Tuesday March 3, 2008 THEY ASKED - THEY RECEIVED
Samuel took a flask of olive oil, poured it on Saul's head, kissed him, and said, "The LORD has anointed you to be ruler of his people Israel. You will rule his people and save them from all their enemies. When Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. When he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by families, the family of Matri was chosen. Then Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen. They looked for him but couldn't find him. They asked the LORD again, "Has he arrived here yet?" The LORD answered, "He's hiding among the baggage." They ran and got him from there. As he stood among the people, he was a head taller than everyone else. Samuel asked the people, "Do you see whom the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people." Then all the people shouted, "Long live the king!" 1 Samuel 1:1a; 20-24 God's people couldn't take it anymore. They wanted to be like everyone else around them. They wanted a Living King to rule them - or so they thought. God gave Israel a king who would do just what the people asked! We need to evaluate our prayers carefully. Is what we ask for what we really need? Is what we ask for what is truly best for us? What Israel should have asked for is a king after God's own heart. One who would be responsive to God, and keep Israel close to the Lord. It is a measure of God's grace that when Saul's flaws were fully revealed, the Lord provided His people with just such a king in David. If you are like me, you've often wondered - why God deliberately chose a man who would fall short? Was it punishment for those who insisted on a king? Did God set Israel up? Was Saul God's choice only so He could later say, "I told you so"? These questions are answered clearly and firmly in the text; and the answer is no. In fact, God thoroughly prepared Saul - not for failure, but for success. Saul was given signs to ensure that he realized he had been chosen by God (read Chapter 10:1-7). God immediately let Saul know that He was personally involved in Saul's choice and his life. Saul was infused by the Spirit of God and, the text says, "God changed Saul's heart" (vv. 9-10). God worked within Saul to make him sensitive to the Lord. Saul was suddenly able to prophesy, causing amazement in those who knew him (v. 11). As the New Testament affirms, "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." James 1:13-14. What an important message for you and me. When God calls us to any task, He intends us to succeed! On top of that, He provides all the resources we need to achieve success. If we stay close to Him we will avoid the tragedy that later befell Saul, Israel's first king. Father, thank You again for Your perfect Word; which, of course, includes the failures of Your people to help remind us that when we fall You want us to get back up and try again. We praise Your Holy Name! ******************************************* O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [email protected] or [email protected] window live messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
