September 23, 2015
1 Samuel 13-Part 3
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart...
1 Samuel 13:14
LET IT GLOW
When I disobeyed my parents, I was punished. Since I was so tenderhearted, I often ran to the closet and cried. It didn't take much for me to get the point. Usually a good talking to got the point across quiet well. As a result, I got few times spankings.
What does happen when we disobey God's command? Does He give up on us? Does He manipulate circumstances for us so we are willing?Does He wait until we are willing to do it? Does He choose another that will carry it out? Does He remove us? The possibilities are numerous. What happened to Saul when he disobeyed God? Check it out.
Saul waited 7 days according to the appointed time set by Samuel, but he did to come to Gilgal. The people were scattering. What did Saul do next? He offered the burnt offering unto God as a priest would do, as Samuel would have done. (The burnt offering was to assure God's blessing of victory before a battle.)
What happens next?
- Samuel shows up after Saul is finished with the burnt offering.
- Samuel asked Saul, "What have you done?"
- Saul made excuses for his disobedience-the people scattered, you didn't come, the Philistines gathered.
The MacArthur Bible Commentary explains:
Saul wished to rule as an autocrat who possessed absolute power in civil and sacred matters. Samuel had wanted the seven days as a test of Saul's character and obedience to God, but Saul failed it by invading the priestly office himself. Saul reacted disobediently based upon what he saw, not by faith.
Saul's disobedience was a serious matter with consequences. How serious do we take our disobedience? Are we willing to accept the consequences?
LET IT GROW
What did Prophet Samuel say next?
- Saul, you acted foolishly.
- You have not kept the commandment the LORD your God gave you.
- If you had (obeyed), He would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.
- Now your kingdom will not endure.
- the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him leader of His people, because you have not kept the LORD's command.
God was going to choose Israel's next king whose heart was like His own, one who had the will to obey God. Paul quoted this passage in Acts 13:22 about David. Yes, David had already been chosen as Saul's predecessor.
Are we a woman or man after God's own heart, willing to obey Him?
In a nutshell, Saul disobeyed, lost his kingdom, and another was chosen to replace him. David's line would make the way for the Messiah to come-Jesus Christ.
If god tells us to do something, and we do not obey Him, will He choose another to replace us? Or will He work on us, allow events to bring us to surrender our will to His? Will He wait on us to finally be willing to obey? Or will He immediately get a replacement for us? If another obeys what we were told to do, and gets our blessing, how do we react? Things to ponder.
LET IT GO
Obey what God tells me to do.
Make no excuses for my disobedience; repent.
Accept the consequences of my disobedience.
Love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Reap what I sow, willingly.
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