 First Samuel Chapter 16 verse 4 tells us that Samuel did what the LORD commanded and traveled from his home, in Ramah to Bethlehem, to anoint the next king.
So, me, I had to know how long the journey was from point A to point B. The distance is said to be roughly 35 miles. Oh, and by the way, the road from Samuel’s home in Ramah to Bethlehem passed by Gibeah where Saul had his headquarters. Samuel had to pass, and possibly come face to face with what he once feared. Imagine that walk of faith. 😱 Yes, I think Samuel might have battled with fear at least once on this journey. You think so, too? Now, me, no doubt about it. I know I would have battled with fear during that more than a marathon trip. Especially as I came closer and closer to Gibeah. Who am I kidding! Probably even after passing it, too. Hmmm. So, what’s the takeaway? As you and I walk out our purpose, things around us may trigger us to fear but we must remember to do what Samuel did: Keep it moving while staying focused on purpose. 😃 Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz  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. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for Myself a king among his sons. And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “ Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ And invite Jesse to the sacrifice , and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for Me him who I declare to you.” 1 Samuel 16:1-3 ESV
By now you have got to be thinking, “When are we going to move on from these passages?” This week my friend. This week. 😀 So, here we see the LORD had a plan to replace Saul with another king. Here the LORD provided the details that Samuel needed at the time. Notice the LORD didn’t tell him exactly who He had selected to be king. What is also interesting is Samuel didn’t run and tell anyone either. Moving forward he only involved those who were pertinent to the plan. So, maybe sometimes I don’t need to know the full plan before moving forward. Sometimes I just need to go ahead and execute what God has asked me to do even when the plan may not include all the specifics. Maybe I just need to move forward and continue to listen for His voice and His direction along the way. Trust His plan will unfold in His time. Trust God along the way. 💜 And maybe sometimes I don’t need to let others know the plan. 😮 Maybe I just need to let those who are key to the plan in on it. Trusting God along the way. 💜 Just some nuggets to ponder. ☺️ Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM!  In 1 Samuel Chapter 16, when God tells Samuel to go, one of Samuel’s responses back to God is, “If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”
Samuel knew that even after all the years of growing together, working together, getting to know each other, supporting each other, loving each other, Saul would react negatively if he heard the plan. Samuel knew that if Saul heard that he was on his way to anoint someone else as king that Saul would hunt Samuel down and try to kill him. Samuel knew Saul would not allow him to walk out God’s plan without a fight. Saul would quickly go from friend to foe. As I sat back and noodled on this I thought, Liz, and you know what? Sometimes the enemy is not going to just allow you to walk out your calling. He will do whatever it takes to try and prevent you from doing what God has purposed you to do. What God has called you to do no one can stop you but you. Your limit just may be you. 💜 Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM!  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. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for Myself a king among his sons. And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “ Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ And invite Jesse to the sacrifice , and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for Me him who I declare to you.” 1 Samuel 16:1-3 ESV
God, I need help here. I get what You want me to do but I am really struggling with the how? How in the world do You expect for me to do this? You know Saul. He is not going to just allow me to walk this thing out. He is not going to give up without a fight. If he finds out I am going to anoint another king to replace him he won’t think twice about killing me. God’s response to Samuel wasn’t, “Good grief! What’s your problem? How long have we been doing this? And you want to know how?” Nope. Not at all. God loved the fact that Samuel came to Him with his fears. With his questions. I bet God loved the fact that Samuel trusted Him with his innermost thoughts and concerns. I bet Samuel loved the fact that God wasn’t harboring ‘ill will’ at the fact it took Samuel a minute to move on from his personal pity party related to Saul’s demise as king. ☺️ Samuel had a relationship with God. Samuel sought God. He went to God for guidance and direction. He engaged in a dialog with God. Samuel trusted God. God had a relationship with Samuel. God revealed truth to him. God led, and provided, and showed compassion towards him. God heard Samuel’s concerns, his heartfelt honesty, and showed him how to move forward. Weaved throughout the word of God are beautiful aspects of a relationship between God and Samuel. God and others, too, for that matter. This is what God so desires: A relationship between God and you; God and me, too. 💙 Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM! |
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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