March 22, 2020
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1 Samuel 13-14
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exposition
Sometimes we make a mess of our lives and don’t know how to clean it up and we don’t want to admit it’s our fault. How we respond to the mess we make with our lives matters to God.
In 1 Samuel 13-14, although the newly anointed King Saul was regal in appearance and enjoyed popular support, he soon demonstrated a fatal flaw–– he foolishly rebelled against God’s Word and made trouble for himself and his nation. We have the same fatal flaw as Saul. When we rebel against God’s Word, we make trouble for ourselves and others.
May 13, 2014
It’s difficult to read the stories about King Saul, Israel’s first king. Although he reigned for 40 years, his leadership style was fraught with short-sighted and ill-conceived tactics, blustering, macho-inspired dictates, people-pleasing priorities, and most of all – a failure to seek God first in all things. In spite of this, God used Saul to lead Israel and in many ways he was one of its better kings. It’s just so tragic to watch from a distance though, because Saul may have been one of Israel’s greatest kings if only he would’ve feared God more than man. And sought God’s pleasure more than pleasing people. Saul’s kingship is a study in leadership failure.
May 13, 2013
This is what Jonathan, son of King Saul, said to his armor bearer before they routed a garrison of Philistines. I think God must love this kind of risk-taking faith. Perhaps the great missionary to India, William Carey, had Jonathan’s story in mind when he said, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”