. We are called to live with hearts shaped by grace, attentive to God’s Spirit, and generous in love.

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Prayer

Gracious God,
you choose not by appearance but by the heart.
Pour your Spirit upon us,
that we may live faithfully and compassionately.
Teach us to honour your purposes with mercy,
and to rejoice in the freedom you give,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.