Emotionally Limp Like a Wet Dishrag

O. T. 605  "Emotionally Limp Like a Wet Dishrag" 
September 30, 2015
1 Samuel 15-Part 2  
The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent...  1 Samuel 15:29

LET IT GLOW

Life can be hard; words do hurt; we can be knocked down; the wind can be taken out of our sail. So when it happens, what do we do, where do we go? Do we throw in the towel or get back up? Do we run to Jesus or someone else? He had a lot of hateful words spoken to Him, yet stood strong. Yes, there are times I am emotionally limp like a wet dishrag. That is when I go to Jesus for His strength. I can't do it on my own. He never fails. His Word reassures me. He picks me up, dusts me off, sets my feet on the Solid Rock and leads me on again.  How about you, who is your strength?

Before moving onto the next chapter, I had to take note of something in verse 29:  And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for He is not a man, that He should repent.

Notice the phrase: Strength of Israel (netsach, pronounced nay'tsakh), means Pre-eminence, Prominence (Young's Concordance); it means Splendor; truth; confidence; continually(Strong's Concordance)

This is a unique title of God. It could also be translated "the glory of Israel." (Mic. 1:15) Samuel emphasized God's attribute of immutability in regard to the judgment upon Saul.  (MacArthur)

There are many verses which refer to our LORD God as our strength: Psalm 18:1, 19:14, 28:7-8

Psalm 27:1 says The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 29:11 reassures us, The LORD will give strength unto His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.

Another promise is found in Psalm 37:39, But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble.

I can't leave out this one-Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Friend, if you still need reassurance after reading all those verses, try Psalm 62. You can trust God at all times. He is our rock, salvation, defense, glory, strength. Pour out your heart before Him. Trust in Him at all times. Bless Him, my Strength!

LET IT GROW

It was too late for Saul to get his kingdom back, for his excuses had come to an end.

What happened at the end of this chapter?

•  Saul asked Samuel to with him to worship the Lord, and they did. (verse 30-31) Had Samuel refused, the people may have lost all confidence in Saul.
• Then Samuel carried out the task which Saul never did, what God had commanded-destroy all of the Amalekites (Deut. 25:17-19).
• Samuel hacked Agag into pieces. It was not his job to do such a thing, but it had to be done. Someone had to do it. (Every been there? No one else will do what God wants done so you do it, though unpleasant?)

Israel did not exterminate the Amalekites. Later, they raided the southern territory, taking women and children, including David's family (chapter 30). Also, Hamman was an Amalekite, of which we read about in the book of Esther. He planned on annihilating the Jews before Esther stepped in and revealed his plan, which put a stop to it.

To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  (verse 22)

(Here's an interesting note: Samuel never saw Saul again. Samuel mourned for Saul, which probably meant that he was lamenting the fact that although Saul had been anointed, he failed and was rejected by God.) (Falwell)

Do we encourage people to obey God's Spirit leading and His Word?


LET IT GO

                               ...pride, and humble myself before God.
                               ...sin, rebellion, stubbornness, and obey my Lord Jesus.
                               ...self and forgive others, then love them.
                               ...and trust God for the outcome of my obedience, thousands may be depending on
                                   it.