Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Monday April 6, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of I Samuel. Please read chapters 15-16 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Samuel%2015-16&version=9

Today's Message: Remain Victorious
We can not follow only part of a command from God, we must be willing to do all that He asks of us if we want to remain victorious

There were few kings in biblical history that were blessed with so many advantages as Saul, within just a few short years he forgot that the source of his success was God. Saul proved his true character when he would not obey God's command to destroy all the Amalekites, including livestock. "And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 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 15:7-9). Our true character is also revealed when we pick and choose what we want to obey from God's commands.

Saul thought that he had the victory and deserved recognition for destroying only what he thought was corrupt. He created a memorial to himself at Carmel to commemorate this victory. Upon hearing this, Samuel went to talk to him. "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.........And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. 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?" (15:12,17-19).

Saul seemed blind of his disobedience, completely ignorant of the fact that he did not do all that God commanded of him. He even shifted the blame onto others. "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 failed to realize that by capturing the king and keeping the livestock he did not utterly destroy them. To utterly destroy them all would have been the true sacrifice to God, but when the people kept the best, they proved that they probably wanted to keep it for themselves to eat as a peace offering.

Samuel warned him of his disobedience, "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..............And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel." (15:22-23,26).

Although Saul did confess his sin it still did not save him from losing his reign. Saul was more concerned about his public image before the elders of Israel than with his right relationship with God. Victory may be sweet for a time, but the truth is that without God nothing remains victorious. One of the biggest mistakes made is becoming too proud over our victories and taking way too much credit for ourselves. Yes, it does take an effort on our part to reach our goals, but they are rarely reached all on our own. Only with God are we able to reach our goals and remain victorious. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:57).

Today's Psalm: 98:1
"O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
When our earthly fathers discipline us, it is intended for immediate correction and future application. At the time it is painful and we may not understand, but it was for our own good. The same is true with You, Lord, Your discipline is not pleasant at the time and can be painful, but in the end it was the best thing for us. We stand upon Your promise that it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those of us who are trained by it. It transforms our thinking, shapes our values, and corrects our behavior so that we become more and more like Christ. In Jesus' Name.......Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed night/day.
God Bless You,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net