Reason #736
Another one down. I finished 1 Samuel tonight, and it proved to be a good book. I love reading about Israel because they give me encouragement. It's always good to hear other people's stories, you know. Because, for me, it's really encouraging to know that I am not the only one who can't get it right. I'm thankful to know that there are a few more people who weren't perfect.
A lot goes on during the 31 chapters of Samuel. Miracles, disappointments, defeat, victory, war, strained relationships, rebellion, disobedience, and divine intervention. And so most of the book is designated to Saul and David. Saul becomes king after the Israelites beg and plead for a king so that they can be like everyone else. They ask again and again for an earthly king to lead them because, in their minds, that made more sense than continuing to let God be their reigning king. And so after much petition, God allows them to have a king. Saul becomes the first king of Israel and things seem to be off to a good start.
Half way through the book, Saul has changed. His time in leadership has been filled with mistakes, but the turning point comes when he blatantly disobeys God. God had appointed Him king. Basically, He handed the job to Saul. Saul didn't have to campaign and be elected for the position, no, God chose Him to be king. With that assignment came responsibility, and, as with any assignment from the Lord, it shouldn't have been taken lightly. And so God gave Saul exact instructions in chapter 15, and Saul carried them out almost exactly as the Lord commanded. Almost. He didn't do exactly what God had asked, but it seemed close enough to him. And this was the breaking point. This was the opportunity God had given him to be obedient and Saul chose otherwise. "Then the Lord said to Samuel, "I am sorry that I ever made Saul king..." (1 Samuel 15:10-11)
God gives us assignments and roles in life. Some of them, we pray for. Some of them are handed to us, while some of them we work hard to get. Yet each time God gives us a responsibility, a role to fulfill, there is purpose in it. Ultimately, our purpose in any role is to reflect and honor the Lord. Obviously, not all of us will be kings or queens. Not all of us will be well known or famous. In fact, most of us will live quiet and simple lives. Most of us will be workers of some sort, husbands, wives, parents, friends, sons and daughters. Yet these were roles that the Lord allowed us to have and we should take the responsibility of each one seriously. We should obey God's calling, even if we'd like to structure it differently. Because there will be times when He assigns us a task within that role and we just don't understand it. There will be challenging assignments, and there will be difficult ones. Some will be a little scary, and some will be thrilling. There will be assignments that we absolutely cannot do without His help every step of the way, and assignments will come that He has prepared us to take on in advance. But no matter what, we need to carry them out faithfully just as He asks. We need to trust that He has a perfect plan and purpose behind it, and we need to be loyal and obedient so that He is honored. Because the best thing we can do is bring glory to God's name, yet that's tough to make happen when we disobey.
God has given you a chance, a once in a lifetime opportunity to be exactly what you are. He has called you and chosen you for this very position that you hold. And when we allow God to lead us, when we seek His direction and then follow it exactly, we can't go wrong. He'll never be disappointed in our obedience, and even when we mess up, He's there to offer forgiveness and get us back on the right track. And I'm so grateful for that. Grateful that He has a plan, uses us to accomplish that plan, and will be our guide to get us where He needs us to be.
#736 - Because when we follow the Lord and obey His instructions, we'll always get it right.
"Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide." - Psalm 119:97-98
A lot goes on during the 31 chapters of Samuel. Miracles, disappointments, defeat, victory, war, strained relationships, rebellion, disobedience, and divine intervention. And so most of the book is designated to Saul and David. Saul becomes king after the Israelites beg and plead for a king so that they can be like everyone else. They ask again and again for an earthly king to lead them because, in their minds, that made more sense than continuing to let God be their reigning king. And so after much petition, God allows them to have a king. Saul becomes the first king of Israel and things seem to be off to a good start.
Half way through the book, Saul has changed. His time in leadership has been filled with mistakes, but the turning point comes when he blatantly disobeys God. God had appointed Him king. Basically, He handed the job to Saul. Saul didn't have to campaign and be elected for the position, no, God chose Him to be king. With that assignment came responsibility, and, as with any assignment from the Lord, it shouldn't have been taken lightly. And so God gave Saul exact instructions in chapter 15, and Saul carried them out almost exactly as the Lord commanded. Almost. He didn't do exactly what God had asked, but it seemed close enough to him. And this was the breaking point. This was the opportunity God had given him to be obedient and Saul chose otherwise. "Then the Lord said to Samuel, "I am sorry that I ever made Saul king..." (1 Samuel 15:10-11)
God gives us assignments and roles in life. Some of them, we pray for. Some of them are handed to us, while some of them we work hard to get. Yet each time God gives us a responsibility, a role to fulfill, there is purpose in it. Ultimately, our purpose in any role is to reflect and honor the Lord. Obviously, not all of us will be kings or queens. Not all of us will be well known or famous. In fact, most of us will live quiet and simple lives. Most of us will be workers of some sort, husbands, wives, parents, friends, sons and daughters. Yet these were roles that the Lord allowed us to have and we should take the responsibility of each one seriously. We should obey God's calling, even if we'd like to structure it differently. Because there will be times when He assigns us a task within that role and we just don't understand it. There will be challenging assignments, and there will be difficult ones. Some will be a little scary, and some will be thrilling. There will be assignments that we absolutely cannot do without His help every step of the way, and assignments will come that He has prepared us to take on in advance. But no matter what, we need to carry them out faithfully just as He asks. We need to trust that He has a perfect plan and purpose behind it, and we need to be loyal and obedient so that He is honored. Because the best thing we can do is bring glory to God's name, yet that's tough to make happen when we disobey.
God has given you a chance, a once in a lifetime opportunity to be exactly what you are. He has called you and chosen you for this very position that you hold. And when we allow God to lead us, when we seek His direction and then follow it exactly, we can't go wrong. He'll never be disappointed in our obedience, and even when we mess up, He's there to offer forgiveness and get us back on the right track. And I'm so grateful for that. Grateful that He has a plan, uses us to accomplish that plan, and will be our guide to get us where He needs us to be.
#736 - Because when we follow the Lord and obey His instructions, we'll always get it right.
"Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide." - Psalm 119:97-98
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