 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. Acts 13:21 ESV
The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go.” 1 Samuel 16:1a ESV So, imagine someone working with you for roughly forty years. Then you have to let them go😞 Samuel might have reminisced about his first encounter with Saul and how Saul didn’t even think he was fit for the job. Saul expressed he didn’t think he had what it took to fulfill the requirements. I imagine Samuel thought about how Saul never told his uncle about his new leadership appointment when he returned home from finding the donkeys. His uncle clearly knew something was different about Saul but Saul never breathed a word. I bet Samuel chuckled when he thought about the day Saul was announced as king over the Israelites and they couldn’t even find him. The knucklehead was hiding. Oh, what about the time the children of Belial despised Saul in his newly appointed position over them. They didn’t bring Saul any presents. Saul just held his piece. I meant peace. 😃 On a serious note, Saul didn’t even let it bother him. Now Saul would no longer be part of the team. Saul was no longer God’s trusted king. Samuel’s right hand man. Forty years. Samuel and Saul must have developed quite a relationship for Samuel to grieve like this. Samuel had a dilemma. How do I move on? And God had a response: Let’s go and press forward. Complete your mission. Do what you were called to do. Life will present us with disappointments, no doubt. And, yes, grieving is normal and healthy to a point. The key is personally knowing when it is time for you to move forward. Byron Pulsifer sums it up well. “Persistence - the ability to keep moving forward, in spite of difficulties.” Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz  Ever think why didn’t Saul keep silent once Samuel commented on hearing the sheep and cattle? (Found in 1 Samuel 15:13&14) Why didn’t he just admit he screwed up? Why didn’t he do something to accept responsibility?
When Samuel confronted Saul on not obeying God’s instructions, instead, Saul makes matters worse. In the midst of the dialog Saul tries to defend himself by blaming it on the people. Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.” 1 Samuel 15:15 NIV The ‘ole “It wasn’t my fault. It was the people” excuse. Somebody should have told Saul, “Hush. Let’s think about this son. This excuse didn’t work for Adam so what makes you think it will work for you?” 🧐 The truth of the matter is sometimes accepting responsibility for our disobedience can be a hard thing to do. 🤷🏽♀️ Just a little something to ponder. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz  Say to the Daughter of Zion [inhabitants of Jerusalem], Behold, your KING is coming to you, lowly and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey [a beast of burden]. Matthew 21:5 AMP
At one point in Jesus journey, HE is riding on a beast of burden. A draught animal created, or one could say purposed, to carry or pull heavy loads. Said to be a hardy animal in that they can survive much: extreme temperatures, poor diet, lack of water and neglect would be the shortlist. The one purposed to carry heavy loads carrying ONE purposed to do the same. The one purposed to survive much carrying ONE who survived it all. Our KING came in riding on a beast of burden with the weight of the world on HIS shoulders. Are you burdened with all that is going on in the world today? Are you anxious? Worrisome? Concerned? So here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you. Psalms 55:22 TPT Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz  Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 1 Samuel 10:26 NIV
Look at that. Saul now has followers. 😀 At one point, Samuel gives strict instructions to Saul to go and fight the Amalekites. Samuel tells Saul to totally destroy every thing that belongs to the Amalekites and to kill all the people, too. Found in 1 Samuel Chapter 15. Saul and his army go and defeat the Amalekites. But Saul spares the life of the Amalekite king. Saul and his army also keep everything that they considered good. So, back in the day, that would be the best of the sheep, cattle, fatted calves and lambs. Later Samuel goes to see Saul. See, God has given Samuel the inside scoop. God revealed to Samuel that Saul did not completely obey the instructions. God, also, told Samuel that Saul would no longer be king and God had given the role to someone else. So, Samuel arrives to convey the message to Saul and my summary of the conversation goes like this: Saul greets Samuel and excitedly says: “Hey, what’s up, my friend. I did what the LORD asked!” I imagine Samuel pausing, and then looking up at Saul, with resignation and saying, “Hey, what’s up Saul. Hold on. Wait. I hear something. You hear that? Man, that sounds like sheep and oxen. “Oh that! Well, what had happened was…. “. I imagine with a look of reproach Samuel thinking, while refraining from slapping him on the back of his head, “Saul! Quit. Just quit! Did you really think God wouldn’t know? All the LORD asked was that you obey HIM. Yet, you didn’t! You had it made, Saul. What were you thinking? Well, thanks for your service but it will no longer be needed.” The fact of the matter: Obedience is that serious. Father, As we grow in our purpose, help to keep us obedient to Your Word. In Jesus Name, Amen. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king. 1 Samuel 15:23b NIV |
Hey There! I'm LizFounder of Ezra728 with a purpose of creating inspiring messages to strengthen and encourage primarily us gals across the globe. Guys, don't fret. You are definitely welcome, too. Archives
March 2021
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