March 9 - I Samuel 11-13
Saul was proclaimed king at Mizpah, but evidently he did not assume his throne until after the defeat of Nahash, the Ammonite. The reason for this delay in taking the throne could have been the lack of unity among the people behind his leadership, or it might have been his own lack of confidence. However, when he rallied the people to save the people of Jabesh Gilead from Nahash, his anointing was evident to all, and he was ready himself to be set up as king in a ceremony at Gilgal. It was a renewal ceremony for the whole nation as well as a coronation ceremony for Saul. Please, note that in all of this Saul gave God all of the credit for the victory. He was humbly following God's will for the nation of Israel. He was not promoting himself.
At the renewal ceremony Samuel stood before the people to remind them of their sin in desiring a king and to call them to obedience once again. The clear message is that even though God was not fully happy with their decision, He would bless them if they would follow Him completely. The same can be said for Samuel, himself. He promises not to cease to pray for the people even though he did not like the decision, either. The lesson is that people do not have to be perfect to receive the blessings of God. Even when we operate within the permissive will of God instead of the perfect will of God, He wants to bless us. If God wrote us off when we made a mistake, there would be no hope for anyone. However, by God continuing to work in us even though we are not perfect, there is the possibility that we will see our error and turn completely to Him. It is definitely not an occasion for us to think that we can sin more and more and still receive God's blessings, though.
After two years Saul's humility had turned to pride, so he attacked his enemies, the Philistines, without calling on God. Then, in desperation he offered the sacrifices himself, because his army was leaving in fear. It is a picture of failing to trust God. He had forgotten God's power. He was simply looking at the situation through human eyes. This lack of trust became his downfall, and Samuel let him know it when he showed up. Now Saul had sinned against God, and he was facing a huge army with 600 men of his own. What was he going to do now? You might think all is lost, if you don't know the mercy of God. One thing is true, if Saul and his army did not learn from Saul's mistake and turn to God, they would be defeated.
Don't be too hard on Saul in this situation. Think about yourself. How long does it take you to go from a mountaintop with the Lord to the valley of sinful rebellion? Sometimes it doesn't take two years. Sometimes it takes two days or even two minutes. That is why our constant love relationship with Jesus is so important. We must not become comfortable or proud. We must humbly follow Him each step.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 14-16.
At the renewal ceremony Samuel stood before the people to remind them of their sin in desiring a king and to call them to obedience once again. The clear message is that even though God was not fully happy with their decision, He would bless them if they would follow Him completely. The same can be said for Samuel, himself. He promises not to cease to pray for the people even though he did not like the decision, either. The lesson is that people do not have to be perfect to receive the blessings of God. Even when we operate within the permissive will of God instead of the perfect will of God, He wants to bless us. If God wrote us off when we made a mistake, there would be no hope for anyone. However, by God continuing to work in us even though we are not perfect, there is the possibility that we will see our error and turn completely to Him. It is definitely not an occasion for us to think that we can sin more and more and still receive God's blessings, though.
After two years Saul's humility had turned to pride, so he attacked his enemies, the Philistines, without calling on God. Then, in desperation he offered the sacrifices himself, because his army was leaving in fear. It is a picture of failing to trust God. He had forgotten God's power. He was simply looking at the situation through human eyes. This lack of trust became his downfall, and Samuel let him know it when he showed up. Now Saul had sinned against God, and he was facing a huge army with 600 men of his own. What was he going to do now? You might think all is lost, if you don't know the mercy of God. One thing is true, if Saul and his army did not learn from Saul's mistake and turn to God, they would be defeated.
Don't be too hard on Saul in this situation. Think about yourself. How long does it take you to go from a mountaintop with the Lord to the valley of sinful rebellion? Sometimes it doesn't take two years. Sometimes it takes two days or even two minutes. That is why our constant love relationship with Jesus is so important. We must not become comfortable or proud. We must humbly follow Him each step.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 14-16.