April 9, 2006 - I Samuel 13-14 and Luke 10:1-24
This passage in I Samuel shows the contrast between Saul, who did not trust God, and his son, Jonathan, who did trust God. They give us a lot to think about. I hope you will read this passage slowly to let it sink into your heart.
Chapter 13 shows Saul calling for the people of Israel to gather for an attack on the Philistines. Jonathan had attacked them, so the Philistines had gathered a huge army. The people came, but they were afraid when the saw the size of the enemy army, so they stared leaving. Saul was supposed to wait 7 days for Samuel to come and to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, before they attacked, but Saul could not wait. All he could do was to see with human reasoning. He saw the people leaving, and he thought he had to go ahead and do something. He did the wrong thing. He sinned by offering the sacrifice himself. Then, Samuel came and told him how his actions would lead to God taking the kingdom from him. Saul showed us what people do when they are not trusting God.
On the other hand, in chapter 15 Jonathan knows that God can save by many or by a few. (v.6) Therefore, he goes out with only his armor bearer. They kill 20 Philistines by themselves. The Philistines are struck by fear and an earthquake from God, so they flee in confusion leaving their weapons for the Israelites. The Israelites gather from everywhere now, and they win a great victory. However, in the middle of the fighting Saul makes a foolish vow to curse anyone who eats. This is again out of his fleshly desire to kill the enemy in their own human strength and not trust God for the victory. Jonathan eats some honey without knowing about the curse. In this case the foolish vow is not carried out, because the people recognize the faith of Jonathan and the foolishness of Saul. I hope we can all learn from this story a practical lesson in trusting God.
In Luke 10 Jesus sends out the 70 disciples to go before Him and preach the kingdom. It is another lesson in trusting Him. They were to travel light and to reside with whoever would take them into their homes. They were to trust God to heal the sick and cast out demons. They did just that. When they returned to Jesus, they gave a glowing report of what God had done. Jesus admonished them to always put salvation before physical healing. (v20) Then, the Bible says that Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit. (v.21) What made Jesus rejoice? He rejoiced to see Satan defeated and His disciples being victorious by faith. (v.18-19) He told them how blessed they were to see such things. We can see the same things today, if we will live by faith in Him. We must go where He send us and do what He tells us. Then, He can bless our trust and work through us, too.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 15-16 and Luke 10:25-42.
Chapter 13 shows Saul calling for the people of Israel to gather for an attack on the Philistines. Jonathan had attacked them, so the Philistines had gathered a huge army. The people came, but they were afraid when the saw the size of the enemy army, so they stared leaving. Saul was supposed to wait 7 days for Samuel to come and to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, before they attacked, but Saul could not wait. All he could do was to see with human reasoning. He saw the people leaving, and he thought he had to go ahead and do something. He did the wrong thing. He sinned by offering the sacrifice himself. Then, Samuel came and told him how his actions would lead to God taking the kingdom from him. Saul showed us what people do when they are not trusting God.
On the other hand, in chapter 15 Jonathan knows that God can save by many or by a few. (v.6) Therefore, he goes out with only his armor bearer. They kill 20 Philistines by themselves. The Philistines are struck by fear and an earthquake from God, so they flee in confusion leaving their weapons for the Israelites. The Israelites gather from everywhere now, and they win a great victory. However, in the middle of the fighting Saul makes a foolish vow to curse anyone who eats. This is again out of his fleshly desire to kill the enemy in their own human strength and not trust God for the victory. Jonathan eats some honey without knowing about the curse. In this case the foolish vow is not carried out, because the people recognize the faith of Jonathan and the foolishness of Saul. I hope we can all learn from this story a practical lesson in trusting God.
In Luke 10 Jesus sends out the 70 disciples to go before Him and preach the kingdom. It is another lesson in trusting Him. They were to travel light and to reside with whoever would take them into their homes. They were to trust God to heal the sick and cast out demons. They did just that. When they returned to Jesus, they gave a glowing report of what God had done. Jesus admonished them to always put salvation before physical healing. (v20) Then, the Bible says that Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit. (v.21) What made Jesus rejoice? He rejoiced to see Satan defeated and His disciples being victorious by faith. (v.18-19) He told them how blessed they were to see such things. We can see the same things today, if we will live by faith in Him. We must go where He send us and do what He tells us. Then, He can bless our trust and work through us, too.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 15-16 and Luke 10:25-42.