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Today is Sunday April 5, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of I Samuel. Please read chapters 12-14 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this one into your browser: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Samuel%2012-14&version=9

Today's Message: God's Test
We can not stop obeying Gods commands when we are faced with circumstances, it is during those times when He tests are ability to be obedient to Him.

Saul, became the first king of Israel, he was a man with great ability, but he had one fatal flaw. He chose to trust his own judgment rather than God's. His first failure occurred a few years after he became king. Samuel had told Saul to go to Gilgal and wait for him there for seven days, but Samuel was late. Instead of waiting for him
Saul had disobediently offered a burnt offering sacrifice earlier that day. "And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering." (I Samuel 13:7-12). Saul's decision to assume the role of a priest violated the Word of God, then he made things worse by trying to come up with an excuse as to why he violated God's Word.

The burned offering symbolized surrender to God, but, when Saul assumed the God ordained position of a priest, the sacrifice became an abomination to the Lord. What seemed to Saul to be a tardiness in Samuel's arrival was, in reality, a test by God of Saul's obedience to Him. Saul failed by taking it upon himself to do what he knew was an abomination to God. "And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee." (13:13-14).

Though some may consider Saul's disobedience of little consequence, no matter how small the sin it is still sin and there will be consequences for it. "Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;" (Romans 2:9-12). There is no such thing as a little white lie or stretching the truth just a little bit because one little lie always becomes out of control.

We may be tempted at times to disregard what the Bible states is sin and assume that certain circumstances justify our actions, but God does not bless any sacrifice or gift of time, money, or talents unless we are truly living to please Him. Jesus said: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23). God cannot honor partial obedience, no matter how sincere a person may be it's still being disobedient because he/she is telling God that he/she will only obey Him when he/she feels like it.

The faith that God honors comes as a result of full obedience. Surrendering our lives to do His will above all else should be the unconditional response of every Christian. Jesus Himself, creator of all things, obeyed God by surrendering His life over to Him. "Then saith he (Jesus) unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:38-39).

Today's Psalm: 27:14
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my ever-wandering heart upon Jesus. When the howling winds and forceful storms of this life attempt to shipwreck my faith may they instead prove my faith to be more than sufficient to withstand the continual assaults from the enemy. Because I take refuge in Jesus my spiritual foundation is firm, always dependable, and leads me to glorious victory. In Jesus' Name........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed night/day and hope you have a good Lord's day.
God Bless,
Christina

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