Daily Worship (Dec 07)

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

Devotional Thought
When Samuel went to Bethlehem to anoint Israel’s next king, he expected someone impressive—tall, strong, and powerful. That’s how people usually define greatness. But God surprised him. The Lord told Samuel not to look at outward appearance, because outward appearance isn’t what makes someone truly great. God sees something much deeper. He sees the heart.

This verse connects closely with Micah 5 and the coming of Jesus. God chose Bethlehem—a small, poor, unimportant town—to be the birthplace of the Messiah. In the same way, God chose David—the youngest son, ignored by everyone else—to become king. Again and again, Scripture tells us that God’s greatness does not follow the world’s rules.

We often feel pressure to look successful on the outside. We compare ourselves to others at school, at work, or online. We fear being overlooked. But God does not value the things the world celebrates. He is looking for a heart that trusts him, loves him, and worships him. That means anyone—no matter their background, gifts, or struggles—can be great in God’s eyes. True greatness is not about being noticed. It is about being faithful and humble before the Lord.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does the story of David’s anointing help us understand why God chooses Bethlehem for the Messiah?
• Observation: What contrasts do you notice between what people value and what God values?
• Meaning: What does it mean that “the Lord looks at the heart”?
• Main Idea: How does this passage challenge our normal ideas of what makes a person great?
• Application: How can you practice heart-level humility and trust instead of chasing outward success?

Prayer
Lord, thank you that you look at the heart. Help me stop chasing the world’s idea of greatness. Give me a humble heart that trusts you and honors you. Make me more like Jesus, who came in humility so we could find true greatness in him. Amen.

Micah 5:2 (NIV)
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Devotional Thought
Bethlehem was a tiny town—poor, quiet, and unimportant. No one expected anything great to come from it. Yet God chose that place to bring the greatest gift the world has ever known: Jesus, the Messiah. This is one of the clearest ways God redefines greatness. He does not choose the biggest, strongest, or most impressive option. He chooses the small, the weak, and the overlooked so his glory can shine.

The people of Judah were discouraged. Their nation felt powerless, and their hope seemed almost gone. Into that dark moment, God gave a promise of a new King—a new David—born in the same little town where David himself had been found. God was saying, “I am not finished. My plan is still alive. Greatness will rise again, but not the way you expect.”

This reminds us that God uses small places and small people. Your town, your family, your gifts—none of these have to be impressive for God to work through them. What God wants is a heart ready to trust him. And when we give God our simple faith and humble worship, he brings true greatness into our lives—not greatness that points to us, but greatness that points to Jesus.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does Micah’s message of judgment make this promise of Bethlehem even more hopeful?
• Observation: What does the text say about Bethlehem’s size and significance?
• Meaning: Why does God choosing a “small” place matter for our understanding of greatness?
• Main Idea: What does this verse teach us about how God brings greatness through humility?
• Application: Where in your life do you feel “too small,” and how might God use that for his glory?

Prayer
Father, thank you for choosing Bethlehem and showing us that you love to work through small places and humble hearts. Help me trust you with my weaknesses and offer my life to you in worship. Make Jesus great through me. Amen.

Matthew 2:10–11 (NIV)
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

Devotional Thought
When the Magi finally found Jesus, they did not admire him from a distance. They didn’t treat him like a normal king. They fell to their knees in worship. Then they opened their treasures—the best they had—and laid them at his feet. This is an amazing picture of true greatness. The Magi were respected, educated, and wealthy. Yet in the presence of Jesus, they humbled themselves. Their greatness was shown not by what they held onto, but by what they were willing to lay down.

This connects directly to the message of Micah 5. God’s greatness came into the world in a humble way—in a small town, in a simple home, through an infant King. And the right response to that kind of greatness is worship. The world says greatness means getting more. God says greatness begins with giving yourself away to him.

We often hold tightly to our treasures—our time, money, talents, plans, reputation. But the Magi challenge us: true greatness is found in surrender. When we lay down our treasures, we are saying, “Jesus, you are the King. Everything I have belongs to you.” Worship is not just singing—it is offering our lives to him with joy.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does Matthew’s story connect to Micah’s prophecy about Bethlehem?
• Observation: What actions show that the Magi understood Jesus’ true greatness?
• Meaning: What does it mean to “open your treasures” to Jesus today?
• Main Idea: How does this passage show that greatness is humble worship?
• Application: What is one “treasure” in your life that you can lay before Jesus in worship this week?

Prayer
Jesus, you are the true King. Help me bow my heart before you like the Magi did. Teach me to lay down my treasures and worship you with joy. Make me great in the only way that matters—by giving my life to you. Amen.