Using God to Impress Others 04.05.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday April 5, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of I Samuel. Please read chapters 14:24-16 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. In today's study we will read and learn about Saul's foolish oath; Saul commanded to destroy all Amalekites, but sins by sparing the enemy king; David is anointed Israel's next king; and Saul is rejected by God as king. Today's message focuses on the importance of pleasing God before the world and following Him whole heartedly.

Few kings in biblical history were blessed with as many advantages as Saul. But he soon forgot the source of his success. He became more concerned with impressing the people than with pleasing the Lord. It was not long before Saul exposed his true character. "Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.....Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass....But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly." (I Samuel 15:1,3,9). Then after Saul defeated the Amalekites he erected a memorial to himself at Carmel to commemorate his victory. "And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal." (15:12).

Although there had been a great victory, Saul had disobeyed the command of God by sparing the Amalekite king. He tried to shift the blame by saying that the people robbed them in order to give as a sacrifice unto the Lord. "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. 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." (15:20-21). Saul seemed blind to his own disobedience. To utterly destroy would have been a true burned offering to God. But, when people kept the best, it probably was for themselves to eat as a peace offering.

Saul was more concerned about his public image before the elders of Israel than with his right relationship with God. "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. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." (15:22-23). Saul finally confessed his disobedience and worshipped the Lord. "And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.....Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD." (15:24-25, 30-31). However, God stripped Saul of his reign and sent Samuel in search of a new king for Israel, "Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel....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." (15:34-35,16:1)

There is nothing so self-deceiving as professing Christ as Savior and Lord when the real motive is to gain personal recognition and praise from others. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32). When we choose to follow Jesus, we must do so whole heartedly. God rather you not follow Him at all then to do it under false pretenses and all it really does is create problems for you just as it did for Saul. He lost his reign because he was more worried about impressing others than pleasing God. "And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question." (Mark 12:32-34).

In today's study Jesus Christ is revealed through David's name (I Samuel 16:13), which means beloved. David is a type of Jesus, whom the Heavenly Father called: My beloved Son. "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17).

Today's Psalm: 9:1
"I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works."

Today's Prayer: From Psalm 111
Dear Lord,
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Have a wonderful Saturday and get out there and enjoy the day that the Lord has made, there are blessings in everything.
God Bless,
Christina

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