April 10, 2006 - I Samuel 15-16 and Luke 10:25-42
These two chapters in I Samuel are two of the more well known chapters in the Old Testament, because they contain two of the the most profound truths in the Bible. We have heard these stories many times in our lives, but do we apply the truths in our lives every day? I believe that is what we need to ask ourselves as we read these chapters and the passage in Luke 10, too. Remember, all of the truths of Scripture are to be applied to our lives, not just understood in our heads.
Chapter 15 teaches the truth that partial obedience is disobedience. Another aspect of this truth is that sometimes we want to substitute religion for obedience, but God does not accept that either. Saul was commanded by God to destroy all of the Amalekites and their possessions. He did not obey. He spared the king, and he allowed the people to take the best of the livestock. He used the excuse that they would sacrifice them to the Lord, but he knew that was wrong. He did it anyway. This was really a second chance for him to do God's will after his disobedience in offering the sacrifice himself before. Since he failed to be obedient this time, God took the kingdom from him. God regretted that He made Saul king. Does that mean that God made a mistake? No, it means that Saul had a chance to follow the Lord, but he failed to obey. Therefore, God regretted Saul's lack of obedience, and He had to replace him. I pray that we learn from this story that nothing substitutes for full obedience. No amount of religious activity will atone for disobedience to God.
Chapter 16 teaches that God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance. In other words, we can't fool God by how we look or how we act outwardly, because He can see the motives of our hearts. David was chosen king, but he was the youngest child of Jesse. He was the least impressive on the outside. However, his heart was set on God. Therefore, God chose him and placed His Spirit on David to do His will. At the same time, God took His Spirit from Saul. This does not mean he lost his salvation. It means God was no longer with him to help him as the king. God was with David. Now, the Holy Spirit comes to live in someone forever salvation, but it was not that way in the Old Testament. God made a good choice in David. David made a great king as long as his heart was on the Lord. How about you? Is your heart set on Him? Don't let it wander, because God knows your heart.
Luke 10 goes along with these truths in that God sees our hearts when it comes to loving other people and serving Him, too. The lawyer wanted to inherit eternal life, and he thought he knew how. He had the head knowledge, but he lacked the heart, because he really did not love his neighbor. Martha thought she was doing the best thing, too, by serving Jesus. She was upset when her sister Mary did not help, but sat at the feet of Jesus. Jesus told her that Mary had done the best thing, because her heart was right. It was set on Jesus. Martha needed to check her heart to see why she was doing the service to Jesus. Was it out of love or out of obligation? Jesus could see that Martha's heart was not on Him, but on the serving. She could have done both, I believe. That is what Jesus wants us to do.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 17-18 and Luke 11:1-28.
Chapter 15 teaches the truth that partial obedience is disobedience. Another aspect of this truth is that sometimes we want to substitute religion for obedience, but God does not accept that either. Saul was commanded by God to destroy all of the Amalekites and their possessions. He did not obey. He spared the king, and he allowed the people to take the best of the livestock. He used the excuse that they would sacrifice them to the Lord, but he knew that was wrong. He did it anyway. This was really a second chance for him to do God's will after his disobedience in offering the sacrifice himself before. Since he failed to be obedient this time, God took the kingdom from him. God regretted that He made Saul king. Does that mean that God made a mistake? No, it means that Saul had a chance to follow the Lord, but he failed to obey. Therefore, God regretted Saul's lack of obedience, and He had to replace him. I pray that we learn from this story that nothing substitutes for full obedience. No amount of religious activity will atone for disobedience to God.
Chapter 16 teaches that God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance. In other words, we can't fool God by how we look or how we act outwardly, because He can see the motives of our hearts. David was chosen king, but he was the youngest child of Jesse. He was the least impressive on the outside. However, his heart was set on God. Therefore, God chose him and placed His Spirit on David to do His will. At the same time, God took His Spirit from Saul. This does not mean he lost his salvation. It means God was no longer with him to help him as the king. God was with David. Now, the Holy Spirit comes to live in someone forever salvation, but it was not that way in the Old Testament. God made a good choice in David. David made a great king as long as his heart was on the Lord. How about you? Is your heart set on Him? Don't let it wander, because God knows your heart.
Luke 10 goes along with these truths in that God sees our hearts when it comes to loving other people and serving Him, too. The lawyer wanted to inherit eternal life, and he thought he knew how. He had the head knowledge, but he lacked the heart, because he really did not love his neighbor. Martha thought she was doing the best thing, too, by serving Jesus. She was upset when her sister Mary did not help, but sat at the feet of Jesus. Jesus told her that Mary had done the best thing, because her heart was right. It was set on Jesus. Martha needed to check her heart to see why she was doing the service to Jesus. Was it out of love or out of obligation? Jesus could see that Martha's heart was not on Him, but on the serving. She could have done both, I believe. That is what Jesus wants us to do.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 17-18 and Luke 11:1-28.