INTERESTING FACTS : "WHATEVER MERIT THERE IS IN ANYTHING THAT I HAVE WRITTEN IS SIMPLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN I WAS A CHILD MY MOTHER DAILY READ ME A PART OF THE BIBLE AND DAILY MADE ME LEARN A PART OF IT BY HEART." - -JOHN RUSKIN [19TH CENTURY ARTIST]

 

DAILY READING : 1 SAMUEL 15 - 17

 

TEXT : 1Sa 16:1  And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 1Sa 16:2  And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. 1Sa 16:3  And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

 

THEME : GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

 

In the 15th - 17th chapters of 1st Samuel, we have the downfall of Saul, Israel's first king, and the anointing of David Israel's second. In chapter15, we learn how God regretted making Saul king and rejected him. We also observe one of the Bible's most imposing truth's about rebellion to God.

 

After an inquiry by Samuel, Saul states he has obeyed the Lord and denies Samuel's accusation that he has not. Yet, Samuel points out the presence of the king of the Amalekites - Agag, and the noise of sheep bleating in the background. To this, Saul responds he took the best of the sheep and oxen for the Lord, and the king as symbol of their victory. Here is where we learn a critical truth concerning our relation with God in Samuel's' reply to Saul.

 

1Sa 15:19  Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? 1Sa 15:20  And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 1Sa 15:21  But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. 1Sa 15:22  And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams. 1Sa 15:23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbo rnness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

 

Notice that "almost following instructions" God counts as not following orders. Worse, is the fact that it is considered rebellion toward the Lord. Further, such rebellion is equal to the practice of witchcraft. In addition, Saul's stubborn refusal to follow God's Word to the letter, is equivalent to idolatry. For this, Saul has the kingdom taken from him. Saul will go on to admit he feared the people [as we saw in his offering of a burnt offering in Gilgal] and was willing to please them more than God. This is a fatal flaw in a leader appointed by God. God must be first at all times - at least in the heart with its motives. However, Saul's has the fear of man in his heart, and this was his undoing.

 

Men of God are not permitted certain luxuries that other believers can possess. Among those traits not allowed by God in His lead ers - whether they are prophet, priest, or king [i.e. pastor, elder, bishop, presbyter, etc.] is the fear of man. This is the source of endless troubles for the Church, as it was for Israel. People must be led, not by precept or principle alone, but by example. Therefore, the leader of God's people must possess a redoubtable will and an intrepid spirit. The leader of God's people will put everyone in jeopardy if he does not fear God more than man or his own apprehensions. In this respect, Saul failed miserably and paid the price.

 

It is thought provoking, remarkable, and startling to note how Saul is demon possessed in chapter 16. ["But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him." {1Sa 16:14}]. This leads us to the obvious conclusion when Samuel stated rebellion is equal to witchcraft he was not employing a metaphor but stating a reality. It is also intriguing to read the evil spirit comes from the Lord. We need to learn as Christians to take God at His Word - nothing added, nothing taken away. God means what he says and says what he means. To point this out, read the words of Jesus and of Peter concerning knowing him and then going back to your old lifestyle of sin.

 

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. [Mat 12:43 - 45]

 

"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happen ed unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. [2 Pe 2:20 - 22]

 

Therefore, it is a serious matter not to take God at his word. Even more, the man  of God who occupies an office of leadership in the Church must be careful to do and say only what God commands and says. Otherwise, the results will be disastrous for that man and those who hear him. This we learn from Saul.

 

At this juncture David, the humble keeper of his father's sheep enters the picture. As God's choice to rule His people, Samuel anoints him as instructed by God. Then, in an act of Providence, as Saul is tormented by the evil spirit, he seeks for a skillful musician - one who plays the harp, to play for him in his anguish. David is chosen. No one knows, this young man will be the next king of Israel! Though the time will come in the near future that the presence of David will not comfort Saul but i nflict more grief. This is of course, after David defeats Goliath and the young women sing David's praises and Jonathan and David become close friends.

 

David's courage in volunteering to fight the giant - Goliath, the champion warrior of Gath is one of the most notable events in the Bible. Although usually told to children, the story of David and Goliath is a monumental example of faith in God. This is so for the following reasons.

 

First, David is only a young boy, and Goliath has been a warrior from childhood. Next is the obvious - Goliath's size. Then there is the fact that David has no weapon or armor. Last is the fact that David relies totally on the faithfulness and power of God rather than any conventional means to obtain victory. As you are observing, this full reliance on God for His deliverance and provision is a recurrent theme in the Bible. It may be said, the absolute sovereignty of God and His insistence on people trusting Him IS the theme of th e Bible.

 

David cannot wear Saul's armor, so he chooses five stones from the brook. With one, and the first one out of his bag, he sinks the stone deep in the giant's head and the men of Israel win the battle of the valley of Elah. However, we should take notice of David's words of faith.

 

"And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.  And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.  This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smi te thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.  And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David." [1 Sa 17:42 - 50]

 

The battle is the Lords! As such, a sling and a stone is sufficient to slay the greatest warrior and overcome the largest foe! In David's triumph, the entire world knows - the Lord does not save with sword or spear, but by His own ha nd!

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : GOD RULES IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN!

 

Although Saul is filled with the fear of man and a willingness to please men more than God, we should take notice of Samuel's apprehension in obeying the Lord in 1 Samuel 16:2. The lesson here is not that God's men are without feelings of fear or emotions. Rather, the lesson is how true men of God overcome [through faith displayed by obedience] those fears to which we are all prone.

 

It is comforting to know no matter what happens in life God is always in control. Note in the text above, two things. First, God who selected Saul is also the one who rejects him. Second, God had David standing in the wings waiting for His call and anointing. God being God is never at a loss for what to do. The reason is that His kingdom rules over all at all times! [ "The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. {Psa 103:19}] One example, and we could review many, from American history will suffice to demonstrate this uplifting and reassuring truth.

 

The following words are from Benjamin Franklin speaking to the representatives present at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. After five weeks of arguing and vigorous discussion, little progress had been made in hammering out the U.S. Constitution for which all of us owe so much as Americans. Franklin reasons with those present, all of whom, or most of whom fought in the Revolution. His motion and resolve is to offer prayer to God in order to obtain His aid in drafting and implementing the Constitution. When they agreed to his proposal, it initiated and instituted the Senate chaplaincy that is with us to this day. Here are his words. 

 

"Mr. President

 

The small progress we have made after 4 or five weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other-our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ays, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.

 

In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor.

 

To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.

 

I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that Service."

 

Let us remember the words of Franklin, for they represent a tremendous truth found in the Bible - "God Governs in the affairs of men.". He always has. He always will!