So many good comments here! What really caused me to think today was the part that said Saul had “an evil spirit from the Lord”. I really had to mull that over. Does God send an evil spirit? what i did notice is that this event is THE way that God brings David into the realm of royalty. Who can soothe that spirit? – oh David! No one knows he’s been anointed as next king. But he’s called into service – where God wants him to be – because of this evil spirit that God allowed to bother Saul. This will keep me thinking the rest of the day -probably longer!
This is so interesting to pick up. I remember reading it for the first time and just being reminded of Gods total sovereignty. He can do exactly as he pleases to bring about His plans and purposes
“For the things that are seen are transient, but the unseen is eternal.” My husband reminded me of that just this morning, as I was getting worked up over a text message that was particularly upsetting. The things we see can be blinding!! Circumstances and relationships that require extra attention divert our eyes from the One who deserves our hearts. Lord, that we would ALL seek to serve you in the matters unseen, not for our glory but for Your will, and Your fame!
15:22-23 “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
“But I did obey the Lord”, cried Saul. I guess almost obeying doesn’t count. He just kept the best animals to sacrifice to the Lord and didn’t kill the Amalekite king. He had a better way than God’s way, or at least that is what he thought. Samuel tells him that obedience is better than sacrifice–which is sort of a double entendre. Sacrifice is many times the grand gesture that all can see. Obedience involves a walk before the Lord and a listening heart . It takes longer. It involves humility. When I don’t listen it doesn’t involve killing or not killing Amalekites, but it is just as important to God for me to be obedient as it was for Saul to be…
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Absolutely love this. It really helped to remind me and residues me of the hope I have always had in my eyes. Going through tuff times is exhausting, it practically drains the life out of you. There are choice we make each day, and each day is a brand new day, a day to learn from, and just as each day passes with a new start, day by day passes we as well are renewed. (:
This is my first time reading through the story of Saul and Samuel. It’s like a movie! But as I read chapter 16, Saul’s negligence for following God’s instructions in full really stuck out to me. I too have been In situations where I realize God wants me to do something; whether it’s asking for forgiveness from someone I wronged or just to do a certain action. If I just do that thing half way, or resolve myself to journaling about what God wants me to do, God keeps reminding me that’s not enough. Like how Saul killed the Amarite people, but he kept the good stuff for himself. He did the easy part.
This passage reminds me that the easy part is easy. God knows we can do that. My true faith is tested when I do what God wants fully and faithfully.
So many good comments here! What really caused me to think today was the part that said Saul had “an evil spirit from the Lord”. I really had to mull that over. Does God send an evil spirit? what i did notice is that this event is THE way that God brings David into the realm of royalty. Who can soothe that spirit? – oh David! No one knows he’s been anointed as next king. But he’s called into service – where God wants him to be – because of this evil spirit that God allowed to bother Saul. This will keep me thinking the rest of the day -probably longer!
This is so interesting to pick up. I remember reading it for the first time and just being reminded of Gods total sovereignty. He can do exactly as he pleases to bring about His plans and purposes
“For the things that are seen are transient, but the unseen is eternal.” My husband reminded me of that just this morning, as I was getting worked up over a text message that was particularly upsetting. The things we see can be blinding!! Circumstances and relationships that require extra attention divert our eyes from the One who deserves our hearts. Lord, that we would ALL seek to serve you in the matters unseen, not for our glory but for Your will, and Your fame!
Amen!
Accomplishments and looks mean nothing! Focus on the heart which should be after God! (1 Samuel 16:7)
GOD is so mighty…but it’s amazing to know we can displease him strongly. I pray that I please him with my life.
15:22-23 “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
“But I did obey the Lord”, cried Saul. I guess almost obeying doesn’t count. He just kept the best animals to sacrifice to the Lord and didn’t kill the Amalekite king. He had a better way than God’s way, or at least that is what he thought. Samuel tells him that obedience is better than sacrifice–which is sort of a double entendre. Sacrifice is many times the grand gesture that all can see. Obedience involves a walk before the Lord and a listening heart . It takes longer. It involves humility. When I don’t listen it doesn’t involve killing or not killing Amalekites, but it is just as important to God for me to be obedient as it was for Saul to be…
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Absolutely love this. It really helped to remind me and residues me of the hope I have always had in my eyes. Going through tuff times is exhausting, it practically drains the life out of you. There are choice we make each day, and each day is a brand new day, a day to learn from, and just as each day passes with a new start, day by day passes we as well are renewed. (:
This is my first time reading through the story of Saul and Samuel. It’s like a movie! But as I read chapter 16, Saul’s negligence for following God’s instructions in full really stuck out to me. I too have been In situations where I realize God wants me to do something; whether it’s asking for forgiveness from someone I wronged or just to do a certain action. If I just do that thing half way, or resolve myself to journaling about what God wants me to do, God keeps reminding me that’s not enough. Like how Saul killed the Amarite people, but he kept the good stuff for himself. He did the easy part.
This passage reminds me that the easy part is easy. God knows we can do that. My true faith is tested when I do what God wants fully and faithfully.